Fred’s Lab Angler is a new desktop analog Synthesizer with two custom-designed VCOs, a built-in sequencer, and a stereo FX processor.
Update: first look video added
SynthFest France 2026 starts on Friday afternoon. My journey begins tomorrow, heading towards Nantes. Anyone who’s been following the news so far knows that this year’s SFF has a lot to offer.
Frédéric Meslin, better known as Fred’s Lab, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, also has something new on his booth. Not a keyboard version of the Fred’s Lab Manatee, but something more beginner-oriented with the Angler.
Fred’s Lab Angler
Angler is a new desktop monophonic analog Synthesizer and FX processor. At first glance, the Fred’s Lab Angler looks somewhat retro with its cream-colored casing and red clicky buttons. The interface is very classically designed and hands-on, without a display.
At its core are two VCOs. According to Fred, they are custom-designed analog linear relaxation VCOs. VCO 1 offers multiple analog waveforms, including sine, triangle, pulse & PWM, and custom CD4026 waves. Switches for 5th and Lo (LFO) are also available.
VCO 2, right next to it, has two waveforms with tuning control. Linear frequency modulation (FM) and pulse width modulation (PWM) are achieved from VCO 1 to VCO 2 using two switches. The modulation amount is controllable with a dedicated control.
The meeting point of both oscillators is the mixer, where you can adjust the proportions of both with the knob. From here, it goes into the filter. This one also has a special topology.
It’s an FL A847 2-pole lowpass VCF that self-oscillates and adds saturation to the sound. The filter can also be found in the Fred’s Lab ZeKit and Töörö synthesizers.
On the modulation side, you get two analog envelopes with two selectable modes: AD or ASR. Plus, the first envelope has a loop mode, turning it into an LFO-like modulator. The VCA is also analog and uses the same chip as the filter, the FL A847.
Effects Processor, Sequencing & MIDI Controllable
To round off the signal, the Fred’s Lab Angler features a stereo PT2399 analog delay with various modes: mono delay, stereo delay, chorus, and flanger.
It’s tweakable with delay length and feedback on the hardware. Fred says that the delay time and modulation are computer-controlled.
One special feature is the external stereo input. This allows you to route an external signal either into the mix with the analog synth or through the stereo delay. It looks like the signal isn’t passing through the filter, which is a bit of a shame, but for stereo, you would need two filters.
As a neat extra, the Angler Synthesizer also comes with a clockable step sequencer with up to 96 steps and quick pattern recall, using the red clicky buttons.
On the backside, you get a 12V power supply input, a USB-A MIDI host port for connecting USB MIDI controllers, and MIDI in and out on 3.5mm TRS jacks (A&B), and clock in and out on 3.5mm TRS jacks with start/stop.
Further, you have stereo audio I/O on a 6.35mm TRS audio input and two 6.35mm main outputs. Plus, you have a 6.35mm TRS headphone socket.
Yes, the Fred’s Lab Angler is MIDI controllable and features MIDI CC support for both VCO pitches, the VCO 1 waveform selection and pulse width, both envelopes times and modes, and the delay line length and modulation.
First Impression
At first glance, it’s a lovely, compact analog Synthesizer with some nice extras like USB host and stereo delay. I’m excited to hear the first sounds, especially since it uses different components.
I will be releasing a demo of the SFF in the coming days. Stay tuned.
Fred’s Lab Angler availability and price TBA. According to Fred, it will be available in two versions: a semi-kit and a fully assembled batch of limited quantity, both manually assembled in Germany.
During SFF 2026, you can benefit from a 15% OFF discount wth the code SFF2026 in its store.
More information here: Fred’s Lab
An analog synth by Freds Lab? I am interested…