Overview & Sound Demo of Dreadbox Abyss 4-Voice Analog Synth

Without doubt, one of my favorite synth interviews from Superbooth 2017 was with Yannis from Dreadbox. We were initially hoping to check out the NXY, but unfortunately somebody (investigation is still ongoing) screwed it up and walked off...

If you have any information on this tragic crime against a synth, please contact the superbooth police on: +41 808 303 909 001 (your call will be completely confidential).

So instead we spent more time with the soon to be released Abyss, 4-voice analog synthesizer. And I'm very glad we did. From the feel, layout, design, controls to the sound itself, Dreadbox have created a really intuitive to play and control, and sonically pleasing synth.

But don't take my word for it, check out the video from Superbooth here:

Although the price hasn't been confirmed we're expecting it to be in the $1,200 USD / £999 GBP price bracket.

Dreadbox Abyss Main Features:

• 4 Voice Analog Synthesizer
• All Analog Discrete Components
• 4 playing modes :
  – Unison
  – Polyphony
  – Chords (+ user chords)
  – Multi channel (multitimbral over selected controls)
• 1 VCO + 1 Sub Oscillator per Voice
• White Noise Generator
• Independent Wave shaping Modulator
• Polyphonic Glide function
• 4 independent LFOs (1 for each voice) to control Vibrato
  Variable Speed Depth and Delay
• Vibratos and Glide can be set out of phase via the Detune (Vibrato) control
• VCO autotune function
• 24 dB/oct 4-pole Resonating Low Pass Filter (based on the Murmux series)
• Dedicated ADSR Envelope Generator to the Filter
• Velocity sensitivity over the EG Attack Rate or the EG Level
• Dedicated ADSR Envelope Generator to the VCA
• OTA Drive circuit
• Reflector: 1024 BBD Delay for Chorus/Flanger or Static Flangers
• Hybrid Delay Circuit as found on the Erebus
• 4-stage Analog Phase Shifter
• 2 Analog LFOs with 4 waves each to control the Filter, Reflector, Delay, Phaser
• 4 Modulation Wheel Choices
• Fine Tune Control
• CV Control over Filter, Phaser, Delay and Reflector
• Dry output (without effects)
• Signal Input ( at the effect stage)
• Midi In / Midi Through
• Aluminum Case

 

Stay tuned to AskAudio for a full review. We're expecting it to begin shipping next month (May 2017) and hope to have a unit then to review.