TyrellN6
Key Features
- Two continuously variable oscillators with smooth waveform morphing between Sine, Triangle, Sawtooth, and Pulse shapes
- Self-oscillating multimode filter (LP, HP, BP) with 12, 24, and 36 dB per octave slopes and key tracking
- Built-in chorus effect inspired by the Roland Juno series, delivering instant vintage width and warmth
- Unison mode with up to eight detuned voices for massive supersaws, thick leads, and wide pads
- Nearly 600 factory presets spanning basses, leads, pads, keys, effects, and sequences
- Native Apple Silicon support, CLAP format, and MTS-ESP microtuning in the latest 3.0 beta
- Resizable GUI (50-200%) with modernized preset browser and drag-and-drop soundset installation
Description
TyrellN6 is a virtual analog synthesizer by u-he that captures the warm, gritty character of classic 1980s hardware polysynths. Born from a collaboration between u-he and the German music magazine Amazona.de, it was originally conceived as a crowd-sourced hardware synth design that Urs Heckmann brought to life in software.
The synth engine shares DNA with u-he's acclaimed Diva and ACE, delivering a fat analog tone that rivals many paid plugins. Two continuously variable oscillators let you morph smoothly between Sine, Triangle, Sawtooth, and Pulse waveforms, feeding into a self-oscillating multimode filter with 12/24/36 dB slopes.
Beyond the oscillators, TyrellN6 packs a sub-oscillator, noise generator, ring modulator, and a lush built-in chorus inspired by the Roland Juno series. Two ADSR envelopes and two LFOs provide deep modulation routing, while unison mode stacks up to eight detuned voices for massive leads and supersaw-style pads.
The 3.0 beta update adds native Apple Silicon support, CLAP format, MTS-ESP microtuning, a resizable GUI, and a modernized preset browser with nearly 600 factory sounds. After 15 years on Amazona, u-he now hosts TyrellN6 directly and continues active development.
With its low CPU footprint and broad DAW compatibility, TyrellN6 remains one of the most respected synths in the plugin community. It excels at everything from punchy basses and screaming leads to lush evolving pads and retro synthwave textures.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between TyrellN6 and u-he Diva?
TyrellN6 shares some of the same virtual analog engine technology as Diva, but Diva offers component-level modeling of multiple classic synths (Moog, Roland, Korg), more oscillator and filter options, and significantly deeper modulation. TyrellN6 is lighter on CPU and more straightforward, making it ideal for quick sound design without the processing overhead.
Does TyrellN6 support CLAP and Apple Silicon natively?
Yes. The 3.0 beta update (released March 2025) adds native Apple Silicon support and CLAP format alongside VST, VST3, AU, and AAX. It runs natively on M1/M2/M3 Macs without Rosetta.
How many presets come with TyrellN6?
The 3.0 beta includes a revamped library of nearly 600 factory presets covering basses, leads, pads, keys, arpeggios, effects, and sequences. Additional community-made soundsets can be installed via drag and drop through the modernized preset browser.
Can TyrellN6 do modern sound design or is it only for retro sounds?
While TyrellN6 excels at vintage analog tones and synthwave, its ring modulator, unison stacking, and flexible modulation routing make it capable of aggressive modern basses, metallic textures, and evolving cinematic soundscapes. The sub-oscillator and noise generator add further versatility beyond purely retro territory.
