Whimsical Raps Atrium is a new novel analog Synthesizer built around a dynamic system that offers polytimbral control and modulation.
When discussing hardware synthesizers, people often envision an instrument featuring white and black keys, along with an array of knobs and faders. However, the evolution of synthesizers has introduced a wide variety of designs. Modular synthesizers, touch-sensitive instruments, and even the Theremin all demonstrate that synths can be pretty different from the traditional keyboard layout.
The synthesizer landscape is continually enriched and advanced by fascinating and innovative concepts. A new example of this is the Atrium Synthesizer from Whimsical Raps, the developers behind the popular Mannequins modules. They describe the Atrium as an instrument that combines playful gestures with dynamic systems.
Whimsical Raps Atrium
The Atrium is an analog Synthesizer that tries to break new ground. This already starts with the design of the Whimsical Raps Atrium. It doesn’t have the classic top-knob, bottom-keyboard style of classic synths from Moog, Sequential, Roland, and other companies.
For me, Atrium has taken the look of an oversized remote control from a distant galaxy discovered or used by the crew of the USS Enterprise. Yes, every Trekkie’s wet dream, but no, it’s an exciting, new kind of Synthesizer to explore and play.
Atrium is a 5-voice analog polyphonic Synthesizer inspired by developers’ case studies of modular exploration. These were taken, rethought, and brought into polyphony. The result is an instrument that is analog, controllable, and modulatable polytimbrally.
It features hardware controls such as sliders and knobs, as well as striking illuminated touch interfaces.
Each voice is a harmonic-rich oscillator powered by three distinct timbre modes, covering the basics of subtractive and west-coast inspired synthesis. You can find simple sub-octave and noise waves, frequency modulation (FM), and formant synthesis.
They are then routed through a lowpass/gate combination, providing balance and occasionally emphasis. This engine is neither a classic analog nor a West Coast one, but a wild mix of ideas.
The built-in effects processor, not a multi-FX, also takes a different direction. It marries three filters, two delays, and feedback into something special.
Modulate, Play, And Express
A highlight of the unit is the center that hosts a resonant body that is playable, sequenceable, and modulatable. How exactly this works isn’t explained, but the developers promise that it has a sound and shaping aspect.
Whimsical Raps also incorporated modulation into the Atrium. It’s closely linked to the analog engine, making the instrument very dynamic to play. The modulation consists of five recorders that capture gestures as performances that can be changed on the fly.
According to the developers, the sources are dynamically phased across the five voices. Depending on how this process is resolved, each voice can be put in motion and performed very differently. This will have to be seen once the details are known.
Atrium is designed to be played very expressively and to make instant changes. It is playable with the illuminated touch interfaces that also support customizable, open-ended scales with micronal tuning. To avoid complete chaos, everything is recallable.
On the connection side, it has USB and MIDI, plus a CV input.
First Impression
Even though a slight mystical veil still hangs over the operation of this futuristic Synthesizer, the polytimbral concept intrigues me and makes me curious to learn more. The first 6-minute demo shows how Atrium is played, with a strong emphasis on expressiveness.
I definitely need more demos to get into this, but it looks very fascinating how you can interact with the voices.
Whimsical Raps Atrium will be available for $1600 USD and go on sale October 31st, 2025, at 8am PDT.
More information here: Whimsical Raps
I kind of love it, so please take it gently when I say this looks like it was industrial-designed by or for a 2 year old.
Agreed, it does sound nice. Unusual design, for ergonomics or encouraging different workflows is great. Getting this to a few of the Leaving Records roster’s an interesting move, that says a lot about WR’s perspective.
But without arresting its appearance, this really does look like the synth version of the car Homer Simpson designed.
Huh. Very toy-like design. Soundwise, it reminds me of the synths you might hear in ambient post-rock.
What does that even mean? I mean, which analog / hybrid poly isn’t? Unlike synths that are made to sound abrassive (poly evolvers and such come to mind) synths are pretty much interchangable in a band context. Moogs, Sequentials, Novations, Korgs, you see them all live…
Typical of Whimsical Raps it has the designed by a six year old look and an absurd price tag to match. Should be a hit