OXI Instruments Coral 3.0 is a new free firmware update for its multi-engine synth voice with new engines, and you can now build your own firmware.
Achieving polyphony in Eurorack isn’t easy, especially with traditional modules. OXI Instruments—the creators of the OXI Sequencer—offers Coral, a synth voice designed for polyphonic sounds playable with MIDI or CV/gate.
Good news for all Coral users: OXI Instruments has released firmware 3.0 today, making the module even more powerful—and personalized.
OXI Instruments Coral 3.0
Coral is an 8-voice polyphonic synth voice for Eurorack. The module features a versatile digital core capable of hosting multiple engines.
As of firmware version 2.0, the module includes 21 different engines covering a wide spectrum of synthesis methods, including drum voices.
Unfortunately, you can’t load them all in the module- only 10 at a time- and you can only use one at a time. But still a far wider sound spectrum than a classic analog module.
The new OXI Instruments Coral 3.0 firmware is a free update for existing users and. It introduces six new engines, bringing the total to 27.
- FMX7: a 6-voice 6OP DX-7-style FM engine with support for classic DX-7 patches from the microSD card
- OB-va: OXI’s take on the Oberheim sound with unison, detune, and selectable filter poles
- String 2: a Solina-inspired string Synthesizer
- Pianoz: ready-to-use house pianos, Rhodes, and organ sounds
- Acid2: the next version of OXI’s emulation of the legendary Roland TB-303 bassline synth
- Stitcher: an experimental drone maker.
Alongside these fascinating new engines, it also comes with a new drone mode that sustains any engine and shapes it with a low-pass gate.
Firmware 3.0 also introduces a new on-module option mode, so you no longer need to edit the TXT file. Plus, the module has a few improvements.
Build Your Own Firmware
In August, Rubato Audio released the free Plaits Palette platform, which allows users to assemble their own Mutable Instruments Plaits firmware—something that hadn’t been easily possible before.
OXI Instruments is now adopting this concept for Coral in firmware version 3.0. With the new browser-based firmware updater, you can compile your own custom firmware and mix engines to your liking.
The only limitation is the hardware memory, which offers 10 slots; some engines cannot be combined because they consume too much memory.
First Impression
The Coral is an exciting polyphonic synth voice module that has evolved significantly over the years. The new engines sound interesting. I really appreciate the option to build custom firmware with the now 27 engines.
The new firmware 3.0 for the OXI Instruments Coral is available now as a free update for existing users. Coral is out now for $399/389€.
More information here: OXI Instruments
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You can use more than one engine at a time.