Baloran The Pool Multitimbral Analog Polyphonic Synthesizer Now Available


Baloran has announced that a new batch of The Pool bi-timbral synthesizer is now available to pre-order.

The Pool is a unique synthesizer concept featuring a full bi-timbral panel, four bi-timbral voice cards and a two-bus effects unit. The control panel houses a large 7-inch color capacitive touch screen, 79 potentiometers, 34 encoders and no less than 169 illuminated pushbuttons.

Each bi-timbral voice card features:

  • 2 analog VCOs (type CEM3340) with wave mixer by VCAs, magnificent “natural” saturation beyond the unit gain accessible via modulations and morphers, sync by VCO or digital generator.
  • 2 complex digital generators with classical waves, wavetables, soundfont, additive synthesis, euclidean generator and VCO ADC for complex operations like RING, FM or multiband formants with vowel presets, mixing by VCAs always with this beautiful “natural” saturation beyond the unit gain. You can import your wavetables using the WaveEdit application (https://synthtech.com/waveedit). The import of your own soundfonts will be possible later.
  • Hardware Sync from VCO or Digital generator to VCO.
  • 1 input for insertion of an external signal before each filter group.
  • 2 groups of 2 VCFs (type CEM3320 and CEM3350), Lowpass 12/24 db/Octave, FM via VCO or digital generator for the 3320, Bandpass/
  • Highpass 12 db/Octave for the 3350, serial or parallel, mixes of the two filters and filter groups on each channel. Hardware FM from VCO or Digital generator to filter 3320.
  • Two analog envelopes (type CEM3310 with VCA CEM3360) with ajustable/modulable offset (perfect for drone mode) and modulable pan.
  • Two digital envelopes with adjustable exponentiality from ultra percussive to linear.
  • Three digital LFOS integrating complex waveforms. You can build your own modulations using the WaveEdit application (https://synthtech.com/waveedit).
  • For each timbre/channel, the envelope VCA incorporates panning and adjustable offset, ideal for drone modes among others.

Other features:

  • The Pool incorporates optimized support for MPE devices.
  • The Pool is also a sequencer making the most of the large screen: 16 sequences from 2 to 64 steps, 3 modulation tracks, touch or encoder editing of each step of notes, duration, velocity, ratchet and tempo as well as three tracks usable as modulation.
  • The Pool features a unique arpeggiator making the most of the large screen: Numerous patterns, scroll orders, range, touch or encoder editing of each step of notes, durations, velocities, ratchets and tempo, as well as three tracks usable as modulation.
  • The Pool also offers two buses and two digital effects units. The buses can be daisy-chained, parallel or independent (dedicated output for each). Each voice card can be addressed to one of the buses. Numerous effects are available and the list can easily evolve: reverb, shim, echo, chorus, phaser, flanger, etc… All routings (Wet, Dry, Feedback, Bus assignment) are done via VCAs and audio switches, there is no DSP routing in order to preserve a 100% analog signal path. The routing and some effect parameters are modulated by a dedicated LFO. The echo can be synchronized to the internal tempo of The Pool.
  • The Pool saves sounds and settings on MICRO SD Card. Their number is therefore almost unlimited. The saving/loading operations can be limited to effects, sequences, settings of a card or encompass the whole configuration of The Pool: you can thus take back a sequence or an effect setting that was created for another sound.

The Pool is available to pre-order, priced at €5100 without tax or €6120 with 20% VAT.

 

Tubbutec introduces New Brainstep Eurorack Module at Superbooth 2024

Ahead of Superbooth 2024, being held in Berlin May 16-18, Tubbutec has introduced the Brainstep, a Eurorack sequencing brain, modulation generator and sample player.

Brainstep is a four track sequencer, arpeggiator, sequence recorder, envelope and modulation generator, live performance tool, sample player, clock distributor, MIDI interface and more for Eurorack.

They describe it as “The brain of a Eurorack system.”

