Developer discoDSP just released Retromulator, a hardware synthesizer emulation plugin featuring seven classic synths for that retro goodness. But there’s a twist!
Retromulator uses cycle-accurate emulation. It’s not a soft synth programmed to sound like these classic units; it runs the actual machines’ firmware while emulating the chips and bits to get as close to the real thing as possible.
You might already know the highly praised work of developer The Usual Suspects, for instance, their Waldorf Microwave emulation or Virus synth that we’ve featured here on BPB previously.
Retromulator is based on the same open-source material, where you need to feed it your own ROM files.
This also means that you have to source these ROM files yourself before you load them into the plugin. Best case by owning the actual hardware units (which arguably defeats some of the purpose).
Obtaining the files elsewhere puts you in a gray area regarding the legal definitions of ownership.
With that said, the synths offered in Retromulator are Yamaha DX7, Access Virus ABC/TI, Waldorf MicroQ, Waldorf XT, Nord Lead 2X, and Roland JP-8000.
Classic beasts with iconic sounds known and loved by many, in other words.
The product page on KVR features a detailed list by discoDSP of necessary files, acceptable formats, and handy instructions to get things working properly.
Retromulator works on Windows, macOS, and Linux. and is available in VST3, AU, and standalone formats.
While checking KVR, I did notice some negative feedback accusing discoDSP of ripping off The Usual Suspects, and that the Retromulator acts as a preset machine with limited functionality and no room for tweaking. These comments are now deleted.
There has also been quite a discussion within the monthly threads here at BPB if you want some additional context.
My perspective is that the products offered by The Usual Suspects look like the objectively superior alternative across the board.
Check out our other articles here at BPB for the OsTIrus, Xenia, and JE-8086 emulations.
Still, discoDSP’s Retromulator might come in handy for the right person. I take it for granted that these ROM-based synth emulations first and foremost attract people with above-average tech-savviness and interest in gear, capable of forming their own conclusions in the matter.
Download: Retromulator (FREE – ROM-files required)
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Last Updated on March 10, 2026 by Tomislav Zlatic.
