Cherry Audio Releases Crumar Spirit Synthesizer

Cherry Audio has announced the release of the Crumar Spirit by Cherry Audio synthesizer, a faithful software recreation of the rare analog monosynth originally designed by legendary figures in the synth industry, including Bob Moog. In collaboration with Crumar, Cherry Audio has revisited this Italian cult classic and enhanced it with their signature style.

Priced at just $59, the Spirit synthesizer plugin captures the distinctive character of the original instrument while offering increased polyphony, expanded modulation options, studio-quality effects, and more. The release of Spirit continues Cherry Audio's Bob Moog Appreciation Month, featuring significant discounts on products inspired by Dr. Moog's contributions to classic synthesizers and audio production equipment.

Crumar was a notable Italian manufacturer of musical instruments in the 1970s, focusing on home organs and digital keyboards. In the early eighties, Sante Crucianelli of Crumar partnered with synthesizer pioneer Bob Moog to develop the Spirit, an analog monophonic synthesizer featuring key design contributions from Moog Music's Jim Scott and Tom Rhea. Spirit was released in 1983, but faced limited production due to the shift to digital and polyphonic synthesizers. Decades later, Crumar was revived and reissued the Spirit in a new limited run in 2023. When Cherry Audio expressed interest in creating a virtual emulation of the synthesizer, Crumar welcomed this new collaboration enthusiastically.

Cherry Audio's reenvisioning of the Crumar Spirit synthesizer includes all the innovations and deep sound capabilities of the original hardware while enhancing it with modern design elements tailored for today's musicians and sound designers. Cherry Audio has increased its polyphony and added special multi-voice modes, along with expanding its already extensive modulation capabilities. Other highlights include:

Replicates the innovative design of two independent mixers and signal paths found in the original
Monophonic, unison, polyphonic (4, 8, or 16 voices), enhanced by cyclic voice modes that can add per-note variation and more analog character
Accurate reproduction of the Upper low-pass filter and multimode Lower filter, with a fixed formant option to add vocal-like color
Significantly enhances the modulation capabilities of the original's Mod X and Shaper Y sections by introducing Matrix Z, a four-slot modulation matrix featuring 25 sources and 45 destinations
Spirit's distinctive three-mode arpeggiator has been enhanced with swing, chance, and feel, introducing a greater degree of humanization to arpeggiated patterns
Cherry Audio has also enhanced the synthesizer by incorporating dual chains of studio-grade effects and improving its expressiveness with features like velocity and aftertouch, including polyphonic aftertouch, which works with compatible USB and MIDI controllers. Additionally, users can access over 430 stunning presets in a dozen categories, all created by a team of professional sound designers.

Crumar Spirit by Cherry Audio revitalizes this overlooked classic, offering a gateway to sonic experimentation, whether you are after wild, unpredictable timbres or warm, analog tones. With its expanded voice and modulation architecture, Spirit is one of those rare new plugins that offer an all-new palette for intricate motion and dynamic timbres. The result is an affordable new virtual instrument that is ideal for film scoring, electronic production, and live performances.

Alongside the launch of Crumar Spirit, Cherry Audio is also introducing James Dyson's Spectres Preset Pack for $9.99. This pack features an additional 100 presets designed to further showcase its darker and more atmospheric side in nine categories to explore Spirit's more advanced modulations, integrated effects, rhythmic arpeggios, and aftertouch performance features.

Additionally, until September 1st, Spirit can be purchased from cherryaudio.com as part of Cherry Audio's "Build Your Own Bundle" options. Customers can choose the Pick 3 bundle for $99 (regularly $129) or the Pick 6 bundle for $149 (regularly $169), allowing them to mix and match any of Cherry Audio's award-winning instruments for as low as $25 per plugin.

Crumar Spirit by Cherry Audio synthesizer is available for macOS (10.13 and above) and Windows (7 or above) in AU, VST, VST3, AAX, and standalone formats. A free 30-day demo is available. Visit cherryaudio.com for additional product details, a deep-dive introductory video by Tim Shoebridge, system requirements, and an extensive collection of awe-inspiring sound demos.