Synthux Academy Audrey II is a new desktop Synthesizer that creates soundscapes through its feature-driven digital engine.
Feedback can quickly become thunderous and are not welcome moments in the studio or live. Guitarists experience it in the amps, and synthesizer players when they have too much resonance in the filter or the delay feedback turned up to the max.
But feedback doesn’t have to be negative. You can also use it for sound design. Consider the popular no-input mixer technique, where you turn your audio mixer into an instrument. Another example is the new Audrey II from Synthux Academy, a Synthesizer that generates its sounds with feedback.
As a reminder, Synthux Academy is a community where music technology enthusiasts, designers, and engineers collaborate to create exciting, open-source, new projects.
Synthux Academy Audrey II
Audrey II is a collaborative synth project developed by Nick Donadson from Infrasonic Audio and designed by Roey Tsemah, founder of Synthux Academy. In case you didn’t know, Infrasonic Audio is the creator of the lovely Warp Core stereo phase distortion oscillator.
Audrey II is a standalone desktop Synthesizer that is driven by feedback. The digital engine is built on the flexible Dasiy Seed platform with 96kHz/24-bit audio and offers a unique signal that unlocks creative feedback.
It all starts with Karplus-Strong synthesis, a method of string synthesis widely used in physical modeling-like engines. Instead of short portions of noise, the engine constantly feeds white noise into it, resulting in resonant, droning tones and distorted, aggressive waves.
Next, it passes through a rich, spacious reverb, turning your drones and feedback into atmospheric soundscapes. Then, they flow into highpass and lowpass filters with a body to shape the sound further. The Synthux Acamademy promises that you can reveal hidden overtones and harmonic textures with it.
For the final touch, the signal is sent into a tape delay emulator, adding a nostalgic and unpredictable echo character. Synthux Academy Audrey II offers a stereo output that widens the signal, adding depth and space. The engine is fully controllable with 11 hardware knobs and a switch.
First Impression
A fascinating new feedback instrument. This could be worth a look if you want to make feedback-based soundscapes that drift into horror drones and noise. I’m happy that the code is open source so other developers can expand the idea further with more features.
Synthux Academy Audrey II is available now for 399€ + VAT in an assembled version or 299€ + VAT as a DIY kit. Audrey II’s firmware is open-source and available on Synthux Academy GitHub, where anyone can dive into the code, modify it, or build upon its foundation
More information here: Synthux Academy
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