midiphy zetaSID is a new 4HP module that revives the legendary SID chip as an expandable modular synth voice for Eurorack.
The SID chip has legendary status not only among retro sound enthusiasts but also among retro gamers because it was responsible for real-time sound generation, for example, in the Commodore 64.
Much later in 1999, even the Swedish developers at Elektron used this in their SIDStation. Now you can even explore the sounds in Eurorack. midiphy, the German developers of LoopA v2 and SEQ v4, have created an expandable synth voice built around the SID engine for Eurorack.
midiphy zetaSID
One thing you should know right away: midiphy didn’t buy a container full of SID chips for this new zetaSID Voice; instead, it’s based on an authentic emulation.
zetaSID is described as a powerful Eurorack modular synth voice packed into just 4HP. A highlight is the ability to stack up to 12 modules, creating a full polyphonic MIDI-controllable Synthesizer with up to six stereo voices.
At its core lies the MIDIbox SID synth engine, which delivers a “state-of-the-art” SID sound chip emulation, with noise-free, sounds that are faithful-to-the-original chip output from the 1980s.
It features six LFOs, dual envelopes with delay, quad-wave sequencers, three independent oscillator arpeggiators, eight modulation paths with a dozen sources, algorithmic operations, and an extensive 24×12 event trigger matrix.
Alongside the 6-voice polychaing option, you can also achieve multi-SID unison by linking multiple zetaSIDs and detuning them individually. This is one option for using the module; there is another way.
Alternatively, you load the drum sound engine with up to 16 different parallel instruments per zetaSID. This engine is powered by 19 parametric drum algorithms, allowing the creation of all kinds of bass drums, toms, snares, claps, and classic C64 sound effects.
Operation
I’m a little worried about the operation, since there’s only one main knob. However, midiphy promises that zetaSID has an intuitive graphical UI with fluid visualization of oscillator outputs, arpeggio patterns, and more.
However, if you use multiple zetaSIDs, the phybus user interface expansion applies. In this case, the interface is extended to the other displays, providing a significantly more hands-on experience.
It also allows modules to share user interface elements, so that many small modules can interact and behave as if they were a much larger system, say the developers.
This system also enables low-latency transmission of control messages, MIDI data, and CV/gate updates via a high-speed backplane data bus. That makes sense to me. But you need a second one, or even more modules, to really benefit from it.
Further, midiphy also offers the nexusMIDI module, a MIDI expander that gives you a stacked zetaSID instrument with more MIDI ports and frees up the integrated CV input ports for additional modulation sources from your eurorack system.
Neat, phybus also supports virtual cords between modules, reducing cable clutter, and allows for total recall via microSD. If you are using two or more modules that share the same settings, you can change them together, save them, and recall them.
In case you are an existing user of the MIDIbox SID synth engine, yes, you can load your own lead and drum patches into the module. However, not all are compatible, according to midiphy. In all cases, it has an integrated ROM bank with 100 ready-to-use patches.
On the connection side, it has a 1v/oct input, a gate input, and a main audio output. Don’t forget, if you use the NexusMIDI, the CV ports can be used for modulation.
First Impression
At first glance, a very exciting project. The choice of sound engine certainly stands out, as it’s not one you’ve seen a hundred times before. It’s something different, which I like. With its 4HP, the module is also very space-saving.
What’s giving me pause, however, is the operation, especially with a single module. A knob sounds like a lot of clicking and menu diving. I’m happy to be proven wrong. Well, I’m also cursed by the Disting menu nightmares.
midiphy zetaSID is available now for $199/199,98€ and the nexusMIDI module for 189,98€. The prices include VAT but do not include shipping. Other voice configurations are also available.
More information here: Midiphy
Available from my partner
Thanks for the review! 🙂
Everyone interested in the module sounds and the UI usability can test zetaSID for free here:
https://www.midiphy.com/en/zetasid-emulator/
This is a web-based emulator that introduces a bit of audio latency and may have an occasional audio glitch but is otherwise nearly a 1:1 port from the hardware into your browser – good enough to try out the 100 ROM patches, check the display interaction, to perform a filter sweep, do LFO adjustments or to have a look at the parameter richness of TK.’s original MIDIbox SID v2 engine. You can even drive it from a MIDI keyboard or sequencer. As we’ve not yet gone to trade shows, we thought this would be a fair and easy way for interested users to test-drive and judge the system.
Regarding single-knob usability: no argument, this is a restriction if using only a single unit. But to counteract this, we’ve created a full-blown web editor to allow editing of every single zetaSID parameter using your computer on a single screen. Perfect on a touch-enabled big monitor:
https://www.midiphy.com/en/zetasid-webedit/
Enjoy and best regards from midiphy!
Peter