Synthesizer Audit
Independent evaluation of an existing instrument.
Specialized B2B Audio Technology Services
Synthesizer Research & Sound Design
Vintage synthesizer research, hardware/software sound matching, preset development and musical evaluation for software instruments and audio technology companies.
Specialized Research for Synthesizer Development
Creating a convincing virtual synthesizer requires more than reproducing parameter values.
Two instruments can use apparently identical oscillator, filter, envelope and modulation settings and still sound noticeably different.
MAXI-BEAT provides specialized synthesizer research and sound-design services for developers of virtual instruments, audio plugins and music technology products.
Our work combines decades of professional experience in music production and sound design with detailed research into synthesizer architecture, preset behaviour, hardware/software differences and perceptual sound matching.
Hardware & Software Synthesizer Comparison
We analyze how a virtual instrument behaves compared with its original hardware reference.
Research can include:
- Oscillators and waveform behaviour
- Filters and resonance
- Envelopes
- LFO and modulation behaviour
- Oscillator synchronization
- FM and cross-modulation
- Keyboard tracking
- Velocity response
- Voice allocation
- Analog variation
- Mixer and signal-path behaviour
- Distortion and saturation
- Preset reproduction
The objective is not simply to determine whether parameters are technically correct.
The objective is to determine whether the musical result behaves and sounds like the reference instrument.
Vintage Synthesizer Research
Recreating an older synthesizer often requires information distributed across many different sources.
We can research and organize:
- User manuals
- Service manuals
- Schematics
- Technical documentation
- Operating-system behaviour
- MIDI implementation
- SysEx data
- Factory program structures
- ROM information
- Parameter mappings
- Calibration information
- Historical technical documentation
- Hardware recordings
- Independent measurements
- Community research
The result can be delivered as a structured technical research report for the development team.
Preset Compatibility & Reconstruction
One of the most difficult problems in synthesizer emulation is preset compatibility.
A preset can be decoded correctly while still producing a different sound.
We investigate differences involving:
- Oscillator pitch
- Tuning offsets
- Sync and FM
- Filter routing
- Modulation depth
- Envelopes
- Velocity
- Controller assignments
- Effects
- Voice behaviour
- Parameter scaling
Large preset libraries can be systematically audited to identify recurring errors instead of correcting individual sounds manually.
Independent A/B Listening & Musical Evaluation
Technical measurements are essential, but synthesizers are musical instruments.
Some differences become obvious to an experienced listener long before they become obvious in source code or parameter dumps.
We provide independent listening evaluation for:
- Prototype synthesizers
- Alpha and beta versions
- Hardware emulations
- Physical-modeling instruments
- New oscillator or filter algorithms
- Preset conversion systems
- Major DSP updates
Testing can combine technical observations with practical musical evaluation.
Factory Preset & Sound Design
We create sounds for:
- Analog synthesizers
- Virtual analog instruments
- Wavetable synthesizers
- Hybrid synthesizers
- FM instruments
- Physical-modeling instruments
- Cinematic instruments
- Experimental synthesis systems
Factory sound design can be combined with research into characteristic sounds of classic synthesizers.
This allows presets to reproduce not only a musical style but also specific aspects of hardware synthesizer behaviour.
Research Case Study: Complex Vintage Polyphonic Synthesizer
One of our current long-term research projects focuses on reconstructing the behaviour of a complex vintage polyphonic analog synthesizer.
The research includes:
- Operating-system and parameter analysis
- Factory preset compatibility
- Oscillator behaviour
- Filter behaviour
- Modulation architecture
- Oscillator Sync and FM
- SysEx decoding
- Voice behaviour
- Hardware reference recordings
- Systematic A/B comparison
- Identification of perceptual differences between software and hardware
A particularly important part of this work is identifying situations where the software receives the correct preset parameters but still produces a noticeably different sound.
This methodology can be applied to other synthesizer reconstruction and compatibility projects.
Who We Work With
- VST and AU developers
- Virtual instrument companies
- Synthesizer manufacturers
- Independent DSP developers
- Audio software startups
- Sample-library developers
- Preset developers
- Music-technology companies
Possible Project Formats
Hardware Matching Study
Detailed comparison between hardware and software.
Preset Compatibility Audit
Systematic testing of imported or reconstructed presets.
Vintage Synth Research Package
Documentation, architecture, SysEx, presets and reference material.
Factory Sound Design
Professional preset development.
Independent Development Consultant
Ongoing musical and technical evaluation during product development.
Related MAXI-BEAT Services
Our synthesizer research is supported by practical studio experience across production, arrangement and final audio delivery.
Discuss Your Project
If you are developing a synthesizer, virtual instrument or audio plugin and need additional research, sound design or independent evaluation, contact us with a short description of the project.
Confidential development projects can be discussed privately.