Tags: Semi-modular synthesisers

Notes: The Mother-32 is a distinctive analog instrument that brings raw sound, step-sequencing and extensive interconnectivity to any electronic or modular ecosystem. This expansive live performance and production synthesizer is designed to provide experimental musicians and synthesists with a diverse array of creative tools to inspire new ideas, unique sound and endless sonic exploration.

Drive synchronized sound with Mother 32's powerful step sequencer while utilizing its modular patchbay and assignable output to spawn a living, breathing organism with dynamic and modifiable sound processing. Patch multiple control and sound sources into Mother-32's voltage controlled mixers and truly unlock the vast potential of this powerful instrument, or pull all of the patch cables, plug in a MIDI cable and simply drive your Mother-32 from any MIDI-equipped device.

The Mother-32 is secured in an extruded aluminum enclosure with wood sides, but can also easily be relocated to almost any Eurorack enclosure.

During the prototype phase, Moog worked with 3 unique synthesists: Erika (Interdimensional Transmissions), Max Ravitz (Ghostly International), and Bana Haffar to produce a video that explores Mother-32's vast capabilities. Through performance and sound design, each artist displays the extensive vocabulary found within Mother-32. All patches were performed live, with no overdubs.

Specs

Sound Engine: Analogue
Polyphony: Monophonic
Keypad: 13 Note
Step sequencer: 32-Step with 64 Sequence Locations, Keyboard and Step Edit Modes
Sequencer panel controls: Tempo, Swing, Run/Stop, Hold, and Reset
Sound sources: 1 Oscillator With Pulse and Saw Waveforms, 1 White Noise Generator, 1 External Audio Input
Oscillator range: 8Hz-8KHz (16KHz max with LFO/CV)

Notes: Amazing value from this little Eurorack-compatible analogue synth. Loosely Moog-inspired semi-modular East Coast subtractive design with MIDI control and great sound.

Supplier's Notes:
East Beast

Fully analogue East Coast style semi-modular synthesizer

What's the first thing you think of when you hear the word "synthesiser"? Close your eyes and think about.

Anyway, for a lot of people, the word synthesiser invokes visions of big filter cutoff knobs, envelope generators, and importantly, big fat-sounding voltage-controlled oscillators. These are the hallmarks of East Coast-style synthesis.

East Beast is a fresh take on these old-school concepts with a few beastly twists thrown in here and there.

Furthermore, you can pop East Beast out of its included enclosure and it transforms right into a 40HP eurorack module
East Beast's oscillator, designed in partnership with Pittsburgh Modular Synthesizers, is a part of their 5th generation of analogue oscillators stemming from a super-serious 10 years of continued research into analogue oscillator development.

Its circuitry is not a clone or based on any outside designs. It is made with 100% modern components. This keeps it very stable, and giving it a super rich, and unique sound.

Most of the filters you are used to hearing are transistor ladder filters or copies of transistor ladder filters. East Beast's filter is not one of those. Pittsburgh's whole goal of making this filter for East Beast was to create a filter that's creamy smooth with no dead spots, a very common phenomenon in all filters, but check it out. This one's got no dead spots. From nasally to biting and elsewhere, it's all one large sweet spot.

East Beast's filter is a multi-mode filter, meaning it can be used as a low pass filter, high pass filter, bandpass filter, or a combination of the three for an even wider sonic palate.
Shape the beast in your own image
To further sculpt the sounds Cre8audio has included an envelope generator & LFO. The custom envelope circuit creates a snappy, percussive attack for expressive performance. The dual range LFO opens up a wide range of LFO and audio rate modulation possibilities.

Get patched.
Semi-modular means that the East Beast will work without any patch cables or anything. But what fun is that? Who doesn't want to have their own personal spaghetti mess of cables sticking out of their synthesizer to get wacky with?
East Beast has basically 9 different patchable modules (Oscillator, filter, envelope, VCA, LFO, multi-mod tool, sequencer, MIDI to CV converter, and button keyboard) with a whopping 18 Eurorack compatible patch points to plug into itself and your other gear. All for your patching pleasure.

As well as this, East Beast has MIDI in and a fancy MIDI thru so you can chain multiple MIDI monstrosities together- you can plug in a MIDI controller into East Beast and do as you wish.

But wait, there's more! East Beast includes quite a few additional performance features. You can dive in and dive in with its built-in tap tempo clock, arpeggiator, and sequencer. There's a lot of opportunities to inject in some randomness too.

