Universal Audio Anthem: An In-Depth Analysis of the New Virtual Analog Synthesizer

1. Introduction: Universal Audio Anthem Enters the Native Synthesizer Arena

Universal Audio Anthem (UA) has solidified its reputation in the professional audio universe through an uncompromising approach to sound quality and authenticity, faithfully replicating the character and nuances of legendary analog hardware, rather than merely focusing on a profusion of features. With the release of Anthem, UA extends this distinctive philosophy to the realm of native virtual synthesizers, promising “something entirely new.”¹ However, in a market already densely populated by high-quality virtual analog (VA) synthesizer emulations, the pressing question is whether Anthem can not only justify its premium price point but also carve out a significant and lasting niche.

This article will delve into the specifics of the Universal Audio Anthem, exploring its features, performance, ease of use, and its value within the current landscape of synthesizer plugins.

2. What is Universal Audio Anthem? A Classic Approach with a Modern Twist

Universal Audio Anthem is a native synthesizer plugin, which represents a democratization of access to UA’s technology, as it can be used by any producer, regardless of whether they own Apollo or UAD-2 hardware.¹ Additionally, it is accessible through UA’s Spark subscription, a bundle encompassing over 40 native plugins starting at $19.99 per month, positioning it as part of a broader ecosystem strategy.¹ UA’s description of “something entirely new” for Anthem is intriguing, especially since the synthesizer does not directly emulate any pre-existing iconic hardware. Instead, its architecture is a deliberate homage to a classic analog signal path, which provides immediate familiarity to experienced synth users and, simultaneously, serves as an intuitive didactic platform for newcomers to the world of synthesis.¹ At its core, Anthem is a dual-oscillator synthesizer, whose oscillators possess the capability of continuous “morphing” between fundamental waveforms (triangle, saw, square, pulse). Complementing this foundation, it includes additional sub-oscillator and noise options, a meticulously analog-modeled low-pass filter with drive control (saturation to add warmth and aggression), a suite of lo-fi vintage effects, an integrated step sequencer, two dedicated envelopes, and a versatile LFO.¹ The synthesizer offers three distinct operational modes: Mono, ideal for creating large, harmonically rich basses and leads; Unison, for even greater sonic density through voice layering; and Paraphonic, which provides four voices of polyphony, though sharing much of the signal path, implying that envelopes and the filter affect all voices simultaneously.¹ It is crucial to emphasize that this four-voice limit represents the maximum polyphony of the synthesizer per instance. While it is possible to stack multiple instances across different tracks to bypass this limitation and achieve more notes, this design choice reflects Universal Audio’s core philosophy: focusing on doing fewer things, but with unparalleled excellence. This restriction, far from being a drawback, is a pillar of its sonic identity, intrinsically contributing to Anthem’s distinctive quality and character.¹

3. Performance and Sound Quality: Vintage with a Modern Sheen Universal Audio Anthem

Universal Audio Anthem comes with an impressive library of over 250 presets, meticulously organized into 12 diverse categories, ranging from basses and leads to drums and strings.¹ This preset curation is not limited to replicating vintage sounds—like the fat basses and piercing leads that “rip through the mix”—but also explores more experimental territories, offering sound effects, “chip tune” options, bells, and whistles. Notably, there is a wide array of pads, despite the polyphony limitation, which demonstrates the versatility of the sound design. The sequences, in turn, ingeniously leverage the on-board 3-track, 16-step sequencer, infusing movement and rhythmic complexity.¹ In-depth analysis reveals a remarkable diversity of high-quality timbres inherent in Anthem’s architecture, making it surprisingly adaptable to a broader range of musical genres than initially anticipated. The vintage effects are not mere embellishments; they intrinsically elevate the sound quality, imparting a modern sheen that can be simultaneously “lovely and gnarly and brash,” “atmospheric,” and “dramatic,” allowing for rich and multifaceted tonal expressiveness.¹ The reviewer specifically praised the application of the modulation effects for creating timbre movements that range from subtle to dramatically transformative, and the Space FX block’s ability to infuse a “creamy” texture and a warm analog feel, contributing to sonic depth and immersion.¹ The sequencer Universal Audio Anthem emerges as a standout feature, transcending mere note playback to expand the sonic palette with dynamic movement and intricate melody. Its intuitive interface, with four main tabs for manipulating gate, velocity, and pitch, allows for easy pattern creation across up to 16 steps. Additionally, a global option for adjusting rate, swing, scale, and direction provides granular control over rhythmic and melodic behavior, making it a powerful tool for composition and generative sound design.¹

4. Ease of Use and Modulation: Elegant Simplicity Universal Audio Anthem

Universal Audio Anthem modulation architecture is remarkably straightforward and accessible, a testament to UA’s user-centric design. It allows users to manipulate crucial parameters like waveform, pitch, warp, and filter cutoff, utilizing either the LFO or the filter envelope.¹ While its modulation depth might be considered basic compared to more complex synthesizers, its simplicity is a virtue, making it exceptionally easy to implement and integrate into the creative process. This intuitive design philosophy extends to most of Anthem’s interface, which is praised for its clarity and tactile responsiveness.¹ The review particularly highlights the ingenuity of the “double-use” controls, such as the ability to adjust coarse tuning with the inner dial and, simultaneously, fine tuning with the outer dial. This clever approach optimizes interface real estate and enhances interaction fluidity, allowing for precise and expressive adjustments with minimal effort.

