Summary

Triple Cheese is a freeware synthesizer by u-he that uses unique sound generation methods based on comb filters instead of traditional oscillators or synthesis techniques. It is capable of producing distinctive, lush, and sometimes "cheesy" sounding tones.

Features

• Sound generation via three serially connected comb filter modules with 8 different modes each (11 modes total).
• Supports polyphonic (up to 16 voices), duophonic, monophonic retriggered, and legato modes.
• Adjustable portamento (glide) time.
• Two ADSR envelopes with falling, flat, or rising sustain stages.
• Two host-syncable LFOs: one regular and one "Vibrator" with delay and amplitude modulation.
• VCA with amplitude modulation and pan controls.
• Built-in effects including chorus, flanger, phaser, delay, and reverb.
• Modulation sources include MIDI wheels, velocity, pressure, breath, key follow, random modulation as well as MIDI learn/unlearn for hardware control.
• Scalable and skinnable user interface.
• 254 factory presets included.
• Latest version (1.3) includes support for Oddsound MTS-ESP.

Sound Generation Method

Unlike traditional synthesizers, Triple Cheese does not use oscillators, FM, phase distortion, or analog-modeled filters. Instead, it uses multiple types of comb filters configured as short chromatically tuned delays to generate and shape sound. This approach results in a distinctive sound character reminiscent of early 1980s digital synths but can also produce more lush textures.

Compatibility and Requirements

• Available for macOS (AUv2, VST3 64-bit), Windows (VST3, AAX 32-/64-bit), and Linux (VST3; beta status).
• Not available as standalone; must run in a host/DAW.
• Requires Mac OS X 10.10 or newer, Windows 7 or newer, or Linux with glibc 2.28+. Requires modern CPUs (Intel Nehalem or newer, AMD Bulldozer or newer, or Apple Silicon M1+).
• Recommended minimum display size 1000 × 600.
• Does not currently have an AAX version for Pro Tools on Mac (Windows version supported).

Additional Information

Triple Cheese won the 2006 KVR Developer Challenge. The plugin is offered as freeware and does not require a serial number to unlock. The Linux version is community-supported and considered beta. The interface is skinnable and resizable from 70% to 200%. The synthesizer offers a unique alternative to classic synthesis techniques with an emphasis on comb filter sound design.