Cyma Forma ALT is a new analog Synthesizer with a pin-matrix-based modulation engine designed for rich soundscapes. Soon on Kickstarter!
The Cyma Forma ALT pin-matrix analog Synthesizer celebrated its premiere at Superbooth 24. Now, it is available for pledge on Kickstarter.
The Kickstarter price is 990€, and production will start at the end of the year, with shipping in February 2025.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Article From May 2, 2024
Cyma Forma, a new French company, has been teasing the ALT Synthesizer since mid-April. It’s a desktop analog pin matrix Synthesizer they will introduce to the audience at Superbooth 24.
Today, they published the full demo, which provides an overview of what is possible with ALT.
I watched the whole demo, and I can say that this is exactly my taste in synthesizers. Many points make it very tempting and exciting.
Firstly, the design and layout. Lots of controls, no menu diving, and everything is hands-on. You grab a slider, and something happens. Yes, the slider is something different, and I like to see them on a desktop instead of the classic knobs.
Modulation using a pin matrix is also a neat decision. This removes some of the complexity and makes it very playful, a bit like sinking ships for modulation.
It stimulates exploration, and so does the experimental spirit. By setting pins and pushing and turning parameters, you explore the instrument in a very analog way. More enjoyable than scrolling through presets.
I also like that you can use the synth as a drone/noise machine and play it with a MIDI keyboard. This makes it interesting for a broad synth audience.
The tests will reveal how wide and versatile ALT’s tonal sound spectrum is. However, the linked demo gives a good impression of where the journey is leading.
What is certain is that you can see and explore the ALT Synthesizer at the Cyma Forma booth (H210) at Superbooth 24. And the synth will be available for pre-order at Kickstarter right after SB 24 on May 22nd, 2024.
_______________________________________________________________________
Article From April 10, 2024
Ok, ok, now I know that you like knobs and faders on your keyboards and synths. What came from synth news yesterday from France was probably less for you. Here’s a second synth news chance from France. I’m sure more people will like this because it’s classic synth nerd stuff.
I noticed Cyma Forma on social media, a new Paris-based company that is currently developing its first Synthesizer. ALT is the name of its fruit, and it will be coming to Kickstarter in May.
Cyma Forma ALT
ALT is a new, intriguing analog Synthesizer. The instrument triggers my curiosity primarily through its different layout. Many sliders are placed in two rows, which is rarely seen in modern synths. There are also knobs on the interface.
According to French developers, ALT features five voices, each with different waveform shaping possibilities. The five voices are not grouped in two or three oscillator blocks, like in usual synths. In ALT instead, you have an oscillator for each voice, giving you five independent oscillators.
Each oscillator offers frequency and amplitude control on sliders, and waveshape, and stereo pan controls for spatial sounds. Cyma Forma says they provide a harmonic quantizer with scale support. Once chosen, you can play melodies with the faders, or with quantized pitch modulation. I wonder if you can play the five voices simultaneously like a traditional polyphonic synth.
The signals then travel into a stereo filter inspired by the legendary, aggressive-sounding Korg MS-20, which has lowpass and highpass settings. The parameters cutoff and resonance are also implemented with sliders. From here, it goes into a stereo delay. Cyma Forma promises it has a wild character with infinite feedback.
Pin-Matrix Modulation
A special feature and highlight of the synth is the built-in pin matrix. Synths that immediately come to mind include the recent Analogue Solutions Ample, EMS VCS3, Maplin 5600S, and more. It’s not confirmed, but from the available photos, it looks like the pin matrix is analog, not digital, like the Erica Synths Syntrx.
This is used to connect modulation sources with destinations. In this ALT synth, you can work with four adjustable modulation sources that can be patched into up to 17 destinations. On the mod sources side, you get two LFOs, a random step generator, and an envelope follower. Classic envelopes seem missing, suggesting that this is more of a drone synth than a classic polyphonic synth.
Further, ALT features light and sound sensors that can interact with the synth engine.
First Impression
Drones or classic synth, that is the question I ask myself. If it can do both that would be very exciting. The design arouses curiosity. I’m looking forward to the first demos and the price on Kickstarter.
Cyma Forma ALT’s release date and price are TBA. You can support the development by pre-ordering it through the Kickstarter campaign starting on May 22nd, 2024.
More information here: Cyma Forma
I like to see and hear it in action.
Nice!
I really like the look / sound of this.
Plus, it would fit in my setup nicely.
I just hope it’s not too expensive.
£500-600 or less and I’m in.
I really love the sound of this – the fact it has both CV and MIDI inputs is really good. I hope they have a future video showing how the modulations integrate with external control (not that external controls it, but say if I set-up a random element on pitch does MIDI pitch override it or play with it in some manner, like become a way to change the root).
It needs more scales (user-programmable tuning systems and scales and this thing would kill).
I’ve been part of the very early birds candidates. I did not manage to get one of the early or super early as it went so fast. The project was funded in only 6 minutes! Well done Vincent & Vincent.
Full plexiglass cover for a 1000,- unit? That’s… Ugh. That stuff seems to scratch by itself when you aren’t looking. Cleaning tips usually mention “don’t touch it!”
ha, I thought I was the only weirdo to have the same thought
Yeah, plexiglass is not great stuff.
Not only that, the knobs are 3D printed!
Everything I’ve seen / felt that is 3D printed is not a very pleasant tactile experience. It looks and feels homemade. Not really an issue on cheap or DIY synth, but 3D printed knobs on a £900 piece of gear is ridiculous.
I was interested in this at first, now I’m not even remotely interested.
I tried also via my mobile phone but it was all the time rejected. Crazy fast people and strong internet connections.
I’m curious to see if it will be in the stores at some point and what the price will be.