Tags: Portable synthesisers

Notes: Arcade-themed synth from Teenage Engineering's amazing Pocket Operator range. Tiny portable synth with quirky chiptune-style sounds, built-in sequencer effects. Super fun.

Supplier's notes:
Arcade synthesizer and sequencer, with parameter locks, chord control and punch-in effects.

All pocket operator models perfectly complement each other. From drum machine, bass and lead synthesisers to noise percussion, the six unique units allow you to start a pocket band. Use them separately or connect them together, the choice is yours.

Use the built-in speaker for instant sound, connect a pair of headphones for detailed personal listening, or hook up a speaker system and the club will go boom!

Pocket operators are designed on a single multiple-layer circuit board using high quality components. They all share a compact and durable form factor.

By placing all vital and sensitive components under the LCD display there's no need for an outer case. By saving this cost, high quality components could be used to guarantee the best possible sound and very low power consumption. The space under the display also doubles as a speaker box.

Optional extras:
Add the silicone pro case to protect your pocket operator and get anti-slip feet, neck strap, battery protection and pro feel buttons. Use the SP-10 display protection to protect the LCD screen, and start a jam sync session with your friends using the MC-3 mini cables.

Notes: Melody synthesizer and sequencer with parameter locks, punch-in effects, arpeggio and chord play styles.

Pocket operators are cleverly designed on a single circuit board. By placing all vital and sensitive components under the LCD display there's no need for an outer case. By saving this cost, high quality components could be used to guarantee the best possible sound and very low power consumption. The space under the display also doubles as a speaker box.

Experience a fresh new way to create music using your thumbs. With its pocket size, its animated graphics, real synthesizer engines, sync, punch-in effects, built-in speaker, alarm clock and impossibly low price, making electronic music has never been this much fun!

Notes: Another intriguing experimental offering from Soma Labs. ROaT is a digital synth inspired by 80s video games. Four oscillators combine with a sequencer to create drones, soundscapes and glitchy loops.

Supplier's Notes:
Rumble of Ancient Times (RoAT) is an 8-bit noise synthesizer and sequencer inspired by the clever programming of the early PC era when an entire video game would fit on a floppy disk. RoAT is capable of a wide variety of sounds ranging from dense noise scapes to diverse glitching rhythmic patterns. The compact and portable instrument contains many elements that can be combined into surprising musical results.

The "heart" of the synthesizer contains 4 sound oscillators, each with a tunable waveform and an individual LFO, which can modulate the tone or volume of the oscillator. The modulated signal of each oscillator is mixed with other signals using 1,536 variations of complex summing algorithms that contain FM, ring modulation, bitwise logical operations and more.

The synth contains an 8-bit resonant lowpass filter with a distinct Lo-Fi character.
The built-in sequencer can be synced to an external device and also send clock out.
RoAT is battery powered and can work up to 130 hours on one set of AAA batteries.

Rumble of Ancient Times is built on a very simple 8-bit microcontroller similar to the ones used in the "brains" of old refrigerators and other simple electronic devices. Thanks to some very clever programming, it's also able to drive a very capable synth with many features!

In stark contrast to modern consumer electronics, this synth celebrates and emphasizes what can be achieved with efficiency of code and using chips considered obsolete by industry leaders. We live in an age where text editors can be 1GB or more and simple things like checking email require the latest OS and powerful processing, despite the core tasks being no different than 15 years ago with a fraction of the computational power.

So RoAT proposes a new kind of ecological thinking with the innovative use of chips that were developed and produced decades ago, instead of turning them into millions of tons of trash. We can still use technology that the industry forced us to consider obsolete, with the added benefit here of extremely low power consumption. It's an environmentally friendlier approach than galloping in the rush of planned obsolescence that damages our planet and wastes precious resources.

Rumble of Ancient Times was designed and programmed by Kakos Nonos, a new creative mind who joined the SOMA development team. His very unique style of building electronic musical instruments combines quality craftsmanship, advanced programming and a love for medieval acoustic instruments such as gusli, wheeled lyre and bagpipes.

Specifications:

Sync out voltage: 5 V
Minimum syn in voltage: 0.2 V
Current input: 20 mA
Maximum output voltage: 5 V
Audio output:3.5 mm jack
Sync out: 3.5 mm jack
Power Supply: 4*AAA battaries
Size: 122 x 136 x 40 mm
Weight (without batteries): 145 g

Notes: Updated version of the ground-breaking synth, sampler and sequencer. Better than ever, with legendary sound quality and portability.

