How to resolve AdBlock issue? Rob Papen eXplorer-11 Bundle
Update to the Bundle of Virtual Instruments and Plug-ins
Autor: Peter Kaminski
We have already tested and reviewed the previous version of the comprehensive Rob Papen eXplorer-10 software bundle. In May 2026, another update was released with eXplorer-11, featuring new plug-ins and many new presets. The bundle now offers 3 drum instruments and 15 synthesizers, as well as 17 plug-ins and a tool for layering instruments called Prima. Instruments that have since been replaced by newer versions are also included in the scope of delivery. In this review, however, we will focus exclusively on what’s new in eXplorer-11.
System Requirements, Installation, and Licensing
eXplorer-11 is compatible with Windows 7 and later, as well as macOS 10.15 and later, including ARM compatibility. Except for RAW-Kick 2 (as of June 2026), all instruments are also NKS-compatible. The plug-ins are available as VST, VST3, AAX (on Windows starting with Pro Tools version 12), and AudioUnit on macOS.
There has been a minor change and simplification to the licensing process. Therefore, we’d like to describe this process again here. A user account with Rob Papen is required. You must enter the serial number into your account, and then you can download the installer for the complete bundle or just for specific components. After launching the installer software, you must first enter the serial number again. Then the user can select the plug-in formats to be installed (see fig. above).
It is important to note that all the instrument libraries in eXPlorer-11 take up approximately 5.3 GB of space on the storage medium. Therefore, it makes sense to store the libraries in a folder other than the boot drive. You can specify the library folder individually during the installation process (see figure above).
After installation, you must license the bundle for the computer you are using. This process has now been simplified. An “Online Login Code” is displayed in your user account: When you launch an instrument or plug-in for the first time, simply copy and paste this code, and the licensing is immediately complete and automatically deposited in your user account.
RAW-Kick2
RAW-Kick2 is the second edition of the drum synthesizer, which is primarily dedicated to the synthesis of bass drum sounds - but it also goes far beyond that in terms of sound.
Looking back at the first version, the completely new design and user interface naturally stand out. We will now go over the most important features of RAW-Kick2. Rob Papen’s manuals are always comprehensive and thus provide further, detailed operating instructions.
A major new feature is that you can now layer up to three sounds (see image above).
At the top, you can access four different dialog pages: a “Main” overview page, an “Advanced” page with extended settings, the ‘Master’ page where the three layers can be controlled simultaneously, as well as the “Manager” page for preset management.
Many new presets have been added, and in the preset management section, you can now also select layer presets (see image above).
Let’s take a look at the Advanced page. On the left, a modulation matrix - similar to those found in most other Rob Papen instruments - allows you to define eight modulation sources and destinations.
A new feature is the virtual ribbon controller in the lower plug-in area. Its modulation destinations can be set in a separate dialog.
Additionally, settings for the envelopes, the LFO (see image above), and velocity weighting can be adjusted in this section.
On the right side of the Advanced page, a filter and two effects are available (see image above).
The selection of filter types is very extensive (see fig. above). For example, there are 12 filters each with 12dB and 24dB, two each with 6, 18, and 36dB, and many other special filter types (see fig. above).
There is also no shortage of effect types. These are, of course, tailored for use along with the bass drum sound. There are two groups of effects here: distortion (see fig. above) and other effects (see fig. below).
Concluding from these features, one can say that RAW-Kick2 is one of the most versatile bass drum sound plug-ins on the market.
FilterField
A new plug-in is FilterField. It’s a bit of a trademark of many Rob Papen synthesizers: the XY pad for sound morphing. This is also found in this new plug-in. The concept is simple: A filter can be set for each of the four quadrants. Depending on the XY position, a blend of the four filters is generated. If the current XY value is in the center, all four filters are used simultaneously; if, on the other hand, the current XY point is at the top left in the first quadrant, only the first filter is used while the others are muted. That covers the basic principle of this plug-in.
For each of the four filters, there is a control panel where you can adjust parameters such as filter type, frequency, stereo separation, filter frequency LFO, panning, and level.
There is also an extremely wide variety of filter types to choose from here.
In addition to the standard filter types, there are also more specialized filters under Vocal, Comp/Phaser, and Others, as well as ring, amplitude, and frequency modulation (see figure above).
The filters can be configured and operated in various ways using the Filter Mode in the center of the plug-in. Serial and parallel modes exist for the filters, as well as a “Vector” mode where the filters can be controlled via the XY pad. Fades can be recorded, edited, and played back, or controlled live using the mouse. Synchronization is also possible via the Trigger mode.
In the lower section, six different settings dialogs can be accessed. For example, there is a section for additional settings regarding the XY pad and its functionality.
Two audio followers are also available, which generate a control signal based on the level of a selected audio signal (see figure above).
In the LFO/MOD settings section, there is not only an LFO but also a modulation matrix (see figure above right). Here, the output of an audio follower can also be assigned to a parameter as a control signal.
In the effects section, in addition to a high-pass filter, a stereo gate in the form of a 16-step sequencer and a stereo delay are available (see figure above).
FilterField also offers a preset manager and comes with a whole range of factory presets. With FilterField, the plug-ins have gained an extremely interesting addition in terms of sound. There is a lot of potential here, especially when used dynamically with saved curves or manual XY control, particularly in the realm of electronic music.
Bank and Preset Updates
eXplorer updates always include new presets or even completely new banks. This is also the case with eXplorer-11. For those using eXplorer 10, here is a brief overview.
Punch-2
The PUNCH 2 drum synthesizer features 35 new kits: 10 in 03 HipHop RnB, 6 in Filmscore & TV (see below), 2 in 06 Trap 01, 9 in 08 Diverse 01, and 8 in Bank 10 Klangwelten.
WirePluck
The WIREPLUCK synthesizer now has 100 additional presets organized in five banks: 35 in the Pluck Sound 01 bank (see image below), 20 in Synth Sounds 01, 25 in Arp Sounds 01, and 20 in the Bass Sounds 01 bank.
Predator-3
The Predator-3 synthesizer now has a total of 122 presets: one in the 002 EMD & Dance 01 bank, and the 002 EMD & Dance 02 bank (see image below) is entirely new with 63 presets.
Bank 008 Ambient 01 has 8 new presets, and Bank 008 Ambient 02 is new with 50 presets.
There are some really great new presets available here. In fact, the Predator-3 has become one of my favorite synthesizers.
Conclusion
The eXplorer-11 bundle costs approximately 500 US$. Special offers are available for existing customers of plug-ins or an eXplorer bundle. The upgrade from eXplorer-10 to eXplorer-11 costs just 74 US$, and it's definitely worth it.
The bundle now includes a large number of instruments, and the plug-ins are becoming increasingly interesting. The new FilterField certainly contributes to this. eXplorer-11 is also a useful addition for users of the Arturia V Collection, which focuses heavily on the virtualization of real instruments, while eXplorer offers new instruments with very fresh sounds.