Cobalt VST
Cobalt VST SYNTH
Cobalt is a digital synthesizer with one foot firmly planted in the early 1980s.
Inspired by classic hybrid synths like the Korg DW series and Ensoniq ESQ-era instruments, it blends gritty digital waveforms with a subtractive-style signal path that feels instantly familiar to anyone who loves vintage electronic tones.
Recently re-released as freeware, Cobalt delivers unmistakable 80s character without the hardware quirks or price tag, making it a great addition for producers chasing nostalgic digital warmth with modern convenience.
System Requirements:
- 64 bit
- VST / AU
- Windows
Hybrid thinking, digital execution
While Cobalt is technically a fully digital synthesizer, its architecture mirrors the analog–digital hybrid designs that defined a generation. The oscillators draw from a curated set of 26 waveforms, many of which were resynthesized directly from real 80s hybrid hardware.
This gives Cobalt a distinct tonal palette that goes far beyond standard saws and squares, offering glassy, hollow, and slightly metallic textures that instantly evoke early digital synthesis.
Those oscillators feed into a traditional subtractive workflow, complete with flexible modulation routing and envelope control. The result is a synth that can sound smooth and mellow one moment, then sharply aggressive the next, all while retaining that unmistakable digital edge that made early hybrid synths so memorable.
Straightforward workflow with character
Cobalt keeps things intentionally simple. Everything lives on a single, clearly laid-out panel, making sound design fast and approachable even if you’re new to synthesis.
Features like polyphonic portamento, key-tracked envelopes, and PWM on any waveform give you plenty of movement and expression without overwhelming complexity.
A custom overdrive algorithm adds weight and bite, while the built-in stereo delay can be tempo-synced via MIDI for classic rhythmic echoes.
The developer (Leslie Sanford) has also included a larger GUI option for modern displays, plus several additional sound banks, making the freeware re-release feel generous rather than stripped down.
Key Features:
A digital powerhouse inspired by the nuanced textures and iconic workflows of legacy 80s hybrid systems.
- 26 waveforms, many resynthesized from classic hybrid synths
- Traditional subtractive-style architecture
- Flexible modulation routing with LFO delay
- Pulse-width modulation available on any waveform
- Polyphonic portamento and key-tracked envelopes
- Rich overdrive based on a custom algorithm
- Stereo delay with MIDI-synced delay times
- Single-panel, easy-to-program interface
FAQ
Cobalt excels at 80s-style digital pads, glassy keys, metallic leads, and hybrid basses with a slightly gritty edge.
It’s less about circuit-accurate emulation and more about capturing the feel and tonal character of early hybrid designs.
Yes. The single-panel layout and clear signal flow make it easy to learn subtractive synthesis without menu diving.
Absolutely. While the tone is vintage, features like MIDI-synced delay and flexible modulation make it easy to fit into contemporary tracks.
No. The free release is fully functional and includes additional sound banks, with no feature restrictions.
