Vannes Devices Obsidian brings East and West Coast elements together in a new semi-modular analog Synthesizer.
This year at Superbooth, the Dutch company Majella Audio showcased the Compax Synthesizer, a smaller version of its Implexus synth. Co-founder and former owner Koen Pepping, who left the company some time ago, founded a new company, Vannes Engineering, back in 2017.
The first product took a while to arrive, but it’s here now. Vannes Devices has introduced the Obsidian, a new semi-modular synthesizer that feels at home on both coasts
Vannes Devices Obsidian
Obsidian is a new semi-modular analog Synthesizer from the Netherlands. Yes, analog, and both West and East Coast fans will find something to enjoy, as the Vannes Devices Obsidian appeals to both coasts.
At first glance, I thought it was a case with individual modules, as each section is very clearly defined with a black line. Looking closely, it’s a complete synth with an interface that has a bit of retro charm.
The interface is divided into three sections. The black section at the top contains knob-based controls, the middle section is all slider-based, and the bottom third contains the patch points for each section.
From left to right, you have first a glide that can be routed to the MIDI input or the internal sequencer. It’s adjustable with a time slider and dedicated input and output.
One step further, you have the first oscillator, which is a traditional sine-wave VCO that can be used as a sound source or as a modulation source. It has pitch control on a slider and fine-tune on a knob, plus octave selection on the top panel.
Oscillator 2 is different; it flirts with the Buchla world. It’s a West Coast-style oscillator that tracks (1v/oct) across eight octaves. It offers both East Coast and West Coast features, including wave shaping (saw-sine-square), PWM, sync, wave folding, and cross-modulation (XMOD).
Additionally, this section also comes with a -1 octave sub-oscillator. On the sockets, you have CV mod for the main shaping functions, independent waveform outs, sub out, sync, PWM, as well as a 1v/oct. A great deal of functionality in a very small space
Subtractive-Style Filtering & Modulation
Then, you have a simple two-channel mixer with optional external inputs. In the same row but not part of the mixer are gate and velocity inputs.
From here, it goes into an analog multimode filter with low-pass, high-pass, and band-pass. Nice, you have a CV input to continuously modulate the filter types. Cutoff and resonance (peak) give you full manual control over them.
A dedicated fader gives you hardwired bipolar envelope filter modulation with CV input, alongside voltage control over the type, filter, and resonance. Also in this section is a patchable VCA with a CV input.
Modulation is also hybrid (coast). There are two envelopes. The first is a traditional ADSR envelope with fader and CV control over every stage. Gate and velocity inputs as well as a main output and an inverted version are available.
Envelope 2 is a Buchla-style function generator with fader and CV-controllable rise and fall parameters. There is also a gate input and an envelope output.
Next to the envelopes is a synceable LFO with a freq range between 0.01 Hz and 100 Hz, and selectable rhythmical clock divisions. It has selectable saw, sine, and ramp waveforms with an output.
Plus, you have a standalone output with a pulse waveform and another with a random. So, you have three LFOs in one that run at the same set frequency.
Refinements & Sequencing
To refine the analog tones, Vannes Engineering Obsidian also houses a rhythmical synceable tape-style digital delay with voltage-controlled time and feedback.
Plus, you have dry and wet on big knobs. Like the LFO, you can sync it to the tap tempo, external, and MIDI clock.
In the final section, we return to the world of Don Buchla. Obsidian features a West Coast-inspired five-step sequencer with selectable 4- or 5-step sequences. It’s hands-on programmable with the sliders and comes with external and manual sequence reset.
Also, this is synceable in different ways (tap tempo, external, and MIDI). Five steps sounds like very few, but if you use it with the Buchla philosophy, you can use it not only for notes but also as a CV sequencer for parameters.
The linked video demo below showcases this. An Arturia Keystep sequences the notes, and the 5-step sequencer mangles the oscillator.
Vannes Devices Obsidian First Impression
At first glance, Obsidian looks like an exciting and beautiful Synthesizer from the Netherlands. While the feature set isn’t groundbreaking, it nicely offers the best part of both synthesis coasts.
I find the design very appealing. The interface leans toward a bit of an ARP 2600. It’s very clearly structured and consists almost only of faders, which I like a lot. A very tempting instrument where I’m looking forward to hearing more about it.
Vannes Engineering Obsidian availability and price are TBA.
More information here: Vannes Engineering
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