5. Price and Value Proposition: A Market Dilemma

Universal Audio has set a high standard for the sound quality of its plugins, and Anthem not only meets but elevates that expectation. Its intuitive interface, ease of modulation, and integrated sequencer are standout features that contribute to a fluid and inspiring user experience. More importantly, Anthem delivers a sound that is unequivocally that of a high-quality analog synthesizer, with the depth, warmth, and character expected from a premium emulation.¹ This sonic excellence positions Anthem as a highly attractive addition to UA’s Spark subscription, where it joins a pantheon of other impressive synthesizers, such as PolyMax, Opal Morphing Synthesizer, and Moog Minimoog, creating a robust and diverse virtual synthesis ecosystem.¹ However, Anthem’s value proposition becomes more complex when considered as a standalone purchase. At a price point of $199 (and an introductory offer of $149), Anthem enters the “premier league of synths cash wise,” placing it in direct competition with industry heavyweights like u-he’s acclaimed Diva.¹ The review raises a pertinent question: the actual need for yet another instrument with analog credentials in a market already saturated with high-quality VA emulations. Furthermore, it’s crucial to note that most Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) already include their own analog-style synth plugins, many of which were pioneers in software modeling.¹ Ultimately, Anthem may be perceived as an expensive addition and, for some users, potentially superfluous, especially if they already possess competent VA solutions. Nevertheless, its distinction lies in its ability to evoke an authentic vintage sound and how its sequencer and effects can push timbres to expressive extremes within the analog paradigm. The analysis suggests that Anthem’s high standalone price might be a deliberate strategy by UA to make the Spark subscription a more economically advantageous option, encouraging adoption of their ecosystem.¹ For those seeking a one-time purchase, the market offers numerous alternatives, including free options integrated into DAWs or available independently, which can provide comparable analog “punch” without the significant investment.¹

6. Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Exceptional-sounding analog-modeled synth with authentic character.¹
• Intuitive interface and accessible modulation, promoting ease of use.¹
• Pleasing, “crunchy” vintage effects that add depth and modern sheen.¹

Cons:

• High standalone price, positioning it in a premium and competitive segment.¹
• Market already saturated with virtual analog synth alternatives, making it potentially redundant for some users.¹

7. Market Alternatives

For those seeking alternative options, the review suggests:

• u-he Diva: Priced at $179, it is considered a classic VA synth and a benchmark.¹
• u-he Zebra CM: A free synth that was part of Computer Music magazine, offering many analog-style features and sounds.¹
• Your DAW: Most DAWs come with analog-style synths, such as Alchemy in Logic or Analog in Live.¹

8. Final Verdict: A Quality Synthesizer, But with a Premium Price Tag

The Universal Audio Anthem is, undeniably, a “great synth,” standing out for its impeccable sound quality and its ability to capture the essence of analog sound.¹ Its intuitive interface, the simplicity of its modulation, and the versatility of its sequencer and effects are strong points that contribute to a rewarding and creative synthesis experience. However, its $199 price tag, for a synthesizer that “retreads the well-worn VA path,” represents a “high asking price” in an already mature and competitive market landscape.¹ For subscribers to UA’s Spark ecosystem, Anthem emerges as a valuable and inspiring addition, significantly enriching their instrument library. However, for those considering a standalone purchase, the decision becomes more deliberate, requiring careful evaluation against the abundance of excellent and, at times, more accessible alternatives already available in the market.¹

9. Technical Specifications

• Price: $199 ¹
• Key Features:
  • Two analog-style modeled oscillators with waveform morphing (triangle, saw, square, pulse).¹
  • Sub-oscillator and noise generator.¹
  • Modeled analog low-pass filter with drive (saturation).¹
  • Lo-fi effects including chorus, modulation, and spring reverb.¹
  • Step sequencer with 3 tracks (gate, pitch, velocity), 16 steps, plus polyrhythms, accents, and generative textures.¹
  • Modulation: 2 ADSR with velocity, 1 syncable morphable LFO.¹
• System Requirements:
  • Runs natively for Mac and PC in VST3, AU, and AAX formats.¹
  • Requires macOS Catalina 10.15, Big Sur 11, Monterey 12, Ventura 13, Sonoma 14, Sequoia 15 or Windows 10 or Windows 11 (64-bit editions).¹
  • Intel, AMD, or Apple silicon processor.¹
  • Internet connection to download UAD Connect and authorize native UAD plugins.¹
  • An iLok account (iLok USB 2nd generation or higher).¹
• Contact: Universal Audio ¹

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