Polymer: Hybrid Modular, Fun and Quick
Polymer starts simple: pick an oscillator, a filter, and an envelope generator. Swapping out Grid modules within a dedicated synthesizer is fast and easy, helping you craft production-worthy sounds from minimal controls immediately.
Beside the three modules are a streamlined set of support parameters, providing ease of control and playability. And from this deceptively small package, a bouquet of synthesis techniques is available: subtractive, FM/PM, exponential FM, hard sync, PWM, phase distortion, and Wavetable with three unique unison modes for making a small universe out of each note played.
Polymer's modular structure means you're not limited to any one oscillator — in fact, you can pick from eight other options. The basic wave shapes — Sine, Square, Sawtooth and Triangle — each have their own dedicated oscillators, and Union blends three into one pleasant, drifting output. Phase-1 and Swarm support phase distortion and unison, respectively. Finally, the special dual oscillator Bite unlocks a number of analog methods, including audio-rate PWM and exponential FM. And for filtering, 10 modules provide options for Inspired filters (Low-pass MG, XP), classics like Comb and Sallen-Key, and unique digital inventions in the Character category.
The Wavetable module brings another method of synthesis, Bitwig-style. It comes with 139 different wavetables in five different categories and a beautiful visual browser to find the perfect one. But you're not just limited to the stock wavetables, as any WT file can be read directly — so you can import Serum and WaveEdit-compatible WAV files and use them within Polymer as well as The Grid.
Of course, Polymer lives within Bitwig Studio and its open modular philosophy. Add a modulator to make any parameter move. Turn on Voice Stacking to layer a sound with unique variations. Group any Polymer, and add another synth or plug-in beside it.
Polymer is based on and opens the gates to The Grid, so you can open its expanded view to see its insides for further tweak-ability. Or go all the way by right-clicking Polymer to convert it to Poly Grid if you need full control
You can get started making beautiful sounds with Polymer right away with a little help from Polymerics, a ready-to-go sound package designed specially for this synth. Whether you need good sounds, a workhorse synth, or an on-ramp to The Grid, Polymer is an excellent choice.
