Synthesizers

Bristol – synthesiser emulations

Bristol is an emulation package for a number of different ‘classic’ synthesisers including additive and subtractive and a few organs.

Bristol consists of an audio engine and an associated photo realistic graphical user interface called Brighton.

There are more than 20 different emulations available for a diverse range of vintage synthesisers, electric pianos and organs; each sounds differently, not least due to that the original instruments used different modulations and mod routing. All emulations are available from the same engine, just launch multiple GUIs and adjust the midi channels for multi timbrality and layering.

Bristol Audio Emulations:

  • Moog Mini – the renowned 3 oscillator non-modular synthesiser from Moog. Best known at the time on Pink Floyd ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ and other albums.
  • Moog Voyager – the last released Moog synth from the 90’s with extra modulation features but still with the same general capabilities having oscillator/filter/envelope routing.
  • Memory Moog – this included the capabilities of the Mini with addition of microprocessor driven memories and 6 voice polyphony.
  • ARP Odyssey – Axxe and the Odyssey were competitive to diverse Moog synths.
  • ARP 2600 – Axxe and the Odyssey were competitive to diverse Moog synths.
  • Mono – the Korg Mono/Poly is a polyphonic hybrid, korg made a number of similar designs. It has 4 oscillators bug a single set of filters and envelopes and a very basic sequencer/arpeggiator.
  • Poly – Korg Poly-6 is similar in build to the Mono/Poly, trading in some flexibility for true 6 voice polyphony.
  • Korg MS-20 – unfinished emulation of the Korg repatchable synth.
  • Prophet-5 – a 5 voice analogue unit.
  • Prophet-10 – a 10 voice dual manual monster synth, each keyboard can be a separate synth, the two keyboards can be layered on top of each other or can be played with 10 voice polyphony.
  • Prophet-52 – a hybrid of the Prophet-5 adding a stereo flanger to expand the sound dimensions and is specific to bristol.
  • OB-X – Oberheims 5 voice competition to the SC Prophet-5, similar to the Oberheim fully modular systems where each voice had its own control panel, however here every voice has the same set of parameters.
  • OB-Xa – basically two OB-X systems in a single case.
  • Hammond B3 – a tonewheel organ emulator. It can produce all 90 something wheels simultaneously, then each key taps off the required harmonics allowing for some emulated features difficult to reproduce without a bespoke design like bristol.
  • Vox – a British classic organ from the 60’s.
  • Vox 300 – the dual manual Vox Continental 300/SuperContinental/Continental M-II.
  • Rhodes Stage 73 – uses the FM emulator.
  • Rhodes Bass Piano – another GUI to the Rhodes.
  • DX FM Synthesiser – a full FM synth but takes a few exceptions to the ‘DX’ specification. It implements 6 FM operators but takes slightly different parameterisation.
  • Juno-6 – the Roland equivalent to the Korg Poly-6.
  • Jupiter-8 – supports 8 voices with split and layer facilities, arpeggiation, sequencing and chording, all emulated here.
  • ARP Solina String Machine.
  • Crumar Roadrunner Electric Piano – the definitive cheasy 80’s electric piano.
  • Crumar Bit-1 – late 6 voice, split/layered synth.
  • Crumar Bit-99 – late 6 voice, split/layered synth.
  • Crumar Bit-100 – late 6 voice, split/layered synth with bristol modifications.
  • Realistic MG-1 ConcertMate – monophonic synth with neopolyphonic organ circuit.
  • Synthi Aks – unfinished Synthi Aks.

Website: bristol.sourceforge.net
Support: HOWTO, SourceForge Project Page
Developer: Nick Copeland with contributors
License: GNU General Public License

Bristol

Bristol is written in C. Learn C with our recommended free books and free tutorials.

Return to Audio | Return to Synthesizers


Popular series
Free and Open Source SoftwareThe largest compilation of the best free and open source software in the universe. Each article is supplied with a legendary ratings chart helping you to make informed decisions.
ReviewsHundreds of in-depth reviews offering our unbiased and expert opinion on software. We offer helpful and impartial information.
The Big List of Active Linux Distros is a large compilation of actively developed Linux distributions.
Alternatives to Proprietary SoftwareReplace proprietary software with open source alternatives: Google, Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, IBM, Autodesk, Oracle, Atlassian, Corel, Cisco, Intuit, and SAS.
GamesAwesome Free Linux Games Tools showcases a series of tools that making gaming on Linux a more pleasurable experience. This is a new series.
Artificial intelligence iconMachine Learning explores practical applications of machine learning and deep learning from a Linux perspective. We've written reviews of more than 40 self-hosted apps. All are free and open source.
Guide to LinuxNew to Linux? Read our Linux for Starters series. We start right at the basics and teach you everything you need to know to get started with Linux.
Alternatives to popular CLI tools showcases essential tools that are modern replacements for core Linux utilities.
System ToolsEssential Linux system tools focuses on small, indispensable utilities, useful for system administrators as well as regular users.
ProductivityLinux utilities to maximise your productivity. Small, indispensable tools, useful for anyone running a Linux machine.
AudioSurveys popular streaming services from a Linux perspective: Amazon Music Unlimited, Myuzi, Spotify, Deezer, Tidal.
Saving Money with LinuxSaving Money with Linux looks at how you can reduce your energy bills running Linux.
Home ComputersHome computers became commonplace in the 1980s. Emulate home computers including the Commodore 64, Amiga, Atari ST, ZX81, Amstrad CPC, and ZX Spectrum.
Now and ThenNow and Then examines how promising open source software fared over the years. It can be a bumpy ride.
Linux at HomeLinux at Home looks at a range of home activities where Linux can play its part, making the most of our time at home, keeping active and engaged.
Linux CandyLinux Candy reveals the lighter side of Linux. Have some fun and escape from the daily drudgery.
DockerGetting Started with Docker helps you master Docker, a set of platform as a service products that delivers software in packages called containers.
Android AppsBest Free Android Apps. We showcase free Android apps that are definitely worth downloading. There's a strict eligibility criteria for inclusion in this series.
Programming BooksThese best free books accelerate your learning of every programming language. Learn a new language today!
Programming TutorialsThese free tutorials offer the perfect tonic to our free programming books series.
Linux Around The WorldLinux Around The World showcases usergroups that are relevant to Linux enthusiasts. Great ways to meet up with fellow enthusiasts.
Stars and StripesStars and Stripes is an occasional series looking at the impact of Linux in the USA.
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Please read our Comment FAQ before posting a comment.

0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments