Superbooth 2026: Majella Compax is a compact, semi-modular west-coast analog Synthesizer based on elements of the Implexus.
There are plenty of compact analog synthesizers available, ranging from budget-friendly to premium. Most of these rely on classic subtractive synthesis, i.e., oscillators, filters, envelopes… There are also synths that follow the Buchla paths.
At Superbooth 2026, the Dutch company Majella showcased the Compax, a compact West Coast analog Synthesizer.
Majella Compax
Compax is a new compact analog Synthesizer. The Majella Compax has its roots in West Coast synthesis, where a simple signal is enriched with harmonics.
Majella’s second desktop synth is based on blocks of the Implexus, the company’s first desktop west-coast synth. But the Compax is not a shrunken version of the Implexus. The feature set is quite different.
Like on the Implexus, the main sound source is a complex oscillator with a range of 2′ and 32 and offers continuously variable waveforms from square to triangle to sawtooth.
In addition, there’s a noise generator and an option to route external signals through the synth engine. With the noise/ext, you can seamlessly transition between noise and the external input. You can even control this transition with CV.
The Implexus’ second oscillator is, however, missing. Plus, there are options to modulate the complex oscillator with the LFO, envelope, and external source.
West-Coast Shaping
Then, the signal (west-coast oscillator + noise/external/combination) goes into a wavefolder, which can be controlled manually, via built-in modulation (LFO, envelope), or via external signals. The wavefolder adds lovely harmonics to the signals.
Unlike the Implexus, the Compax does not have a built-in filter. The next block offers a master tune and a VCA with three modes: envelope, gate, and drone.
On the modulation side, the Majella Compax offers a syncable five-waveform LFO and two West-Coast rise-fall envelope generators.
Another change is the new built-in sequencer. It has a straightforward-to-program 8-step sequencer with 8 knobs and buttons. It’s straightforward to program but not simple.
For example, it offers CV control over its length, a run input, and an advanced input to trigger it with other gear. Speaking for patching. The Majella Compax has a patch matrix with 12 inputs and 8 outputs.
The hardware shown at Superbooth 2026 is an early, self-built prototype.
First Impression
At first glance, an intruiger hands-on West Coast analog Synthesizer. Even though it doesn’t offer anything entirely new, it looks like a fun synth that already sounds great as a prototype.
Majella Compax estimates a release at the end of the year, with a price between 600 and 700€ (estimation).
More information here: Majella Audio
Available from my partner
Thomann
this looks so good! can’t wait to get one!
Strange to see a double amount of patch points compared to the original. That one sounded amazing, but rather quickly I felt like I had heard all it did, so it went to someone else.
Yeah, same reason I sold mine eventually too – sounds great within it’s own little sweet spot but it didn’t have too many
Oh cool I didn’t know that Dreadbox were releasing another synth!