Specifications for when used as a eurorack module

Width when used as a module = 40hp
Depth when used as a module = 25mm
213mA power draw when running +12V rail
151mA power draw when running -12V

Input voltage range of oscillator = 0-10V

Included in the box - 1x East Beast, 1x East Beast wall-wart power supply, 5x Amazing Nazca Noodles Patch Cables, 1x 3.5mm to 5 pin MIDI Din pigtail, and love (love's presence likely, but not guaranteed)

Notes: Cracking value in this brutalist beauty manufactured by Bristol's Future Sound Systems. Interesting features like wave-shaping VCOs and Sallen-Key filter make it the ideal starting point for a bigger modular setup.

Supplier's Notes:
Malevolent has been designed by Paul Whittington in collaboration with Bristol based synth manufacturer Future Sound Systems who have provided the analogue circuitry, and Ben Supper who developed the control interface:

Paul has a had a long career in developing products for some of the biggest names in the industry and is now using his expertise to build instruments, bringing in talents from friends he's made during his tenure in development.

Future Sound Systems are a renowned Bristol based synthesizer manufacturer, who are responsible for some of most forward-thinking designs on the market, they specialize in modular and semi-modular synthesizers & their design prowess is very apparent in Malevolent.

Despite its diminutive size, Malevolent sounds big, aggressive and is capable of everything from soaring leads, huge bass sounds, percussive phrases, weird sound FX and more.

It's form factor, user interface and price point make it a great option for those taking their first step in the modular domain, but it's unique sound, extensive modulation capabilities and the options for integrating seamlessly with other synthesizers, makes it a great option for experienced user who's looking for something a little different.

Modular Pure Analogue Synthesiser

Pure Analogue signal path designed by Future Sound Systems
Pure VCOs

19 Outputs and 19 Inputs for 3.5mm mono jack cable patching
Normalised signal path for immediate sound Malevolence
Additional rear panel line out
Additional headphone out


2 Voltage Controlled Oscillators
Saw / Triangle / Pulse outputs plus Mix for each oscillator
1V/Oct pitch control input
Shape control / pulse width modulation input
2x Frequency Modulation inputs
Coarse / Fine tune control
Shape mod amount control
FM1 and 2 mod amount controls
Shape control
Selectable waveforms for the mix output
Individual osc level control


LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator)
Triangle / Square wave outputs
Rate control

2x Envelopes
Individual ADSR controls for each envelope
Individual gate inputs
Individual envelope outputs


Multi-mode 2 pole VCF (Voltage Controlled Filter)
Low pass / Band pass / High Pass individual inputs
2x Frequency Modulation inputs with amount controls
Filter cutoff
Filter resonance


Mixer
Noise w/level control
Aux input w/level control


VCA (Voltage Controlled Amplifier) with overdrive control
Compatible with Eurorack standard 1V/Oct gear
Monophonic and patchable allowing individual pitch control of each VCO and gate control of each envelope
USB bus-powered
MIDI In / Out
Headphone out
Line out
Analogue clock in & out


USB-MIDI to 1V/Oct CV & gate conversion
All pitch and gate control is fully analogue
Analogue clock In / Out


Multi-function Joystick control
Left / right for pitch bend
Performable portamento
Performable vibrato
This is in addition to the analogue LFO
Latching hold mode


Arpeggiator
6 arpeggiator types
Up, Down, Up/Down 1, Up/Down 2, Played & Random
Auto clock sync
Detects analogue / MIDI or USB-MIDI clock and synchronises the arpeggiator automatically
Selectable sync rates when clock detected
Rate / sync control
Latch
6 Octave range
Analogue / MIDI / USB-MIDI Clock output when arpeggiator is running


Keyboard Control
32 Velocity-sensitive mini-keys
Octave shift +/- 4 octaves
Pitch output
Velocity output
Gate output
Local Off mode for DAW use


Includes:
5 Patch cables

Power Supply (9V 600mA)
USB C lead

Getting Started Guide


Weights and Dimensions:

Product (unboxed):
490 x 250 x 80 mm
2.61 kg

Product (boxed with contents):
690 x 320 x 160 mm
3.70 kg

Notes: A massive semi-modular system in a small case with the footprint of a laptop. Cascadia has MIDI in/out/thru/USB, Eurorack compatible signal levels and pro-level audio I/O to interface with the rest of your studio or get your studio started.

Modern Analogue Architecture

Cascadia is packed with a mix of classic East and West Coast synthesizer blocks. Normalized connections let you get straight to the sounds inside. Or, let your imagination run wild and patch any of the modules together however you choose. Make small tweaks to the architecture, or re-route the entire synth to your liking- the choice is yours!

