Features:

• Ultra Focus's single-window user interface has the look of three-dimensional hardware, but it doesn't look like any synth I've ever seen (see Fig. 1). Thanks to its well-designed ergonomics, I quickly learned my way around. Most real-time parameter controls are knobs and others are sliders (where appropriate), and MIDI Control Change (CC) assignments are fixed; you can't reassign them. Most buttons have associated LEDs to indicate when they're engaged. Tiny but convenient displays showing parameter names and values are scattered across the panel, making it easy to see what's what at a glance. I wish a button were available for auditioning sounds, because Ultra Focus has no onscreen keyboard.