Nuance vs Quanta 2
Nuance
newsonicarts.comQuanta 2
audiodamage.comSide by side
| Figure | Nuance | Quanta 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | — |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Sampler Software | 8.0 (#8) | 8.2 (#5) |
| Effects | Nuance has four polyphonic FX slots per group and 13 FX algorithms. | Built-in effects include chorus, stereo dual delay, and reverb. |
| Modulation | The Modulation Matrix has unlimited assignments and 25 targets, with envelopes, LFOs, step sequencers and polyphonic randomisers. | It includes four flexible envelope generators with up to 99 steps each, two flexible LFOs, sample and hold, and four assignable macros. |
| Plugin formats | The download page lists macOS Standalone, AudioUnit, VST3 and VST2.4, and Windows Standalone, VST3 and VST2.4, all 64-bit. | Desktop versions are available as VST3, AU, AAX, and CLAP; the iPhone and iPad version is AUv3. |
| Sample formats | Nuance supports its native NU format, WAV, AIFF, Vice VI, Logic EXS24 and SFZ files. | It loads AIFF, WAV, Broadcast WAV, FLAC, MP3, and Ogg audio in any sample rate, bit depth, and channel configuration. |
| Support | New Sonic Arts lists [email protected] for technical support and [email protected] for pre-sales enquiries. | Audio Damage offers support through its Discord server and by email. |
Plans
In their own words
Quanta 2
Quanta 2 is a granular synthesizer plugin for shaping imported audio samples into playable sounds. Its grain engine can produce up to 100 simultaneous grains per voice and works with AIFF, WAV, Broadcast WAV, FLAC, MP3, and Ogg files in any sample rate, bit depth, or channel configuration. Two virtual analog oscillators and a noise source add other sound sources, with dual filters that can run in series or parallel. Modulation includes four envelope generators of up to 99 steps each, two LFOs, sample and hold, and four assignable macros. Chorus, stereo dual delay, and reverb are built in. Quanta 2 supports MPE controllers, MTS-ESP microtuning, and TUN-format tuning tables. Desktop plugin formats are VST3, AU, AAX, and CLAP; the iPhone and iPad version is AUv3 and is sold separately. A fully functional demo has a 20-minute session timer and disables saving. The listed desktop license is $99 as a one-time purchase, with no subscription or DRM. A 2026 update added real-time recording and additional filter modes.