Phantomexposure Interphase Cartograph is a new Casio VZ-1/VZ-10M-style phase-distortion synthesizer plugin for Windows and, soon, macOS.
FM synthesizers are widespread. Many still rely on the legendary Yamaha DX-7, which greatly influenced the music landscape. Less well-known, however, is phase distortion synthesis, which was primarily found in Casio synthesizers.
Many PD-based synths are often emulations of the Casio CZ series. With Interphase Cartograph, Phantomexposure has released a new phase distortion synth based on the VZ-1 and VZ-10M synths from 1988.
Phantomexposure Interphase Cartograph
Interphase Cartograph is a new phase-distortion synthesizer plugin for Windows. A macOS version will be available soon.
This is already the developer’s seventh plugin, and they all share a simple, rather understated UI design that might suggest AI. However, I neither confirm nor deny it.
According to Phantomexposure, Interphase Cartograph is based on the interactive phase distortion (iPD) architecture of the Casio VZ-1 and VZ-10M.
The synth features two modes: the classic mode is very closely aligned to the architecture of the VZ-1 and VZ-10M. It has eight interactive phase distortion modules across four pairs (A, B, C, D).
Classic mode features the original eight waveforms, eight-stage envelopes, and different connection modes: single, mix, phase, and ring mod. Each module includes a rich set of parameters: waveform selection, shape, coarse, fine, envelope depth, and more.
What will please many Casio fans is the ability to load and edit original Casio VZ-1 Sysex banks.
Beyond The Original
Phantomexposure Interphase Cartograph also introduces an extended mode that takes the original iPD architecture further. It extends the original design to up to six lines and twelve modules.
It adds eight morphable waveforms, twelve-stage envelopes, amplitude modulation, and through-zero FM. Neat, you can move between classic and extended mode without losing the extra lines.
Each module also includes a simple AHDSR view alongside the full stage editor, so you can dive deep. Plus, it adds two multi-wave LFOs, a 16-slot modulation matrix, and six performance macros.
Further, it includes an arpeggiator, microtuning support, and a lockable randomizer. The developer says the interface is intended to make the VZ architecture easier to work with.
Interphase Cartograph ships with 43 factory presets.
First Impression
Powerful phase distortion synth plugins are quite rare. Most, as mentioned, are based on the CZ series. It’s nice to see one based on a PD synth that doesn’t follow the CZ series but a generation after. I hope the developer will release a macOS soon. I’m interested in taking a look.
Phantomexposure Interphase Cartograph is available now for $10. It runs as a standalone version and a VST3 plugin on Windows. A macOS version is coming soon.
More information here: Phantomexposure Interphase
Yes, also interested in a Mac version — neat sounds. I dearly love my CZs and have always been curious about Casio’s VZ series but never had a chance to play one.
From what I’ve read regarding the VZ-1 and VZ-10, iPD actually uses phase modulation (like the DX7), not phase distortion. I read that possibly the core saw waveforms of the VZ series were created using phase distortion, but that was about it.
Still a cool sounding synth, and who can complain about envelopes with 8 stages, eh? And as this VST even expands on the VZ capabilities, I might have to pick this up.
I had a VZ-10M. It was inscrutable thru the tiny screen. I would love to see a Mac version of this!