Summary:
Cascadia semi-modular synthesizer.
101 patch points, 34 sliders, 16 knobs, 28 switches, 5 push buttons, and 36 leds.
14 Patch cables - 4×10cm, 4×15cm, 4×30cm, 2×45cm.
USB-C to A cable.
International AC Adaptor.
Intellijel cable tie.

Two Precision Analogue VCOs
VCO A is Thru-zero FM-ready with a dedicated Index VCA, Sub Oscillator, PWM and Soft/hard sync.
VCO B is a combo VCO/LFO with 4 simultaneous outputs
Six Channel Waveform Mixer
Two patchable (normalled) inputs
Noise generator with multiple algorithms.
Optional asymmetric soft clipping on the mix output.
Liquid-Sounding, Cascaded 4-Pole Multimode Filter
Eight Modes: LP1, LP2, LP4, BP2, BP4, HP4, NT2, Phazor.
Additional dedicated outputs for LP4 and HP4.
Input Level Knob for fine control of filter input and resonance balance and added drive.
Multiple FM inputs and a QM input, all with attenuators.
Wavefolder Circuit
West Coast-style parallel wavefolder.
Normalled into the auxiliary input on the VCA in parallel with the filter.
Dual Digital Envelopes
ENV A is a versatile east coast style ADSR / AHDSR envelope generator with a hold function and dynamic level/time control. Normalled to the VCA to instantly shape your sound.
ENV B is a complex, multimode function generator with a West Coast style AR/ASR/Cycling AR, a beat syncable LFO, Burst generator modes, and the Entropic Sequence Generator (added in 1.3). Normalled to the filter for instant FM without patching.
VCA A and Output Path
VCA A is a linear VCA with auxiliary input.
Global Output Mixer with overdrive circuit and bypassable asymmetric soft clipping.

Expansive Utilities Sections
Cascadia also features a whole host of utilities for getting the most out of your patches.

The Utility Row
Sample and hold circuit with white noise normalled to the input.
Slew/Envelope follower.
Attenuverter/Mixer with multiple outputs.
Triple triangle LFO with rate control, rate input and divided outputs.
Triple buffered multiple.
Precision adder.
Signal inverter.
Bi-polar > Unity level shifter.
Expression level control for modulation the TRS expression input on an FX pedal.
Ring Modulator.
VCA B / LPF (LPG) - Auxiliary VCA and 4-Pole Diode Ladder VCF combination for additional dynamics.
The Top Row
Easy to access Pitch, Gate, and Velocity CV inputs.
Pedal Send and Return FX loop with Wet/Dry control, phase inverter and Line/Pedal level switches.
Output Mixer with Overdrive.
Eurorack Level Main output with level control for interfacing with other modular gear.

The Outside world - MIDI, Pedal and Audio I/O
Cascadia is equipped with a ton of I/O to get it connected to the rest of your gear.

Rear Panel

1/4" Stereo Headphone jack.
1/4" Balanced Output Jack.
1/4" Balanced Input routed to a slider and output on the main panel for patching anywhere into Cascadia.
1/4" TS Pedal FX Send Return and 14" TRS Expression Out.
MIDI DIN In/Out/Thru and USB-MIDI all routed to the MIDI > CV Interface on the top panel.
MIDI > CV Interface
Deeper MIDI configuration is available with the Intelljel Config App (link below). MPE Support has been added in v1.4 and supports the Ableton Live 12 Tuning systems. Dual Mono mode (added in 1.3) allows an additional channel to send its own Pitch/Gate signal on the CC/MOD outputs. All modes support MIDI Portamento.

MIDI Pitch / Velocity Outputs and Learn Button
MIDI Gate / Trig Outputs
MIDI CC / Mod - Learnable and assignable to any CC or Channel Pressure
MIDI LFO - Multimode LFO synced with MIDI or Tap Clock
MIDI CLK - Dividable MIDI clock with alternate Tap Clock functionality.
Cascadia comes ready to play.

The normalization behind the panel allows for a ton of exploration without ever adding a patch cable; there is years of material to explore in Cascadia and years more when you start patching. There is everything you need to get started: 14 assorted patch cables, USB-A to USB-C cable, and an international power supply.

Expand and Customize

In addition to additional patch cables, there are additional options for swapping the wooden cheeks for metal side cheeks or a rackmount kit with a storage tray - great for an effects pedal or patch cables.

Specs

In the Box: Cascadia Semi-modular Synthesizer
14 Patch cables - 4×10cm, 4×15cm, 4×30cm, 2×45cm
USB-C to A cable
Intellijel cable tie
15V/1.2A AC Adaptor (Euro/American prongs included)

Height: 66mm (from rubber foot to top of knobs)
Width: 348mm (including wood end cheeks)
Depth: 246mm (front to rear jacks).
Power: 15V DC/1.0 A (minimum), centre-pin-positive.

