Tags: Paraphonic synthesisers

Notes: The lovable oddball of the Arturia range, this brilliant hybrid synth combines versatile wavetable and digital oscillators with analogue filters. Touch keyboard gives uniquely expressive control.

*** New firmware update (26th October 2021) *** Arturia are happy to announce another major new firmware update for MicroFreak, bringing massive new creative functionality for users free of charge.

Firmware V4.0 elevates this hybrid desktop synthesizer's status as a sound design powerhouse even further:
New WaveUser sound engine
Allows for user wavetables(!!)
64-new presets
Sequencer Unison & Chord Voices
Faster Oscillator Encoder Response
....and more!

This update, plus ALL the of previous updates (see Vocoder & Noise Engineering oscillators etc.) cement the MicroFreak as one of the most interesting, powerful and flexible synthesizers on the market, whilst maintaining excellent value for money.

Supplier's Notes:

A synthesizer like no other, MicroFreak is a peculiar, exceptional instrument that rewards the curious musician. It blends wavetable and digital oscillators with analogue filters. It features a unique poly-aftertouch flat keyboard. It adds controlled randomness to sequences. This isn't a revolution, it's a mutiny.

This out-there little music machine features a versatile digital oscillator so you can create rare and interesting sounds with ease. Modes like Texturer, KarplusStrong, Harmonic OSC, and Superwave give adventurous musicians the chance to explore totally new, unheard possibilities. Like having dozens of synths in just one instrument, both wild-eyed newcomers and seasoned professionals will fall in love with MicroFreak's flexible, powerful synth engine.

Physical modelling, wavetable synthesis, virtual analogue, there is nothing as complete and exciting as the MicroFreak oscillator on the market. It's hard to believe from such a small synth, but here it is, ready for you to explore. Excite your creativity and reward your curiosity with a large, diverse sound palette. MicroFreak features 11 awesome oscillators, 4 bespoke Arturia engines, and 7 modes from our friends at Mutable Instruments.

Inspired by the trailblazing 12-dB Oberheim SEM filter, you can make MicroFreak's filter scream or whisper to taste. The filter is state-variable, and can even auto-oscillate! You can use this is any way you like, from taking the edge of the razor-sharp wavetable sounds, or automating the cut-off by modulating it with keyboard pressure or the in-built sequencer.

Record up to four automations, edit notes per step or use the innovative Spice and Dice sequencer functions to find happy accidents. Add randomization to create evolving, original patterns, and virtually rewire and reconfigure its signal chain and controls with the 5x7 modulation matrix.

Notes: The Subsequent 37 is a (2-note) paraphonic analogue synthesizer that builds upon the award-winning design of the ultra-powerful Sub 37 Tribute Edition. Its control panel is home to 40 knobs and 74 switches, placing a vast array of analogue sound-design tools and onboard sequencing options immediately at your command. The Subsequent 37 improves upon its source through the implementation of a number of user-requested sonic and functional enhancements. Each enhancement maintains the magic and character of its predecessor while also providing access to new dimensions of sound and improved playability.

The SUBSEQUENT 37 mixer section has double the headroom of that in the Sub 37 Tribute Edition. This provides access to a new range of classic clean tones in both mono and duo performance modes. Leveraging the mixer's newfound flexibility, gain-staging in the Ladder filter has been reshaped to boost harmonic saturation and analogue compression, resulting in an overall richer low end. Completing the sonic evolution of the SUBSEQUENT 37 is a re-tuned Multidrive circuit that extends well beyond the grit and growl of the original Sub 37.

"We are really excited to incorporate community feedback into the evolution of an instrument. Adding CV interconnectivity was the starting point, but we have also increased the headroom in the mixer and significantly extended the range of Multidrive, giving the Subsequent 37 CV expanded sonic capability and modular control." - Cyril Lance, Moog Chief Engineer

In addition to the sound engine augmentation, each SUBSEQUENT 37 comes with an upgraded keybed for improved playability, a high-powered headphone amplifier strong enough to drive the most demanding headphones, and a software plugin/editor for both Windows and Mac platforms.

Specifications

Sound engine: Analogue
Polyphony: Selectable monophonic or paraphonic (can be poly-chained)
Keybed: 37 note semi-weighted with after pressure
LCD: 128 x 64 pixel LCD with white backlight
Controllers: Pitch bend, mod wheel, after pressure, velocity
Sound sources: 2 variable waveshape oscillators, 1 square wave sub oscillator, 1 analogue noise generator, 1 external input/filter feedback
Oscillator calibration range: 22hz-6.8khz. Note range at 8' = 18 - 116
Glide module: Assign to osc1/osc2/both. Type - LCR, LCT, EXP, gated, legato

Notes: A beautifully realised instrument drawing on West coast and East coast synthesis concepts to create something new and beguiling. Three oscillators, smooth filter and Buchla-style dynamics controller.

Supplier's Notes:
Taiga Paraphonic Modular Synthesizer

Taiga is a complete, modern, modular instrument that allows us to explore beyond the boundaries of a traditional analog synthesizer. The sound of Taiga can be attributed to three uniquely Pittsburgh innovations. A trio of huge analog oscillators, the unmistakably smooth sound of the Pittsburgh Filter, and the warmth of the unique Dynamics Controller. These enable you to not only create sounds that would be traditionally expected from an analog synthesizer, but also to explore new sonic textures and performance possibilities.

