SAMPLESCIENCE Vaporwaves 2

This new retro-flavoured plug-in from Canada’s SampleScience is based on samples taken from an “obscure” 1980s FM synthesiser and recorded on used VHS tapes. Everything that’s old gets another go at being fresh and cool again, as they say – and we’re okay with that idea.

Vaporwaves 2 is what used to be dubbed a ROMpler, which means it contains samples but can’t record new ones. The plug-in features a handful of lo-fi sample based instruments, including 1980s TV Drums, the free Toy Keyboard, and Vaporwaves 2’s predecessor, the first instalment in the series. It’s available as a VST, VST3 and AU plug-in for Windows and macOS, although Catalina users will need to take the extra step of installing the free Maize Sample Player. Hopefully this small inconvenience can be rectified in the near future.

SampleScience is slightly cagey about naming the “obscure” FM