Archive for May, 2022

Superbooth 2022: Gamechanger Audio announces MOTOR Synth MKII

 

 

At Superbooth 2022, Gamechanger Audio announced the newest version of their electro-mechanical desktop synthesizer, Motor Synth MKII. A new version of the instrument that was released in 2019.

 

The Motor Synth is powered by a unique motor oscillator engine, a system of electro-motors that are able to instantly change their rotation speed and produce musical notes. These motors can produce sine, saw, square and M waveforms, the latter being created by a set of electromagnetic pickups that are placed next to each motor’s rotating inner coils.

 

New in Motor Synth MKII includes separate multimode analogue filters, a redesigned modulation section, an additional digital voice equipped with a separate envelope, a portamento section, and a digital multimode filter. There are two separate Motor voices with four electro-motor oscillators each, with each voice capable of operating in mono, unison and four-note polyphonic modes.

 

Motor Synth MKII is designed to appeal to the musician who wants something a little different, both in terms of sound – expect “unusual tonal and timbral qualities” – and visuals.

 

Features:

  • The MOTOR Synth offers two separate MOTOR Voices, with 4 Electromotor oscillators each – both voices can operate in mono, unison or in four-note polyphonic mode.
  • Both Motor voices are equipped with a separate analogue multimode filter section with adjustable DRIVE, CUTOFF, RESONANCE, ENVELOPE SHAPE & AMOUNT and FILTER TYPE.
  • There are four analogue filter types – 24 dB LP, 12 dB BP, 12 dB HP, 12 dB AP (All-Pass). The new analog filter circuits have increased headroom, improved envelope response speed and a very precise analog Keytrack mode with adjustable depth, direction and filter “glide”.
  • The MOTOR Synth MK II features an additional third voice – a digital engine that can be used either independently, or to augment the raw sound of the MOTOR Voices. The Digital engine (DCO) can be used to produce various classic waveforms (with waveshaping), or as a noise generator.
  • The DCO is also equipped with a separate, fully controllable AMP ENVELOPE, PORTAMENTO section, and its own Digital multimode Filter designed to reproduce the 4 analog filter modes.
  • The MOTOR Synth has a single output jack that can be configured either as mono, or as a stereo output – thus routing the synth’s two motor voices into separate channels. The digital voice can also be routed to the V1 or V2 outputs, or to both.
  • Dedicated center indent potentiometer for creating amplitude cross-modulation with either Voice 1 or Voice 2. The Detune / Drift knob gives you two kinds of oscillator detune effects.
  • Powerful modulation section that includes 3 individual LFOs with adjustable positive and negative depth controls. Each LFO can be easily assigned to almost any knob or encoder value on two independent modulation slots A and B.
  • Five independent modulation waveforms available for each LFO – each with a detailed waveshaping engine.
  • Powerful arpeggiator engine offers detailed control over a large variety of parameters, including note accent, pattern shift, note repeat and more.
  • Multiple independent motion Record lanes assignable to all sound parameters.
  • A built-in monophonic sequencer engine with controls for micro-timing, probability, ratchets, pattern length, pattern saving and chaining and much more.
  • Non-velocity sensitive 8 key keyboard with 4 pitch shift encoders – this is a small but powerful note input system with a lot of performance tricks up its sleeve. Alternatively, the MOTOR Synth is fully MIDI and CV compatible and can be used with all of your favorite keyboards (incl. poly-aftertouch), controllers and sequencers.

 

Details on pricing and availability are to be announced.

 

Find out more on the Gamechanger Audio website.

 

 

 

Synthux ‘Simple’, a New Platform enables you design The Perfect Synth

 

 

At Superbooth 2022, Synthux Academy has launched Simple, a new platform that promises to make creating your own ‘perfect’ custom synthesizer easy.

 

Simple is a platform for synth design. The sole purpose of it is to help musicians and makers design and build professional instruments.

 

 

The platform is built out of three parts – a community, educational resources and DIY kits.

 

What is the Simple Kit?

 

The Simple Kit is a synth DIY kit that is designed to make it easy and fun to build electronic instruments, synths, effects, drum machines etc.

 

Simple is a community project. All the revenues from Simple are invested back in community activities: the podcast, workshops, the Simple platform and other educational content.

 

The Simple Kit comes in two editions, with pre-order discounts through May 15:

 

Simply Packed! €289 // Until Sunday 15th €199 ex.VAT

Simply Brainless €159 // Until Sunday 15th €99 ex.VAT

 

See the Synthux website for details.

 

 

 

 

Superbooth 2022: Multimedia Uno Synth Pro BLACK

 

Multimedia Uno Synth Pro is back in black.

 

At Superbooth 2022, IK Multimedia has brought Uno Synth Pro Black Edition, a black edition version of Uno Synth Pro, the sparky little touch synth that landed last year.

 

Special-edition version of the desktop model launched.

 

This new version features the same analogue architecture as the original, so you get three discrete oscillators plus noise generator, pulse-width modulation and hard sync, a continuously variable wave shape, FM and ring modulation.

 

Special-edition version of the desktop model launched.

 

In addition, there are dual-state variable filters with 24 modes – these can operate in series or parallel – and a 16-slot modulation matrix. Editing can take place on the unit or by using the free PC/Mac editor.

 

Connectivity includes 2x CV/Gate I/O, 5-pin and USB MIDI I/O, audio input (to filters, FX or pass-through) and balanced stereo and headphone outputs. The 256 presets are user-editable, there’s a 10-mode arpeggiator and a 64-step sequencer with more than 40 parameters. CV/gate automation is included as well

 

UNO Synth Black Edition – limited edition is available now for the special price of $270/€270.

 

Find out more on the IK Multimedia Music Products website.