Zarg Music Announces New Pulsar/Scope DevicesRed Dwarf Semi-Modular (SM) synthesizer series and the Rotor Sequencer
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Red Dwarf
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Rotor Sequencer
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November 15, 2000
Modular systems are great...they provide access to the many components of sound design, and give the user ultimate
flexibility in designing exactly what he/she desires. Unfortunately all of this flexibility can be overwhelming, particularly
when it comes to the user interface.
The frustration for many has been that they want the flexibility of something like a modular system, but in a more
compact and easy-to-use layout. The synth designs that are easy to use often don't have the exact selection of sound
sources, filters, or effects that the user wants, depending on certain sound design goals in mind.
Enter the Red Dwarf Semi-Modular system. This concept provides a basic 'synthesizer shell', into which a variety of
oscillator, filter, and effect modules can be combined by the user, within certain structural limitations.
The first device in the series (called Red Dwarf), is basically taken from the successful CombPlus Pro design. Using the
modulation and signal routing from that device as the basic 'shell', the user can insert any two sound sources and any two
filters in the SLOTS provided to create his own 'custom' design. (Additionally, there are Mono and Stereo Insert Effects
racks, each with 6 inputs.)
Even more important, EACH synth preset can contain different modules for these slots, as well as for the effects,
providing for a much more flexible device. (It's even possible to obtain some unusual routings, such as placing an
oscillator block into a filter slot, using the oscillator slots as sources of modulation, etc.)
Some of the included modules are: Multimode (both single and paired), Waldorf, and Spectral oscillators; LP, HP, Comb
and Multimode filters; and 12 & 24 dB parametric EQ, stereo delay, flanger, chorus, etc..
Zarg Music is planning on a series of these synths, providing some of the other current line of products as 'shells'. The
idea is that the customer buys the first set of modules with whichever shell he wants, then just adds other shells later,
using the same set of modules.
The Red Dwarf will be available Dec.1, price $199.00.
The second device is called the Rotor Sequencer. It features four rotor modules, each fed with 4 sine oscillators (for a
total of 16 sine oscs). Each rotor module has 4 inputs, and provides for a continuous crossfade from one input to the
next.
The rotors' speed is either run from a frequency divided MIDI Clock, or can track the keyboard. The summed output is
available 'straight' or through a ring modulator. Four stereo effects inserts complete the design.
Also available Dec.1, price $49.00.
Both of these devices are for Pulsar and SCOPE users only, and will require v2.04. For more information, visit their web site at www.zargmusic.com. |
