ReFX Nexus 4 is a powerhouse of a virtual instrument. It’s a VST “ROMpler’ that comes packed with 800+ sounds out of the box that fit a wide range of music styles. In addition, its friendly internal librarian helps you find the right sounds quickly for your needs.

This article will cover what Nexus is more granularly, including its unique features, pros and cons, and even how to create some basic sounds. ReFX Nexus 4 fits the bill for any skill level from beginner to expert.

ROMplers have been widely used in music production since the 1990s, and many popular keyboard workstations and software synthesizers are based on this technology.

A ROMpler (AKA a sample playback synthesizer) is an electronic musical instrument that uses pre-recorded audio samples of real instruments stored in read-only memory (ROM) to create sounds. 

In addition, ROMplers combine a synthesizer with the samples to generate added realism to the sampled sounds. With this tool, you can produce realistic instrument sounds without recording them yourself.

Traditional synthesizers generate sounds using oscillators and filters. ROMplers use digital samples and synths, played back at different pitches and speeds, to produce different notes and articulations. 

As a result, ROMplers usually come with a large library of samples intricately organized into categories such as pianos, guitars, drums, and orchestral instruments. The samples are typically stored in ROM memory, which means they cannot be edited or replaced by the user.

The preset browser (called the “Advanced Librarian”) is neatly organized into three main columns. Each preset is sorted by category and vibe/character so you can pin down your ideal sounds more quickly. 

Ever browse a pack of presets and come across something that sounds great but isn’t quite there yet? So you move to a different pack to see if you can find something “better.” A large handful of presets later, you realize that one preset you found 2-3 packs ago was the “one.” 

But you’re kicking yourself because you were in a flow state and didn’t write down the preset's name. 

Lucky for you, Nexus 4 keeps a history of your browsing adventures, and you can trace your steps back to your preset soulmate.

A huge, unique feature of ReFX Nexus 4 is its monster multi-layer arpeggiator. This crazy feature lets you combine up to 16 layers of different arpeggios and create complex melodic patterns inside the VST.

You can zoom in and out and create patterns up to 256 steps. Editing the arpeggios is easy and seamless too.

Nexus 4 is a visual-friendly plugin. While some VSTs require you to think a little harder about the signal flow through the software, Nexus lays everything out in an organized flow chart.

Fully visual, you can quickly and easily edit the signal chain. You can edit oscillators, layers, FX, and more all in one place. No more clicking back and forth.

You can enable/disable entire layers with one click or focus on one module at a time. You can leverage this feature to split sequences into components for better mixing in your song (ex, just the bass layer from a whole sound).

While ReFX Nexus 4 is a remarkable plugin, it has some downsides. 

It’s not a fully-fledged synthesizer and relies on preset sounds and samples. This can make it difficult to customize sounds to fit a specific song. Dependency on presets can also lead to a lack of originality and uniqueness in your music. Some presets sound overprocessed too.

But not being able to manipulate the sound too much inside of the plugin is ok. You can always use post-processing to shape the sound the way you want. This is something we teach our students in the Hyperbits Masterclass to do. Post-processing is where you add your own flavor.

The price of the VST is high compared to other similar virtual instruments. The starting price for Nexus 4 is $249 and goes up to $4,029 based on how many presets you want. This is pretty steep compared to $189 for Serum.

Nexus is also resource-intensive. Most of you can run one patch with no issues, but if you want to make a stack of Nexus patches, you’ll need more computing power to handle it.

Refx Nexus 4 provides a range of macro knobs that allow you to modify multiple parameters of a sound simultaneously. These macro knobs provide a quick and intuitive way to make changes to the sound without having to dive into the individual parameters.

The features of the macro knobs in Refx Nexus 4 include:

1. Multiple Parameters: Each macro knob can control multiple parameters simultaneously, allowing you to make complex changes to the sound with a single knob.
2. Customizable: The macro knobs can be customized to suit the user's needs, allowing them to assign specific parameters to each knob.
3. Easy to Use: The macro knobs are easy to use, making it simple for you to make changes to the sound quickly and efficiently.

However, the macro knobs in Refx Nexus 4 also have some limitations, including:

• Limited Control: Depending on the preset being used, the macro knobs may not have control over certain parameters. This can be frustrating, as it may limit the user's ability to make the desired changes to the sound.
• Limited Sound Design: While the macro knobs are useful for making quick changes to a sound, they may not provide the same level of sound design control as editing individual parameters would. This can limit the user's ability to create something completely unique.

The routing matrix in Refx Nexus 4 is a powerful tool that allows you to route and mix signals within the synthesizer. It’s a flexible and intuitive way to combine multiple sources and destinations, allowing for various sound design possibilities.

