AtomoSynth Introduces Mochika X7 Analog Synthesizer In Desktop, Eurorack Formats
Mochika X7 combines two oscillators, a vactrol filter, a voltage-controllable delay, and a 32-step sequencer in desktop and Eurorack configurations.
AtomoSynth has introduced the Mochika X7, a semi-modular analog synthesizer that updates the company’s Mochika series with an expanded sequencer, additional sound-shaping capabilities, and revised connectivity.
Designed and assembled by the Peruvian manufacturer, the instrument combines an analog voltage-controlled oscillator with a digitally controlled oscillator, a vactrol filter, an ADSR envelope, an LFO, and a delay that can be modulated by control voltage.
The X7’s sequencer provides 32 steps, nine playback modes, and nonvolatile storage for up to 100 patterns. An 18-point patchbay exposes synthesis and modulation connections for external routing.
Features:
- Oscillator Architecture: The Mochika X7 combines an analog voltage-controlled oscillator with a digitally controlled oscillator. The VCO provides square and sawtooth waveforms with pulse-width modulation, while the DCO offers square, sawtooth, triangle, and sine waveforms.
- Wave Shaping: The analog oscillator includes pulse-width modulation and a wave-shaping section. The instrument’s oscillator and modulation connections provide additional options for altering the signal through external control-voltage patching.
- Vactrol Filter: The filter provides switchable low-pass and high-pass operation, with continuously adjustable cutoff and resonance. Its vactrol-based design forms a central part of the instrument’s analog signal path.
- Modulation: An ADSR envelope generator and an LFO provide modulation for shaping notes and sequences. The LFO’s waveform can be adjusted continuously between pulse and triangle shapes, with a symmetry control for changing pulse width or ramp slope.
- CV-Modulatable Delay: The X7 adds an onboard delay effect with a control-voltage input, allowing its behavior to be modified through the patchbay and incorporated into external modulation configurations.
- 32-Step Sequencer: The sequencer provides 32 steps, expanding on the 16-step sequencer found in the earlier Mochika X5. Step-level controls include pitch, gate time, retriggering, and repetition or skipping behavior.
- Nine Playback Modes: Sequencer modes include forward, reverse, ping-pong, random, drunk, step-trigger, worm, scrub, and MIDI control. These modes provide different approaches to generating and manipulating repeating patterns.
- Pattern Memory: The instrument stores up to 100 patterns in nonvolatile memory. Sequencer parameters and playback modes can be edited while the sequence is running.
- Clock and MIDI Integration: The internal clock can synchronize with an external clock, MIDI clock, and USB MIDI. External MIDI devices can also be used for note input and sequence transposition.
- Patchbay: An 18-point patchbay provides nine inputs and nine outputs for routing oscillator, filter, delay, and modulation signals. This allows the instrument to function as part of a larger modular or semi-modular setup.
- User Interface: The control panel features a high-contrast OLED display, eight rotary encoders with pushbuttons, and eight step LEDs for editing parameters and interacting with the sequencer.
- Hardware Configurations: The Mochika X7 is planned in two formats: a desktop synthesizer with an enclosure and a 48HP Eurorack module. The desktop configuration uses an external 19V power supply, while the Eurorack version draws power from the modular system.
The AtomoSynth Mochika X7 is available to preorder for $399 for the desktop version and $349 for the Eurorack module (standard prices are $449 and $389, respectively.)