Notes: A collaborative effort between the techno icon and one of the best synth brands around, the Bullfrog is designed to encourage newcomers to analogue synths while secretly packing killer sound and some innovative features.

Supplier's Notes:
Introducing Erica Synths X Richie Hawtin Bullfrog

Learn. Produce. Perform

Created by Erica Synths & Richie Hawtin, Bullfrog is an educational electronic music instrument designed to captivate and inspire both youth and professionals alike. Bullfrog invites you to unlock musicality while combining the thrill of electronic music production with a comprehensive learning experience.
Bullfrog is a classical subtractive synthesiser - it consists of several "modules" for sound generation - VCO, NOISE GENERATOR - and treatment - VCF, VCA/DELAY, as well as "modules" that generate control and modulation signals to control them - ENVELOPE GENERATORS and SAMPLE & HOLD. The Bullfrog will not make the sound on its own unless it is patched - using eurorack patch cables to interconnect the "modules" or by inserting voice cards that create internal connections between the "modules" in a specific way and add extra functionality, like sampler/looper, sequencer, groovebox, etc. This approach better helps to understand functionality of a subtractive synthesizer and the principles of sound design with instruments like these.

In order to provide a well rounded understanding of the functionality of this synthesizer and sound synthesis in general, a comprehensive user manual is created to accompany the learning process.

Electronic music with its rich traditions and innate sense of exploration at core is ever popular, with artists and fans stretching around the globe. For me, one of the most exciting parts of creating electronic music is the playful exploration that leads one deep into their own imagination. Whether the intention to create completely imagined or real-life inspired sounds, the route one takes to create is always personal and often surprising. It is within these experiments where the beauty of synthesis really comes alive and which often unlocks a new sense of creativity and purpose.

Whether someone's experience with Bullfrog points them down a career in electronic music or not, the goal is to both nurture the love for electronically produced sounds and promote the accessibility of learning and understanding the basics of sound synthesis.

Erica Synths believe that the hands-on approach and problem solving that is innate to synthesis on a semi-modular synth like the Bullfrog, contains life lessons that go beyond what we can hear.

Bullfrog encapsulates the foundations of synthesis and is built with an immediate, intuitive design and a unique expandable architecture that grows and expands together with the user's imagination. This instrument feels at home anywhere - as an educational tool in music and physics classes, as an addition to your basement studio or even as a tool for performance on a stage.

What's included:

BULLFROG synthesizer
Universal 12VDC wall wart adapter
User manual
10 patch notes stencils
10 patch cables
3 pre-patched voice cards
3 DIY voice cards with adjustable offset
Delay effect with adjustable delay time and feedback amount
Two looping attack-sustain-release envelope generators (EG)
Sample & Hold circuit with an individual clock
Manual gate button
Voicecard slot
Built in speaker
DIN5 MIDI input
USB connector

What's included

BULLFROG synthesizer
Universal 12VDC wall wart adapter
User manual
10 patch notes stencils
10 patch cables
3 pre-patched voice cards
3 DIY voice cards

Notes: SOLAR 42F is a unique experimental electro-music instrument, an analogue microtonal ambient drone machine. It will inspire you to find a new and spontaneous approach to composing music. It gives you the ability to create a multi-layered, massive sound. The instrument is oriented for live performances, creating film soundtracks, theatre soundtracks, atmospheric sounds, microtonal and background music.

It is an improved version of the older SOLAR 50 model. The instrument was inspired by early electronic musical instruments of the 1920s and 1950s, notably Leo Theremin's "Harmonium" instrument, as well as science fiction film soundtracks.

The new version of the Solar 42F has added a LIN/EXP CV switch, sub oscillators in volt octave voices and a band pass and stereo distortion mode to the filter. Other quality of life improvements include modified graphics - inputs have been labeled in black and outputs in red for convenience - bypasses for each channel of the effector and a LED indication in the joystick unit.

Notes: White fog version of Intellijel's brilliant Cascadia, one of our favourite synths of recent years. A huge range of semi-modular circuits combine to create a hands-on instrument with its own distinctive character.

Supplier's Notes:
A massive semi-modular system in a small case with the footprint of a laptop. Cascadia has MIDI in/out/thru/USB, Eurorack compatible signal levels and pro-level audio I/O to interface with the rest of your studio or get your studio started.

Modern Analogue Architecture

Cascadia is packed with a mix of classic East and West Coast synthesizer blocks. Normalized connections let you get straight to the sounds inside. Or, let your imagination run wild and patch any of the modules together however you choose. Make small tweaks to the architecture, or re-route the entire synth to your liking- the choice is yours!

