Sonicware CyDrums is a new expressive, wavetable drum Synthesizer with the workflow and portability of the Lofi-12 XT sampler.
New year, new synthesizers. NAMM 2025 starts in 18 days, and the Buchla & Friends events in 22 days. You can expect many new Synthesizer news during these days and before them.
The first hardware synth news of 2025 has Sonicware with the CyDrums.
Sonicware CyDrums
CyDrums is a new 8-track drum Synthesizer packed in the look and feel of the Lofi-12 XT sampler. It’s not just the look; the new drum synth is also supposed to have the same workflow as the Lofi-12 XT, which promises Sonicware.
Sonicware CyDrums uses a dual wavetable engine that can be expressively played with pads using velocity and pressure modulation. Chief developer Dr. Yuendo describes 4D drum sounds that react, transform, and evolve.
The core offers 64 proprietary wavetables, each comprising up to 256 single-cyle waveforms. You have full control over start/end positions and playback directions with modes, speed, and curves. It is not known whether there is a possibility of accessing custom wavetables.
The engine includes twenty-two sound structures, which can be likened to algorithms in FM synthesis. These configurations blend dual wavetables with pulse and noise sources, producing various drum outcomes.
CyDrums offers 520 ready-to-use preset sound patches covering classic drum machine tones, synth bass, and FX to get it started right out of the box.
Two insert multi-effects, reverb, and master effects give you plenty of ways to fine-tune your sounds. The multi-FX processor offers chorus, delay, various filters, wow & flutter, vinyl noise, crusher, overdrive, and more.
Plus, it has five distinct effect routing modes, allowing you to assign any track to specific effects via BUS routings.
Creative Sequencing
Like the Sonicware Lofi-12 XT sampler, the new CyDrums hosts a powerful onboard sequencer. It has eight tracks, each with up to 128 steps, and an option to store up to 128 patterns per project.
Are your patterns too basic? No problem! It has creative performance ingredients, such as randomization, probability, VariSpeed, and Snip Loop, to spice up your patterns. For example, randomization lets you craft unique variations per track or control all parts in real time.
Connectivity
Let’s take a look at the backside. Yes, unlike the LIVEN synths from Sonicware, this series has the connections at the back. You can find a TRS analog stereo output, audio sync in/out, USB for audio and MIDI, and 5-pin MIDI in/out sockets.
Further, it has a built-in speaker and can be powered by batteries or a power supply.
First Impression
At first glance, it is an interesting drum Synthesizer with a familiar look. What the drum synthesis can achieve with the dual wavetables is not yet entirely certain and will have to be seen in the tests. I am looking forward to the first more profound videos.
Sonicware CyDrums is now available for pre-order at an introductory price of 469€ instead of 569€ only in the EU. If you want to pre-order a unit outside of the EU, contact Sonicware.
More information here: Sonicware
Available for pre-order at my partner
This looks interesting. I prefer a horizontal form factor. My PO1320 takes up so much room on my desk! The livens are better IMO for this.
Sonicware continue to release quite good value for money products. I think manufacturers need to concentrate more on simplicity rather than features…especially with grooveboxes.
Lots of synth sounds in the demo and absolutely no bottom end at all. How strange.
Hhhm interesting.
I’ve always liked the sounds I can get out of the Korg Volca drum. But it’s a pain to work with and is a bit limiting.
If this can address these issues while being similar sonically then I could be very interested in this.
Also, 128 steps! Why is this not the minimum standard?
Will be watching out for more videos / sound demos of this for sure.
I agree with memory freely available today 128 steps should be the minimum. Why it’s not I have no idea. Well done Sonicware! FM drums always sound good. They keep bringing out interesting devices. The Ambient 0 looks cool
love sonicware gear but I have drums covered with syntakt, probably forever.