Universal Audio Anthem Analog Synthesizer: “It Feels Analog in All the Right Ways”
2,0 / 5,0 | 
Universal Audio Anthem Analog Synthesizer is an original soft synth that promises enormous bass and fat analog textures – but it’s not polyphonic?
Universal Audio Anthem Analog Synthesizer
Universal Audio hasn’t graced us with a new soft synth in quite a while. The company’s last release was A-Type Multiband Dynamic Enhancer, a vocal and signal sweetener, but unlike that one, its latest is native, meaning it will run in your DAW without the need for UA hardware. Called Anthem Analog Synthesizer, it’s an original design with a combination of a classic virtual analog signal path, lo-fi effects and a generative sequencer.
“With Anthem, we wanted to make a synth that didn’t just emulate vintage hardware – we wanted it to inspire creativity,” said Lev Perrey, VP of Product at Universal Audio. “It feels analog in all the right ways: fast, expressive, and alive.”
Universal Audio Anthem: Wave Hello
Universal Audio Anthem Analog Synthesizer is a virtual analog monosynth (yes, mono) with a classic two-oscillator synthesis architecture. Both oscillators offer three-octave ranges plus course and fine tuning, with OSC 1 giving you a sub oscillator and number two a Warp knob to control oscillator sync and ring modulation.
Both oscillators also feature what look like sweepable waveforms, starting at triangle and progressing through sawtooth and square, and onto pulse. You can modulate this with either the LFO or filter envelope. You can also modulate the pitch of oscillator two in the same way. A pink and white selectable noise source rounds out the sound generation section.
Interestingly, of the three voice modes – mono, paraphonic and unison – none are polyphonic. A surprising choice for a soft synth in 2025.
Universal Audio Anthem: Filter and Modulation
Moving on, there’s a resonant filter section with both drive and growl circuits, the latter probably filter frequency modulation. There’s no indication of the filter slope or topology though. Along with the lowpass, there’s a non-resonant highpass plus keytracking, envelope and LFO controls.
As for modulation, Anthem gives you separate ADSR envelopes for filter and amplitude, plus a single LFO with triangle, square, and what looks like two random modes. There’s also a Tilt knob to adjust the shape of the waveform, plus retrigger and sync buttons.
Universal Audio Anthem: Lo-Fi Effects and Sequencer
Universal Audio has a massive amount of effects plugins in its catalog so it’s no surprise that Anthem has a fair few of its own. These include a chorus circuit, Mod FX with phaser, positive and negative flangers and “Warble.” The Space FX section offers a spring reverb, tape echo and more.
Lastly, the new soft synth also features a step sequencer with polyrhythms, accents and generative functionality.
Universal Audio Anthem: Pricing and Availability
Anthem certainly sounds good in the teaser video. I do have to say I’m surprised that there’s no polyphonic mode. I realize that it’s intended to be used as a mono, but having the polyphonic option would be nice, especially given the price.
Universal Audio Anthem is available now from Thomann* at a special intro price of $149 / €149 for a limited time, with the price eventually going up to $199 / €199. Anthem runs natively on Mac and PC (VST3, AU, and AAX formats). It’s also available in UAD Spark.
More Information
- Universal Audio Anthem Analog Synthesizer product page
- All about Universal Audio
- All about synthesizers
*Note: This article contains advertising links that help us pay for this site. Don’t worry: the price for you will always be the same! If you buy something through these links, we will receive a small commission. Thank you for your support!
This might also interest you
