GForce Software MAP Goes with a West Coast Vibe
4,3 / 5,0 | 
GForce Software gets all deep and trippy with MAP, their new plugin inspired by the West Coast synth experimentalism of the 1970s.
GForce Software, best known for their amazing recreations of classic synths of yesteryear, seem to have developed a penchant for creating new, original synths, and we are so here for that! Hot on the heels of their fantastic Halogen synth, they’ve just released MAP and it’s an homage to synth experimentation.
GForce Software MAP
MAP, pronounced like those large paper documents we used to use to find our way around before the days of Sat Nav, as opposed to M-A-P, is a powerful synth that positively encourages you to think outside the box and experiment, all in an intuitive and familiar modern interface.
At its heart are three oscillators, two of which have seven waveforms each, as well as waveshaping and the ability to be frequency and amplitude-modulated with the third oscillator. This third modulation oscillator can act as a modulator for the other two as well as being an audio source itself.
The frequency modulation types produced by this Mod Osc can be free-running, linked to the base frequency of incoming notes or as a more traditional LFO. There’s also a noise generator with nine noise types.
Filters
On the filter front, MAP has two of them, one being a five-band peaknotch resonant equaliser, the other being a classic resonant multimode affair. There are three envelope generators and the same number of independent LFOs as well as a separate noise LFO.
Modulation
One of the most interesting aspects of MAP is the Modulation Bar and Matrix that literally sits at the heart of this synth. At first glance, it has hints of Arturia’s Pigments with its incredibly useful visualisations of what is going on within the matrix.
Expanding the matrix shows you, in more detail, the routings you have set up and their relevant levels. It is an instantly understandable interface and greatly simplifies the modulation routing process. Below the Modulation Bar is the FX section, along with a comprehensive and generative arpeggiator!
FX and Arpeggiators
The arpeggiator is super fun, especially the generative option which can have you flying off in a myriad polyrhythmic directions! Another XY pad allows you to move smoothly around parameters and there’s a useful randomise feature when you’re looking for inspiration.
The FX section has three main areas. Colour uses a crossover filter and two separate sets of FX controls to adjust the tone and character of your sound. Time is a quad stereo delay, allowing you to create rhythmic movement. Finally, Space is a powerful granular reverb with movement and diffusion.
In Conclusion
Once again, the GForce boffins have concocted a very clever, eminently useable and inspiring new instrument that will have you tweaking and twiddling for hours. The real beauty of it is the fact you don’t necessarily need to be a synth genius to use it and get very satisfying results.
Equally, it hasn’t been dumbed down by any stretch of the imagination, and MAP will be loved by synth heads of all varieties, dispositions and levels of competence. Oh, and it is MPE compatible which will make it even more expansive and expressive. It is a very engaging instrument!
More Information
GForce Software’s MAP is available now at an introductory price of €65.00 until December 3rd, 2025.
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