Vaporizer 2
vast-dynamics.com
What it is
Vaporizer 2 is a free, open-source synthesizer and sampler workstation for Linux, macOS, and Windows. It brings together wavetable, additive, FM, subtractive, and sample-based sound generation, with a granular mode. Four alias-free wavetable oscillator banks support up to 24-oscillator unison. The editor can draw wavetables with Bezier curves, edit cycles, and import Serum- and Icarus-format files. Sampling supports WAV, AIFF, OGG, and MP3, as well as loop points, key tracking, and sample-to-wavetable resampling. The product page lists more than 780 wavetables and single cycles and more than 410 factory presets. Modulation offers 25 sources, 220 destinations, five MSEG envelopes, and five LFOs; MIDI Polyphonic Expression is supported. It is available as a standalone app and in plugin formats including VST2, VST3, AU, AAX, CLAP, and LV2. The README specifies at least 1 GB RAM and a CPU supporting AVX or SSE2. The maker lists lifelong free updates.
Spec sheet
- Product
- Vaporizer2 is a hybrid wavetable additive and subtractive synthesizer and sampler workstation.Read 3 Oct 2026 · vast-dynamics.com
- Platforms
- The README lists 64-bit macOS, Windows, and Linux support, including native Apple M1/M2 support.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Support
- The maker says existing licenses remain valid and guarantee support; the download page directs issues and development requests to GitHub.Read 3 Oct 2026 · vast-dynamics.com
- Controller support
- Vaporizer 2 supports MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE).Read 2 Oct 2026 · vast-dynamics.com
- DAW formats
- The README lists VST2, VST3, AU, AAX, CLAP, and LV2 plug-in formats, plus a standalone version.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Free and open source
- VAST Dynamics says Vaporizer 2 is freely available as open source software under GPL3.Read 2 Oct 2026 · vast-dynamics.com
- Included content
- The project README lists 780+ wavetables and single cycles and 450+ factory presets.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Legacy license
- The maker says an existing Vaporizer 1 license can also be used with Vaporizer 2.Read 2 Oct 2026 · vast-dynamics.com
- License and security
- Vaporizer2 is free software under GPL-3.0; the maker’s product page does not state security or compliance certifications.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Limits
- The README specifies 1 GB RAM minimum and a CPU supporting AVX or SSE2, with Windows 8/10, macOS 10.13 or later, or Linux.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Linux support
- The maker's release notes list LV2 Linux builds in version 3.4.0.Read 2 Oct 2026 · vast-dynamics.com
- MIDI expression
- It supports MIDI Polyphonic Expression dimensions, including pitch bend, aftertouch, release velocity, and timbre controls.Read 3 Oct 2026 · vast-dynamics.com
- Modulation
- It provides 25 modulation sources, 220 destinations, five LFOs, five MSEG envelopes, an arpeggiator, and three step sequencers.Read 3 Oct 2026 · vast-dynamics.com
- Plugin formats
- The product page lists VST2, VST3, AU, and AAX plugins, plus standalone versions for macOS and Windows.Read 2 Oct 2026 · vast-dynamics.com
- Sampling
- The sampler handles WAV, AIFF, OGG, and MP3, with loop points, key tracking, granular mode, and sample-to-wavetable resampling.Read 3 Oct 2026 · vast-dynamics.com
- Synthesis
- The plug-in combines additive, FM, subtractive, wavetable, and sampler sound generation.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Synthesis and sampling
- It includes additive and FM synthesis, a sampler for WAV, AIFF, OGG, and MP3, and a granular synthesis mode.Read 2 Oct 2026 · vast-dynamics.com
- Updates
- The product page says Vaporizer 2 has a lifelong free update policy.Read 2 Oct 2026 · vast-dynamics.com
- Wavetable editing
- Its editor supports drawing wavetables with Bezier curves, editing cycles, and importing Serum and Icarus format wavetables.Read 3 Oct 2026 · vast-dynamics.com
- Wavetable engine
- It has four independent alias-free wavetable oscillator banks with up to 24-oscillator unison.Read 3 Oct 2026 · vast-dynamics.com
- Wavetable tools
- Its wavetable editor supports drawing with Bezier curves, editing cycles, and importing Serum- and Icarus-format wavetables.Read 2 Oct 2026 · vast-dynamics.com
Plans and prices
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Free and open source under GPL-3.0.
- Four wavetable banks support up to 24-oscillator unison.
- Sampler includes granular mode and sample-to-wavetable resampling.
- Supports MPE and multiple plugin formats.
- Maker lists a lifelong free update policy.
Limits
- Requires at least 1 GB RAM.
- CPU must support AVX or SSE2.
- Maker lists no security or compliance certifications.
Who it suits
It suits music makers looking for a synthesizer and sampler across Linux, macOS, or Windows, including users who need MPE or granular sound generation. Its stated hardware requirements and multiple plugin formats may help determine fit.
Verdict
Vaporizer 2 combines several synthesis methods, sampling, and granular sound generation in a free package. Check the stated CPU and memory requirements and confirm your preferred plugin format or standalone setup.
Where Specifiction places it
- Sampler Software#12 of 267.8