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Nakedboards founder Nikolai Ershov has introduced a new instrument, the Archean synthesizer, inspired by primordial landscapes.

Archean is a monophonic patchable synthesizer. The oscillator generates sound waves across a range of seven octaves (from 16.25 Hz to 4186.08 Hz). The synthesizer produces three types of sound waves: a signal in the form of a randomly generated landscape, a constantly and smoothly changing landscape and triangular wave.

All CV inputs and outputs have a voltage range of -5 to +5 volts. The 1 V/OCT input supports a range from 0 to 7 volts. The touch keyboard, composed of various mineral shapes, has 22 keys and supports changing musical scales.

The synthesizer has two audio outputs: a line output and an output for Eurorack systems. The device can receive MIDI messages via USB, MIDI input, or be controlled via CV/Gate.

Archean is equipped with a distance sensor that generates CV, based on the distance to an object in front of the synthesizer.

The instrument can also be used as a USB-MIDI keyboard. Archean sends MIDI-CC messages from the distance sensor and the following knobs: Fine, Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release.

What Ershov has to say about it:

“This project was born from the freest and most unassuming ideas about how modern electronic music can be performed. For me, ambient music evokes endless associations with geological formations far more than with living nature. My immersion in this music, reading books, and listening to geology lectures put me in a certain romantic state that I strive to convey through my instruments, projects, and music. This synthesizer is dedicated to that.

I am very excited to finally present it to you after almost two years of development.”

Features:

• Monophonic patchable synthesizer
• Range: 7 octaves (16.25 Hz – 4186.08 Hz)
• Can be used as a USB-MIDI keyboard
• Inputs: MIDI, USB, CV/Gate
• Touch keyboard
• Two audio outputs (line and Eurorack)
• Includes power supply, MIDI adapter, patch cords
• Dimensions: 22 x 13 x 5 cm

The Archean synthesizer is available to pre-order now for $350, with an expected October release. Find out details on the Nakedboards website.

Host Nick Batt – in his latest SonicLAB video – reviews the PWM Mantis, a hybrid synthesizer from PWM Music and the late Chris Huggett.

Huggett was a pioneering British synth designer for over 40 years, creating synths from the EDP Wasp to the Novation Bass Station.

The PWM Mantis is a hybrid synthesizer, combining digital oscillators and stereo multi-mode analog filters. It features digital wavetable oscillators, looping envelopes, onboard effects, and a six-slot modulation matrix.

Topics covered:

00:00:00 Introduction to PWM Mantis

00:00:39 Overview of synthesizer features

00:02:23 Exploring patches and sounds

00:06:05 Detailing oscillators and wave-shapes

00:12:53 Filters

00:16:43 LFOs

00:18:03 Arpeggiator and FX

00:21:31 Final thoughts and pricing

Watch the video and share your thoughts on the PWM Mantis in the comments!

The PWM Mantis is available for $1,349. Find out more on the PWM website.

Universal Audio is renowned for its top-tier software emulations of classic bits of gear like the Teletronix LA-2A and UA 1176, but the company has also developed some fantastic plugins that recreate the sound of vintage technology without imitating a specific piece of kit.

One such plugin is the Century Tube Channel Strip, a vintage-inspired recording channel that comprises a virtual tube preamp, three-band EQ, master output modules and an optical compressor.

Universal Audio have announced that they are currently offering their vintage-inspired Century Tube Channel Strip, though it’s priced at $199, the company is giving away Century Tube completely free for a limited time.

UA says Century Tube will help you get “warm, vintage sounds” from sterile-sounding digital tracks through its analogue-modelled tube mic preamp, which should gift your recordings with the characterful tone of tube saturation. The plugin’s preamp section offers low and high-gain settings for different microphone types and a 80kHz high-pass filter to remove any unwanted low-end.

Alongside this you will find a three-band EQ with two fixed bands at 10kHz and 110Hz – useful for quickly dialling highs and lows up or down by +/-12dB – and a third, sweepable band that covers the mid-range.

Modelled on an optical compressor, Century Tube’s Opto Leveller is a one-knob affair providing basic but effective control over dynamics; dial the compression amount up to 10 to imbue your signal with some analogue-style grit. Finally, a Master section gives you control over the levels of the output stage.

Watch the video below to hear the plug-in in action:

Century Tube runs on macOS and Windows and is available in VST/AU/AAX formats. It’s available free until September 15th. Find out more on Universal Audio website.