Cherry Audio Revives Rare Gleeman Pentaphonic As A Modern Soft Synth
Cherry Audio brings a forgotten ‘80s synth back to life, ‘It’s one of the rarest synthesizers ever made’
Cherry Audio has released Pentaphonic, a virtual synthesizer for Mac and Windows that is based on the rare Gleeman Pentaphonic, an early-1980s hybrid instrument, designed by brothers Bob and Al Gleeman.
The original Pentaphonic combined five-voice polyphony, three digitally controlled oscillators per voice, analog filtering and a built-in sequencer.
Cherry Audio has preserved that basic architecture, while adding capabilities that weren’t available on the original hardware, including expanded polyphony, oscillator sync, pulse-width modulation, additional modulation sources, expressive keyboard control, a modern sequencer and an extensive effects section.
“Cherry Audio’s Pentaphonic synthesizer is a breathtaking virtual instrument that revives one of the rarest synthesizers ever made,” reads a press release from Cherry Audio. “With fewer than 70 units ever produced, this synthesizer is legendary for its rich tone, distinctive design, and pioneering sequencing capabilities.
“To honor both its sound and aesthetics, we have expertly replicated the thick, rich sound quality of its unique DCO (digitally controlled oscillator) and analog filter architecture, ensuring that the essence of the original is fully realized. Our visual makeover offers a choice of stunning designs inspired by the various looks it sported during its brief existence.
“Beyond preserving every original option, we have dramatically expanded its capabilities in ways previously unimaginable. Cherry Audio’s Pentaphonic synthesizer is not just an emulation of a lost classic; it is a celebration of the innovative spirit behind the original, proving that the most groundbreaking ideas don’t always come from the biggest names.”
Features:
- Three oscillators per voice retain the original’s distinctive set of eight waveforms, including the Complex 1 and Complex 2 waves.
- Polyphony expands from the original five voices to 2–16 voices, with unison and mono modes also available.
- Cherry Audio adds pulse-width modulation, a noise generator and oscillator sync.
- Two expanded modulation/LFO sections provide additional control over oscillator, filter and amplifier parameters.
- Both modulation sections can use the eight oscillator waveform shapes rather than being limited to the original triangle-wave LFO.
- The filter retains the original 4-pole, 24 dB-per-octave low-pass design while adding a 2-pole, 12 dB-per-octave mode and keyboard tracking.
- Velocity can control filter and amplifier response.
- Channel and polyphonic aftertouch provide expressive control, with 14 parameters available for keyboard-pressure modulation.
- A dedicated modulation stick and assignable pitch-bend range expand the performance controls.
- The dynamic arpeggiator includes Arp, Leap, Order and Random modes, along with swing, chance and feel controls.
- A syncable and transposable 16×4 polyphonic step sequencer adds humanization and DAW synchronization.
- The Parameter Animator provides another 16-step modulation source for cutoff, resonance, oscillator pitch modulation and oscillator gain.
- The original chorus is joined by a global effects system offering 22 effects, with up to five effects arranged in a chain.
- Three interface themes recreate different stages of the Pentaphonic’s visual history, including black and transparent designs with adjustable opacity.
- The instrument includes more than 375 presets across 14 categories, including the original 50 factory patches.
- Pentaphonic supports complete MIDI control and DAW automation, along with MIDI Learn.
- The instrument is available as a standalone application and as AU, VST, VST3 and AAX plug-ins.
Cherry Audio Pentaphonic is available now for $59.
