Swedish boutique developer Suonobuno Instruments has announced Polyvera, a new polyphonic Synthesizer for Roma Modulare 2024.
At the beginning of September, I reported on the first teaser for the new Polyvera Synthesizer by the Swedish company Suonobuono. The Roma Modular event takes place this weekend, and now all the details have been revealed.
As already estimated, Polyvera has digital oscillators that offer both synthesis and sampling. Interestingly, there is also an analog part, which makes the synth a hybrid synth.
Suonobuono Polyvera
Polyvera is a new 6-voice hybrid polyphonic Synthesizer with digital oscillators and analog filters. The developers found inspiration in vintage hybrid synthesizers and samplers from the 80s that paired digital sounds with analog filters like Akai, PPG, Ensoniq, and more.
The core consists of wavetable/sampler oscillators with multiple vintage styles. Oscillator 1 hosts wavetables with a sub-oscillator, while oscillator 2 has wavetables or samples. The latter can be routed to the VCF, to the same VCA as oscillator 1, or to its own VCA and envelope.
You can import user wavetables and samples right into the unit, or you can sample from external sources in the unit, using the external inputs. They offer many features, including FM, ring modulation, sync, phase re-trigger, and an additional noise source. Plus, you have a drift mode that provides analog-style detuning.
Analog Filter
From here, the oscillators go into a resonant analog filter with eight filter types with self-oscillation and an LP filter with analog post-filter distortion. Sunonobuno says the filter is an original design based on a classic analog filter chip.
Besides the cutoff and resonance controls, it has a filter drive, FM, and adjustable tracking. Analog and samples sounds like an exciting combo that goes into an analog VCA section.
Then, you have an advanced set of modulations. Three multi-wave tempo-sync-able LFOs are selectable per voice or for all voices with a key trigger, and there are three envelopes per voice.
There are also effects onboard: two digital effects in series, including various chorus, delay, and phaser models (FX1) and 80s-inspired modulated reverbs (FX2). It also has a built-in arpeggiator, a polyphonic sequencer with parameter automation, and MPE support.
Suonobuno Polyvera is a hands-on desktop synth with 36 potentiometers and encoders alongside two OLED displays, allowing you to craft new sounds on the hardware.
I’m looking forward to more sound demos of the Polyvera. The first mini demo from the beginning of September sounded very promising. The synth offers something that isn’t available often, so the anticipation is even greater. It can pair samples and analog filters, apply FM, and more.
Suonobuono Polyvera pre-poduction tests are ongoing, and a release date is TBA on the official website. The same applies to the price. They say: “we are confident that we’ll be able to offer Polyvera at a price that is well below what one could expect from such a boutique instrument.”
Article From September 2, 2024
The Roma Modulare 2024, a synthesizer and audio gear fair with more than 80 exhibitors, will take place at the end of September. As the name suggests, there will be many modular synths and other gear to explore.
One of the big news items that you will see at the premiere is a new Synthesizer from Sweden. The Swedish boutique developer Suonobuno has teased a new polyphonic Synthesizer.
Teaser
Stefano Sorrentino, an Italian based in Stockholm, developed the synth. Before that, he created the Lazer gesture-based CV and MIDI controller and the nABC+ sidechain compressor.
The next product will be a synth called Polyvera, which will be showcased at Roma Modulare 2024. The “Poly” part in the name indicates that it will be a multi-voice instrument.
Analog or digital is not yet known. To me, it sounds more digital. An official feature set is also still a secret. However, you can see several features on the front panel in the teaser. It will apparently has two oscillators with FM and waveshaping options.
Plus, there is a “sample” section that can be another sound source. This could host fixed sample-based oscillators or an option for importing samples. There is also a filter with a type label that can indicate a multimode filter. The section also has drive, FM, two assignable mod destinations, and key tracking.
Various modulators will also be onboard. On the teaser, you can see three envelope generators (amp, VCF, and mod), and three LFOs with fade-in function. There are also two FX units (delay/reverb…), an arpeggiator/sequencer, and more.
First Impression
The sounds in the first demo make you want more. I’m looking forward to all the features, bigger sound demos, and the format. Stay tuned.
Suonobuono Polyvera will be unveiled at Roma Modulare 2024 (27 and 28 September 2024). More details will be shared in the coming weeks.
More information here: Suonobuono
This looks really interesting and I love the format. I’ve long desired a modern sampler with analog filters. Hopefully, it can handle multi-samples and has modern file management / memory capabilities.
I like that you can sample directly to the device though I wonder how precise the sample editing will be. Like, is it a 1-shot trigger or can you cut a single cycle out of an analog sample and loop it?
Stoked that modern digital devices now feature samples as an osc option. It took so long! It really opens up the possibilities beyond basic waveforms.