Supplier's Notes:
The beauty of evolution.

Louder, thinner and 100 times better.

Introducing the all new OP-1 field. Injected with more than a decade of ideas, refinements and improvements. Just to mention a few: stereo throughout the whole signal chain, Bluetooth MIDI, USB type-C, a new speaker system with a passive driver for detailed, fat and loud sound, a massive 24 hour battery life, multiple tapes and recording formats, new great sounding reverb and the 'dimension' synth engine, an all glass, flush, high resolution display. The graphics have also been meticulously reworked, screen by screen.

Reworked, refined, reborn.

Think of OP-1 field as the natural continuation of its predecessor. Updated with the latest technology, improved design and finely tuned with professional musicians, recording artists and sound designers in mind. Higher quality in all aspects, from its circuitry to connectivity and flexibility, it's tailor made for professionals in the field.

The new stereo sample engine is just one of the features that takes the OP-1 field to a higher level. With increased sampling time up to 20 seconds and dual layer mode for instant mixing of the a and b channels or via an assigned LFO.

Four new recording formats: Studio 4-track, vintage 4-track, porta and disc mini.
All with their own unique characteristics and graphics. Now with multiple tapes or discs, up to 8 in total.

If it feels thinner, it is.

By lowering the aluminium body around the keyboard, the new OP-1 field feels lighter, thinner and more precise. with 2k moulding Teenage Engineering have also managed to fit a dual 2.4 GHz antenna system inside the aluminium body.

The back is warm, velcro and bass.

Two soft velcro rings have been added on the back for fastening covers and accessories. Perhaps you want to stick your op-1 field on top of your full size keyboard, or slap it on a guitar? Use the included adhesive looped back and start experimenting. On the right you'll find an additional passive loudspeaker for hugely improved bass. And for a 'no-more-cold-metal-on-your-lap' experience, the aluminium body has been folded in a warm, soft touch, hard cover.

The first accessory out using the velcro rings is the Bill Amberg leather wrap that attaches to the back and wraps around the op-1 field and locks around the encoders.

Dimensions: 28.8 cm x 10.2 cm x 2.9 cm

Notes: Updated take on Artiphon's unique instrument, now with built-in sample engine. Loop, manipulate and create all in the unit, with built-in speaker and expressive motion sensor options.

Supplier's Notes:
Hold out your hands and meet Orba 2, the follow-up to Artiphon's award-winning synth, looper, and controller. Orba 2 has everything you loved about the original with multiple ground-breaking upgrades. Now, you can play any sound imaginable with its unique sample engine. Listen through the built-in speaker, or plug in and get loud. Customize your instrument with the Orba App and share your creations with friends. Take your creativity to new heights as you take Orba 2 anywhere you go.

Play any sound in the world
Orba 2 features a brand new sound engine that includes sampled audio recordings. This means you can now play instruments like electric guitars and upright pianos, as well as more adventurous sounds like vocals, found sounds, and custom artist songs. Imagine conducting an orchestra in the park with no strings attached and no screens required.

Create your own instruments
Orba 2 players can also capture or import their own sounds to create completely unique instruments. With the press of a button in the Orba App, everything around you can be turned into an Orba preset. A bicycle bell, a bird singing, or your roommate's amazing voice can all be played, looped, and shared as a musical melody. Sample recording requires a cabled USB connection.

Loop songs in seconds
Orba 2 allows you to record loops right on the device itself. Using Drum, Bass, Chord, and Lead, you'll be able to layer sounds to create songs that are uniquely yours. Orba 2 also has a quantize feature that snaps your musical phrases to the beat so that every moment fits perfectly into the groove. And since Orba 2 has far more memory than its predecessor, you'll be able to make way longer songs: up to 128 bars!

Play with gestures
Orba 2's touch and motion sensors combine to capture even the most subtle micro - movements. Its improved ceramic - like playing surface simultaneously reacts to the nine simple gestures: Tap, Press, Radiate, Tilt, Shake, Spin, Vibrato, Move, and Bump. Each gesture can control the onboard synth engine or your MIDI music software of choice. With unprecedented express ive potential, you'll never play the same note twice.

MIDI control
Use Orba to control your MIDI - based software and hardware instruments (via USB - C or wirelessly via Bluetooth MIDI). Orba works with GarageBand, Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Pro Tools, Cubase , FL Studio, as well as any MIDI - compatible mobile app. In addition, Orba is fully compliant with the new standard for MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE), making it capable of multiple independent note expressions.

