Beetlecrab Audio Vector is a unique hardware vector Synthesizer – the new firmware 3.0 turns it into a bi-timbral instrument.
In 2019, the Czech company Beetlecrab Audio released Vector, a desktop Synthesizer that reimagines vector synthesis. In the years that followed, regular updates introduced new features like orbiter shapes, blend modes, a ladder filter, MPE support, and more.
However, things slowed down regarding Vector since 2023, as the small two-person team shifted its full focus to the Tempera granular synth. In recent months, however, the developers have found some time for Vector again and have been working on firmware 3.0. It’s a good one, and it’s now available as a beta.
What Is Beetlecrab Audio Vector?
Vector is a unique 16-voice digital desktop hardware Synthesizer. It’s based on a modern interpretation of the classic Prophet VS-style vector synthesis. Beetlecrab Audio Vector isn’t a clone or so of original hardware.
Unlike it, it uses an advanced digital sound engine that centers around an orbiter system moving in a 2D space. A bit like you know from Moog Animoog. In Vector, each corner consists of two individual additive overtone generators that each its own filter and blend stage.
The blend stage is a sound-shaping element that offer various synthesis options such as amp mod, phase mod, a combination of both, phase distortion, and more.
Play notes and the orbiters start to move. These travel freely or along a pre-defined path. The movements and passage of the individual corners (sound generators + blend stage) result in sound morphing that gives you complex sounds.
Firmware 3.0 (Beta)
The new Vector 3.0 firmware is now available. It hasn’t been officially released yet and is currently in the first beta, with a second coming soon, according to Beetlecrab Audio on Discord.
Any user can download it by connecting the Vector synth to their LAN router and downloading it directly via the OS. It is super simple and doesn’t take long.
The changelog isn’t available yet, but the highlight is known: Firmware 3.0 transforms the Beetlecrab Audio Vector synth into a bi-timbral Synthesizer. So, you can use two different patches at the same time.
To activate the bi-timbral mode, navigate go to the second main parameter page and go from polyphonic to dual.
In the corner section, you can now find a new section called timbre where you can manage the timbre A and the timbre A with independent volume, and octave control. Plus, you access the parameters of each pach of the bi-timbral patch.
In addition, there will be further improvements and bug fixes. A bug in the arpeggiator will be fixed in the upcoming beta.
There are two new videos by Tonepusher and Blush Response out that show more the industrial, noisy and experimental side of Vector synth.
First Impression
I downloaded the beta firmware today and am experimenting a bit with the new engine option. Honestly, I still need to get the hang of it, but one thing I notice is that this second layer brings denser—and also richer—sounds to the Vector synth.
The new 3.0 firmware is out now as a beta downloadable from your hardware via a LAN connection. Join Beetlecrab’s Discord channel, so you always know when a new beta is out and can ask the developers if there are things unclear And of course, also when you have found bugs.
Beetlecrab Audio Vector is out now for 1128€ (incl. VAT) and is available exclusively from their shop.
More information here: Beetlecrab Audio
I love my Vector. It’s great piece of unique kit, and Beetlecrab provides first-rate customer support. Glad to see they’re continuing to provide steady updates.
Does bi-timbral mode reduce the voice count?
Not sure as the beta just dropped without any further details. Give it some days then we know it 🙂
I was talking to the dev, and it sounds like you get the full 16 voices split evenly between the two timbres: 8 each. You can make either (or both) timbres 8-voice unison with detune, too.