A Subtractive Synth That Feels Alive

Quantastical STRÄNG 2 takes the familiar foundations of subtractive synthesis and gives them an unusual physical dimension.

At its heart is a simple idea: instead of treating convolution as a conventional effect placed after the synthesizer, STRÄNG runs convolution inside each voice in real time. The result is an instrument where the resonant body becomes part of the sound itself.

Quantastical Sound describes STRÄNG as a subtractive classic made alive. Rather than relying on a sample being triggered to create its character, each note interacts with the convolution body while you play. This means repeated notes can have subtly different character instead of sounding completely identical.

How Does the STRÄNG Convolution Body Work?

The convolution body is the defining feature of STRÄNG 2.

Traditional subtractive synthesizers generally generate an oscillator signal and then shape it with filters, envelopes and effects. STRÄNG takes a different approach by allowing the oscillator to interact with a tonal convolution body as part of the voice.

This gives the synthesizer a sense of physical space and resonance without simply turning on a conventional reverb.

The developer describes the body as part of the sound itself rather than a sample being triggered. That distinction is central to the STRÄNG concept.

What Is New in STRÄNG 2.5?

Version 2.5 significantly expands the instrument.

The update introduces SYMPATHY, a new sympathetic-resonance section, along with additional envelopes, S&H patterns, preset-pack functionality and a new visual skin system.

The factory library also grows by 37 presets to a total of 341 factory presets.

SYMPATHY Resonance

SYMPATHY allows held notes to resonate through the body of subsequently played notes.

The concept is similar to the sympathetic interaction you might experience with an acoustic piano when the sustain pedal is held: notes that are already sounding can influence the resonance of new notes.

STRÄNG provides dedicated BLEND, DECAY and TONE controls for this section.

This can be particularly interesting for:

• Ambient pads
• Cinematic textures
• Slow chord progressions
• Evolving soundscapes
• Experimental electronic music
• Atmospheric game music

STRING Physical-Modelled Exciter

Earlier STRÄNG 2 updates introduced STRING, a physically modelled exciter that can drive the convolution body.

STRING can produce a plucked-string character using Karplus-Strong-style synthesis or modal excitation. Because it interacts with the same body system, it can turn STRÄNG from a conventional synthesizer voice into something resembling a resonating acoustic object.

Subtle settings can add attack character and movement, while stronger settings can create distinctly plucked or resonant sounds.

SPARKLE

STRÄNG 2.4 introduced SPARKLE, a layer built from shifting partials.

The layer can move between sine-like and band-limited saw-like harmonic structures, allowing sounds to move from glassy and bell-like tones toward more bowed or reedy textures.

SPARKLE includes controls for:

• SHAPE
• RANGE
• COLOR
• INHARM
• TUNE
• SMEAR

It can also be routed through the body, allowing the partials to excite the convolution system as another sound source.

SHADOW and SUB

STRÄNG 2 isn’t limited to its main oscillator.

The oscillator is accompanied by additional layers including SHADOW and SUB, giving the instrument additional harmonic weight and flexibility while keeping the central convolution-body concept intact.

SUB can provide additional low-frequency foundation, while SHADOW can contribute another layer of character to the main voice.

DUAL Mode

STRÄNG also includes a DUAL mode capable of running two full layers simultaneously.

The layers can be blended using an A/B control, while fine tuning allows the two layers to be offset against one another.

This makes DUAL mode useful for creating:

• Wider pads
• Detuned leads
• Layered basses
• Thick plucks
• Cinematic drones
• Complex evolving textures

Four Additional Envelopes

Version 2.5 adds an A/B toggle that provides four freely assignable envelopes.

These envelopes have 12 destinations, including modulation targets such as FOLD and TWIST.

This adds considerably more movement potential to the synthesizer, especially when building evolving patches where the sound needs to continuously change after the initial attack.

Sample & Hold Patterns

STRÄNG 2.5 also adds 13 fixed S&H patterns.

These can be locked to the bar or distributed across a chord, giving the synthesizer another way to create rhythmic and evolving modulation.

Instead of relying exclusively on traditional LFO movement, producers can introduce controlled repeating variations into filters, timbre and other modulation destinations.

Built-In CORRIDOR Reverb

STRÄNG includes the CORRIDOR reverb engine as part of its sound architecture.

Quantastical describes CORRIDOR as a network of coupled rooms rather than a conventional single-space reverb. The standalone CORRIDOR effect is also available separately from Quantastical Sound.

Inside STRÄNG, this provides an additional spatial dimension after the distinctive convolution body.

The result can range from relatively intimate sounds to large cinematic environments.

Preset Library

Version 2.5 expands the factory library to 341 presets, with the newest sounds placed into a dedicated NEW category in the browser.

The preset system also supports creating shareable preset packs.

You can export an individual preset or create a pack containing a name, author information and cover artwork.

This is useful for sound designers who want to organize their own STRÄNG creations or share collections with other users.

A Synthesizer for Cinematic Sound Design

Although STRÄNG begins with subtractive synthesis, its real-time convolution approach makes it particularly interesting for sound design.

The combination of:

• Tonal convolution
• Resonance
• STRING
• SPARKLE
• SYMPATHY
• SHADOW
• SUB
• DUAL mode
• S&H modulation
• Multiple envelopes
• CORRIDOR reverb

makes it capable of producing sounds that can move beyond the typical “analog synth” category.

It is well suited to cinematic textures, atmospheric pads, evolving sequences, experimental electronic music, game scoring and unusual melodic instruments.

Interface Skins

STRÄNG 2.5 also introduces a new visual system where skins can change the overall appearance of the instrument, including its background, knobs, frames and lighting.

The current version includes Walnut and Pink looks, and the developer says skins can be cycled directly inside the plugin using the B key.

macOS and Windows Support

STRÄNG 2 is available for both major desktop platforms.

The developer currently lists:

• macOS
• Windows
• AU
• VST3
• AAX
• Standalone

This makes the instrument suitable for both studio-based DAW workflows and standalone sound experimentation.

Who Is Quantastical STRÄNG 2 For?

STRÄNG 2 is especially interesting for producers and sound designers who want something beyond another conventional subtractive synthesizer.

It can be a strong choice for:

• Electronic music producers
• Ambient producers
• Film composers
• Game composers
• Sound designers
• Experimental musicians
• Synth enthusiasts
• Cinematic music producers
• Artists looking for organic synth textures

Technical Specifications

Current product and format information is from Quantastical Sound’s official STRÄNG page.

FAQ

What is Quantastical STRÄNG 2?

Quantastical STRÄNG 2 is a subtractive synthesizer that uses real-time convolution inside each voice to give its sounds a distinctive resonant body.

What makes STRÄNG 2 different from a normal subtractive synth?

Its defining feature is the real-time convolution body. The convolution becomes part of each voice rather than functioning simply as a conventional effect applied afterward.

Does STRÄNG 2 have multiple oscillators?

Its architecture centers on a main oscillator, with additional sound-generation components including SHADOW, SUB, STRING and SPARKLE. It also offers DUAL mode for running two full layers.

How many presets does STRÄNG 2 include?

Version 2.5 has 341 factory presets.

Does STRÄNG 2 have MPE?

Yes. Version 2.3 introduced full MPE support, including per-note pressure routing to volume or the modulation matrix.

Does STRÄNG 2 work on Windows?

Yes. Quantastical Sound lists Windows support alongside macOS.

Does STRÄNG 2 support VST3?

Yes. VST3 is supported, alongside AU and AAX, and there is also a standalone version.

Is there a free trial?

Yes. Quantastical Sound currently advertises a 14-day trial.