Superbooth 2025: Instruo Seashell is a new semi-modular desktop analog synth with wavefolding and total recall over software.
The first steps in modular synthesis can be tricky. Semi-modular synthesizers are often the easiest and most logical entry point into the patching workflow. One cherished habit you have to break is saving and recalling patches. Except you have the new Instruo synth.
At Superbooth 2025, Instruo unveiled Seashel, a new semi-modular analog synth with parameter recall via software.
Instruo Seashell
Semi-modular and also patch recall? Does the Seashell herald a new generation of semi-modular analog synths? I hope so.
Instruo Seahsell is the company’s first desktop Synthesizer, and it’s a special one. It’s a semi-modular with an original analog core but with full software controllable parameters.
It consists of two sawtooth core analog VCOs with independent fine-tune control. You can shape them with an analog voltage-controlled wavefolder and resonant voltage-controlled lowpass filter. Nice, you can internally route the waveforms to the filter and wavefolder inputs.
Besides this, it hosts an internal analog cross-FM modulation bus for creating more experimental sounds. On the modulation side, it has an internal multi-wave LFO and a multi-function envelope generator. All this is controllable with a 4×4 modulation matrix mixer with hardware macro controls.
If that’s not enough, it also has additional CV inputs for self-patching and external modulation optionsmodulation. Plus, it comes with a user-definable external CV input and output.
It also includes onboard DSP effects and a stereo diffusion effect to refine your sounds. The engine has various CV inputs for self-patching and external modulation.
Software Control
So far, this sounds like just another semi-modular analog Synthesizer, but it is only smaller—until now, that is, because something’s coming that does it differently.
The analog engine of Instruo Seashell is digitally controlled and has a direct software connection. Connect it via USB-C to your computer, and you can route audio and MIDI to your DAW.
Instruo has developed a dedicated software editor that allows you to access all parameters and save your semi-modular patches. This total recall functionality works with high-resolution (14-bit) digital control over analog circuitry.
This allows you to save and recall your last tweaked and patched sound. Even though modular synthesis relies on live patching rather than presets, this is a nice innovation. In addition, you have a customizable scale transposition engine.
Connectivity
The small Instruo Seashell semi-modular synth also offers much on the I/O side: a dedicated stereo line/headphone output with a dedicated leveler, TRS MIDI input, a programmable CV socket, a power supply input, and a USB port for audio and MIDI.
Not to forget, the synth also offers full MIDI CC learn functionality. You have various audio and CV outputs on the modular synth engine side, such as oscillators and more.
First Impression
An inspiring, innovative desktop Synthesizer that combines the best of analog synthesis with the advantages of digital/software. I’ve been waiting for this moment when we get a new generation of semi-modular synths that are patchable and fully MIDI-ified.
Ok, the patchable factor is quite minimal, but there are some sockets to continue the signals in semi-modular fashion.
I think the time has come, and I hope this is just the beginning.
Available at my partner
I’ll stick to Ableton’s CV tools for storing and recalling states of my modular system.
yes for parameter modulation if you cables are exactly patched that way but not the knob positions of your modular system 🙂
This sounds really good though. Especially the sync + wavefolder