reFX Nexus 5: Don’t Call It ROMpler!
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reFX Nexus 5 is here! EDM’s favorite ROMpler got a big update with many new features for creative sound design and making your own sounds from scratch. And if you miss the classic look of Nexus 2, you’re in for a treat!
reFX Nexus 5
Nexus by reFX has been a favorite for EDM, Trance, and similar styles for almost two decades now. If I had to guess which software synth can be heard on the highest number of club tracks and chart hits from the last 20 years, it would have to be Nexus. Today, the developer released Nexus 5 – the latest version of EDM’s favorite ROMpler. But is ROMpler still the right word? Probably not!
For most producers, Nexus has always been all about the presets. Simply pull up a preset you like, maybe tweak a few knobs, and you’re good to go. You can still use the new version like that, of course. But thanks to an open architecture, Nexus now also offers extensive sample import and editing capabilities, enabling you to build your own sounds from scratch.
Nexus 5 can import single samples, multisamples, or even complete libraries. You can then edit, slice, and loop samples and add crossfades. Samples can also be combined with Nexus’ other generators like virtual-analog oscillators, wavetables, granular, and FM, and you can freely configure the routing. Add some of the many included effects, and the new sound is done. The ROMpler is a proper synth now!
This doesn’t mean, of course, that reFX forgot about the many users who prefer to use the massive Nexus library of presets and expansions. The new version comes with 1100 new presets for styles like EDM, Melodic Techno, House, Hip Hop, Drum & Bass, and more. It can also load all sounds from previous versions. reFX says that you won’t have any issues loading older projects in your DAW, as the new version seamlessly loads and supports your old sounds.
Lastly, there’s a treat for all fans of the classic Nexus 2. Nexus 5 includes a fully functional retro skin that brings back the looks of the version that started it all.
Price and Compatibility
As before, Nexus 5 is available in several versions. All are now on sale, although we don’t know at this time how long these introductory discounts will last. The basic Starter edition includes 5352 presets and 44.5 GB of samples for €199 (down from €279). In addition to this, the Value 10 pack also gets you the 10 latest expansions for €399 (regular price: €499). If you want to go all-in, the massive Complete edition includes all 191 expansions and a whopping 273.4 GB of samples for €1999 (down from €4599).
Nexus 5 runs on macOS 10.13 or higher (Apple Silicon and Intel) and Windows 10 or higher in VST, VST3, AU, and AAX formats.
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