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Moog has announced that it’s ending production of the Dark Series versions of the Matriarch and Grandmother keyboard synthesizers.

“Originally released with distinct multi-colored overlays, Grandmother and Matriarch have become staples in studio setups and live performance settings, go-to synthesizers for beginners, and multifaceted creative tools used by musicians of all skill levels to explore the power of analog sound.

The all-black aesthetic of Dark Series came about as a nod to the modular control panel designs that inspired their very creation. The circuitry, spirit, and analog effects of Grandmother and Matriarch are derived from the classic Moog modular synthesizers designed by Bob Moog himself during the ’60s and ’70s.

Dark Series for Matriarch and Grandmother strikes the perfect balance between classic and modern with a timeless look of early Moog modular systems—and with all the functionality and versatility these two state-of-the-art sound design machines are known for.”

A live performance by synthesist Lisa Bella Donna that features the Dark Series synths:

BLEASS has introduced Omega, a new software synth for desktop and iOS.

Bleass Omega features 11 FM algorithms, each of which interconnects the four operators in a different way, and there are more than 160 presets. Modulation comes courtesy of two LFOs and a third ADSR envelope, there’s a dedicated motion sequencer, and you can dial in chorus, tremolo, delay and reverb effects.

Bleass claims that it’s Omega is “not just easier than other FM synths, it’s easy – period!” meaning, Omega can produce all the FM tones you’re familiar with – sparkly electric pianos, pads and bells, plus deep basses – but without the hassle. There are four operators, which are all editable on one screen, along with an analogue-style waveshaper and multimode filter.

Here’s what they say about it:

“All of the classic capabilities of FM Synthesis are available in BLEASS Omega – expressive electric pianos, deep thundering basses, crystal-clear pads, sparkling bells, and soulful leads. And thanks to the instrument’s analogue-style Waveshaper and multi-mode Filter, BLEASS Omega can inject powerful analogue-like flavour into those pure FM tones, giving searing filter sweeps, growling distortions, and harmonically-rich resonances.

The four FM operators that sit at the heart of BLEASS Omega are edited simultaneously from within a single screen, with all operator envelopes and controls available to the touch of your finger. This amazingly user-friendly approach makes light work of sound editing, and encourages experimentation and exploration in a way no other FM synth can achieve.

With eleven FM algorithms on offer, each providing a different way of interconnecting the four operators for radically different results, the sonic scope of BLEASS Omega is vast. The included library of over 200 professionally designed presets makes full use of this versatility, furnishing you with a varied and inspirational sound palette to use in your music making and sound design projects.”

BLEASS Omega fits in with your workflow and studio setup, no matter how you like to create. The iOS edition provides both standalone and AUv3 versions for use on iPad and iPhone, whilst the desktop edition for Windows and macOS comes as a VST3/AU plugin instrument, compatible with all major DAWs.

More information, tutorials and specifications on Bleass website.

Roland has introduced the n/zyme Model Expansion for the FANTOM synthesizer series, the latest addition to their ZEN-Core Model Expansion lineup.

Could Roland’s n/zyme Model Expansion be the cutting-edge wavetable synth plugin that runs in your Fantom hardware?

Instead of modeling an older synth architecture, n/zyme is designed to be “a thoroughly modern instrument”, with a new synth engine from Roland. It features layered wavetable oscillators, phase and shape modulation, resonant filters, and two powerful step LFOs to create an Expansion that’s designed to take the Fantom to sonic places that it was previously incapable of visiting.

Roland claims that n/zyme is also easy to program thanks to the Fantom’s touchscreen and physical controls. You can jump or morph between waveforms – creating dramatic tonal shifts or evolving soundscapes in the process – and you have the facility to mix two layers with 63 wavetables each and adjust their positions in real-time. As such, n/zyme should be capable of conjuring up some rather complex sounds. And sounds can be shaped by drawing custom waveforms on the touchscreen, and these can then be tweaked using the modulation tools. There is also an X/Y pad on the touchscreen, along with automation support and tempo-synced control over speed, intensity, and more.

As for the two LFOs, these offer 16 tempo-synced steps and 37 shapes per step, while the Step Kick Switch can be used to add some percussive attack. There are eight filter types, including several vintage analogue designs, and you can also mix n/zyme’s sounds with others on your Fantom.

The Roland n/zyme Model Expansion for the FANTOM synthesizer series is available now as a Lifetime Key for $149 through Roland Cloud. Support for n/zyme is included with the free Version 3.0 update for the FANTOM 6, FANTOM 7, and FANTOM 8 keyboards.

Find out more on the Roland website.