Superbooth 2026: Knif Audio Knifonium Modular FX is a new 5U effect system with pre-amp, phaser, filter bank, BBD delay, spring reverb, and modulation.
Modular synthesis was popularized by the Moog Modular 5U system. Today, when people talk about modular synthesizers, they primarily refer to Eurorack modules. The market for these large-format modules has thinned out somewhat; only a few manufacturers still produce them.
But they still exist, and new ones are emerging. For Superbooth 2026, Jonte Knif from Knif Audio, developer of the epic Knifonium Synthesizer and the recently introduced BBD, has announced Knifonium Modular FX.
Knif Audio Knifonium Modular FX
The Knifonium Modular FX is a new high-end effects system designed for the 5U modular format. According to Knif Audio, the Knifonium Modular FX is the result of years of development.
Like other Knif Audio products, no compromises are made here either. The modules use tubes, transformers, and inductors to their full sonic potential.
Discrete transistors, FETs, and IC operational amplifiers are used on the signal path, where it does not make sense to use tubes due to limited space and total heat generation.
The new Knifonium Modular FX consists of seven modules. It starts with a dual-channel tube mic pre-amp with Lundahl input transformers and NOS tubes.
One step further, it has a dual filter bank with two dedicated input sections with a boost option. Each filter stage has its own modulation, frequency, and gain control. Knif Audio says that it’s a very special, saturated inductor-modulated filter bank with tube amps.
The second big boy of this system is the BBD Delay module. It’s a bucket-brigade delay with various modes and tube-distortion stages in the delay loop.
There are built-in variable anti-alias filters to achieve a maximum frequency response across the whole delay time range. Plus, it has an integrated LFO with time and depth controls.
More Modules
In the second row, you have a dual-channel phaser with six tubes and 12 opto isolators for 6-stage phase-shifter networks. You can dial in precise settings for each channel with dedicated controls: phaser volume, feedback, frequency, and modulation.
Yes, it also has its own LFO. In the middle, you have the LFO depth for both channels, and on channel B, you have a 0-, 90-, or 180-degree phase-shift option.
The last effect module in the Knif Audio Knifonium Modular FX is a stereo spring reverb with mu metal shielded reverb tanks for very low hum and noise. It also has two driver modes: constant current and constant voltage. And of course, it also has tube amplification.
Further, you have a sample & hold + envelope follower module, a stereo phones/interface module, and a power supply module with +/-18 V, +6.3 V, +12.6 V, 6.3 VAC, -120 V, +120 V, +250 V.
First Impression
There are currently no sound demos for the new Knifonium Modular FX unit. However, it looks very nice and elegant. The BBD Delay, presented as a standalone unit at NAMM, sounds fantastic. One thing is for sure: it will be anything but cheap.
Knif Audio Knifonium Modular FX will be presented at Superbooth 2026 (Bungalowdorf (B056). Price and availability TBA.
More information here: Knif Audio
Looks really great, but I can’t understand why a manufacturer would start a brand new 5u line in the current global economy. I can’t imagine it’s to keep costs low, and it surely isn’t for large market appeal? Eurorack is already niche. I guess the biggest customer will be the 50 and up crowd who already have big stacks of cash that they made from the olden times. But how many of those are using 5u systems, and not drooling over guitars and watching Rick Beeto videos? Knif makes great stuff, hopefully they will implement these designs elsewhere.