In the world of music production, finding a plugin that captures the essence of vintage sounds while offering modern flexibility is a game-changer. That’s where Evolve Velvet from Excite Audio comes in. As a producer always on the lookout for inspiring tools, I recently dove into this sample-based synthesizer, inspired by the smooth and luxurious character of the classic Velvet instrument. Whether you’re crafting soulful jazz chords, lo-fi house grooves, or psychedelic pop textures, Evolve Velvet delivers cozy, timeless tones that are instantly playable and spark creativity right out of the box.
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Evolve Velvet stands out with its extensive library of over 250 sound sources, ranging from felt pianos and classic electric keyboards to timeless strings and sought-after synths from the 70s and 80s. The result is a versatile palette that blends acoustic intimacy with lush, rich electric tones, adding a genuine vintage quality to your tracks. Available in VST, AU, and AAX formats for both PC and Mac, it’s accessible in Lite and Full versions exclusively from Plugin Boutique.
One of the things I love about Evolve Velvet is its intuitive interface. At the heart is a powerful quad-engine that lets you blend four layers of samples or synths. The expressive XY pad allows for real-time morphing between sounds, making it easy to evolve your tones dynamically. If you’re feeling adventurous, the one-click randomization feature provides instant creative sparks—you can randomize effects, individual layers, or the entire patch with adjustable intensity for everything from subtle tweaks to wild transformations.
Customization is a breeze too. I can import my own samples to build entirely custom patches, expanding the possibilities endlessly. The modulation options are robust, with drag-and-drop envelopes, LFOs, and XY controls to modulate virtually anything. Then, shape your sound with velvet-inspired macro effects like Soften, Warmth, Sway, and Haze. Dual filters and a rearrangeable 3-slot FX chain let you tweak tones precisely, while the 250 genre-spanning presets—covering bells, basses, experimental effects, keys, leads, pads, plucks, and textures—offer a great starting point or full inspiration.
In my exploration, I found the plugin’s flexibility impressive. You can switch between sample and synth modes for each layer, adjust pitch, volume, tone, velocity, and pan settings, and even mute or solo layers as needed. For deeper dives, the edit mode reveals advanced features like saturation, modulation, delays, and more, including velocity, LFOs, and XY pilot settings. It’s simple enough for quick sessions but deep enough for intricate sound design.
Watch my video review below to hear Evolve Velvet in action, where I demonstrate the interface, play through various presets, and blend sounds to create everything from intimate acoustic feels to electronic vintage vibes:
Pricing for Evolve Velvet is straightforward: the Full version has an MSRP of $59, with rent-to-own options at $4.99 per month for 12 months. The Lite version is $29, and upgrades or crossgrades are available at $30 and $39 respectively. There’s also an Evolve Bundle at $99 and a full Excite Audio Bundle at $558. Since the introductory sale has ended, these are the current rates, but always check Plugin Boutique for any ongoing promotions.
Excite Audio, a team of plugin specialists passionate about fueling creativity, has crafted a tool that streamlines workflows for producers and songwriters. If you’re into lo-fi, jazz, house, or pop production, Evolve Velvet could be the missing piece in your setup.
Get Evolve Velvet:
The links to Plugin Boutique are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase through them. This helps support the channel at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use or believe bring real value to producers and songwriters.
What do you think of Evolve Velvet? Have any questions or experiences to share? Drop them in the comments below—I’d love to hear from you!
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