Loess Labs Quad Creek is a new semi-modular patchable Synthesizer and FX unit based on a circuit with four band-pass filters.
Synthesizers usually consist of one or more oscillators with different waveforms. Then they are either combined with waveshapers/wave folders to add more harmonics and/or fed into a filter.
You can also skip the oscillator step and create sounds with a filter. That’s what the new Loess Labs Quad Creek Synthesizer can do.
Loess Labs Quad Creek
Quad Creek is a new semi-modular analog synthesizer featuring unusual circuitry. Instead of oscillators, Loess Labs has implemented four voltage-controlled band-pass filters into the Quad Creek.
The Creeks are a marriage of a resonant band-pass filter. An essential part of the design is the pulse interpreter circuit on each filter that enables filtering pinging.
It’s a unique synthesis technique that is great for creating percussive, organic plucks or experimental sounds. Each pulse interpreter has its own clock input and riser output.
The parameters of the four band-pass filters are color-coded. Blue (frequency) sets the filter pitch, purple (resonance) adjusts the filter’s decay when pinged, and green controls the rate of pings over time.
Each filter has its own audio input and output with gain controls. You can find these in the center of the 5-channel mixer, with four for the filters and one for the built-in noise generator.
Alongside the manual controls, the parameters also have CV inputs, using banana jacks.
The Motion Powered Center
Loess Labs Quad Creek also has an impressive set of CV utilities that are bundled in the center. It includes a sine LFO (0.1-12Hz) (purple), two pulse generators (purple), a white noise percussion, and two CV step sequencers.
The pulse generators have two different characteristics. The first (left) one acts as the primary pulse while the second (right) generates a sub-pulse based on that. This means, its tempo is a division of the left’s, with the divisor set by the knob.
Just above the pulse generators are the white noise percussion with two independent CV inputs. Patching two separate signals into these jacks creates complex, syncopated patterns.
Further, the green and blue center knobs control the CV level for each step of the two 5-step CV sequencers. Each sequencer has its own CV output and a clock input. You can also change the direction of the sequencer with a gate input.
The Quad Creek also features three stereo audio outputs and two stereo inputs. Thanks to the circuit and this connectivity, it’s not just an experimental synth but also a band-pass filter-powered FX unit.
According to Loess Labs, Quad Creek can generate melodic drones, plucky polyrhythmic percussion, whaling-like audio effects, and more.
First Impression
Quad Creek looks like a fascinating experimental Synthesizer with a different concept. Different, but not new. Some of you are already familiar with the filter-pinging technique from the Meng Qi Wing Pinger, which also created wild sound/noise escapes.
I’m glad another developer has now taken on this unusual but fun synthesis technique.
Loess Labs Quad Creek is available now for $444 USD or in various DIY versions starting at $71,40 for the PCB only. It is free hardware, with gerbers and schematics available under the GNU GPLv3.
More information here: Loess Labs
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