OXO Synth2 Free Synth Brings Classic Synth1 to Mac and iPad
OXO Music has released OXO Synth2, an open-source virtual analog instrument designed to preserve the workflow and character of Ichiro Toda's classic Synth1. The OXO Synth2 free synth is completely free to download from the OXO Music product page or via the Apple App Store for iPad users. It gives musicians on modern Apple hardware a native way to play classic soundbanks without relying on outdated compatibility bridges.
Faithful Recreation of a Classic Engine
Synth1 has been a staple in freeware music production for decades, drawing heavily on the architecture of the Clavia Nord Lead 2. Because the original plugin has seen no development in recent years, OXO Music modeled every parameter using extensive automated measurements to ensure exact behavioral parity.
OXO Synth2 loads original .sy1 patch files and zip banks seamlessly, ensuring that decades of user-created presets remain playable. The developer also added quality-of-life enhancements, including custom GUI themes and dedicated MIDI Learn support, while keeping the core synthesis engine untouched.
Technical Specifications and Compatibility
The synthesizer features dual oscillators with FM and ring modulation, a multimode filter, flexible envelope generators, an arpeggiator, and built-in effects such as delay and chorus. Full source code is released under the permissive MIT license on GitHub.
- macOS: VST3 and AU formats (macOS 14 Sonoma or later; Intel and Apple Silicon native)
- iPadOS: AUv3 plugin and standalone app (iPadOS 17 or later)
- Windows: 64-bit VST3 version currently in development
- Licensing: 100% free and open-source (MIT License)
Bottom Line
OXO Synth2 is a completely free, open-source virtual analog synthesizer available immediately for macOS and iPadOS. It provides full backwards compatibility with legacy Synth1 sound libraries on modern operating systems without any sign-up requirements.
Download your copy directly from OXO Music to restore your vintage patch collection on modern systems.
FAQ
Is OXO Synth2 really free?
OXO Synth2 is free and open-source under the MIT license, requiring no payment, account creation, or copy protection.
Can OXO Synth2 load original Synth1 patches?
All original Synth1 .sy1 patch files and zipped soundbanks load directly into OXO Synth2 with identical parameters.
What formats and platforms are supported?
OXO Synth2 currently runs on macOS 14 or later as a VST3 and AU plugin, and on iPadOS 17 or later as an AUv3 plugin, with a Windows VST3 build currently in progress.