Plugin Formats
Orbiter ships as six plugins in two formats: VST3 and CLAP. Each instrument is available both as a synthesiser (instrument) plugin and as an audio effect plugin.
Instrument Plugins
Instrument plugins generate sound from MIDI input. Load them on an instrument/MIDI track in your DAW.
| Plugin | Description |
|---|---|
| Orbiter Handpan | Modal synthesis handpan with 8 factory scales, 7 presets, and Helmholtz body resonance |
| Orbiter Gong | Nonlinear plate model with energy cascading between modes, 15 presets, and continuous excitation |
| Orbiter Sound Bowl | Friction-driven singing bowl with strike and rub excitation, sympathetic resonance, and 7 presets |
All instrument plugins support:
- Up to 16-voice polyphony with smooth voice-stealing crossfade
- MIDI note input with velocity sensitivity
- MPE for per-note pitch bend, pressure, and slide
- Sustain pedal via MIDI CC 64
- Full DAW automation of all parameters
- MIDI CC mapping for hardware controller integration
Effect Plugins
Effect plugins process incoming audio through the instrument's resonator — the audio signal excites the same physical model used by the synthesiser. Route drums, voice, guitar, or any sound through the resonator to create unique timbres.
| Plugin | Description |
|---|---|
| Orbiter Handpan FX | Incoming audio excites the handpan's beating-pair modal resonator bank |
| Orbiter Gong FX | Incoming audio drives the nonlinear gong plate model |
| Orbiter Sound Bowl FX | Incoming audio excites the bowl's harmonic modes |
Load effect plugins on an audio track or as an insert effect. All the same sound-shaping parameters (brightness, reverb, decay, etc.) are available.
Formats
VST3
The industry standard plugin format. Supported by virtually all DAWs on macOS, Windows, and Linux, including Ableton Live, Logic Pro, FL Studio, Bitwig, Reaper, Cubase, and Studio One.
CLAP
An open plugin standard with better performance characteristics for parameter modulation and polyphonic expression. Supported by Bitwig, Reaper, MultitrackStudio, and a growing number of other DAWs.
Both formats are included in every Orbiter download. Use whichever your DAW supports — if both are available, CLAP is recommended for its better MPE and automation handling.
Platforms
| Platform | VST3 | CLAP |
|---|---|---|
| macOS (Intel & Apple Silicon) | Yes | Yes |
| Windows (64-bit) | Yes | Yes |
| Linux (x86_64) | Yes | Yes |
Parameter Automation
All plugin parameters are fully automatable from your DAW. See Parameters for the full list of available parameters, ranges, and defaults.
Modifier keys for the plugin GUI:
- Shift + drag — fine adjustment
- Alt + click — text input for precise values
- Cmd/Ctrl + click — reset to default
- Lock button — protect a parameter from randomisation