Check Out This 6-Voice Polyphonic Raspberry Pi Synthesizer

A 6-voice poly digital synth using the Raspberry Pi platform? Here it is from R-MONO Lab and it's quite impressive. Spoiler alert: No code or purchasing info available.  

The world has gone (synth) crazy. More and more of us are looking away from our virtual based, computer-screen staring plugins to touchy, feely hardware experiences. We've seen a number of Arduino-based synths in the DIY and commerical field of late. The $39 Macchiato, the 60-knob Nozoid OCS-2 (with Moog style filter), and this DIY semi-modular that looks just too good to be DIY.

So, it's only fair for the Raspberry Pi to get its time in the spotlight. And this new 6-voice digital polyphonic synthesizer from R-MONO Lab does justice to the Linux-based microprocessor platform. The synth has the catchy name, S³-6R (EsCube-6R) - Version 2. Let's stick with S³-6R.

S³-6R from R-MONO Lab.

The code for this synth hasn't yet been published on Github. Unfortunately, the Hermit Wizard of Synthesizers (yes, that's what R-MONO Lab calls him or herself) has no plans to sell this synth or make the code available. But, there's still plenty to make you sit up and pay attention from its specs, the video demos and the fact it fits perfectly with the Roland K-25m keyboard designed for the popular Roland Boutique synthesizers.

Here's some specs and features of the S³-6R made by the Synth-Sennin (The Hermit Wizard of Synthesizers).

 

3 Main Features of S³-6R:

 

  • Original-Uniq Phase Control and Phase Modulation Synthesis (αα-Phase Modulation)  Also features envelope generator and LFO dedicated for phase modulation.
  • High-Resolution (24bit/96kHz), 6-Polyphonic (5-Polyphonic when using Super Oscillators)
  • Running on the Raspberry Pi 3
S³-6R from R-MONO Lab. (top view)

A List of S³-6R Version 2 Demos:

S³-6R from R-MONO Lab (angle view).

 

Main Specifications

  • 2 Oscillators
  • ・Phase Controlled “Super Oscillators” is mounted.
  • ・Oscillator 1: Sine, Triangle, Saw (Up, Down) , Pulse Width, 
  • SuperTriangle, SuperSaw, SuperSquare, α-Sine Width(*)
  • ・Oscillator 2: Sine Width(*), Triangle, Saw (Up, Down) , Pulse Width
  • ・Enable to Phase-Modulate Oscillator 1 by Oscillator 2
  • ・Phase Mutator(*) to alter the phase modulation signal
  • ・Equipped with Noise Generator in parallel with oscillator 2(*)
  • Continuously variable Sampling Rate and Bit Rate,
  • also Low Pass Filter is implemented, Phase modulation with
  • Oscillator 2 and the Noise mixing balanced signal is possible.
  • 1 Filter (Low Pass Filter, 24dB/Octave Slope) 
  • Distortion processing before and after filter (Pre / Post Clipper) (*)
  • 4 Envelope Generators (for pitch, phase modulation, filter, amplitude) 
  • 3 Low Frequency Oscillators (for pitch & amplitude, phase modulation, filter)
  • LFO is controlled from ultra-low frequency (0.006Hz) to ultra-high frequency (100Hz) that was not possible with the conventional digital synthesizer.
  • Polyphonic Portamento
  • Effects: Chorus, Flanger, Delay
  • Corresponding to pitch bend and modulation via MIDI.
  • Enable to control all parameters via MIDI Control Change (CC) .

Interested in learning more about making yoru own digital synthesizer? This article by Liam Lacey is worth checking out.

 

 

 

Rounik is the Executive Editor for Ask.Audio & macProVideo. He's built a crack team of professional musicians and writers to create one of the most visited online resources for news, review, tutorials and interviews for modern musician and producer. As an Apple Certified Trainer for Logic Pro Rounik has taught teachers, professional... Read More

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