Kobito has launched GrabTone, a new synthesizer plugin for macOS and Windows that transforms audio files into playable instruments. The plugin is available in VST3 and AU formats and is currently free during its launch period.
GrabTone is designed to convert existing audio material into expressive synthesizer tones that can be played via MIDI. The core concept is based on combining two separate audio sources, which are reshaped into a new instrument voice rather than reproduced as traditional samples.
The workflow centres on two input files:
- A — Shape: Provides movement, rhythm, and articulation.
- B — Tone: Provides harmonic content and timbral character.
According to Kobito, GrabTone does not attempt to recreate the original sounds. Instead, it processes and reshapes them into a newly generated synthesizer voice. The resulting instrument can then be performed using a MIDI keyboard, allowing users to explore different combinations of source material in a playable format.
The plugin is built around a sine-bank engine originally developed for the VocoderMorph module in Kobito’s GrabTracks. That engine was created to introduce a synthesizer-style character into vocoder processing. GrabTone expands on that concept by placing the engine at the centre of a dedicated instrument designed for sound creation and experimentation.
The interface follows a minimal design intended to support a straightforward workflow. Users can drag and drop two audio files into the plugin and begin playing immediately. The process is structured as follows:
- Import two audio files.
- Assign them as Shape and Tone sources.
- Play and perform the resulting instrument via MIDI.
GrabTone is aimed at musicians who want to experiment with sound design through audio transformation, without requiring in-depth knowledge of synthesis or sampling techniques. By focusing on file-based input and direct MIDI performance, the plugin presents a streamlined approach to generating new instrument textures from existing recordings.
Kobito has also released version 1.0.0.2, which includes stability and synchronization improvements. The update addresses potential thread-safety issues that could cause instability in certain DAWs, including FL Studio, and improves synchronization for file and state handling as well as preview playback.
GrabTone is available for macOS and Windows in VST3 and AU formats.
GrabTone is currently free during the launch period. If the discount does not apply automatically, the promo code GRABTONEPROMO100 can be used. Expiry date has not been specified.
Click here to find out more about GrabTone, developed by Kobito.
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