The routing matrix is divided into two sections: the sources and the destinations. The sources section contains a range of inputs, such as oscillators, filters, and effects. The destinations section contains the main output, the effects output, and the aux outputs.

Each source and destination has its own row and column in the matrix, and you can simply click on the intersection of a row and column to create a new routing. For example, you can route an oscillator to the main output, or they can route an effect to an aux output.

One of the great things about this tab is you can create complex routings. For example, send an oscillator to both the main output and an aux output, or create feedback loops by routing a signal back to itself. This creates unique and complex sounds that may not be possible with other synthesizers.

Another feature of the routing matrix is its modularity. you can add and remove modules as needed, allowing them to create custom signal chains that suit their specific needs. This can be particularly useful for sound designers who want to create unique and complex sounds.

The arpeggiator tab in Refx Nexus 4 is a powerful tool that allows you to create complex arpeggios and patterns. It has controls that can be used to create many rhythmic patterns and sequences.

The arpeggiator tab is divided into several sections, including the pattern, timing, and modulation sections. 

The pattern section allows you to choose from a range of preset patterns or to create their own custom patterns. You can also adjust the octave range and the order of the notes in the arpeggio.

The timing section allows you to control the speed and swing of the arpeggio. The speed can be adjusted for beats per minute (BPM), while the swing control adds a subtle groove to the arpeggio.

The modulation section allows you to add modulation to the arpeggio. you can choose from different modulation sources, including LFOs, envelopes, and velocity, and route them to various arpeggio parameters, such as the pitch, filter, or volume.

One of the key features of the arpeggiator in Refx Nexus 4 is the ability to create complex rhythms and patterns using the pattern sequencer. The sequencer allows you to create custom patterns by drawing in individual steps and notes. Create intricate and unique patterns that can be used to add interest and complexity to the sounds.

Another useful feature of the arpeggiator is the ability to sync it to the host tempo. This ensures that the arpeggio stays in time with the rest of the project, making it easier to integrate into a larger composition.

Most producers can get by using the stock piano in their DAW. But nothing exerts as much emotion as a lush and high-quality piano. Upgrading from your stock piano is necessary if you want to sound pro. So we recommend this pack from ReFX.

Packed with 32 super high-quality presets that emulate iconic pianos made by Yamaha and Steinway. ReFX has even thrown in some lead, FX, pad, and other sounds into this pack.

Hollywood Piano | reFX

This is our go-to pack when we want to reach for that vintage 70s and 80s sound. Manuel Schleis is the legendary creator behind the 140 sounds contained in this pack. This is the pack to get if you want to embody that retro sound in your music. 

Vintage Synths | reFX

Also worth mentioning is “Melodic Techno" and Techno 2. They include over 250+ sounds, arpeggios, basslines, and leads designed to produce melodic techno music.

Melodic Techno | reFX

Techno 2 | reFX

Another steller pack to consider is the first two volumes of Deep House. The sounds inside are laid-back, minimal beats, deep basslines, chilling nature sounds, and melodic pads.

Deep House | reFX

Deep House 2 | reFX

These packs are perfect for producers aiming to make movie scores. You'll have all the cool orchestral sounds you need to create awesome arrangements that can rival those in blockbuster movies. 

Think of sensuous strings, bold brasses, and wondrous woodwinds, all at your fingertips. It's like having a whole arsenal of amazing sounds to play around with.

Hollywood Strings | reFX

Hollywood Strings 2 | reFX

We are very surprised at the quality of this free pack. Geared towards Trap music, this pack is jammed with a generous 131 presets. Inside are a large variety of sounds, such as pads, plucks, arps, leads, and many, many more. All of which will make your next beat come to life.

Wrecks Nexus Trap Expansions | SoundPacks.com

We briefly touched on it before, but ReFX Nexus 4 has a wide range of pricing, depending on how many presets you want coming out of the gate.

The first (and cheapest) option is the “Starter” version. This tier is $249 and comes with the following:

• 4,124 sound presets divided into 26 categories
• 5,380 multi-samples (30.5 GB)
• 215 impulse responses
• 119 arpeggiator-presets
• 52 trance gate presets

From there, the next tier up is the “Value 10” version for $499. This comes with everything in the “Starter” version, plus the following expansion packs:

• Bigtone Signature 4
• Drum and Bass 2
• EDM 8
• Future Rave
• Lo-fi 2
• Melodic Techno
• Slap House 2
• Studio Production 2
• Studio Production 3 Guitars
• Vintage Synths 2

All totaling to 5,611 presets and 46.6 GB of samples.

The highest tier for ReFX Nexus 4 you can get is the “Complete” edition. This pack runs $4,029 but comes with a motherload of sounds. In fact, ReFX gives you their whole collection of expansions (175 packs total) when you purchase this tier. 

All totaling 28,256 presets and 231.1 GB of samples.