D16 - LuSH-2

LuSH-2 is D16's multitimbral analogue-style polysynth plugin, with eight layers that can be stacked, split across the keyboard or played on separate MIDI channels. It grew out of D16's SH-101-inspired LuSH-101, and it's built for big trance pads, stacked leads and synth-pop parts as much as basses and sequences. LuSH-101 patches load straight in.

Architecture

Each of the eight layers is a complete synth with its own polyphony, oscillators, filter and modulation, and there's a built-in arpeggiator with its own presets. The oscillators are designed to avoid aliasing, so high notes stay clean, and the filter keeps its resonance consistent across the range and will self-oscillate. A modulation matrix can reach nearly any parameter in the layer, with several velocity curves to choose from.

Mixer and effects

Each layer has two insert slots (eight algorithms to choose from) and a channel strip with parametric EQ and compression, plus sends to reverb, delay and chorus. Up to 11 audio outputs mean layers can be split out to the DAW mixer too.

The sound

The character is classic subtractive: warm, round and a bit more polished than a vintage Roland. Stack four layers with slight detuning and you get a pad that fills the stereo field without turning to mush. It's not as cheap on CPU as a single-layer synth, but multi-core support helps.

Verdict

A whole rack of analogue-style synths in one plugin. If you make trance, synthwave or anything with layered polysynths, it earns its place.

Features

• Eight layers, stacked, split or multitimbral, up to 11 outputs
• Alias-free analogue-style oscillators
• Self-oscillating filter with consistent resonance
• Modulation matrix with multiple velocity curves
• Arpeggiator with its own presets
• Two insert effects per layer from 8 algorithms
• Per-layer channel strips with parametric EQ and compressor
• Reverb, delay and chorus send effects
• Over 1,600 factory presets, tagged by category
• Loads LuSH-101 patches
• Multi-core support
• Colour themes, several UI sizes, HiDPI, MIDI Learn

System requirements

• Version: 2.1.5
• Windows: Windows 7 or newer, Intel or AMD x86. VST2, VST3, AAX (32 or 64-bit host)
• Mac: Mac OS X 10.13 to macOS 26, Intel or Apple Silicon (native). VST2, VST3, AU, AAX (64-bit host only)
• Sample rate: 44.1 to 192 kHz
• Plugin only, not a standalone program. A host application is needed

SOUND7 is an authorised D16 Group reseller. Digital delivery: licence activation code sent by email.

Demo