Moog Labyrinth Parallel Generative Analog Synthesizer – Sneak Preview


Moog has not made an official announcement on this yet, but it looks like they have another all-in-one Mother-32 style synth in the works, the Labyrinth.

The Moog Labyrinth was briefly listed at the online retailer Turnlab, but their listing has since been taken down. The images have been widely reported, though, because of intense interest in Moog synths. It’s not clear if this is a leak or an intentional teaser, but either way, it’s generating buzz.

Moog filed to trademark the ‘Labyrinth’ name in 2023 to cover “Sound frequency filters for controlling audio parameters by raising or lowering the gain of specific audio frequencies using a multiple resonant filter array and animating those frequencies using a built-in pattern generator.”

The Moog Labyrinth is the latest in Moog’s all-in-one Eurorack synth format, established with the Mother-32. It joins the Mother-32, DFAM, Subharmonicon and Spectravox, which is debuting at Superbooth 2024.

The Labyrinth introduces a variety of interesting new capabilities to Moog’s Euro line, with what some may see as a ‘West Coast Synthesis’ emphasis.

The architecture features a primary VCO and mod VCO that are sequenced by a generative bit-shifting sequencer. The oscillators feed a ring modulator, and pass through a voltage controlled wavefolder and filter, which can be used both sequentially and in parallel. The VCW and VCF can be modulated by dual envelope generators and the two sequencer channels.

32 patch points add extensive patchability, and also the option to use the Labyrinth as part of a larger Eurorack system.

Official details on the Moog Labyrinth are to be announced.

 

Percussa introduces XMX Eurorack Module at Superbooth 2024


At Superbooth 2024, being held May 16-18 in Berlin, Percussa has introduced a new Eurorack uber-module, the XMX.

Percussa founder Bert Schiettecatte says that the XMX is the smaller brother of their Super Signal Processor (SSP) Eurorack module, which is designed to enable Eurorack synthesists to build compact and powerful systems, for sound design, synthesis, effects processing, recording and live performance.

Similarly to the SSP, the XMX combines a variety of functions into one module:

  • A digital modular synthesizer engine with built in patching system
  • A multichannel direct to disk recorder/sampler/playback engine
  • Amultichannel audio interface via USB
  • MIDI-to-CV conversion for USB MIDI controllers
  • Preset management system

With the XMX, PERCUSSA aims to make the synthesis and effects modules and features of the SSP available to a wider audience at a more affordable price and smaller form factor.

Specifications:

  • 28 HP width, less than 30mm deep
  • ~500mA @ 12V, ~100mA @ -12V, no 5V supply needed
  • Aluminium CNC machined and anodized front panel
  • 4 aluminium knobs/encoders with push button feature
  • 8 audio/CV/trigger inputs, +/-5V
  • 2 audio/CV/trigger outputs, +/-5V
  • Stereo headphone output with analog volume control
  • All I/O 24bit resolution and 48/96kHz sample rate
  • 10 function keys with soft touch and silent action
  • 4inch full colour IPS wide angle/visibility display
  • Quad core ARM Cortex A35 CPU @ 1.3GHz running Linux (64-bit)
  • USB 2.0 Host and Device ports for MIDI (including MPE) controllers and multichannel USB audio
  • MicroSD card slot
  • Expansion connector w/ I2C port

The XMX ships with nearly all of the SSP’s factory modules, including:

  • 3D wavetable oscillator
  • Stereo reverb
  • Simple and stereo delay
  • Granular
  • 8 channel sample player
  • Step sequencer
  • Arpeggiator
  • Quad virtual analog (SVF) filter with HP/BP/LP/PK/NT outputs
  • Comb filter
  • Physical modelling drum/membrane
  • Signal switcher
  • Quad VCA
  • Bit crusher
  • Macro module
  • Envelope generator
  • Quad envelope follower
  • Bus
  • USB midi input w/ MPE support
  • LFO and audio rate square/sawtooth/triangle/sine oscillators
  • Input and output including USB audio channels
  • Variable frequency noise generator
  • Microtonal quantizer
  • DC voltage generator
  • Waveshaper

The XMX uses the same preset format as the SSP. Users can build and save patches on the XMX and exchange patches with SSP users.

The XMX comes with a fast microSD card and factory firmware and boots from microSD, similarly to the SSP. The XMX allows the user to build patches including multiple instances of the above modules in any combination. The XMX runs the same software as the SSP, with an improved and simplified patching system.

The XMX supports the same open source plugin SDK as available for the SSP, which 3rd party developers can use to develop their own plugins. The XMX is a Linux platform and just like the SSP, also supports development of standalone software which can replace the factory firmware.

The XMX is available through Percussa website with an introductory price of $499, with shipping planned for early July.

ASM introduces 2 Limited-Edition Fifth Anniversary Hydrasynths


At Superbooth 2024, being held May 16-18 in Berlin, Ashun Sound Machines (ASM) has announced the Hydrasynth Keyboard 5th Anniversary Silver Edition and Hydrasynth Deluxe 5th Anniversary Silver Edition.

The two new synths are limited-edition style variations, released to celebrate ASM’s 5th anniversary as a company.

Behind the new liveries, the synths are fundamentally the same as the standard-issue models, but each one does come with an exclusive patch bank.

Each synth is limited to 200-unit runs, and features a sparkling silver finish with a custom 5TH ANNIVERSARY SILVER EDITION print on the top panel. ASM has also collaborated with a team of sound designers to create a custom patch bank for both limited-edition models.

  • Hydrasynth Keyboard 5th Anniversary Silver Edition shares the same specifications as the ‘standard’ Hydrasynth Keyboard.
  • Hydrasynth Deluxe 5th Anniversary Silver Edition shares the same specifications as the ‘standard’ Hydrasynth Deluxe here.

The Hydrasynth 5th Anniversary Silver Edition synths are expected to ship in June 2024, with the following pricing.

Hydrasynth Keyboard 5th Anniversary Silver Edition and Hydrasynth Deluxe 5th Anniversary Silver Edition will be priced at an MSRP of $1,649.00 ($1,449.00 MAP)/€2,049.00 /£1,799.00 and an MSRP of $2,149.00 ($1,949.00 MAP)/ €2,649.00 /£2,299.00, respectively. Find out more on the ASM website.