Microtonic is described as a VST/AU plug-in for Windows and Mac featuring a unique drum and percussion synthesizer combined with a pattern based drum-machine engine, and it can be used two ways: as a sound module to play drum sounds from your MIDI keyboard or sequencer, or you can use the built-in pattern engine to play drum patterns in sync with your sequencer. The design premise is stated emphatically: the sound of Microtonic is 100% synthetic and rendered in real-time. No samples or pre-rendered waveforms are used. That single decision drives everything about the instrument, and it is worth explaining in a catalogue entry: a synthesised drum adapts to pitch and envelope changes continuously, so a kick can be retuned across a range without artefacts and its decay length altered in real time, whereas a sample-based drum shifts in character as it is repitched and cannot change its envelope. Its feature list documents the consequences: eight-channel drum and percussion synthesizer, over-sampled oscillators and sample-accurate triggering, a pattern-based drum-machine engine synced to the host, and extremely low CPU utilization, less than 5% on any low-end system — a figure that reflects synthesis being far cheaper than streaming samples. Its authorship is documented and adds credibility: Sonic Charge Microtonic was created by Magnus Lidström, known for his work with Propellerhead Software and XLN Audio, and in particular as the brain behind the highly acclaimed Malström synthesizer introduced in Reason 2.0, and the company is led by Magnus and Fredrik Lidström, who have been creating unique music software such as Microtonic since the '90s. Critical reception is documented with a MusicRadar review scoring it 4.5 / 5, listing pros of a huge range of sonic possibilities, powerful sound, great drum presets, versatile sequencer, and MIDI keyboard mode, with the con of no output effects — the verdict noting it remains one of the best beatboxes money can buy. Its platform coverage is documented: on Mac, Microtonic comes with a stand-alone version as well as VST 2.4, VST3, and Audio Unit 2 plug-ins; on Windows, there is no stand-alone, and a suitable host application with VST 2.4 or VST3 support is required. It is priced at $99.00, and sits in the Sonic Charge Complete Bundle at $279, saving €112, alongside Echobode, Permut8, Bitspeek, and Synplant 2. It suits electronic music, techno, electro, sound design, and drum programming — and the lack of onboard output effects noted in review is worth mentioning honestly, since a buyer knowing this can plan to process the instrument in their DAW instead. #Microtonic #SonicCharge #DrumSynth #DrumMachine #Percussion #Synthesis #NoSamples #PatternEngine #EightChannel #MagnusLidstrom #VST #VST3 #AU #Standalone #Techno #Electro #ElectronicMusic #SoundDesign #MusicProduction #FLStudio #AbletonLive #LogicPro #Cubase #StudioOne #Reaper