discoDSP Corona 7 Adds MPE to Its VA-Wave Synth
discoDSP Corona 7 is a free upgrade for Corona 6 owners, adding MPE, a step sequencer, Synth1 and JP-8000 import, and Super 7+ unison. Specs, price, and verdict.
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discoDSP has released Corona 7, a free major upgrade to its long-running virtual analog and wavetable synthesizer. It landed on 20 August 2026. The update adds MPE and a step sequencer, and it is free for every Corona 6 owner. New buyers pay €149. This is a first look at the published feature set.
At a glance: €149 full, free upgrade for existing owners. Corona is a hybrid VA and wavetable synth with three oscillators, dual zero-delay filters, JP-8080-modeled unison, and a deep modulation matrix. Version 7 adds MPE, a sequencer mode, Synth1 and Roland JP-8000 patch import, Super 7+ unison, and 8x oversampling. It runs on Mac, Windows, and Linux.
What Corona is
Corona is discoDSP's flagship synthesizer. It pairs virtual analog and wavetable synthesis in one voice, and discoDSP has developed it quietly for years. Each voice runs three VA/WAVE oscillators into dual zero-delay feedback filters with 14 filter types. Its character leans Roland, driven by a JP-8080-modeled Super Saw unison.
It sits in the same crowded space as Xfer Serum 2, Vital, and Surge XT. The personality is different, though. Serum sells a visual wavetable editor, and Vital sells a free spectral workflow. Corona sells a dense, hands-on analog-flavored engine with broad import compatibility. Version 7 is about closing the gaps that kept it off modern shortlists.
What is new in Corona 7
MPE support
The headline addition is MIDI Polyphonic Expression. Corona 7 accepts per-note pitch bend, pressure, and timbre, then routes all three into the modulation matrix. On an MPE controller such as a Seaboard or a LinnStrument, each finger can move filter, pitch, and modulation independently. That shift turns Corona from a static preset player into an expressive per-note instrument.
A real step sequencer
The arpeggiator gains a Sequencer mode. It runs on a 12-semitone note grid with key transpose and three trigger behaviors: SEQ HOLD, SEQ TOGGLE, and SEQ SYNC. It also supports step recording, and it can export the pattern as MIDI. A line you build inside Corona can then move out to the rest of your project.
Synth1 and JP-8000 patch import
Corona 7 reads Synth1 (.sy1) presets and Roland JP-8000/8080 SysEx banks. Synth1 is one of the most widely used free synths ever made, with enormous free patch libraries. Loading those directly is a genuine head start on sound design. The JP-8000 import, meanwhile, brings the hardware's trance and rave staples into the plugin.
Super 7+ unison and oversampling
A new Super 7+ unison mode extends the JP-8000 Super Saw model. An 8x oversampling engine cleans up aliasing on bright, aggressive patches. MIDI Learn now shows CC overlay badges on assignable controls, with drag-and-drop assignment. The modulation matrix also ships with 30 destination presets to speed up routing.
discoDSP Corona 7 specifications
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product | discoDSP Corona 7 |
| Type | Virtual analog + wavetable hybrid synthesizer |
| Price | €149, free upgrade for Corona 6 owners |
| Oscillators | 3 VA/WAVE, 16 combine modes (12 Phase, 4 Detune) |
| Filters | Dual zero-delay feedback, 14 types |
| Unison | Super 7 / Super 7+ (JP-8080 modeled) |
| Arpeggiator | 32-step, with new Sequencer mode and MIDI export |
| Modulation | Mod matrix with 30 destination presets |
| Envelopes / LFOs | 3 ADSR, 3 LFOs |
| Expression | Full MPE (pitch, pressure, timbre) |
| Import | Synth1 (.sy1), Roland JP-8000/8080 SysEx, SF2/WAV oscillators |
| Oversampling | Up to 8x |
| Waveforms | 300+ MB library, hardware-sampled single-cycle waves |
| Formats | VST, VST3, AU, AAX |
| Platforms | Windows 10+, macOS 10.14+ (Apple Silicon native), Linux Debian 10+ |
Corona 7 vs Serum 2 vs Vital
Corona sits between the paid polish of Serum and the free depth of Vital.
