EMW WCS-X is a new hybrid desktop Synthesizer with three oscillators, each with 30 waveforms and an analog filter.
There’s exciting news from EMW, which recently unveiled the WCS-X. This small hybrid synth can now play transient samples in its third oscillator.
The new transient module can replace oscillator 3, allowing you to choose between three oscillators or two oscillators plus transients. It ships with a library of 64 transient samples. And the new feature sounds great.
Article from December 2025
I regularly report on the Brazilian company Electronic Music Works (EMW). They’ve been building affordable synthesizers and Eurorack modules for many years.
Last night, or better, in early European Monday morning, EMW released the WCS-X, a new desktop Synthesizer with both digital and analog features.
EMW WCS-X
WCS-X is a new compact, desktop Synthesizer that incorporates a hybrid engine. The EMW WCS-X is a desktop synth, but its very distinctive case makes it stand out.
At its core is a hybrid engine with three digital oscillators, each with 30 waveforms. Each of the three oscillators can be tweaked independently via the built-in display and encoder. You can adjust the waveform, octave, tuning, and volume.
There is also a noise generator. I hope there are more settings available; otherwise, the oscillator spectrum and playability are a bit limited, even with 30 waveforms.
From here, it goes into a two-mode analog filter. With the dedicated switch, you can route the signal through a band-pass or low-pass filter.
The filter is tweakable with two main controls (cutoff and resonance), and you modulate it with the internal LFO or envelope, using the dedicated mod routing knobs.
On the modulation side, it has two analog LFOs with frequency control and a single analog ADSR envelope with independent controls for each section. You can use these to modulate both the VCA and the VCF simultaneously.
Additionally, the LFO is routable to the pitch for pitch-modulated effects. One envelope is somewhat limited.
Had they opted for digital modulation, which makes no difference these days, they could have included more options, such as a second envelope and an LFO. Lastly, the EMW WCS-X also has an adjustable glide parameter.
First Impression
At first glance, it’s a fun little hybrid Synthesizer. Although the price isn’t yet known, I expect the WCS-X will not have it easy in the market. The limited feature set and high competition of low-budget synths make it difficult.
I’m actually a fan of these kinds of synthesizers from mini companies, and I’m curious to see how much it will cost. I’m guessing around $389, like the WCS-1x, but just speculation. Cheaper would be even better, of course.
EMW WCS-X is available soon—price is TBA.
More information here: EMW
Hello.
I like the sounds and the form factor of this synth. But I think that the text in the display is to small for me.
Regards
I’ve wanted a EMW voice for a while now and this looks like a nice mini all-in-one package. When this popped up in my YT feed, I looked for some equivalent EMW modules but their 3 digital oscillator is MIDI only and has fewer waveforms.
I’ll keep an eye on this. Curious about the price.
why No Behringer?
this will cost maybe Double the price or more
Just why bother?
so that you have something to comment on, but the synth offers more added value for the synthesizer and music world 😉
Nice.
Yes – I completely agree. There is an over supply of unoriginal synths. One more “me too synth” does not add value.
I have been in synths and composing for 40+ years. In 2025, to offer a demo that elicits the MOST common waveforms and sounds like a SAW and SAW with residence and basic sequencing as something new is ridiculous. These days you have to have something that is breakout new. In your demo at east have something we might not have heard before that this synth can do. Otherwise, this is an also ran, boring.
how about to open the “not boring synth company” and develop your own synths and show us what’s possible 😉
There’s really no need to be like that. Undifferentiated products need to be called out as such. Hopefully well before launch. Surely the community can offer some advice before further precious money is wasted. Perhaps there’s a revenue stream for you?
You reap what you sow I would say. Join the discussion so that it benefits everyone. “Just why bother” nobody helps. A Synthesizer is an instrument, and that’s exactly what it is. If someone enjoys using it, why should I forbid them from doing so?
Just because you don’t think it’s good, doesn’t mean others have to think it is. Everyone is old enough to decide what they want to play with. What sound comes out of this project is very nice to me. A Minimoog has less tone colors thant his and still everyone plays it in hardware or software.