The Best Granular Synths of 2023
Before we get stuck in to the Best Granular Synths of 2023, let’s take a look at what a granular synth actually is.
Well, to start, a granular synth is a great tool to create interesting, futuristic sonic textures.
It gets its name from the way it processes audio, which is different from more conventional synths, such as subtractive, wavetable and FM. A granular synth slices audio up into tiny pieces called “grains” and allows you to rearrange and manipulate them to create weird and wonderful new sounds.
For this reason, granular synths are well suited to creating all sorts of soundscapes, textures and drones, especially for those looking to amp up their sci-fi composition or sound design project. The possibilities are pretty much endless!
It’s a good idea to experiment with different types of samples such as drums, vocals, guitars or violins. You’ll be surprised at what results you can harness.
Most granular synths work in a similar way, so here are some parameters that are commonly found on a granular synth:
- Grain Size – The size of each slice of audio or “grain”. The smaller the grain, the more glitchy it will sound
- Rate – Also known as Grain Spacing or Shape, this controls the size of the gap between each grain. A shorter gap will create a smoother sound
- Position – This is the start point of the audio sample, which can greatly affect the final sound. Experimentation is key
- Pitch – Changes the pitch of the sample to be higher or lower, depending on what your needs are
Now that the hard part is out of the way, let’s take a look at some of the Best Granular Synth Plugins of 2023! And it’s worth noting that this list isn’t limited to 2023 releases, but what we feel are the best granular synth plugins overall.
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Best Granular Synth Plugins 2023
So here we go – these are our selection of the best granular synths of 2023. You may even find a deal or two while you’re at it!
1. Quanta 2 by Audio Damage

Link: Quanta 2
Set up a price alert for when Quanta 2 goes on sale here.
First on the list is Quanta 2 by Audio Damage, a relatively small developer that has some excellent plugins.
Quanta 2 comes with 2 virtual analogue oscillators which can both be directed through the grain engine, lending itself to “granularizing” one and leaving the other as a hefty sub-bass. The sound designers amongst you will certainly want to give that a go!
Quanta 2’s grain engine lets you have up to 100 simultaneous grains per voice, of up to 1 second long, with control over grain rate, pitch, direction, shape, length, panning, source position, and level. That’s a huge amount of control over your sounds.
It also has built-in root note detection for samples (you can drag & drop your own samples into Quanta 2), which can save a lot of time and stress when producing music. Naturally, single note samples will work better (and they work great) than chord based samples. You can then adjust the root note to your liking, if needed.
Quanta 2 also comes with some effects; chorus, stereo dual delay, and reverb taken from the Audio Damage library of studio effects. All of which is wrapped up in a great looking, user friendly interface.
2. Spectrasonics Omnisphere 2

Link: Omnisphere 2
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past 7 or 8 years, you’ll have surely heard of Spectrasonics Omnisphere 2, one of the most sought after VST audio plugins on the market. A little less known fact (or overlooked, we should say), is that it has it’s own granular synthesis engine.
The main strength of Spectrasonics Omnisphere 2 lies in it’s Hardware Synth Integration and its 4-oscillators shared path. Combine this with the granular engine and you’ll be creating some of the most wild and interesting sounds you’ve ever heard!
The drag & drop sample function offers a quick workflow and multiplies it’s overall functionalities even further, giving you the capability to create simple waveforms or evolving, complex soundscapes and textures.
The granular controls can be found in the Oscillator Zoom Granular page. This section displays a waveform that shows you how the sounds are manipulated, very useful during the sound design process. Although the interface can be daunting, once you get your head around where the controls are, it’s surprisingly easy to use.
Spectrasonics Omnisphere 2 is the most expensive granular synth plugin on this list, but remember, the granular capabilities of this synth are just a fraction of it’s true potential and is worth every penny!
3. MGranularMB by MeldaProduction

Link: MGranularMB
Set up a price alert for when MGranularMB goes on sale here
Next on the list is a well balanced, versatile and affordable granular synth by MeldaProduction – the MGranularMB.
As with the other granular synths listed here, it works in much the same way, by splitting your audio into tiny pieces and giving you the tools to manipulate them into new sounds.
This is where the dual interface comes in handy. One page, “easy mode”, gives you simple controls, designed by professionals, to give you exquisite sounds fast. The other “edit” page is much more hands-on and allows you to fine tune your sounds the way you want. You can also save these presets and recall them again in easy mode for a faster workflow.
MGranularMB is loved by sound designers around the world for it’s ability to process mono and stereo signals, up to 8 channels for surround (64 for ambisonics) and mid/side encoding. To add to this already stellar granular synthesis VST, it comes equipped with powerful MIDI Learning capabilities, allowing for easier and more detailed manipulation of your sounds.
MeldaProduction have a reputation for pricing their plugins correctly and MGranularMB is no exception, it’s great value for money!
4. Granulizer 2 by Inertia Sound Systems

Link: Granulizer 2
Set up a price alert for when Granulizer 2 goes on sale here
Next up, Granulizer 2 by Inertia Sound Systems, which was very well received upon its release in 2018. Built from the ground up, it improves on every aspect of Granulizer and more.
Granulizer 2, like many granular synth VSTs, is designed to be used in creative sound design. It has a few controls, such as the diffusion effect, which help it stand out from the rest. Let’s take a look at it’s main features:
- High quality audio engine that performs time-stretching, pitch-shifting, granular resynthesis and spectrum manipulation
- Diffusion effect for wide droney sounds (think spectral reverb)
- Spectral Shaping
- Frequency shifter for atonal variations
- Grain warping
- Control over subtle randomization of certain internal parameters (“Magic” knob)
- High quality diffusion delay effect for droney soundscapes
- Waveform view with loop selection, zoom in / out
- A portable and intuitive preset system
- Explanatory on-screen tooltips on mouse hover over the parameters.
- Minimal, clean UI
Granulizer 2 comes with a set of presets which range from drones to synths. You can create your own or you can modify the ones that are already there. Once you start scratching beneath the surface of this plugin, you’ll soon find endless possibilities of creativity.
5. Biotek 2 by Tracktion

Link: Biotek 2
Set up a price alert for when Biotek 2 goes on sale here
Lastly, but by no means least, is Biotek 2 by Tracktion. Designed with real field recording from natural and urban settings, this synth has a lot to offer.
This granular synth comes with 4 oscillators with different uses, amongst them is the Spinal Saw, which layers up to 11 sawtooth waves in one ocsillator, the granular oscillator, the sine oscillator and the sample oscillator.
The granular oscillator allows for manipulation of the waveform to create textures, soundscapes and drones. It features a visual waveform, and the ability to see its playback position and pitch.
As with most synths, Biotek 2 would not be complete without a whole host of effects and filters, of which there are plenty of both. Biotek 2 really does stand out from the crowd, with its unique take on granular synthesis. The field recordings that are included and the ability to drop your own samples into the plugin, allow for some amazingly rich and diverse soundscapes.
While it’s not the cheapest on this list, the functionalities far outweigh the price, and it’s flexibility to become much more than just a granular synth are worth it’s weight in gold.
What now?
Well, there we have it, 5 of what we feel are the best granular synth plugins of 2023. Granular synths are a great way to add texture and emotion to a musical production or sound design product. They can create crazy sounds or melodic ambiences but most importantly, they are fun.
Part of what makes granular synthesis so great is that every time you fire up your plugin, you never know what sound you’ll create. You may have an idea of what you want, but each session is filled with experimentation, something not frequently ventured on your average day.
So go out and have fun creating some whacky, wonderful sounds!