Ahead of SynthFest France 2026, Pylobolus unveiled Alkove, a new desktop 12-voice binaural multi-timbral hybrid Synthesizer.
One of the big news items at this year’s SynthFest France was undoubtedly the announcement of the Pylobolus Alkove Synthesizer. It was already shown last year as an early prototype. Now the synth is almost finished.
Alkove is a 12-voice binaural multi-timbral hybrid Synthesizer. Hybrid because the synth has analog VCAs.
I can confirm the feature set. It’s the same as in the Alkohol prototype from 2025. It offers virtual analog, VOSIM synthesis, and physical modeling via the Karplus Strong option in the filter.
There are 12 voices that can be used flexibly. Each voice features two classic oscillators, one VOSIM oscillator, one noise source, a mixer, and a mighty filter section with up to three filters and deep routing options.
The highlight of the Alkove synth is the operation concept. You can configure the synth top panel yourself. The eight top-level knobs are macros with dedicated displays that can be mapped to one or more parameters per patch.
So, you can have per patch a different layout. However, the lower section is fixed, with the layer mixer, arpeggiator, LFOs, FX, and clock.
A comprehensive video about the Alkove is now available on the Synth Anatomy YouTube channel. Warning: it’s a very long video.
The Pylobolus Alkove is neither a super classic Synthesizer in its operation nor in its sound. I would describe it as a synth with a very delicate, fine sound, achieved through the VOSIM oscillators and deeper filtering.
This makes it very unique and distinguishable from other synthesizers on the market. We need instruments like these that stand out from the abundance of classic synths with their unique concepts. I’m looking forward to the final release.
According to Lionel, the developer, the synth is finished except for some hardware improvements (panel, housing, etc.) and bug fixes. The target release date is the end of the year, and the Alkove cost will be around 3000€ (more or less).
More information here: Pylobolus
Article from April 12, 2026
SynthFest France 2026 takes place next weekend in Nantes. It’s that time again. Besides newcomers, returning developers will also be present, including Lionel Gély (former RSF developer), who brought us Alkohol last year.
Don’t worry, not the finest gin or rum, of course, in the form of synthesizers. Pylobolus is introducing the Alkove this year, the further development of the Alkohol Synthesizer, which was a study/prototype last year.
Pylobolus Alkove
The Alkohol has now become the Alkove. The Pylobolus Alkove is a new 12-voice desktop binaural hybrid Synthesizer. The synthesis core is in many points the same as in the Alkhol from 2025.
However, the Synthesizer’s appearance has changed significantly. The prototype has evolved into modern-looking hardware. The interface is quite unique. It features 17 screens, both small and large, that provide direct visual feedback.
This is somewhat reminiscent of the Mayer EMI MD-900, but with even more screens. There are dedicated screens for oscillators, filters, envelopes, and more. A central screen is located in the upper right corner, where you can select patches and more.
In addition, there are numerous parameter knobs with integrated LEDs that provide visual feedback on which layer you are on, plus click buttons in black and white.
A Unique Interface Filled With Screens
As seen last year, the Alkove features a large, multi-timbral engine. To make it easy to use, the developer took some inspiration from the old Access Virus synths.
Instead of doing everything on the hardware, the developer offers a complete editor as an alternative that lets you create complex patches.
So that you stay in the same workflow, everything you tweak on the editor will be instantly reflected on the hardware and vice versa, in a Total Recall style.
The hardware is not a 1:1 replica of the editor. In this case, the software serves as an environment and editor to customize your voices as you like.
Once created, the engine configuration is instantly available on the hardware, allowing you to play it hands-on and live.
Furthermore, the eight “part” hardware LED knobs can be freely mapped to control parameters, enabling a high degree of personalization. It’s a unique operation concept, and I’m excited to explore it in real life at SynthFest France 2026.
Hybrid Engine
Anyone who has seen the 2025 coverage of the Alkohol will already be familiar with the core of the Pylobolus Alkove. There are 12 binaural voices; it’s multi-timbral and hybrid, but different than you might expect.
The engine is completely built around an integral stereo architecture, where space, phase, and depth are part of the synthesis process itself. Yes, the voices are true stereo, not mono, with stereo FX in the backpack.
There are three oscillators per part, offering two distinct sound sources. Either with classic subtractive synthesis waveforms (sine, saw…) or with the unique formant-based VOSIM oscillators, perfect for more unusual timbres.
Then, the signal from the mixer goes into the filter section. Because Alkove is built on a block base, you can work with it very flexibly. They are polymorphic elements, the developer says.
Available are ladder, SEM, state-variable (SVF), and comb filters. You can work with a single filter or combine two or even three filters however you like. They come with classic controls like cutoff and resonance, plus independent modulation routings.
Spatial Modulation
Talking about modulation. Pylobolus Alkove has three DADSR envelopes per voice, with velocity options for the attack and release stages. One has a fixed connection to the VCA, while the other two are freely mappable.
Besides these, you have global and per-voice LFOs that can be mapped to parameters. A unique feature of the Alkove is the ability to phase-shift and distribute the LFOs across the field, allowing you to achieve a very unique spatial, binaural effect.
This feature was already seen in the prototype (Alkohol) at SFF 2025. It also supports MPE and is available as a modulation source. All this is managed by an advanced routing system that gives you plenty of modulation flexibility.
Oscillators, filters, and envelopes are digital, but the stereo VCA per voice is analog, making it hybrid. The engine also includes two syncable arpeggiators, a mixing stage, and a multi-FX section with various algorithms.
Alkove is multi-timbral and lets you split or layer up to three independent parts, each with its own voice allocation and role within the mix.
Prototype Video
Pylobolus Alkove First Impression
I’ve been following this project for two years now. First, secretly with a sound demo without info, then last year as a prototype. Now it definitely looks more finished and like a commercial product. Especially the interface looks very intriguing.
I’m looking forward to exploring the Alkove with Lionel at SynthFest France next week. New demos are available on the official website.
Pylobolus Alkove availability and price TBA. A video from SynthFest France will come soon. Stay tuned
More information here: Pylobolus
Some companies explaining screens and endless encoders are way too expensive – then THIS!
Looks expensive 😂
The screens and encoders are inexpensive these days. I’ve purchased many screens that size, smaller and bigger.
This UI is made by satan
I predict the word “expense” will serve as an understatement.
Needs at least one digital osc
it’s mostly a digital synth