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The Steampipe, with no conventional oscillators, is a true physical modelling synthesizer developed in close collaboration with Dutch company 112.dB
Erica Synths [Booth O235] announced several new products today, launched in conjunction with Superbooth 23. These include The Steampipe, a true physical modelling synthesizer developed with Dutch company 112.dB; the Black Stereo Reverb and Black Stereo Delay 2; and the Black DJ VCF. Further, for those attending Superbooth, Erica Synths’ Gesprächskonzert will take place on Thursday, May 11th at 3:20 p.m. at the Fez Auditorium.
Steampipe: No oscillators, 8 voice polyphony
The Steampipe is a true physical modelling synthesizer developed in close collaboration with Dutch company 112.dB. The Steampipe has no conventional oscillators — instead, it mimics the way sound is created in wind instruments and it is fine-tuned to create a wide range of sounds: everything from wind instruments, to strings, pipe organs, crazy effects and beyond. The Steampipe has three major sections: STEAM, PIPE and REVERBERATOR.
The STEAM section may be compared to the lungs and mouth of a musician. The generator creates the flow of air or “steam”, the envelope in this section determines the force with which it is blown out. DC/noise is the sound that emanates when blowing out. DC/Noise on the Steampipe can also be replaced with an external audio source.
The PIPE section can be compared to a flute. In the pipe, the tune is formed. Push (in feedback) bounces the steam like it does in a flute and generates the tone. The delay box subsection changes the flute’s tuning and shape. Meantime, The REVERBERATOR adds space and ambience to the sound.
The Steampipe is optimized for performance with wind MIDI controllers and it works great with any MIDI keyboard. The overtones the Steampipe produces are very organic and rich sounding, and the unit comes with an excellent range of presets. The Steampipe is rather versatile and allows for nuanced sonic exploration, conjuring sonic imagery ranging from from the wisps from a cloud to fairground band organs, or the to industrial horns of the railroad and finally, to massive, otherworldly ambiences.
Black Stereo Reverb and Black Stereo Delay 2
The Black Stereo Reverb and the Black Stereo Delay 2 is able to significantly expand the FX palette of any modular system. Instead of using a generic multi-FX approach, Erica Synths decided to develop dedicated modules with extended controls over the most important parameters – FX design powerhouses.
The modules run on new Erica Synths DSP hardware ,and the effects have been developed in collaboration with Dutch company 112.dB who make some of the most beautiful sounding effects available.
Black Stereo Reverb features:
- Three reverb design types – Tape, BBD, Digital
- Three reverb modes – Room, Hall, Cathedral
- Manual and CV controlled reverb SIZE
- Manual and CV controlled TONE
- SPIN controls for sound stereo movement
- Manual and CV controlled FEEDBACK
- Sound FREEZE (manual and triggered) function with 1V/Oct tuning for unconventional granular synthesis
- 10 preset memory
- 12HP
The Black Stereo Delay 2 features
- Three delay types – Tape, BBD, Digital
- Three delay modes for each type
- Manual and CV controlled delay TIME
- Manual and CV controlled TONE
- SPREAD adds nuanced control over delay stereo movement
- Manual and CV controlled FEEDBACK
- Manual delay time control via TAP
- SYNC input for delay time synchronization
- 10 preset memory
- 12HP
Black DJ VCF
Many DJs are producers and, likewise, many modular musicians are DJs, so Erica Synths decided to bring both worlds even closer together with the Erica Synths Black DJ VCF. One may think that there are VCFs of virtually all possible designs already available, but Erica Synths recognized an opportunity to develop a fully-analogue voltage controlled filter, similar to those found on the DJ decks – the VCF is fully open with the cutoff knob at 12:00. When turned counterclockwise – the lowpass VCF takes effect, when turned clockwise – highpass filtering is applied. Add the resonance on top and control the DJ VCF with external CV and you experience one of the most unconventional timbre modulation effects around.
Black DJ VCF Features
- Combined LP and HP VCF
- Manual and CV controlled cutoff frequency
- Manually controlled resonance
- CV attenuverter and attenuator
- 10HP
If you are attending Superbooth 23, we welcome you to visit our booth (O235). Meantime, more information including product details and availability, please visit the Erica Synths webshop.
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