What's in the box?

Orba
USB Cable
Quickstart Guide

Dimensions

3.14" (diameter) x 2" (height)

I/O
USB-C (USB 2.0 Class Compliant Audio/MIDI)
3.5mm (1/8") TRS Analog Headphone Stereo Out


Bluetooth
Bluetooth LE MIDI (MIDI only)
Note: Windows 10 does not currently support Bluetooth LE MIDI
Speaker System
3W built-in active speaker system

Compatibility

iOS 11 and newer
Android 9 and newer
macOS 10.12 and newer
Windows 10 (64 bit)

Note: Firmware updating requires a cabled USB connection and can only be done from a desktop computer.

Note: Transferring a sample from your device to Orba 2 requires a cabled USB connection.

Notes: Updated take on Nomono's mini synth. Virtual analogue and granular synthesis with effects, sequencer, looping and performance functions. An affordable but flexible instrument.

Supplier's Notes:
The Qun mk2 is a powerful and unique pocket synthesizer with sequencer and looper.

Normally, cheap synthesizers don't have full flexibility because of hardware limitations.

Nunomo had in mind a small synth that has full flexibility of the real synth with an affordable price tag- and Qun mk1 was the synth.

The Mk2 receives a big improvement from the mk1 by adding LED buttons and external processor for UI processing- SD card support is added.

Once you get used to it, it will be so powerful and it will provide tons of flexibility. It is a real synth, not a preset machine.

If you are looking for a pocket music sketch tool, this is it.

Connectivity: Standard MIDI (TRS Type A, comes with the synth), UART MIDI(Supports MAC OS X and Windows through the Nunomo SerialMIDI https://github.com/raspy135/serialmidi .

Analogue Modelling engine

The analogue modelling engine is made from scratch.
All analogue modelling engine parameters can be configured through MIDI.
2 Oscillators, 2 voices. It can be used as Quad tone (4 voices) or Dual Mono.
Flexible MOD (CV) routing. The signal routing is very flexible, close to modular synthesizer experience. You can route signals as normal, or totally radical.
AUX input can be used for external audio signal, or for modulation.
4 Envelope Generators
FM (4 Operators x 2)
1 LFO, rate can be controlled by MIDI notes
1 Organic sounding VCF
2/4 Poles, Low-pass, Band-pass, High-pass, Notch)
Keysync
1 Effect (Delay, Chorus, Flanger)
MIDI clock sync and beat clock sync
Wavefolding.
Granular synthesis
Oscillators can be used as a granular synthesis engine.
Player / Sequencer

Player (Piano mode)
Mind inspiring 64 step sequencer will generate beats for you
Note On/Off/Double/Triple
Transpose / Note width(Length)
Randomness control
Pattern shuffler
Scale quantize
Arpeggiate steps
Looper
Looper can record the sound up to 24 sec per recording, synchronized with the sequencer.

3 tracks
5 Scenes (3x5 = 15 recordings per session)
Play / Rec / Overdub

Preset bucket
Preset bucket is made for quick preset recall
It has 8 bucket per session, each bucket has 8 presets and 64 sequencer pattern
Mixer
3 tracks, stereo panning
Mute buttons
Extra processing mode allows to use the sound engine as a stereo effector.
Integrated compressor
SD card
Saving recording sessions
Saving preset data with sequencer patterns
All recorded data is saved to SD card, you can import the data to your DAW
You can import WAV files to Looper granular
Firmware update via SD card
For the completed manual and other resources, please visit https://github.com/raspy135/Qun-mk2 .

Notes: Flagship model in IK's Uno Synth range, the Pro X adds extra synth power to the three-oscillator analogue design, with plenty of hands-on control and sequencing power.

Supplier's Notes:
Freedom of sound

Paraphonic dual filter analogue synthesiser

Embark on a liberating sonic adventure with UNO Synth PRO X, a powerful analogue synthesizer that'll ignite your creativity and elevate your music to new dimensions. Prepare to be inspired as you explore a world of infinite possibilities, where technology meets the timeless allure of analogue warmth.

Get creative

Featuring three discrete wave-morphing oscillators, the UNO Synth PRO X invites you to explore a vast sonic landscape. Unleash your imagination with PWM, sync, FM, and ring modulation capabilities: Your sonic palette knows no bounds.

Unrivalled sound sculpting

Discover a new realm of sonic possibilities with the UNO Synth PRO X's dual-filter design, combining classic OTA and SSI-chip-based filters. Immerse yourself in the moment as you weave intricate textures and shape your sound to perfection. Dive deeper into sonic exploration with the 16-slot modulation matrix enabling you to create intricate and evolving textures.

Sound connection

Take complete control over your music with over 30 hands-on controls, providing immediate access to your sound-shaping tools. With USB, MIDI, CV and Gate in/out options, integrating the UNO Synth PRO X into your setup is effortless.

4 kinds of effects

With 10 studio-quality FX in three slots and an analogue drive, your music will further come to life with warmth and character.

3 effects slots + analogue drive
Vintage chorus and uni-vibe
5 different delays
Hall, plate and shimmer reverbs

From sequencing to arranging

Unleash your creative potential, easily creating complex ever-evolving sequences. Try the 10-mode arpeggiator, equipped with a pattern designer to bring your melodies to life. New horizons are just around the corner with the Bassline mode, along with legato, mono and paraphonic modes, offering unprecedented expression of your musical ideas.

Advanced paraphonic 64-step sequencer
Per-step parameter recording with up to 48 parameters
Sequence randomizer that follows the scale you select
Parameter automation per step and real-time
10-mode arpeggiator with pattern designer
New Bassline mode plus legato, mono and paraphonic modes

Seamless DAW integration

With 256 user-editable presets the UNO Synth PRO X is a playground for sonic fun and exploration. Effortlessly sculpt save and recall your own custom sounds recapturing every moment of your creativity. And with the included Editor/Librarian software providing seamless control from your Mac or PC anything becomes possible. The Editor works as both a standalone application and as a plug-in inside your favourite DAW. This means you can program and play the UNO Synth PRO X just like a virtual instrument.

Designed for portability
The UNO Synth PRO X is not only a fun sound-design partner but also the perfect musical companion on the go, adapting to any environment. From backpack to mainstage, new sonic destinations will always be within reach.
Ultralight and ultraportable
PSU or USB battery pack power supply
Balanced stereo and headphone outputs

Custom travel bag available

Whether you're a seasoned sound designer or on the way to becoming one, UNO Synth PRO X is here to travel physically and sonically wherever you go.

UNO Synth PRO X Specifications

Sound generation
3 discrete wave-morphing oscillators
3 super-fast envelopes with loop and retrigger options
PWM, sync, FM and ring modulation
Dual-filter design, OTA and SSI-chip based
12 studio-quality FX in 3 slots + analogue drive

Performance tools
Advanced paraphonic 64-step sequencer
10-mode arpeggiator with pattern designer
New Bassline mode plus legato, mono, paraphonic
Audio input to filters and FXs or pass-through

Complete controls
Over 30 hands-on controls
16-slot modulation matrix
256 user editable presets
USB / MIDI / CV / Gate in/out
Backlight control and onboard factory preset restore
Advanced software control for Mac/PC

Ready for travel
Ultralight and ultraportable
PSU or USB battery pack power supply
Balanced stereo and headphone outputs
Editor/Librarian included
Optional gig bag available

Dimensions
Size (W x D x H): 33.3 x 15 x 5 cm, 13.11 x 5.91 x 1.96 in.
Enclosure: Plastic
Weight: 800 g, 1.76 lb
Power: iRig PSU-3A (included) or USB (5V/1.5A, 7.5W or above)

Package includes
UNO Synth PRO X
1x USB-C to USB-C Cable - 60 cm, 23.6 in.
Power Supply Unit
Quick start guide
Registration card

NOTE: USB power has inherent ground noise, so when connecting the UNO Synth directly to your computer via USB, you may hear more noise and interference than when the synth is connected to a USB wall charger or running via batteries. With the direct computer connection, you can reduce the USB ground noise and other interference by either using a USB isolator or a custom TRS cable into a balanced input on your preamp or audio interface where the ground is not connected at the balanced input side.

UNO Synth Pro Editor Compatibility

Computers
64-bit application. Requires a 64 bit CPU and Operating System.

Macr (64-bits)
Minimal: macOS 10.15 or later.

Windowsr (64-bits)
Minimal: Windows 8 or late

Notes: Honey is a palm-sized, touch-based noise instrument based on the bytebeat principle. It runs on a single AAA battery and emits sound through a speaker. It doesn't have an audio jack. It creates dynamic sounds by manipulating variables and mathematical operations through touch.

The internal dynamic equations consist of five variables and four operations, with six possible operators for each operation. They are constantly changing and forming new equations, creating chaotic randomness.

If the unit does not respond correctly, the battery needs to be replaced.

Powered by one AAA battery

Notes: Literally the size of a business card (if a little bit thicker), one of the smallest synths on the market. Simple design with a surprisingly punchy sound, plus CV and gate inputs for control.

Supplier's Notes:
The Business Card Synthesizer is a tiny synth that can be connected to a Business Card Sequencer, other synth gear, or played by itself.

Headphones can be connected directly to the output of the synth, and there are plenty of knobs to play with, so you can easily make noises anywhere. Great for learning about synthesizers!

S&H Button: Enables Sample & Hold, which disables the external CV IN jack and uses LFO1 and LFO2 to determine oscillator pitch. LFO1 sets the sample rate (SHAPE is ignored for this), and LFO2 is the wave that gets sampled.

GATE Button: Manually turns on the gate so sound comes out of the synth. This control is momentary, but you can latch it on by tapping the S&H button while holding the GATE button down.

COARSE TUNE: Adjusts the pitch of the oscillator up or down in large increments

FINE TUNE: Adjusts the pitch of the oscillator up or down in fine increments

SHAPE: Changes the shape of the wave produced by the main oscillator (VCO). Turning this control fully CW gives you a triangle wave. Start turning it CCW takes you through sawtooth/ramp, then at about the 12:00 position you get a square wave. Continue turning it CCW and you get several higher duty cycle square waves
.
GLIDE: Adjusts the rate at which the pitch of the VCO takes to go between pitches (whether changed by the COARSE TUNE knob or CV IN). Fully CCW causes the pitch to react almost instantly, while fully CW makes it take its sweet time.

LFO 1 / LFO 2 SHAPE: Changes the shape of the waves produced by the low-frequency oscillators (LFOs). The shapes are similar to those of the VCO, except that the LFOs have sawtooth/ramp waves that go both up and down (since you can actually hear the difference at LFO rates).

LFO 1 / LFO 2 RATE: Controls how fast the LFOs go.

LFO -> VCO: Routes the two LFOs to control the pitch of the main oscillator. The 12:00 position is basically "off", and the LFOs have no effect on pitch. Start turning the control CCW and LFO1 starts changing the pitch of the VCO. Maximum effect is at about 10:00. Continuing to turn the control starts to bring in LFO2 as well. All the way CCW gives you full effect from both LFO1 and LFO2.

Turning the control CW from 12:00 does essentially the same thing, but brings in LFO2 first, then LFO1.

This might seem like kind of a weird control, but it gives you quite a bit of routing flexibility with one knob. You can have no pitch modulation, LFO1, LFO2, LFO1 with a little LFO2, or LFO2 with a little LFO1.

LFO -> VCA: Routes the two LFOs to control the amplitude of the oscillator. (See LFO -> VCO control description above for more information about how the control works.)

ATTACK: Controls how fast the audio amplitude fades in when the gate is triggered. CCW is fast and CW is slow.

DECAY: Controls how fast the audio amplitude fades out when the gate is released. CCW is fast and CW is slow.

VOLUME: Controls the overall volume of the signal coming from AUDIO OUT.

FILTER: Changes the cutoff frequency of an analog low-pass filter. Turn the knob fully CW and all frequencies (that you can hear) are let through. Start turning it CCW and the high frequencies start getting cut off, until the sound becomes muddy / muffled. Use in conjunction with the SHAPE control to get the tonal quality you are looking for.

Connections:
CV IN: Accepts a 1 volt/octave control voltage to control the pitch of the oscillator. It responds from about 0-5V, but voltages outside of this range won't cause damage. The CV input is quantized, so only valid (western scale) notes are played. This input is ignored when Sample & Hold is enabled.
GATE IN: A voltage greater than about 2.5V will turn on the gate and allow audio to come out the output of the synth.
AUDIO OUT: Connect to an amplifier or another synth. The jack has both the tip and ring connected, so you can even use stereo headphones and hear sound from both ears.
Power: Connect 7.5-15VDC to this 3.5mm TS jack to power the synthesizer. The tip is positive (don't worry, there's a protection diode in case you get it reversed). You can get power from a 9V battery, AC adapter, or you may even be able to find an output on your modular synthesizer that can provide enough current.

Specifications:
Power supply: 7-15VDC (reverse-polarity protected!)
Power connection: 3.5mm phone jack, center-positive
Current draw: 15ma
Dimensions: 3.5" x 2" (the same as a business card!)