Baby Audio BA-1 Analog-Modeled Synth Plugin

Description

A Synth With A Soul

BA-1 is Baby Audio’s modern re-imagination of a cultish 1982 analog synth that looked like a toy but sounded like a beast. It brings you pure and authentic textures that are fast to program and dripping with color.

The Legacy

BA-1 is based on a portable 1980s synth with a toy-like appearance and a gritty sound. Despite its small size, it left a big mark on music history, while still flying somewhat under the hype radar. The original has been used as a secret weapon for bubbly synth textures by some of Sweden’s most successful pop producers of the past two decades. It was also a staple of 1990s digital dancehall and beloved by the indietronica scene for its raw lo-fi quality. The ‘CS01’-as the original is called-has never been properly captured in software form. So for our first ever synth, we started there.

The Sound

In keeping with our motto ”it’s an evolution, not an emulation”, we modeled the hardware with the greatest possible accuracy, before carefully upgrading it with new and useful features. A second analog-modeled oscillator, FM, polyphony, and more, help to vastly expand the sonic palette of the original. All while keeping its signature sound unspoiled.

Additionally, BA-1 lets you drain the battery, bend the circuits, and use the built-in speaker–for anauthentic lo-fi aesthetic that you could normally only get with hardware.

The Effects

If you know our company, you’ll know that effects are our specialty. So we’ve treated BA-1 with an FX section worthy of its own plugin. The effects chain is inspired by budget 1980s rack hardware and captures the lo-fi charm of the home studio scene of the era. The overdrive is modeled after a guitar pedal, while the delay, reverb and chorus effects are based on cheap, but amazing digital rack units. In BA-1, the effects are not an afterthought but an ingrained part of the sonic signature. So tweak, use and abuse them.

The Simplicity

BA-1 is simple, but surprisingly tweakable. We’ve put great effort into tuning all parameters to be in the perfect sweet spot. This results in a rewarding programming workflow where tweaking BA-1 is a lot of fun and you’ll create new patches on repeat. And if a simple interface is not fast enough, you can always use the smart ‘Re-Gen’ feature. Hit Re-Gen and BA-1 will automatically create new and musically tuned patches with every click.

Highlights

• 4 Color Options – After long hours in the studio it can be nice to see something new. BA – 1 lets you switch between gray, blue, purple and orange color modes to keep things fresh. Click right here on the colored squares to preview the options.
• 500+ High Quality Presets – BA – 1 comes with a ton of new musical inspiration in the form of 500+ carefully crafted presets. This includes 4 genre – based expansion packs created by some of our favorite sound designers. Whether you’re into synthwave, modern pop, lo – fi hip hop or 80s / 90s nostalgia we got you covered.
• Oscillator Section – The sound generators are the heart and soul of BA – 1. Meticulously modeled to offer the raw grit and drift that made the original hardware so beloved. The triangle and PWM waveforms are particular highlights if you want a classic 80s dub sound. A second oscillator has been added in BA-1 – compared to the original – for more flexible sound design options
• FM – FM adds complexity and depth to the classic analog subtractive architecture, giving you more sound design options. Dial-in the FM-oscillator either an octave above or below Oscillator 1 to add some plasticky 80s texture.
• Filter Section – Analog-modeled and nicely rounded 24dB low-pass filter. The resonance offers a gritty bite and will start to self-oscillate when pushed towards the 95-100% range – just like the real hardware.
• Envelope Section – The envelope lets you shape the sound with the same quirky side effects as in the original hardware. Additionally we’ve added the option to host-sync the attack time to your DAW’s BPM. This allows for sweeping sounds that rise in perfect sync with your music.
• Settings – Switch between Mono and Poly mode (the original hardware was mono only). Turn Velocity Sensitivity on or off. Open the Midi Settings. Or reset BA-1 to its initial state.
• LFO Section – A simple LFO that is easy to utilize and hard to mess up – like the original. We’ve added the possibility to sync the LFO to the host BPM for more modern applications. Furthermore the LFO section hides one of BA-1’s many easter eggs: Click the “Target” label to find it.
• Sidechain – Synths sound better when they ‘move with the mix’. That’s what the Sidechain feature is for. It can work in ‘External’ or ‘Internal’ mode. By default
• Sidechain is set to ‘Internal’ and will create an automatic 4/4 ducking pattern synced to your host tempo. This can be dialed-in to taste. Click the ‘Routing’ label to switch to ‘External’ mode and duck BA-1 when a sidechain input is present. Place the sidechain either before or after the FX section by clicking the routing switch.
• Tone + Drive – BA-1’s FX section would be worthy of its own retro-color plugin. It is inspired by cheap 1980s rack effects and guitar pedals. ‘Tone’ offers two shelving filters to easily make BA-1’s character darker or brighter. ‘Drive’ adds gritty analog-modeled distortion and has two modes: ‘Circuit’ models the effect of circuit bending the original hardware,  while ‘OD’ models an 80s overdrive pedal.
• Delay + Reverb + Chorus – The grainy digital delay, reverb and chorus combo is THE sound of the 1980s! We’ve recreated this epic FX combo in BA-1 – modeled after budget rack hardware from the era. Engage all three effects at once and you’ll have a hard time programming a dull sounding patch.
• Battery – The original synth could be powered by batteries. But they never lasted long – and weird sonic artifacts were introduced as the power deteriorated. We’ve modeled this behavior and exaggerated it slightly for a better effect. Drain the battery to achieve pitch fluctuations, noise and distortion the further down you go.
• Speaker – The original synth could be powered by batteries. But they never lasted long – and weird sonic artifacts were introduced as the power deteriorated. We’ve modeled this behavior and exaggerated it slightly for a better effect. Drain the battery to achieve pitch fluctuations, noise and distortion the further down you go.
• Re-Gen – Creates new and unique patches with every click. Unlike a regular randomizer
• Re-Gen hosts a smart algorithm calibrated to come up with usable and musical presets on the fly. When you’re stuck for inspiration, click Re-Gen and let it take you in a new direction.
• Resize – BA-1’s plugin window can be fully resized.

