Excite Audio is back with another entry in its material-based Evolve series—this time centered around the sonic DNA of metal. Evolve Alloy, out July 30, isn’t a virtual instrument trying to model realism. Instead, it’s a sample-based synthesizer designed to deliver the sharp, resonant, and sometimes chaotic character of metallic tones—glockenspiels, chains, steel drums, FM synths, and processed foley all stitched together into one engine.
The instrument gives you four layers to work with, each of which can be a sampled instrument or a synth oscillator. You can blend between them live with an XY pad and shape the results with custom metal-inspired effects like Sharpen, Rust, Vibrate, and Spring. There are over 250 curated presets, and if you want to push further, you can drag in your own samples or start from scratch. Whether you’re building cold ambient textures, hyperpop leads, or industrial percussion, it’s geared to get you moving fast.
One of Alloy’s biggest draws is the balance between approachability and depth. There’s a one-click randomize function that spits out ideas without the guesswork, but under the hood, you still get modulation, filters, and effects chains to shape things however you want. You can also import your own content or use the synth as a live performance tool, with global macros and real-time morphing. It’s available now for $39 (intro price) with optional Rent-To-Own plans via Beatport Studio.
Sound Design Without the Learning Curve
Evolve Alloy feels especially useful for producers who want fast results with enough control to take things further. The quad-layer engine opens up a lot of motion without requiring complex routing, and the XY pad is more than a gimmick—it’s the centerpiece. You can morph between layers with one hand and automate filter sweeps or modulation with the other, which makes it ideal for scoring, breakdowns, or building transition FX from scratch.
Each patch can stack tonal instruments, foley recordings, and synthetic noise in ways that traditional samplers and subtractive synths don’t typically allow. Throw in 16 effect modules and low CPU use, and it’s flexible enough to live in both sketchpad sessions and more developed tracks.
Pricing, Lite Version, and Upgrade Path
The full version of Evolve Alloy is currently $39 (intro offer until August 31), with a Lite version priced at $19 and an upgrade path from Lite to Full for $20. All versions are available individually or through Excite Audio’s broader bundle, which is also discounted. For producers looking to add textural, metallic character to their workflow—without spending hours on setup—this is an easy one to recommend.
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