Cobalt
by Leslie Sanford
by Leslie Sanford
4.8 / 5
(35 votes)
Cobalt is an hybrid synth inspired by many of the digital synthesizers from the 1980s.
Though Cobalt is a purely digital synthesizer, its overall architecture is very much like those early hybrid synthesizers that combined earlier analog technology with newer digital technology.
It features a wide selection of waveforms, most of which were resynthesized from actual hybrid synthesizers, while providing traditional subtractive synthesis capabilities for sculpting its sound.
Though Cobalt is a purely digital synthesizer, its overall architecture is very much like those early hybrid synthesizers that combined earlier analog technology with newer digital technology.
It features a wide selection of waveforms, most of which were resynthesized from actual hybrid synthesizers, while providing traditional subtractive synthesis capabilities for sculpting its sound.
Downloads
Win 32 VST
(2.7 Mb)
Win 64 VST
(2.7 Mb)
I bought this and forever grateful to Leslie Sanford for it. I created a failed random-preset generator for it but it depends too much on a music program I used. Should have just used the two or three banks available for it. This plug-in is weird because it doesn't support MIDI learn like in many of his other plug-ins. The delay and distortion units are an acquired taste. Also purchased Sanford Reverb, which is quite smooth and tweakable. I also liked the Sanford Phaser-CM.
(5 / 5)
I love it! <3 :)
(5 / 5)
Cobalt by Leslie Sanford creates amazing, warm, rich, and beautiful sounds. The negative reviews are from people, who don't know what they are doing or have weird old setups that need upgrades. I use iRigs37 and Reason 10 and no issues. So download Cobalt and start creating.
(5 / 5)
Great synth with great optimization - even very complex presets consume only about 6% CPU in my FL Studio 20. The sound reminds of cobalt metal indeed: cold, detached, hybrid with metallic FM impact.
(2 / 5)
Yet another synth that seems to interact badly with my keys/playing/pedal. Kinda cold sounding. Pretty good layout but the tone does nothing for me. Clacky sounds when attack is set to 0. I wish I liked this synth more but there are more basic synths out there which give you nicer tones and require much less fiddling.
(5 / 5)
This hasn't crushed or freezed my DAW single time. Not single time. The only other VSTs I can say that about is Synth1, Dexed, Togu Audio and Full Bucket plugins - which is to say this synth belongs in the finest of the finest in freeware. But Cobalt isn't only stable. It's a lovely, different synth. It's not analog, it's digital but funny thing is, it can sound more organic (not analog, organic as in acoustic) than many analog synths, but still retains that digital clarity and edge. It's a timeless sound, never retro, never quite modern but always musical. I've never tried DW80000 but the Wavestation comes close in the kind of sounds I get from this. Also, like Synth1, Cobalt never overpowers or sounds crap no matter what you do. It's also very simple to use, the GUI is easily understandable. The only thing I don't like is it could be brighter and the knob action could be somehow firmer and precise.
(4 / 5)
This is a great product. My only reservation is that it has standard ADSR envelopes. The DW8000's 'slope' and 'breakpoint' parameters are not included, meaning a lot of its distinctive sounds cannot be replicated. It would be great to see these included in a revised version. And - it's been a long time since I owned a DW8000, but I am fairly sure that not quite all of its 16 original waveforms are in Cobalt.
(5 / 5)
In the search for sounds I used in the 90s, having a Korg DW8000 this is very cool!
(5 / 5)
Excellent, great synth!
(2 / 5)
This is way to difficult to use i don't suggest getting it.
(5 / 5)
Cobalt is a wonderful sounding synth! <3
It has extra banks, how does one change banks?
(5 / 5)
What a freaking amazing sounding synth! Incredible!
(5 / 5)
Cobalt is one of the best sounding freebies out there. It sounds excellent! The hybrid sound engine can make it sound digital cold or analogue warm. I use it very often. I recommend this synth!
Yeah, Cobalt sounds amazing! Really awesome that Leslie turned it into freeware! Top shelf sonics freebie! <3<3<3
(5 / 5)
The awesome Cobalt has been updated to version 2. It sounds amazing for free.
(5 / 5)
I love this synthesizer!
Me too. An amazing freebie with a stunning sound engine.
(5 / 5)
Gorgeous 80s vibes. I like it a lot!
(5 / 5)
I honestly was not expecting much, but man was I wrong and in for a big surprise.... Such a fat, full, nice, smooth, sweet, wonderful sound and sonic character. No wonder it was a commercial synth way back in the past. Thank You very much Leslie Sanford for making Cobalt freeware.
Absolutely agree, Cobalt sounds brilliant, it is one of the very best sounding softsynths out there! Very generous of Leslie to give this gem away for free! <3
(5 / 5)
Very sweet and warm sounding synth, a pleasure to work with! Thx to Leslie Sanford
(5 / 5)
For KORG DW-8000 Lovers! To tell the truth,This SYNTH is EXACTLY the clone of DW-8000. Cobalt has the same Oscllator waveforms of DW's. Can not believe to get this 64 bit version for free. (A couple of years,I have bought this almost 100 dollars,) Now raise your hat to Leslie!!!!!!
(5 / 5)
What an amazing sounding synth, so warm and serious low end, huge bass sounds.
(5 / 5)
Very nice digital but warm sounding synth! Thanks Leslie!
(5 / 5)
Suoni bellissimi, semplice interagire. Complimenti
(5 / 5)
Good soft-sounding synth with nice patches. Ready to go straight away. Still testing it but already like it.
Very good synth, surprising too, thanks to the developpers and those that makes it so easy to download without endless redirections
(4 / 5)
Cool plugin I love it!
(5 / 5)
This is my favorite of all synths I have tried for 80s sounds! Thanks to Leslie for setting it free.
Is there a smaller GUI? both versions are the same size, and if like me you have a laptop that displays up to 1366x768 it's next to useless
Yes there is.
Just visit KVRAudio, there is newer version + more skins in this thread:
https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=473935
Remove CobaltLarge.ini, next rename CobaltSmall.ini as CobaltLarge.ini
(5 / 5)
A little beauty. Good clean layout that invites you to tweek, and also comes with a nice range of preset banks to get you going. Sounds great.
(5 / 5)
Tested it today. If you search a partner for your Synth1, get it! It's digital, but with a really nicely warm breeze. It doesn't sound harsh in any way, plastic like or metallic. The presets are well selected, to give you a clue of what u get. I didn't test multiple instances for now, neither designing own sounds, but the GUI is really and I'm sure easy to handle and should not punch your CPU in the stomache. Weird, I never before heard about this synth - now it's free and additionally 64bit. Nicey!
(5 / 5)
Good digital synth
(5 / 5)
Unique, clear sound.