Liminal Sound Devices Burg is a new, experimental semi-modular analog Synthesizer and multi-FX unit playable with touchpads and light sensors.
Over the past few years, we’ve received a large number of semi-modular synthesizers. However, things have been a bit quieter in recent months, with fewer releases. Perhaps that’s because we already have almost everything.
Well, if you search, you can find a few new projects that weren’t featured on this page. One new comes from a developer from Munich (Germany). Burg by Liminial Sound Devices is a new, uniquely featured semi-modular Synthesizer.
Liminal Sound Devices Burg
Burg is a new semi-modular Synthesizer and it’s the result of spending a lot of time in the workshop and learning about electronic circuits through shared knowledge, says Liminial Sound Devices.
We built this synth mainly for exploring the different but classic building blocks of sound design and making them as interchangeable as possible. It turns out to be a very unique and useful synth to us and hopefully for others as well.
The synth consists of 18 individual modules/sections with a total of 26 inputs and 29 outputs supported by 38 knobs. Yes, it’s a very knobby synth.
There are 18 individual modules, starting with two high impedance amplifiers with gain control and overdrive capabilities. There is also a buffered second input. These two amps can be used to inject external stereo signals into the signal flow.
One step further, you have two sawtooth oscillators, each with pitch control, and inputs for V/oct and FM. You can fine-tune the oscillators via a trim pot on the backplate.
Then, you have a CV-controllable wavefolder that can also be used as a VCA/lowpass gate or as an attenuator. A filter is also included, and Liminal Sound Devices has opted for a rather unique one.
Burg features a WASP filter that is pingeable and offers lowpass, highpass, and bandpass outputs. Alongside classic cutoff and resonance controls, it also has a unique fine-tune/bandwidth parameter.
Depending on the settings, you can achieve classic filtering effects and some unique distortions.
More Burg Features
Next to this, you have two voltage-controlled amplifiers (VCA) with dedicated CV attenuator knobs. Handy, it’s also possible to work with inverted VCAs, giving you ring modulation effects.
On the modulation side, it houses an envelope generator/follower and two 2-wave LFOs with two switchable ranges and an exchangeable frequency range.
Two delay processors form the next stage in the signal flow. The first is an endless delay with clipping diodes that causes the PT2300 chip to glitch, while the second offers regular crunchy PT2399 behaviour. Both delays offer CV-controllable time and feedback.
We’re not quite finished yet. There is also a 5-channel active mixer with individual volume controls. Additionally, you have a distortion unit with exchangeable clipping diodes and control over the gain and distortion.
Since the effects have individual inputs and outputs, the Burg can also be used as a multi-FX processor. As a lovely bonus, you have circuit-bending points on the backplate for the VCOs, distortion diodes, LFO capacitors, and the VCA transistors.
Playability
Of course, you can play Burg via the 1V/oct inputs. However, the developer has come up with more creative options. First, you can play the synth with six integrated touch plates (0-5v).
They have individual pitch knobs, a main pitch offset, mixed pitches out, and two dedicated gate outs. By playing them, you can send out gates on/off and achieve envelope behaviours.
Further, you have two built-in, Arduino-powered, exchangeable light sensors that can be combined with motors and light sources. One last thing! Burg is powered by USB-C and has two power bus connectors, so it can power other Eurorack modules as well.
Liminal Sound Devices First Impression
In times when we are spoiled for choice with various semi-modular synthesizers at all budgets and where the market is saturated, it’s nice that there are still some exotic instruments in this area that are built a little differently.
The Burg’s sound leans towards the dirty and noisy side, which is due to the combination of a pingable Wasp filter, two crunchy delays, distortion, and overdrive amps. It’s not a synth for everyone, but it looks fun and sounds unique.
Liminal Sound Devices Burg is available now on the official website: a fully assembled version for 650€ and a DIY version for 350€. They are not mass-produced but only in mini-batches on demand.
More information here: Liminal Sound Devices
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