Atomika Free Download

Atomika is a free synthesizer plugin that gives you the sound of the rare Soviet-era Polivoks synth inside your DAW. This download solves the problem of accessing that distinctive, gritty character without hunting down the original hardware, which was only made from 1982 to 1990. You get a circuit-modeled emulation with modern upgrades like expanded polyphony and built-in effects.

What You Get: Polivoks Sound, Modern Workflow

This plugin recreates the Formanta Radio Factory original with a focus on its most famous component: the programmable op-amp filter. You have control over its Starve, Filter Drive, and Amp Drive parameters, along with highpass, notch, and peak filter modes beyond the standard lowpass and bandpass.

The synthesis engine starts with two independently modulatable VCOs. Each offers triangle, saw, square, wide pulse, or narrow pulse waveforms, plus oscillator FM and noise. You can run it in the original monophonic or duophonic modes, or expand it with up to 16-voice polyphony, unison, and two glide types. Modulation comes from a syncable LFO and loopable ADSR envelopes for both filter and amp.

Integrated Modulation and Effects

Beyond the core synth, Atomika bundles production tools. The Arpeggiator syncs to your DAW's tempo with Up, Down, Up/Down, and Random patterns. A separate, syncable FX Modulator LFO can target the four built-in effects:

  • A 4/6/12 stage Phasor
  • A Flange/Chorus
  • Three types of stereo Echo/Delay
  • Five types of Reverb

All effects and the arpeggiator have their own panel, accessible via the Dual Panel Views. For control, you get velocity, keyboard tracking, aftertouch, pitch, and mod-wheel response. Every knob and switch supports complete MIDI control, DAW automation, and MIDI learn.

Who Should Grab This Plugin

This is a straightforward match for a few specific scenarios. If you're a rare synth enthusiast curious about the Polivoks filter's specific bite, this is a direct way to get it. For professional and modern music producers, it's useful when you need that aggressive, characterful analog sound in a plugin that fits your workflow—with polyphony, preset recall, and automation the original could never offer.

It's also good for sound design where you want an all-in-one instrument. With over 350 presets, an arpeggiator, and modulated effects in one window, you can build complete, moving parts without routing to other plugins.

Final Verdict

Download Atomika if you want the Polivoks sound in a modern, polyphonic plugin with solid effects. The circuit modeling by Mark Barton nails the filter's unique behavior, which is the main reason to get this. You’ll need a 64-bit system (macOS 10.13+ or Windows 7+) and a decent quad-core CPU. Since it's a free download covering VST, AU, and AAX formats, it’s a no-risk way to add a piece of synth history to your palette. For a Cherry Audio free download that delivers a specific vintage tone with contemporary convenience, this covers it.