At SoundMIT 2022, GM Lab showcased two new affordable digital synthesizers, the X1000, and Pico Synth.
UPDATE: Not only the Rondo string machine is available, but also the two other synthesizers that were presented at SoundMIT last November.
GM Lab X1000, a digital mono Synthesizer taking inspiration from the vintage JEN SX1000, is available now for $179/179€ in an assembled version and $139/139€ in a DIY kit.
The two-oscillator monophonic Pico Synth is also available now for $199/199€ in an assembled version and $159/159€ in a DIY kit. Initially, the synths were planned as an open-source project, but this has been dropped. They are DIY but not open-source.
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Article From November 18th, 2022
SoundMIT 2022 took place in Turin last weekend. A trade fair for synthesizers and pedals from small Boutique and large manufacturers. As already reported, the Italian developer GM Lab (Crumar Instruments) has shown a lovely, inexpensive string machine called Rondo. This is based on the same code as the iOS app Electrorchestra.
At the same time, the developer introduced another two new desktop synthesizers. Both are open-source and very affordable.
GM Lab X1000
Let’s start with the GM Lab X1000 which is a hands-on monophonic Synthesizer that takes inspiration from the rare Italian Synthesizer Jen SX-1000. Yes, this mono synth with the colored knobs. Important, the X1000 is not a Jen SX-1000 clone or replica but it only has a structure that is reminiscent of this obscure synth from the past.
The synth is all digital and uses an M110 chip like the Jen Synthesizer. However, with the difference, the filter and VCA were analog on the original Jen SX-1000. The X1000 core consists of a multi-wave oscillator (saw, square, pulse) with manual pulse-width control and PWM via an LFO. There is also a noise generator and additional vibrato plus glide.
Then, you get a 12db lowpass filter with resonance and a dedicated ADSR envelope. Modulation side, you get two envelopes (filter and amp) and an LFO. A very simple Synthesizer that is perfect for taking your first steps in synthesis. On the backside, you have a MIDI input, the main mono output, and a headphone socket. It does not have USB MIDI and can therefore not be remotely controlled.
It’s nice that the synth has a lot of knobs which makes it very hands-on. These knobs are colored and each section has its own color. This way you can see the structure of the synth faster. And so it’s also very reminiscent of the SX-1000, which was also colored.
Pico Synth
Pico Synth is also monophonic but has a more complex engine. Don’t confuse it with Erica Synth’s Pico System, which is a modular synth. The core uses two Pi-Boards (RP2040); one is responsible for the sound engine and another for the patch memory, panel scanning, and MIDI.
It features two multi-wave oscillators (saw, square, triangle) with sync and PWM. A noise generator can also be added to the signal. Then, you can work with a 12dB lowpass filter with cutoff and resonance controls. Additionally, you have controls for the LFO, velocity, and key track inside the filter section.
For adding movement to your sounds, it has two ADSR envelopes for controlling the filter, amp, or alternatively for creating OSC1 sync sounds. There is also an LFO for animating the filter, for example. To refine your sounds, Pico Synth also comes with a simple delay.
A big difference to the X1000 is the possibility to save patches right in the hardware front panel.
Another very hands-on, simple Synthesizer but one that has more functionality. Mainly two oscillators with sync, delay, and patch memory.
The French YouTube channel Les Sondiers has made a video about these new synthesizers at SoundMIT 2022.
GM Lab X1000 is available now for $179/179€ (assembled) and $139/139€ (DIY kit)) and Pico Synth for $199/199€ (assembled) & $159/159€ (DIY kit)). It includes free shipping for EU and for the US, it also includes shipping, importation duties, and taxes, says the developer.
More information here: GM Lab
Since you’re quite good at getting information from manufacturers…
Would you happen to have more insight on the decision to close-source these? The landing page has a whole section on Open Source yet it sounds like the only device currently open is a pedal.
(Also, is “Genuine Soundware” a Crumar subsidiary? It’s unclear from the landing page…)