TAL-Pha from TAL: Hoover Up Those Classic Analog Tones
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TAL-Pha from TAL Software · Source: TAL Software
TAL-Pha from TAL Software · Source: TAL Software
Everyone’s favourite indie plugin developer, TAL, launches TAL-Pha which emulates the late 80s Roland classic, the Alpha Juno 2 and its rack-mounted sibling.
In the Days of the Hoover
The original Alpha Junos (there were two) were somewhat of an anomaly when they were released. The synth landscape had become distinctly digital. Yamaha’s DX7 had ushered in the new age three years previously. Everyone and their mother were scrambling to be the latest digital king of the castle.
And yet Roland seemed hell-bent on sticking with analog synthesis, albeit enhanced by digital technology. It wouldn’t be until a year or so after the Alpha Juno 2 that they’d finally dip their toe into the digital waters with the D50. In doing so, they pretty much killed the aforementioned DX7.
Alpha Junos would find a home with the young and creative minds behind the emerging dance music wave of the late 80s and early 90s. No doubt fuelled by their low secondhand prices and their ability to play chords with a single key, Alpha Junos became highly sort after.
TAL-Pha from TAL Software
And now we can relive those days at a fraction of the cost of the original, courtesy of TAL Software. Their new plugin, which has been the subject of some speculation over the last few days, launched today. Using an MKS-50, Roland’s rack version of the Alpha Juno 2, as a model, they have faithfully recreated this modern classic.
As well as adding modern features and functions, it nails the sound of the original. Better still, it can read and convert sysex from the original (Alpha Juno 2 and MKS-50). And if you own an original of either of those units, TAL-Pha can be used as a software controller/editor/librarian!
TAL-Pha gives us everything about the original that made it so popular. DCO’s, and LFO that can operate at a very slow rate, PWM, comprehensive VCF, VCA and those all-important chord memories. On top of that, we get aftertouch, and MPE support, multi-mode arpeggiator, individual tuning for the DCOs (which makes them VCOs!) and support for microtuning.
There’s a comprehensive FX section and a stereo unison mode that can stack up to seven voices. Surprisingly, or maybe not, there is no on-screen recreation of the much-maligned data wheel!
More Information
The plugin is available as in VST, VST3, AU, AAx and CLAP flavours and will work on 64-bit Windows, Linux and Mac systems, including Apple Silicon.
TAL-Pha retails for $80 USD but has an introductory discount of 20% meaning you can pick this up for a mere $64 USD. A demo version is available.
- Roland Alpha Juno 2 Brochure: Retro Synth Ads
- TAL-Pha from TAL Software: TAL Software
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One response to “TAL-Pha from TAL: Hoover Up Those Classic Analog Tones”
Lol TAL-Phalpha 😀
<3