Expert Sleepers has introduced Persephone, an analog Voltage Controlled Amplifier (VCA) that uses a discrete Junction Field Effect Transistor (JFET) as the gain element.
The JFET can be tastefully or violently overdriven for saturation/distortion effects.
Persephone also includes a zero-crossing detector, which can be used to restrict gain changes to zeros in the audio waveform, preventing clicks and pops that can occur with very fast envelopes, especially on lower pitched sounds. With the zero-crossing circuit engaged, you can use a simple gate as the CV input without clicks.
The module’s signal and CV paths are 100% analog.
Expert Sleepers Persephone is available now, with the following pricing: UK £159 (inc VAT), US $185 (exclusive of sales tax), EU €185 (inclusive of VAT)
midiphy has announced the availability of the MatriX Graphical MIDI Sequencer and Isomorphic Keyboard.
midiphy MatriX extends existing midiphy (or MIDIbox) sequencers with a large 17×17 button/LED matrix for graphical sequencing and more. The grid can also be used as an isomorphic sequencer to control your MIDI instruments.
The intro video above, covers these topics:
00:03 Introducing the midiphy MatriX
00:50 Graphical Sequence Composition
01:44 Editing Notes and Joystick Composition
02:38 Clip Navigation and Grid Modes
03:34 High-Res Edits and Quantization
04:20 Isomorphic Keys: Pentatonic Intermezzo
04:51 Macro Screen (LoopA Comannd Center)
08:02 Force-To-Scale (and Note Color Labels)
09:01 Scale Mode
10:01 Isomorphic Keys Tip: Geometric Playing
10:48 Keys Mode Controllers
12:29 Outro: Six Track Jam
Features:
289 (17×17) RGB-backlit and light|shielded mechanical keys with custom keycaps for optimal light dispersion.
Full-color 128×128 high-end OLED display running at 60Hz for info and graphical sequence/clip previewing.
Extra sliders and buttons for parameter entry and additional functions.
Two bidirectional MIDI ports and a dedicated button to switch between them.
Dedicated navigation joystick for moving selections, scrolling through clips/sequences and more!
High-performance STM32F4 MCU using RTOS as a software base for a responsive and fluid user experience.
Full midiphy SEQ v4+ and MIDIbox SEQ v4 support – compatible with existing BLM 16×16+X protocol.
Enhanced LoopA support: advanced editor with note color mapping and pan/zoom controls (microtiming), 160 scales (with note quantization), reassignable isomorphic keyboard and performance controls.
midiphy MatriX is available now as a DIY kit for 1,189.99 € (includes VAT). Outside of the EU, the MatriX essential kit (without VAT) is 999,99€, with free shipping for the first batch.
Mike Bachman has launched a Kickstarter project to fund production of the Nucleus analog hybrid monophonic synthesizer.
Artisan Electronic Instruments’s Mike Bachman says that Nucleus “combines the sound design of East and West Coast ideas, blends analog and digital technologies, and packs a vast sound palette into an intuitive user aesthetic.”
The Artisan Nucleus is a 60hp synth that’s available as a Eurorack or desktop module. While it’s compact, it’s an all-you-can-eat buffet of sonic possibilities, with: two discrete analog oscillators; a digital oscillator that can do basic waveshapes, Karplus-Strong synthesis, Swarm wave, custom waveforms, noise, bit-crushing and more; a flexible filter with multiple low-pass, bandpass and high-pass options; 4 six-stage Envelope Generators; 3 LFOs; deep modulation options and more.
Oscillator 1 is based on an analog discrete Saw-core circuit providing Saw, Triangle, and variable pulse/PWM waveforms. Tied into it is a modulate-able 4 stage wavefolder, for creating metallic tones. The Sub-Oscillator has its own variable filter, producing smooth sine waves or all the way through a rich square.
And Oscillator 2 is also a fully discrete analog design, with Saw, Variable Pulse/PWM, and PWM with Sub-Octave. It also has a selectable 2 or 3 stage Digital Ring Modulator. Oscillator 2 can also Hard-Sync to a separately controlled digital 4th oscillator. And it can be Frequency Modulated by Oscillator 3, through a dedicated VCA controlling the FM depth in real-time.
Oscillator 3 is digital. It can do basic waveshapes, but also offers variable slope Saw to Triangle wave, an adjustable width Swarm wave, and String tones using the Karplus-Strong physical model. There are ten slots for custom waveforms and a noise source. Oscillator 3 also has a bit-crusher/sample reducer effect, if you want to get into more digital effects.
The filter is a unique cascade multi-mode design that runs in 2 pole Low Pass, Bandpass, and High Pass modes, as well as 4 pole versions of each. Bachman says that it’s the Dual-path Regeneration and 8-pole design that gives a unique character to the Bandpass modes, providing variable and modulate-able bandwidth and dual peak resonance. The filter can track over a wide range, so you can “play” the peaks and get a 5-oscillator sound or chord. The filter has modulation inputs for cutoff, resonance, and filter shape.
Lastly, you can dirty up the sound with asymmetrical soft clipping circuits.
Modulation Options Galore
The Nucleus also offers a deep and powerful modulation matrix, with 50+ modulation sources and 30+ destinations that are all available simultaneously.
They include:
4 six-stage Envelope Generators (delay, attack, hold, decay, sustain, release), with looping, linear, and expo shapes and time and sustain modulation
3 LFOs provide 9 waveshapes, key-sync, delay, and rate modulation.
2 external CVs and 4 modulation paths from the keyboard add more real-time modulation control.
You can also take those modulations sources and Add, Multiply, Average, Lag, Quantize, Switch, Sync knobs, contour, and route MIDI CC to create new modulation effects.
In addition, all 200+ parameters are saved with patches, and you can save up to 200 patches.
Features:
Osc 1: Analog Discrete Saw Core with Wave-folding & PWM
Sub Osc 1 with variable waveshapes
Osc 2: Analog Discrete Saw Core with PWM, Hard Sync and FM
Osc 3: Digital Wavetable, Karplus Strong + Noise & Bit Crushing
3 input Digital Ring Modulator
8 Pole Multi-Mode Dual Peak Filter
VCA with soft and hard clipping distortion
4 ADAHSR Envelopes with variable shape
3 LFO with key-sync and delay
Modulation Adders, multipliers, lag, contouring….
Full MIDI In/Out interface
User-selectable CV In and Out
100 user patches and built-in standard patches
Over 50 Modulation sources
Over 30 Destinations (all simultaneous)
60 hp
+12v 120ma / – 12v 50ma
Introduction to the Nucleus:
Production of the Nucleus is being funded via a Kickstarter project and it is available to project backers starting at $770 for the Eurorack version.
*Note: Crowd-funded projects can involve risk, see the project page for details.
