This is THE event in Germany when it comes to synthesizers. Once again this year, over 200 exhibitors set up their stands. The relaxed audience moving through the corridors and across the meadows was able to enjoy 100 events and marvel at what can be done with the new and old equipment. And of course, people also met up again while passing by, chilling out or listening.
New trends?
My impression sounds like an old chestnut: there are more and more module suppliers! That’s exactly the impression I had last year and the year before that. And with this unmanageable number of modules, synth manufacturers like to leave the beaten track. VCO, VCA, filter, ADSR. The oscillators then move on to FM, physical modeling, Karplus-Strong, wavetables, granular and, if at all possible, analog (Frap Tools).
Let’s stay with the modules. Make Noise uses the PoliMaths to define polyphony, which is actually the simultaneity of many individual voices that relate to each other, and understands this to mean the control signals (i.e. the sequence) of an underlying CV signal that are tapped in relatively short succession, and is in the process of building a new system of coordinated modules on this basis. Of course, others also do this (Qu Bit). This is particularly suitable for ambient, glitch and noise. It should be mentioned, however, that Verbos has had such polyphonic CV taps in its program for ages (Harmonic Oscillator, Bark Filter ).
Sequencer and more …
Effects. Also digital, of course. Multi-effects with many CV inputs. This has been around for some time. At the same time, however, there is also a trend towards integrating the good old step sequencer into the classic guitar pedal (yes, the performance of DSPs and industrial processors that can do this is getting better and better), pre-programmed on the computer at home, they then switch through the most ludicrous effect combinations in the beat, which previously could only be achieved with painstaking handicraft work, is now available to the street musician in the shopping area at the touch of a foot (Polyend).
Ambient
Instruments, panels, boxes and small boxes, black, colorful, light and dark, with various buttons, sockets and imprints, made of lacquered metal or wood with digital-analog inner life, whose purpose is not immediately apparent, invite you to tinker with ambient creations.
Guitar Amps …
The guitars and basses also seem to be becoming more numerous, so it is only logical that Soma Laboratory comes up with two purist speaker-tube top prototypes, which are probably not only reminiscent of old Orange amplifiers from the 1960s on the outside.
The emporer’s new clothes
Of course, the trade fair always calls for something new, even if it’s just a facelift. The Novation Bass Station II is turning twelve, so it’s high time to spice up the look and add a new factory sound set.
Cool …
Moog presents a completely redesigned monophonic called Messenger. It sounds amazingly fresh, can also do FM and, at 850 euros street price for the complete keyboard synth, is comparatively inexpensive. Frap Tools is working on the fundamentals of sound generation. The 8-voice flagship Magnolia announced for the fall has two analog FM-capable oscillators at its heart. At 4k, it will cost about as much as the Muse, the polyphonic brother of the Messenger, which was introduced last year.
Let’s continue with Superbooth25 Part 2 …