Kael Alden’s first foray into Kontakt instruments, Vibe Rewind, doesn’t just flirt with the 80s—it unapologetically plants itself in the decade’s neon-drenched heart and stays there. From its slick design to its lush sound palette, this instrument feels like a love letter to a time when synthesizers ruled the airwaves and every movie had a montage.
Vibe Rewind First Impressions: Aesthetic Overload (In a Good Way)
Vibe Rewind’s interface hits you with more 80s charm than a Saturday morning cartoon lineup. The glowing pinks, purples, and teals are all there, accented by digital LCD fonts that look ripped straight from those wood-grained alarm clocks everyone had (you know exactly which one I’m talking about). Throw in a palm tree or two and some VHS tracking effects, and you’ve got an aesthetic that screams, “totally tubular!”
It’s bold, it’s nostalgic, and it sets the tone before you even play a note.
Vibe Rewind Sound: Retro, Yet Remarkably Fresh
To achieve the sound of Vibe Rewind, Kael sampled some of his favorite analog gear, allowing you to tap into an authentic vintage vibe, perfect for those longing for the sounds of yesteryear.
The presets are pure gold—lush pads that feel like sunsets, leads that cut through like laser beams, and basses with just the right amount of analog growl. Whether you’re chasing the cinematic grandeur of Vangelis or the introspective pop sensibilities of Tears for Fears, there’s something here for every kind of retro enthusiast.
Exploration: The Real Treasure of Vibe Rewind
Here’s where Vibe Rewind truly shines. While the 150 presets sound fantastic as-is, they’re just the beginning. The instrument encourages experimentation, letting you combine multiple sampled synthesizer sources, tweak waveforms, and layer effects to craft your custom presets.
Some of the best moments come from the happy accidents you’ll stumble upon while tweaking. You could easily spend hours diving into the settings and come out with a unique library of sounds tailored to your project.
If you like to just select a preset and be done with it, Kael is frequently updating the instrument with new presets. When first launched, it had about 60-70 presets. With a recent update, it has now more than doubled to the 150 currently offered.
Usage: Nostalgia as a Tool or a Lifestyle
Now the real question on some people’s minds is “Does this feel gimmicky or is this worth the price?” To me, during my use, it never felt gimmicky. You can tell a lot of love was put into this instrument.
That said, Vibe Rewind’s usefulness will depend largely on your goals. If you’re only dipping your toe into retro waters and want a solo song here and there to get that vibe, it might be more of a “sometimes” tool—a secret weapon for adding a touch of 80s charm.
But if synthwave is your bread and butter, or you regularly aim for that nostalgic sound, this could quickly become an everyday staple in your workflow. For those who loved Cyberpunk 2077’s vibes, this will be a dream. Easy enough for newbies to use, but indispensable if you’re a full-time Synthwave producer.
Final Thoughts: A Killer Debut
For their first Kontakt release, Kael Alden has knocked it out of the park. Vibe Rewind doesn’t just succeed as a plugin; it sets a high bar for what an instrument made for this genre can achieve. It’s clear Kael poured his passion for the 80s into this project, and the result is something that’s as fun to use as it is inspiring.
If this is where Kael starts, I can’t wait to see where he goes next. Whether he dives deeper into retro vibes or branches into new territory, one thing is clear: he’s got the chops to create some seriously innovative tools for producers.
Vibe Rewind Discount Code
Want to try it out? Vibe Rewind is currently being offered for a special sale price of $35, and thanks to our special Vibe Rewind discount code AW5 you can grab it for even cheaper at $30. Pick it up here, and don’t forget about the code!
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