Features:

  • Four independent tracks, each with the following features:
    • Step sequencer with multiple patterns, song mode and probability per step.
    • Up to 24 patterns, 64 steps each.
    • Notes have four per-step modifiers to trigger accents, portamento or tie.
    • Each note can also be programmed to have one of 4 different gate lengths
    • Gates and modifiers can have various probability levels.
    • Seven directions including smart random modes allow even more sequence variation.
  • Feature rich arpeggiator with multiple octaves and seven direction modes including ‘order of key press’.
    • Can inherit the ‘chemistry’ of existing sequences, for expressive, evolving arpeggios
    • An Euclidian arpeggiator mode creates rhythmic arpeggios on the fly.
  • Optimized for live performance: Quickly create or modify patterns, switch between arp and sequencer, record, change patterns while playing.
  • Live recording
    • Record keyboard presses or arpeggiator output into patterns. The overdub mode makes this a perfect live composing tool.
  • Envelope and modulation generator
    • Each track can output up to 4 envelopes and 2 LFOs for a total of 16 envs and 8 LFOs:
      • ADSR envelopes with loop mode
      • Per step triggerable accent envelopes
      • Free running or syncable LFO with multiple waveforms including random S/H and a wide frequency range
  • Drum sample output
    • Each track can output drums samples:
      • Select between different sample packs or create your own
      • per step modifiers: Accent, double speed, half speed, reverse, gate length
  • CV control: The four bipolar CV-inputs can be freely mapped to many parameters of envelopes, LFOs, sequencer, arpeggiator, probabilities and more
  • Multiple clocking options: Internal clock generator, MIDI clock, analog clock / trigger
    • Clock input and output: Can convert MIDI clock to analog clock, or be used as a central clock source. Clock divider per track.
    • Swing generator for every clock.
  • MIDI input and output: TRS-Midi and USB-C MIDI (Host or Device)
  • Microtonal support: Load scales / tunings from the SD card
  • Save / Load complete sets via SD card

They are also introducing a major firmware update for their MC-2oh2 mod for Roland MC-202 synthesizers. The update brings a live recorder with overdub, per-step probability, a swing/shuffle function and other improvements. The update will be available for download a few weeks after Superbooth.

Finally, they plan to show a prototype of “a rather long TR-style drum step sequencer in 1U.”

The Brainstep is expected to be available in August 2024, priced around €500.

 

Dreadbox Announces ‘Super Fat & Creamy’ Murmux Adept 8-voice Polyphonic Synthesizer


Dreadbox reinvents the Murmux analogue synth in a limited-edition 8-voice version called Adept.

Updated with built-in effects and increased polyphony, Murmux Adept retains the retro tweed finish of its younger brother.

Ahead of Superbooth 2024, being held in Berlin May 16-18, Dreadbox has announced the release of Murmux Adept, a limited-edition 8-voice polyphonic synthesizer of its Murmux analog synth, first launched in 2014, and it’s a rather beastly 5kg unit clad in tweed with pleasingly retro wooden panels.

Murmux Adept bumps up the specs of its predecessors significantly, offering 8-voice polyphony through two analogue VCOs capable of continuous waveshaping, oscillator sync, detuning and PWM.

The oscillators run through an analogue filter section with 24dB/oct low-pass and 6dB/oct high-pass filters, along with filter FM and a 6dB/oct low frequency booster to give your bass-heavy patches some heft.

The synth’s modulation section offers you two ADSR envelope generators to be shaped with handy sliders, a global LFO and a polyphonic LFO that modulates each of the synth’s voices independently.

In addition, Murmux Adept arrives with built-in effects, including a versatile analogue BBD chorus that can also apply flanger and comb filtering, and a digital stereo delay.

As for connectivity, on the back panel you’ll find MIDI in/out and a USB connection alongside a headphone out and stereo out.

What they say about it:

“In the MURMUX Adept edition, we’ve included ground-breaking capabilities, which combine the warmth and richness of vintage analog sound with cutting-edge features, delivering unparalleled sonic possibilities to musicians and producers.

This is the 3rd and final version – the epilogue of the Murmux series, the synthesizer that started all for dreadbox.”


Features:

  • Full Analog 8-Voice Synthesis
  • Smart Mixer/Oscillator Design Section
  • 24dB/Octave Resonant Low Pass Filter
  • 6dB/Octave High Pass Filter
  • 6dB/Octave Low-Frequency Booster
  • 2 Envelope Generators
  • 9 LFOs (1 per Voice + 1 Global)
  • Analog Stereo BBD Chorus/Flanger/Comb Filter
  • Nostalgic Hybrid Stereo Delay (Up to 1 Second)
  • Stereo Spread System
  • “Super Fat, Creamy” Murmux Engine
  • One Knob/Function Control
  • Smart Global LFO
  • 150 Factory Presets
  • 249 User Preset Slots
  • Handmade Wooden Enclosure

 The Dreadbox Murmux Adept available now for € 2699, is a limited-edition synth and only 300 units will be made. Find out more on Dreadbox website.

Watch a demo from Andertons below: