CHROMAGENE is an all analog, stereo polyphonic synthesizer with two halves. One half is an 8 voice 2 VCO polysynth where every oscillator can be tuned independently or transposed together, the other half is a polysynth that uses the Ring Modulated output of each pair of oscillators as its signal source.
This range of sound sources along with two analog filters and an on-board sequencer give Chromagene a wide palette of tones and textures.
Inspired by the earliest polysynths of the 1970s, it is fully polyphonic
(all 16 notes can be played at the same time), can be tuned to any scale or tuning,
is multi-timbral and touch sensitive.
The instruments key contacts are Immersion Gold plated and non-corrosive.
At the top, there are 16 tuning controls for the 8 pairs of oscillators. Each tuning control has a momentary pitch bend touch sensor below, so you can articulate each note individually. The top row of tuning controls (VCO-1) also shifts the oscillator below it, but the second row of tuning controls are independent. This allows you to preserve the tonal relationship by using the top tuning controls, or change it by detuning VCO-2.
These tuning controls allow you to tune the 8 pairs of oscillators to any scale, from a standard equal tuning to any microtonal, non-western or even unison tuning.
VCO-1 has a Pulse Width Modulation control and each set of oscillators has a master tuning control and an individual LFO control.
The 8 analog ring modulators take the VCO signals and multiply their output. This creates a wide array of related and non-related frequencies for each note, allows you to generate unusual waveforms by re-tuning the input VCOs, and an endless variety of tones can be generated for each note individually.
The two filters, which can be panned from mono to full stereo using the panning control, are all-analog all-transistor low-pass VCFs, with individual cutoff, resonance and envelope-mod controls. The envelope amount controls go from negative (inverted) to positive. VCF-1 has mixer controls for VCO-1 and 2, and VCF-2, which is for the Ring modulated notes, has LFO cutoff modulation and Panning.
The 16 independent envelope generators have Attack, Decay, Sustain and Release controls.
The sequencer can be internally or externally clocked. Custom sequencer configurations can be set up, get in touch.
The synthesizer is built into a hand-made wood case.
Specifications
16 note polyphonic, multi-timbral
16 voltage controlled oscillators, tuneable to any scale
8 ring modulators
All analog. Class A audio path
2x transistor filters with cutoff, resonance, env mod +/-, lfo/panning controls
16 VC Envelope Generators (Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release)
24 VC Amplifiers (1 per oscillator + 1 per ring modulator)
Oscillator LFO modulation
Pulse Width modulation
Touch-sensitive pitch bends
16-note gold plated touch sensitive keyboard
In built sequencer (top or bottom row, email with preference, or select extra at checkout for both), internally or externally clocked
Top row of keys illuminate to show sequencer position and key presses
Can run on an external standard type 9v battery (please ask for a special adaptor cable if required)
Dimensions: 27 x 22 x 5 cm
Inputs and Outputs:
2x 6.35mm (1/4 inch) audio output sockets (LEFT/MONO + RIGHT)
1x 6.35mm (1/4 inch) external CLOCK input socket
2.1mm 9v centre negative power input socket
£1,055 special introductory price.
Optional extras (select above):
Extra Socket Option:
There is space on the back panel for one more socket (along with the included Left Audio Output, Right Audio Output, Power Input and Clock Input sockets). The options:
- No Extra Input Socket
- External Sequencer Reset Input Socket : resets to start of sequence with external clock/trig/gate
- External Filter CV Input Socket : modulates the cutoff frequency of both filters with external CV signal
Sequencer Option:
The demo video shows the sequencer playing the top row of keys, but there are other configurations available. Whatever you choose, all keys can be played by hand whether sequencer is playing or not.
- Top Row : sequencer plays top keys only (VCO1+2 voices)
- Bottom Row : sequencer plays bottom keys only (Ring Modulated voices)
- Both Rows : sequencer plays both rows simultaneously (All voices) (select Both Rows in the Key Lights option if you want both rows of keys to light up when sequenced)
- Both Rows + 8x Row Selector Switches : 8 switches are mounted recessed in the front of the wooden case under the keys. This allows each sequencer step to be switched to trigger the top (VCO) key / bottom (RIng Mod) key, or no trigger.
Key Lights:
The demo video shows the Chromagene set up with the top row of key lights only. The keys light up when they are played by hand or triggered by the sequencer. The options are:
- Sequencer Row Only : lights will be installed in the row of keys that you have chosen to be triggered by the sequencer (see Sequencer Option).
- Both Rows : lights will be installed in all keys.
NOTE If you choose Both Rows in Sequencer Options, you may want to select Both Rows in Key Lights, otherwise only top row of keys will be lit in this case.
NOTE This is a pre-order. Delivery will be one month after you order (date confirmed via email).
Synth uses a standard guitar pedal type power supply (9v tip negative), I no longer include the power supply as I receive orders from lots of different countries, but I am happy to advise on power supply models.
FAQ:
- on the pre-order there is an option to add a clock reset, is that in addition to an external clock input? with the reset option does that start the sequence from the first step again or does it just “snap” the clock back into sync?
Yes the chromagene has an external CLOCK input socket as standard (which overrides the internal clock with whatever clock signal you put in), the optional extra is the external RESET input socket which resets the sequence to the first step again
- will it move along in the sequence per gate if i send it an irregular clock/gate sequence?
Yes it can be triggered by any clock trigger/gate sequence