EastWest ICONIC — Free Download

Purpose and Concept

ICONIC is a virtual instrument library that celebrates the analog and digital synthesizers behind many classic recordings. It captures the sound of rare hardware including the ARP 2600, Minimoog Model D, Oberheim OB-X, Sequential Prophet-5, Yamaha CS-80, Roland Jupiter-8, Synclavier II, and Fender Rhodes. The library focuses on recreating the programming style of iconic records without using any actual samples from those works.

The instrument is designed as a modern production tool, not a museum piece. Its interface places vintage-style controls on a single page, with an XY pad that can modulate up to multiple assigned parameters simultaneously. This approach aims to let producers access historic tones quickly while still having the flexibility to reshape them into contemporary sounds suitable for pop, hip hop, and EDM.

Key Capabilities

The interface centers on an XY pad with four selectable macro effects, each capable of controlling several parameters at once. This allows for animated, evolving timbres from a single gesture. Dual filters can be modulated, and an advanced sixteen-step arpeggiator provides rhythmic patterns, while multi-mode portamento adds smooth or stepped glide between notes.

A range of effects is available to shape the sound further, including drive, distortion, delay, and spatial processors. These tools are built to push the vintage source material into new territories, from subtle colorations to full transformations. The combination of macro control and individual effect parameters offers both quick tweaks and deep editing within a streamlined workflow.

Production Techniques

The recording process went beyond basic sampling. Instruments were captured in EastWest Studio 1 and then sent to analog tape machines, including a tube Studer J37, where they were pushed to generate tape saturation and harmonic distortion. This yields an alternative, warmer, and slightly gritty character compared to pristine digital captures.

Additionally, the instruments were re-amped in EastWest Studio 2, using multiple microphone positions to blend the natural studio ambience with the direct signal. This technique, often used by engineer Bruce Swedien, adds depth and a three-dimensional quality to the sounds. The result is a library that carries the weight of vintage hardware with a modern production polish.

Workflow and Applications

With over five hundred presets, ICONIC serves as a comprehensive keyboard resource for producers working in pop, hip hop, and EDM. The presets cover a range of classic and contemporary styles, from lush pads and biting leads to rhythmic basslines and electric piano textures. The XY pad can be used to automate filter sweeps, effect mixes, or multiple parameters across the song arrangement.

In practice, an artist might start with a preset inspired by a classic synth line, then use the arpeggiator and delay effects to build a hook, or use the portamento to create expressive lead lines. The tape saturation and reamping features allow for quick sound-shaping without external processing. The library is designed for both speed and depth, making it suitable for writing sessions and detailed sound design alike.

Key features

• XY pad with four macro effects for multi-parameter modulation
• Dual filters with modulation options
• Advanced sixteen-step arpeggiator
• Multi-mode portamento for flexible glide
• Effects chain including drive, distortion, delay, and spatial processors
• Analog tape saturation and reamping captured in recording
• Over 500 presets across vintage and modern styles

Best for

Best for producers and composers seeking authentic vintage synth tones for pop, hip hop, and EDM. Its generous preset library and macro controls make it ideal for quick inspiration, while the deep editing tools suit detailed sound design. The tape saturation and reamping offer a distinct character that stands out in modern mixes.