| Corona 7 | Xfer Serum 2 | Vital | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | VA + wavetable hybrid | Wavetable + sampler + granular | Spectral wavetable |
| Price | €149 (free for v6 owners) | Paid, upgrade from Serum 1 | Free, paid tiers above |
| Wavetable editor | Import + combine modes | Full visual editor | Full visual editor |
| MPE | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Unison | JP-8080 Super Saw model | Serum unison | Vital unison |
| Import | Synth1, JP-8000, SF2/WAV | Serum wavetables | WAV, Serum tables |
| Platforms | Mac, Win, Linux | Mac, Win, Linux | Mac, Win, Linux |
| Best for | Analog-flavored hybrid with legacy import | Modern wavetable sound design | Free wavetable workhorse |
Which to pick. Choose Corona 7 for an analog-leaning hybrid with MPE and the ability to load Synth1 and JP-8000 patches, especially if you already own Corona 6 and the upgrade is free. Choose Serum 2 if the visual wavetable editor is central to how you design sound. Choose Vital if you want a free wavetable synth first and can add paid tiers later. If you are after preset-driven ease instead, our look at Arturia Pigments Play covers the free macro-driven route.
Who Corona 7 is for
Consider it if you already own Corona 6. The upgrade is free, and MPE plus the sequencer are real additions rather than cosmetic ones.
Consider it if you play an MPE controller and want a hybrid VA-wavetable engine with strong Roland character. The JP-8080 unison and 14 filter types cover plenty of trance, rave, and modern electronic ground.
Consider it if you have a Synth1 or JP-8000 patch collection. Direct import turns those libraries into an instant Corona sound bank.
Skip it if you want a free wavetable synth and already run Vital. Corona's €149 is aimed at owners and character seekers, not budget buyers.
Skip it if you rely on drawing wavetables by hand. Corona imports and combines them, but it does not offer a Serum-style visual editor.
How much Corona 7 costs
Corona 7 is €149 for new buyers and a free upgrade for all Corona 6 owners. It runs as VST, VST3, AU, and AAX on Windows, macOS, and Linux. A demo is available from discoDSP. You can also find Corona at Best Service if you prefer a European retailer, or buy direct from discoDSP.
FAQ
Is Corona 7 a free upgrade?
Yes, for existing Corona 6 owners. New buyers pay €149.
Does Corona 7 support MPE?
Yes. It accepts per-note pitch bend, pressure, and timbre, and routes them into the modulation matrix. An MPE controller can then drive each note independently.
Can Corona 7 load Synth1 or Roland patches?
Yes. It imports Synth1 (.sy1) presets and Roland JP-8000/8080 SysEx banks, plus SF2 and WAV files as oscillator sources.
Does Corona 7 run on Linux?
Yes. It supports Debian 10 and later, alongside Windows 10+ and macOS 10.14+ with native Apple Silicon.
Corona 7 vs Serum 2?
Serum 2 leads with a visual wavetable editor and a broader modern engine. Corona 7 leads with an analog-flavored hybrid voice, JP-8080 unison, and legacy patch import, and it is free for existing owners.
The bottom line
Corona 7 brings discoDSP's hybrid synth up to modern expectations. You get MPE, a proper step sequencer with MIDI export, Synth1 and JP-8000 import, and cleaner oversampling. All of it goes to existing owners for nothing. The interface is still dense, and it lacks a visual wavetable editor, so it will not win over Serum or Vital devotees on looks alone.
This is a first look at the published feature set, not a scored bench test in our own studio. For Corona 6 owners, it is an easy free install. For everyone else, it is a strong, characterful hybrid worth a demo before the free rivals decide it for you.