Two Precision Analogue VCOs
VCO A is Thru-zero FM-ready with a dedicated Index VCA, Sub Oscillator, PWM and Soft/hard sync.
VCO B is a combo VCO/LFO with 4 simultaneous outputs
Six Channel Waveform Mixer
Two patchable (normalled) inputs
Noise generator with multiple algorithms.
Optional asymmetric soft clipping on the mix output.
Liquid-Sounding, Cascaded 4-Pole Multimode Filter
Eight Modes: LP1, LP2, LP4, BP2, BP4, HP4, NT2, Phazor.
Additional dedicated outputs for LP4 and HP4.
Input Level Knob for fine control of filter input and resonance balance and added drive.
Multiple FM inputs and a QM input, all with attenuators.

Wavefolder Circuit

West Coast-style parallel wavefolder.

Normalled into the auxiliary input on the VCA in parallel with the filter.

Dual Digital Envelopes

ENV A is a versatile east coast style ADSR / AHDSR envelope generator with a hold function and dynamic level/time control. Normalled to the VCA to instantly shape your sound.

ENV B is a complex, multimode function generator with a West Coast style AR/ASR/Cycling AR, a beat syncable LFO, Burst generator modes, and the Entropic Sequence Generator (added in 1.3). Normalled to the filter for instant FM without patching.

VCA A and Output Path

VCA A is a linear VCA with auxiliary input.
Global Output Mixer with overdrive circuit and bypassable asymmetric soft clipping.

Expansive Utilities Sections
Cascadia also features a whole host of utilities for getting the most out of your patches.

The Utility Row
Sample and hold circuit with white noise normalled to the input.

Slew/Envelope follower.
Attenuverter/Mixer with multiple outputs.

Triple triangle LFO with rate control, rate input and divided outputs.
Triple buffered multiple.

Precision adder.

Signal inverter.

Bi-polar > Unity level shifter.
Expression level control for modulation the TRS expression input on an FX pedal.

Ring Modulator.
VCA B / LPF (LPG) - Auxiliary VCA and 4-Pole Diode Ladder VCF combination for additional dynamics.

The Top Row
Easy to access Pitch, Gate, and Velocity CV inputs.
Pedal Send and Return FX loop with Wet/Dry control, phase inverter and Line/Pedal level switches.

Output Mixer with Overdrive.
Eurorack Level Main output with level control for interfacing with other modular gear.

The Outside world i MIDI, Pedal and Audio I/O
Cascadia is equipped with a ton of I/O to get it connected to the rest of your gear.

Rear Panel

1/4" Stereo Headphone jack.
1/4" Balanced Output Jack.
1/4" Balanced Input routed to a slider and output on the main panel for patching anywhere into Cascadia.
1/4" TS Pedal FX Send Return and 14" TRS Expression Out.
MIDI DIN In/Out/Thru and USB-MIDI all routed to the MIDI > CV Interface on the top panel.
MIDI > CV Interface
Deeper MIDI configuration is available with the Intelljel Config App. MPE Support has been added in v1.4 and supports the Ableton Live 12 Tuning systems. Dual Mono mode (added in 1.3) allows an additional channel to send it's own Pitch/Gate signal on the CC/MOD outputs. All modes support MIDI Portamento.

MIDI Pitch / Velocity Outputs and Learn Button
MIDI Gate / Trig Outputs
MIDI CC / Mod - Learnable and assignable to any CC or Channel Pressure
MIDI LFO - Multimode LFO synced with MIDI or Tap Clock
MIDI CLK - Dividable MIDI clock with alternate Tap Clock functionality.
Cascadia comes ready to play.
The normalization behind the panel allows for a ton of exploration without ever adding a patch cable; there is years of material to explore in Cascadia and years more when you start patching. Everything you need to get started is included: 14 assorted patch cables, USB-A to USB-C cable, and an international power supply.

Expand and Customize
In addition to additional patch cables, there are great additional options for swapping the wooden cheeks for metal side cheeks or a rackmount kit with a storage tray- great for an effects pedal or patch cables.

Specs

In the Box: Cascadia Semi-modular Synthesizer
14 Patch cables - 4×10cm, 4×15cm, 4×30cm, 2×45cm
USB-C to A cable
Intellijel cable tie
15V/1.2A AC Adaptor (Euro/American prongs included)

Height: 66mm (from rubber foot to top of knobs)
Width: 348mm (including wood end cheeks)
Depth: 246mm (front to rear jacks).
Power: 15V DC/1.0 A (minimum), centre-pin-positive.