Spectrasonics Omnisphere 2 Review: The Ultimate Synth Plugin for Producers

A Universe of Sound: Unleash Your Creative Potential with Spectrasonics Omnisphere 2.X
Spectrasonics has been at the forefront of virtual instrument innovation for decades, delivering tools that have become industry standards in music production. Founded in 1994 by Eric Persing, the company quickly established a reputation for high-quality software instruments and sound libraries. Omnisphere, their flagship synthesizer, was first released in 2008, and it revolutionized the market with its vast sonic capabilities and deep synthesis engine. Omnisphere 2, the latest version, builds on this legacy, expanding its already impressive feature set with new synthesis options, a massive library of sounds, and an intuitive interface that caters to both beginners and seasoned professionals. Omnisphere 2 is more than just a synthesizer; it’s a comprehensive sound design environment, capable of producing everything from cinematic soundscapes to cutting-edge electronic music.
Sound Quality
Authenticity: Omnisphere 2 is renowned for its ability to produce incredibly authentic and lifelike sounds. Whether you’re emulating classic analog synths, recreating acoustic instruments, or crafting entirely new textures, the sound quality is pristine. The combination of high-resolution samples and advanced synthesis techniques ensures that every sound is rich in detail and character.
Versatility: The versatility of Omnisphere 2 is unmatched. With over 14,000 sounds in its library and the ability to combine multiple synthesis types, it covers virtually every genre and style. From lush pads and ambient textures to aggressive basses and intricate leads, Omnisphere 2 can handle it all. Its multi-timbral architecture also allows you to layer sounds and create complex patches that evolve over time.
Depth: Omnisphere 2 offers immense depth in sound design. With its dual-layer architecture, each sound can be built from a combination of multiple oscillators, filters, LFOs, and effects. The synthesis engine supports granular synthesis, wavetable synthesis, and a powerful sample-based engine, allowing for highly detailed and evolving soundscapes.
User Interface (UI)
Design: The interface of Omnisphere 2 is both visually appealing and highly functional. Despite its complexity, Spectrasonics has managed to create a layout that is intuitive and easy to navigate. The main interface is organized into tabs, each dedicated to a specific aspect of sound design, such as synthesis, modulation, or effects, making it easy to access the tools you need.
Ease of Use: While Omnisphere 2 is a deep and complex instrument, it’s surprisingly accessible. The browser is well-designed, allowing users to quickly find the sounds they need from the extensive library. For those new to sound design, Omnisphere 2 offers thousands of expertly crafted presets, allowing you to dive right in and start making music without needing to tweak settings.
Customization: Omnisphere 2 is highly customizable, with nearly every aspect of the interface being adjustable to suit your workflow. The ability to save custom patches and organize your sounds makes it easy to tailor the software to your specific needs. Advanced users will appreciate the deep editing capabilities, allowing for granular control over every parameter.
Features
Synthesis Types: Omnisphere 2 is a hybrid synthesizer, combining various synthesis methods such as subtractive, wavetable, granular, FM, and sample-based synthesis. This vast array of synthesis options allows users to create everything from traditional analog-style sounds to experimental digital textures.
Effects: The effects section in Omnisphere 2 is extensive, with over 58 effects units that can be applied to any part of the signal chain. These include everything from classic reverb and delay to more complex effects like ring modulation, granular processing, and convolution reverb. The modular nature of the effects routing allows for creative sound processing.
Modulation Options: Omnisphere 2 offers a robust modulation system with multiple LFOs, envelopes, and an intuitive modulation matrix. Users can modulate virtually any parameter, enabling the creation of dynamic and evolving sounds. The modulation capabilities are further enhanced by the inclusion of a step sequencer and arpeggiator, which can add rhythmic elements to your patches.
Presets: Omnisphere 2 includes a staggering library of over 14,000 presets, covering a vast range of genres and styles. These presets are crafted by top sound designers and demonstrate the full capabilities of the instrument. The sound browser is highly efficient, with a powerful search function and tagging system that makes finding the right sound quick and easy. Users can also create, save, and share their custom presets, adding to the already expansive library.
Performance
CPU Usage: Omnisphere 2 is a resource-intensive plugin, particularly when using complex patches with multiple layers and effects. However, it is well-optimized for modern systems, and users can adjust settings such as voice count and sample streaming to manage CPU load effectively.
Stability: Omnisphere 2 is known for its stability, even in large projects with multiple instances running. Spectrasonics has a reputation for releasing reliable software, and Omnisphere 2 is no exception. Regular updates ensure that any bugs or issues are promptly addressed.
Latency: The plugin is designed with low latency in mind, making it suitable for both studio production and live performance. The real-time response of Omnisphere 2 ensures that it feels responsive and playable, even when controlling it via a MIDI keyboard.
Integration and Compatibility
DAW Integration: Omnisphere 2 integrates seamlessly with all major DAWs, including Ableton Live, Logic Pro, FL Studio, and Pro Tools. It is available in VST, AU, and AAX formats, ensuring broad compatibility across different platforms. The plugin also supports multi-out functionality, allowing you to route different layers to separate tracks in your DAW for further processing.
MIDI Support: Omnisphere 2 offers comprehensive MIDI support, with the ability to map virtually any parameter to a MIDI controller. This makes it an excellent choice for live performance and hands-on sound design. MIDI Learn functionality is straightforward, allowing quick and easy mapping of controls.
Operating System Compatibility: Omnisphere 2 is compatible with both Windows and macOS, making it accessible to a wide range of users. It also supports high-resolution displays, ensuring a sharp and clear interface on modern monitors.

Comparative Analysis
Market Position: Omnisphere 2 is considered one of the top-tier synthesizers in the market, often compared with other high-end instruments like Native Instruments’ Massive X and Arturia’s Pigments. However, Omnisphere 2 stands out due to its vast sound library, hybrid synthesis capabilities, and deep modulation options, making it a go-to choice for professionals.
Innovations: One of the key innovations of Omnisphere 2 is its “Orb” feature, a unique control that allows users to morph and evolve sounds in real-time using an intuitive graphical interface. This, along with the software’s multi-timbral capabilities, sets it apart from other synths.
Use Cases: Omnisphere 2 is incredibly versatile, making it suitable for a wide range of genres and production styles. It excels in cinematic scoring, electronic music, ambient soundscapes, and any other genre that requires rich, complex sounds. Its expansive library and flexible synthesis options make it a valuable tool for sound designers and composers.
Pros:
- Vast and versatile sound library
- High-quality synthesis engine with multiple synthesis types
- Extensive modulation and effects options
- Intuitive and customizable user interface
- Excellent integration with DAWs and MIDI controllers
Cons:
- High CPU usage with complex patches
- Price may be a barrier for some users
Conclusion
Spectrasonics Omnisphere 2 is a powerhouse synthesizer that delivers an unparalleled combination of sound quality, versatility, and depth. Whether you’re a professional producer, sound designer, or composer, Omnisphere 2 offers a virtually limitless palette of sounds to explore. While it is resource-intensive and comes with a premium price tag, the investment is well worth it for those who need a comprehensive and flexible tool for their creative work. Omnisphere 2 is not just a synthesizer; it’s a complete sound design environment that will inspire and elevate your music production to new heights.