With the Shrolca, Joshua revives the popular Shruthi Synthesizer from Mutable Instruments, complemented with a touch-plate keyboard and built everything into a Volca-sized housing.
So many years after the official end of the well-known Shruthi Synthesizer from Mutable Instruments, interest remains high for this small device. Above all, you will find this again in many DIY projects because the sound engine is open-source. Now a manufacturer tries to bring back this known synth in a different form factor.
Shrolca is a digital Wavecycle Synthesizer that is based on the Shruthi from Mutable Instruments. It has the same digital wavecycle oscillators, classic transistor ladder 24dB voltage controlled filter, modulation matrix and sequencers. The big difference to classic Shruti synths is a new touch activated MIDI keyboard and an enclosure that is inspired by the compact KORG Volca Synthesizers.
Cool here is that the keyboard, sequencer and arp can all transmit midi data to the MIDI output. So you can use this also a little additional sequencer.
Overview
The Shrolca is one of the most powerful synthesizers for it’s size made today. The foundation is the Mutable Instrument’s Shruthi. The Shruthi has a powerful sound engine and analog filter. This offering is no different. It has the same Digital wavecycle oscillators and sequencers and modulation matrix with a classic transistor ladder 24dB voltage controlled filter. Our other inspiration was the popular Korg line on mini synthesizers, the Volca series. We have included a touch activated MIDI keyboard that makes performances in the closet fun! The prototype featured on this campaign page has a wooden box but, the production unit will have a machined aluminum body that is less than an inch deep.
Keyboard & MIDI Out
The keyboard, sequencer and arp can all transmit midi data to the midi output. Please see videos below for rundown of options and info on some of the many capabilities of the synth.
Other improvements included in the production unit will be: thicker flat black coating to the faceplate, thicker solder for the touchplates, and higher quality materials used for the faceplate. There will also be a eurorack mounting frame with cv i/o available as a separate accessory.
Massive Modulation Matrix Small Synthesizer
One of the highlights of the small Shruti Synthesizer engine is the massive modulation matrix. It features 28 sources (LFO 1/2, seq x3, arp, cv, ADSR, gate…) and 27 destinations (lfo 1/2, noise, attack 1, decay 1, sustain 1, cutoff, resonance,…)
Price & Availability
The Shrolca Synthesizer is now available for pre-order via Kickstarter for a price of $225 USD (early-bird), $250 USD late raising bird and $300 USD (final offer).
We have been working on this synthesizer for a little over two years, the only challenge we have left will be to have the units manufactured. These have been prototyped multiple times and we are satisfied with the results. We already have quotes and machine time reserved to manufacture and have ready to ship by October.
More information here: Shrolca Synthesizer
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