Top Features

Faithful Analog Emulation – Precise circuit modeling captures the warmth and quirks of the original hardware.

Expanded Features & FX – Includes added polyphony, filters, and built-in effects for greater versatility.

Customizable Drift & Noise – Emulates analog imperfections, tape-style flutter and speaker effects for a lo-fi vibe.

User-Friendly Interface – Intuitive design with easy-to-navigate controls for quick sound shaping.

Versatile Sound Engine – Ideal for a wide range of sounds including vintage basses, dreamy pads and experimental textures.

Additional Features

The first proper analog-modeled emulation of the CS01,a beloved and cultish 1982 monosynth

Vastly expands the sonic palette of the original – thanks to careful upgrades and new features

Includes a colorful FX section inspired by budget 1980s hardware

500+ high quality presets and a Re-Gen function for instantly generating new patches

If you want authentic, lofi-leaning, synth textures in a plugin, this is it!

Fun and easy to program yet surprisingly versatile

Why You Need Baby Audio BA-1

The Baby Audio BA-1 was created to bring the nostalgic warmth of a classic 1980s analog synthesizer into the modern digital music production environment. It offers producers and sound designers a faithful recreation of the original synth, enhanced with additional features and functionality. The plugin allows users to create vintage-inspired sounds with modern conveniences, such as expanded polyphony, customizable effects, and deeper modulation options, all while preserving the unique imperfections and character of the original hardware. The BA-1 is designed to serve those who crave the retro charm of vintage synths but also want the flexibility and ease of use that digital tools provide.

Who This is For

The target market for the BA-1 includes a variety of music producers and sound designers. This product is ideal for synthwave and retro producers who are crafting 80s-inspired music, such as cinematic scores and nostalgic pop. Electronic and lo-fi artists will also appreciate the plugin for its warm, textured synth tones. It caters to film and game composers who need atmospheric and evocative soundscapes, as well as sound designers and experimental musicians seeking to explore unique modulation effects. The BA-1’s easy-to-use interface makes it suitable for both beginner and advanced producers, providing a balance of simplicity and depth.

What This Package Competes With

In terms of competitive products, the Baby Audio BA-1 competes with several other well-established synth plugins, such as the Arturia Mini V, Cherry Audio Sines, U-he Diva, and Roland Cloud SH-101. While the Arturia Mini V offers deep sound-shaping options and the U-he Diva boasts component-level analog modeling, BA-1 excels with its combination of vintage authenticity and modern enhancements. It stands out by offering a more accessible user interface and versatile sound capabilities that suit both retro and contemporary production styles. Unlike the Roland Cloud SH-101, which requires a subscription, BA-1 is available as a one-time purchase, which may appeal to users seeking a more straightforward investment. Additionally, the BA-1’s customizable drift and noise features set it apart in terms of creating vintage lo-fi textures.

Baby Audio BA-1 System Requirements

Mac

Version: Mac OS 10.7 and up (including Native M1 Compatibility
Internet_required: No
Plugins: VST-2, VST-3, AU, AAX

Windows

Version: Windows 7 and up
Internet_required: No
Plugins: VST-2, VST-3, AAX

Baby Audio BA-1 Demo Video