Taiga oscillators

Waveforms generated by the three Taiga oscillators stretch beyond the basic geometric shapes and sounds associated with analog synthesis. Taiga waveforms pass through up to three proprietary, cascading waveshapers designed to precisely manipulate their symmetry and harmonic content. In addition, each oscillator includes a robust six-stage wave folder to add even more complexity and depth to the diverse sonic palate of Taiga.

The Pittsburgh Filter

The Pittsburgh filter has defined the sound of Pittsburgh Modular from the moment it was introduced. A signature gummy and relaxed sound with no dead spots that has been tweaked to perfection. It offers a warm, smooth sweep through the full frequency range and a sweet resonance that does not roll off the low end. This generation of the Pittsburgh filter is specifically designed to ensure a remarkable interplay with Taiga's oscillators.

Pittsburgh Dynamics Controller

Pittsburgh's new Dynamics technology imparts Taiga with a uniquely organic depth and presence. By simultaneously managing both amplitude and harmonic content, the Pittsburgh Dynamics Controller expands beyond the one-dimensional VCA found in other synthesizers. It does this by utilizing new advancements from traditional low pass gates to add additional definition and dimension to the voice of Taiga.

When used in low pass gate mode, sounds shed harmonic content and become warmer as they decrease in volume. This mimics how sound waves react to their environment. Because of this connection, the Taiga sounds more natural or complex compared to other instruments.

Analogue Echoes

Echos is a beautifully dark analog delay tuned to enhance the source material by repeating it over and over. Echos utilize a pair of bucket brigade delay chips to produce a classic voltage-controllable analog delay effect that helps to place the sounds of Taiga in a simulated environment.

Open Architecture

Taiga has an internally defined signal path. Patch cables are not necessary to begin exploring. Attach a midi keyboard and plug the output into a speaker or DAW and Taiga is ready to go with a robust but familiar workflow. When your ideas grow beyond the pre-defined signal path, a 60 point patch bay opens up a fully modular instrument with access to an even deeper set of features and tools.

Complete Set of Modular Tools

Taiga includes a host of fully modular, analog, and digital synthesis tools to support and enhance its core functionality. Analog tools include a flexible dual mixer, a pair of plucky four-stage envelope generators, noise, and sample and hold. Digital tools cover external MIDI, arpeggiator, clock sync'd modulation tools, and a robust collection of random generators. The Taiga toolset is deep enough for any type of sonic exploration.

Taiga features and other info:

Paraphonic synthesizer with unique additive elements

Fully patchable - use Taiga's components as separate modules with external devices or reroute its internal patching.
Controllable via MIDI, CV, and integrated pseudo random sequencing mode
Clock-synced arpeggiator
3x Pittsburgh Modular Synthesizer developed 100% analog oscillators
Oscillator waveforms - sine, triangle, and saw - Waveforms can be combined
3x Pittsburgh Modular Synthesizer 6 stage wave folder/shaper circuit - folds inputted waves back onto themselves to increase harmonic content
Oscillators include frequency modulation (FM)
Noise generator - pitched somewhere between pure white and pink noise. Perfect for percussion or adding a bit of edge to a sound.
Variable state, multi-mode "Pittsburgh No-Dead-Spots" filter (lowpass, bandpass, highpass, modes can be combined)
Sample & Hold circuit
2x Analog ADSR / envelope generators
Pittsburgh dynamics section - an alternative to an envelope generator and a VCA, the dynamics controller is a Pittsburgh Modular invention that adds a dimension of control over a vactrol-less lowpass gate circuit, adding release time. (read more on this in the user guide)
Dual range analog LFO with square and triangle wave outputs.
LFO Range High: 2 Hz to 500 Hz Low: 41 seconds to 5 Hz
Dual Channel Mixer - 2 channel mixer and a 3 channel mixer joined together, capable of mixing both audio or control voltages.

Notes: ZeKit is a 4 voice paraphonic microsynth, featuring a simple step sequencer, various digital waveforms, an analog VCF, VCA and two AR analog envelopes.

The instrument can be controlled using MIDI (notes & clock) and has both a sync and audio inputs. External audio sources can be mixed in or be processed through the VCF / VCA.

ZeKit is available in fully assembled version

This comes with the high quality aluminium case.

A universal power adapter is available as an option.

Please reuse any compatible 5V to 9V DC adapter you already have.

All Fred's Lab instruments are manually assembled in Germany.

ZeKit is an ultra-compact paraphonic monotimbral hybrid synth with 4 voices.

These are the detailed technical specifications of the machine.

Sound Engine
Digital part
Additive sawtooth synthesis
8 mono waveforms / 8 para waveforms
Filter tracking and glide modes
16bit / 250 kHz DAC

Analog part

12dB / Oct low & band-pass VCF
2 resonance level chill / acid
Optocoupler VCA
Analog A/D & A/R envelopes
Envelope looping and re-triggering

Sequencer

96 step sequencer, with up to 4 notes per step
External sync - MIDI clock or Sync (+ start / stop) over 3.5mm jack
16 user programmable patterns
Live pitch transposition and transition of the patterns

Controls

6 knobs - Cutoff, Attack, Decay, Accent, Release and Level
3 toggles - LP/BP, CHILL/ACID, VCF/MIX
7 switches - Wave, Options, Motifs, Sequencer controls

Connectivity

MIDI input - DIN5
Power input - 2.1mm jack 5V to 9V DC
Line / Headphones output - 6.35mm TRS jack
Clock & Sync input - 3.5mm TRS jack
Audio input - 3.5mm TRS jack

Mechanics

Dimensions: 127 x 92 x 56 mm - (w x d x h)
Weight: 315 grams
Power: 350 mW
AAA Battery holder (optional)