I haven’t had this much fun with a new synth in a long time. The D16 Group’s approach to the legendary Roland SH-101 has left me with a huge smile on my face and a desire to slap it on all my songs. The Lush-101 is more than just a retread of a classic synth, though. It adds a ton of cool features that make it usable in a huge variety of songs, from classic EDM sounds to ambient.
The Lush-101 sounds like an authentic analog synthesizer, and makes you want to keep playing. But that doesn’t limit it to any particular use. It makes great pads. Leads, keys, and basses. In fact, it sounds so good that the first song I finished using it was accepted by a music licensing library I had been trying to work with for several months!
In this review, you’ll find out how to get up and running with the Lush-101, uncover some of its killer features, and get to hear demos of the Lush-101 at work.
Note: this article is based on a review copy of Lush-101 provided by D16. This article may include affiliate links.
Lush-101 Tutorial
The Lush-101 might look intimidating to those new to synths, but it's actually pretty straightforward. After taking a moment to get it setup right, you'll be in business.
Getting Setup
Getting started with Lush-101 is pretty straightforward, just like any other VST library I’ve used. But with a couple of things you should be aware of. First of all, by default the Lush-101 is not setup to take advantage of your computer’s multi-core processing. And so it might seem like the Lush-101 has terrible performance. But don’t worry. Just follow these steps to setup multi-core processing on the Lush-101 and you’ll be in business. I've been able to run a half dozen instances of Lush-101, plus a bunch of other plugins, without trouble.
Lush-101 also didn’t show up in my plugin list in Logic Pro X until I reset my computer. It runs great in Logic, and really well within Reason too.
The Lush-101 Interface
From there, though, Lush-101 is a pretty straightforward synth. It basically replicates the controls of the SH-101, but it adds three different interfaces to unlock a whole new world of power.
Along the top of the instrument you have the options button, the ability to load presets, and the buttons that let you choose between the 3 interface modes: synthesis, modulation matrix, and the mixer. You can also select different layers for editing or mute them. The master volume is also at the top, and I’d recommend turning it down! While the Lush-101 presets sound incredible, they all tend to run a little hot.
The next row includes more general tweaks to the active layer, like running and polyphony (or monophony). It also includes a really great sounding unison feature. You can also add individual effects, from chorus, flanger, string ensemble and phasers, to vowel filters, tremolos, distortion and decimation.
The next row includes the pulse wave oscillators and a pretty traditional SH-101 approach to tweaking your sound. This row also includes the powerful filtering tools, which can be modulated by just about every other parameter on the Lush-101.
Finally, on the bottom row, you’ll find two envelopes and two LFOs, which can be direct to control (and be controlled) by a whole host of features.
Lush-101 Modulation Matrix
The modulation matrix is one of the key features of the Lush-101, and it lets you create incredibly complex, evolving sounds. It allows you to have one parameter control another, in ways that the default layout wouldn’t normally allows. For example, you could have the pitch bend control also effect the tremolo depth.
Lush-101 Arppegiator
The synth also includes a gater/arpeggiator loaded with tons of classic and modern preset patterns. Or you can create your own on the fly. This can also be used in chord mode for even more power.
Lush-101 Presets
In all seriousness, the Lush-101 comes with the most usable set of presets I’ve ever encountered in a synth. Literally every preset I load inspires me to write a song. And they fit together so well that you’d be hard pressed not to start layering presets on top of each other.
The Lush-101 presets are organized by type - I.e. bass, poly, pads, etc. It makes it really easy to find what you’re looking for quickly. And on top of that, you can rate each preset from 1 to 5 stars, so you can quickly find your favorites!
And if that's not enough, you can buy an expanded preset collection.
D16 Lush-101 8 Layer Multitimbral Synth & Mixer
The Lush-101 excels at creating larger than life sounds. The ability to layer 8 instances of the synthesizer is one of the things that makes the Lush-101 so powerful and unique for sound design. You can combine arpeggiated parts with pads to create beautiful drones, or layer multiple bass synths together to shake the room.
On top of the ability to layer and tweak each of the 8 layers, the Lush-101 includes a powerful mixer with built-in levels, pan, EQ and compression. This lets you mix each instrument together flawless. But it doesn’t stop there. In addition to per layer effects like distortion and filtering, the mixer includes three send effects for reverb, delay and chorus.
But wait, there’s more! You can also assign different layers to different zones of the keyboard. So you could have basses down low and leads up high. And for CPU efficiency, each layer can be controlled by a different midi controller!
Lush-101 vs Tal-Bassline-101
From a simple feature standpoint, the Lush-101 hands down beats the Tal-Bassline-101. First, the Tal-BassLine-101 is only monophonic - meaning it can only play one note at a time. In contrast, some of the best sounds on the Lush-101 are lush pads and poly chords. Both sound good for basses and leads, and both include powerful arppegiators, but I think if you were trying to decide between the Lush-101 and the Tal-Bassline-101, the Lush-101 wins every time. The TAL-BassLine-101 also doesn’t include on board effects, unison, or the ability to layer multiple patches.
That said, the Lush-101 typically sells for at least twice as much as the Tal. Nonetheless, I think the Lush-101 is worth the extra money, and I’d recommend it over the Tal.
Lush-101 Review Conclusion
The Lush-101 is one of the best synths I’ve used in a long time, up there with Massive X. While it isn’t as versatile as some synths, it sounds incredible, and at least one instance of it would probably fit in almost any track. Once you start experimenting with the included patches, you’ll be tempted to start making song after song. But take a moment to savor the delicious sounds!
Sound: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Features 5:/5
Value: 4/5
Lush-101 Features
- Multi-core support for computers equipped with multi-core processors for better performance
- Multilayer architecture with 8 independent Layers (per-layer properties)
- Up to 32 voices of polyphony
- MIDI channel
- Keyboard zone
- Audio output
- Synthesis
- Oscillators (Saw, PWM, Noise), with Supersaw and HardSync options
- Sub Oscillator (5 waveforms)
- Self-oscillating, high-quality, multimode filter
- Passive high-pass filter
- Up to 8 voice unison with Tune, Cutoff and Panorama spread
- 2 LFOs with optional tempo synchronization and re-triggering modes (Trig, Gate, Arpe, None)
- 2 envelopes with re-triggering modes (Trig, Gate, LFO1, LFO2)
- Insert effect (selectable algorithms):
- Chorus
- String Ensemble
- Phaser
- Flanger
- Distortion
- Vowel filter
- Decimator
- Tremolo
- Modulation Matrix (modulation sources):
- Note velocity
- Pitch bend
- Modulation wheel
- Expression pedal
- Sustain pedal
- Keyboard’s aftertouch
- Note pitch
- Arpeggiator’s output
- Arpeggiator
- Step sequencer (Gate and Tie per step)
- 6 Run modes (Up, Down, Up and Down, Down and Up, Random, Manual)
- Chord mode (Gater)
- 3 Hold modes (Normal, Toggle, Trigger)
- Shuffle
- Tempo multiplier (Full notes, Dotted notes, Triplets)
- Mixer
- Parametric EQs (1 per channel strip)
- Compressors (1 per channel strip)
- Up to 11 freely-assignable stereo output busses per instance
- Send FX’s (Reverb, Chorus, Delay with tempo sync)
- Presets
- Over 1600 factory presets
- 5 preset categories (whole synth, single layer, Arpeggiator, Reverb, Delay)
- Advanced, file-based preset browser
- Miscellaneous
- Advanced MIDI learn
- Parameter mapping for VST / AU automation
- Selectable GUI size
From a Frustrated Producer in a Ragtag Bedroom Studio to Major Placements on TV Earning $1,000s!
My name is Evan, and I've been making music since around 3rd grade. I'm from San Diego, California, but I've lived in Washington, DC for the last 20 years.
While I still have a full-time day job, I have created systems that have allowed me to produce dozens of songs a year in my spare time.
My songs have been on Netflix, TV shows like the 90 Day Fiance, an award-winning indie film, and NPR’s “All Thing Considered.” They've also been streamed millions of times.
In addition to being a music producer, I am passionate about teaching people how they can make professional-sounding music and earn money licensing it, all in their spare time.
Thousands of musicians, like yourself, have trusted me to guide their musical journey. My YouTube videos have been watched nearly a million times. And my story has been in Forbes, Side Hustle Nation, and the Side Hustle School.
