Synthesiser
Phoscyon 2
by D16 Group
A paid TB-303-style bass synthesizer plug-in from D16 Group with extended controls, calibration trims, 19 distortion models, insert effects, a sequencer and an arpeggiator.
Before you buy
- Pricing model
- Paid[1] D16 also includes it in bundles such as Classic Boxes Collection and Total Bundle. A demo is offered.
- Runs on
- macOS, Windows No Linux version listed.
- Logic Pro
- AU version listed for macOS
- Other formats
- VST2, VST3, AAX
We don't list prices: they change often. Check the manufacturer for current pricing. Requirements below are as the manufacturer states them.
Documented features
- D16 says the signal path was "completely re-designed" for greater emulation accuracy.[1]
- Controls beyond the original panel, which D16 says come from popular mods: Slide Time, Sweep Amount, Envelope Attack, Accent Decay and Accent Volume, plus vibrato speed and depth, Resonance/Sweep and EnvAcc/AccVolume couple switches and a fine-tune control.[1][2]
- Calibration panel modelled on the TB-303's service trim pots: TM3 (base cutoff), C21/22 (VCO high-pass), AccEnv, AccAmp, C13 (accent envelope time constant), TM5 (octave span), SQR PW Shift, BA662 Clicks and BA662 Noise.[1][2]
- Vibrato made from two alternating notes rather than an oscillator; the mod wheel can control its depth.[1][2]
- Distortion stage with 19 models based on hardware units, Drive and Color controls, and a one-knob Dynamics compressor placed before or after the distortion.[1][2]
- Five reorderable insert effects: algorithmic reverb, parametric EQ, tempo-synced delay, chorus and a limiter with soft clip.[2][1]
- Three play modes: External (played from the host), Sequencer and Arpeggiator.[2]
- Sequencer with 48 patterns in four banks of 12, up to 64 steps, per-step slide, accent and vibrato, swing, and step lengths from 1/64 to a whole note with dotted and triplet options.[2]
- Two pattern editors: a Piano Roll, which the manual calls "the modern one", and a Keyboard view "similar to hardware step sequencers". Patterns can be transposed, shifted, copied and pasted.[2][1]
- Patterns are triggered by MIDI notes (Host Note mode), MIDI CC or the interface; in Live mode a newly selected pattern starts when the current one ends.[2][1]
- Randomizer that fills patterns with generated notes, octaves, slides, accents and vibrato, with a density control for each part; templates save as presets. D16's product page describes real-time density control.[2][1]
- Arpeggiator that plays a user-built "template" riff indexed by held-note pitch, with 48 arpeggiator patterns of its own.[2][1]
- Live Override forces accent, slide, vibrato or notes during playback without changing the stored pattern.[2][1]
- Patterns drag to the DAW as MIDI clips. The sequencer can also send MIDI out to other instruments.[2][1]
- Imports Phoscyon 1.x banks and AudioRealism ABL2 or ABL3 patterns.[2]
- Monophonic, with pitch bend range adjustable from 0 to 12 semitones.[2]
- Over 800 presets and patterns in the factory content.[1]
- Version 2.1.0 added AAX Arm64 support on macOS and a dark interface theme, and fixed distortion oversampling at quality settings above Draft.[3]
Specifications
| Current version | 2.1.0 (changelog undated)[1][3] |
|---|---|
| Emulation options | One 303 model with 9 calibration trims and extended mod controls[2] |
| Sequencer steps | Up to 64[2] |
| Pattern memory | 48 sequencer patterns (4 banks of 12) plus 48 arpeggiator patterns[2] |
| Arpeggiator | Yes, template-based[2] |
| Distortion | 19 models, with Drive, Color and pre/post Dynamics[1][2] |
| Built-in effects | 5 reorderable: reverb, EQ, delay, chorus, limiter[2] |
| Modulation | No dedicated voice LFO; note-based vibrato, mod wheel to vibrato depth[2] |
| Hardware pattern import | None listed (imports Phoscyon 1 and AudioRealism ABL2/ABL3 patterns)[2] |
| MIDI pattern export | Drag to DAW as a MIDI clip[2] |
| Factory content | 800+ presets and patterns[1] |
Compatibility
| macOS | Mac OS X 10.13 to macOS 26; Intel or Apple Silicon; 64-bit hosts only; sample rate 44.1 kHz or higher[1] |
|---|---|
| Windows | Windows 7 or newer; Intel or AMD x86; 32-bit or 64-bit hosts; sample rate 44.1 kHz or higher[1] |
| Plug-in formats |
AU is macOS only. D16 states it is not a standalone program and needs a host. |
Who's using it?
Producers who have said on the record, or been shown, that they use Phoscyon 2. Each entry covers what the source shows and nothing more, and links to it so you can check. A name here isn't an endorsement, and it isn't proof the plug-in made the record.
BLONDEX In their own words
In a July 2026 interview, BLONDEX named Phoscyon 2 or a hardware TD-3 for acid lines in her Ableton Live studio setup.
- Interview: Hit the Decks! It's BLONDEX, Music Connection (Gear/studio answer).
Where we discuss it
Comparisons
Sources
Every fact on this page links to one of these manufacturer sources. Nothing here comes from hands-on testing.
- Phoscyon 2, D16 Group. Accessed .
- Phoscyon 2 user manual (PDF, dated 21 November 2022), D16 Group. Accessed .
- Phoscyon 2 – Changelist, D16 Group. Accessed .