Questions & compatibility
Acid VortexFAQ.
Choose the right starting point for acid basslines, resonant sequences and psychedelic synths in Vital. Here is what Acid Vortex contains and how its sounds are meant to be used.
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What is included in Acid Vortex for Vital?
Acid Vortex contains 100 presets for Vital, covering acid basslines, pads, sequences and playable synth sounds. Sequences are the main focus of the bank. The sounds range from rubbery resonance and relatively mild acid tones to heavily distorted, aggressive textures. This is a preset bank for a synthesizer, rather than a collection of rendered audio loops.
Which version of Vital does Acid Vortex require?
Acid Vortex requires Vital 1.5.1 or higher. Vital is not included with the bank. Check the version installed on your computer before loading the presets; a purchase of Acid Vortex gives you the sound bank, not a separate synthesizer or a DAW.
Compare Fractal Sounds banks for VitalWhat is the difference between Acid Vortex and Acid Splash?
Acid Vortex gives you 100 finished Vital presets with synthesis, modulation and macro controls already arranged. Acid Splash is a separate collection of 120 acid wavetables for building your own sounds in compatible wavetable synthesizers. All Acid Vortex presets were made using Acid Splash wavetables, but the two products serve different workflows: play and adapt a patch, or design a patch from its oscillator material.
Explore Acid Splash wavetables and compatibilityIs Acid Vortex only for psytrance?
No. The overview demonstrates psytrance-influenced sequences, peak-time techno acid and more aggressive sounds that Black Marvin relates to bass music and cyberpunk aesthetics. The common thread is the acid character. Choose the preset by its tone, rhythm and role in your track, rather than assuming every sound is restricted to one genre.
Can I write my own acid melody, or are all the presets sequenced?
You can write your own parts with the synth presets. The overview distinguishes these playable acid synths from the sequence presets, which already have a rhythmic character. The synths still contain movement, even when they are not internally sequenced. Start there when you want to supply your own MIDI phrasing.
How should I use the Acid Vortex macros?
Start with the macro positions saved in the preset. Black Marvin describes these as the suggested starting sound. In many patches, the first macro articulates the sound while the others offer alternative colours or behaviours. Move one control at a time and listen in context. Macro assignments differ between presets, so a control demonstrated on one patch should not be assumed to behave identically throughout the bank.
Does Acid Vortex recreate a specific vintage acid synthesizer?
Acid Vortex takes inspiration from classic acid tones and extends them with Vital's wavetable synthesis and modulation. It is not presented as a circuit-accurate emulation of a particular hardware synthesizer. The bank deliberately includes metallic, distorted and more complex digital textures alongside familiar resonant acid sounds.
Where can I hear the presets before choosing the bank?
The product page includes both a no-talking preset walkthrough and a spoken pack overview. The companion article links to specific moments in the overview, including the macro explanation, rubbery sequences, aggressive acid sounds and basslines. Use the walkthrough to judge the timbre and the overview to understand the controls.
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