Firmware developer Amos Gaines offers an overview of the FR 777, a TB-303 inspired bassline synth that goes far beyond the capabilities of the original.
Initial production of the Future Retro 777 is being funded via a Kickstarter project, with initial units expected to start shipping in May. It’s expected to be available to order in October/November 2026 at $1,199 MSRP.
Frap Tools has announced that the Magnolia – an eight-voice polyphonic analog synthesizer with through-zero linear FM – is now available.
The Magnolia goes beyond classic analog sounds, with a “West Coast” influenced synthesis engine. It also offers an expressive Fatar keyboard, with polyphonic aftertouch, and lots of front panel hands-on control.
Here’s what they have to say about it:
“We made Magnolia because we wanted to offer our iconic modular analog sound in a more straightforward instrument that could play chords and other 12-note music right away. Inside, we put all of our signature sound tools: analog triangle-core oscillators, thru-zero FM, wavefolders, analog distortion, and wild, resonant filter.
It is a powerful instrument, capable of a wide gamut of sounds that range from soft, glass-like pads to earth-shattering distorted leads.
A hands-on modulation matrix allows you to connect 16 modulation sources to 32 modulation destinations by just pushing a button and twisting a knob.”
Features:
8-voice polyphony.
All-analog signal path.
Analog thru-zero frequency modulation.
5-octave, velocity-sensitive keyboard with polyphonic aftertouch and adjustable curves.
Bi-timbral programs with Morph, Dual, and Split capabilities.
Two oscillators per voice: an “east coast” one with PWM and a “west coast” one with linear TZFM, wavefolder, and flip sync.
Continuously variable wave form selector.
18 dB/oct high-pass and 24 dB/oct low-pass resonant filters with linear FM.
Analog pre-filter saturation.
Three loopable DAHDSR digital envelopes.
Three digital LFOs with continuously variable wave forms.
Per-part arpeggiator.
Per-part 16-step sequencer.
200 memory slots for presets.
Analog global distortion.
Two global digital effect slots with choruses and delays.
Hands-on modulation matrix with explicit visual cue.
Velocity-off modulation source.
“Polymove,” an expanded polyphonic randomization source.
A Macro knob assignable to every parameter.
16 modulation sources.
38 modulation destinations.
64 modulation slots per part.
Independent midi channels.
Frap Tools Magnolia Audio Demos:
The Frap Tools Magnolia is available now, with a street price of about $4,830 USD.
2026 Buchla & Friends Show: Boredbrain Music offered a sneak preview of the Xcelon SL – a dynamic analog performance mixer that they say is designed specifically for electronic musicians.
