With Implexus, Majella Audio shows an analog desktop Synthesizer that makes complex synthesis (east & west coast) accessible with a performance-oriented menu free interface.
Update: A few months have passed since the initial article about the upcoming Implexus Synthesizer from Majella Audio. Implexus is an analog Synthesizer that combines the best aspects of west and east coast synthesis with a very user-friendly interface.
The instrument can be pre-ordered since this morning on Kickstarter and it will be delivered in May 2021.
The IMPLEXUS is a performance oriented musical instrument combining West – and East-coast synthesis techniques into a single form factor. The IMPLEXUS uses analog waveshaping, folding and audio rate modulation to create an immense range of sounds!
Yesterday there was only a small teaser, today almost everything. Majella Audio today released photos and first sound demos of the Implexus Synthesizer. And I was right about my first guess. Implexus is a performance-oriented hardware desktop Synthesizer that combines west- and east-cost syntheses techniques into a single form factor.
It offers an analog signal path that includes analog waveshaping, folding and audio rate modulation to create an immense range of sound and textures. One of the highlights, in my opinion, is not only the combination of east / west coast synthesis but also the one-knob-per-function interface without any display or menus. Different knob sizes will guide you to the most unique parts of this synthesizer and the LED’s will indicate modulating signals.
Analog Engine
The Implexus sound engine is analog and has two oscillator blocks: a complex and a basic generator. The complex is a west-coast-inspired oscillator that is about folding and shaping a sine wave. Instead of subtracting you will be adding harmonics in this section. The shaping and folding can be modulated at audio-rate in a single knob turn utilizing the second generator. Further, it offers different other one-knob modulation: linear FM, shaper envelope amount, LFO1 amount, folder env amount.
The basic generator is classically subtractive and has three different types of waves. Both generators go into a mixer where they can be mixed together with an additional sub-oscillator. The signal then flows into a filter with cutoff and resonance parameter. Implexus also offers a delay effect to refine the sounds.
Modulation
A large number of modulation options should not be missing here: two multi-wave audio-rate LFOs with different time divisions & rate knob as well as two ADSR envelope generators with velocity. Both envelopes have different features: the filter envelope is loopable, so it can also be used as a third LFO and the amp envelope has a drone mode. With this, you can build drones and textures very well.
Backside
Not only the Implexus interface is very well equipped but also the backside, which is used for internal & external connectivity. Here you can find: TRS balanced stereo outputs, phones, MIDI In/Thru connections, USB port, and a good amount of modular connections:
- outputs: complex osc, basic osc, clock
- inputs: harm, cutoff, gate, pitch, velocity, fold, bias
Definitely a very nice Synthesizer, which is not only technically but also visually an eye-catcher.
The Majella Audio Implexus is available now for pre-order on Kickstarter for 1299€ and shipping starts in May 2021.
More information here: MA
Looks and sounds gorgeous but the possible price scares me
I’m a little disappointed in the lack of patch points.
at least, you have on the backside some CV inputs and outputs 🙂
I agree.
I think I saw somewhere that the expected Kickstarter price will be 1399 euros?
I guess that is reasonable… Probably will keep me from backing as I have other purchase priorities. If what I thought I read is wrong though and it goes below 900, I’ll definitely consider it.
They mentioned a Price in the newsletter:
The IMPLEXUS will be available on Kickstarter for the price of: EUR 1299,-
New instruments like IMPLEXUS may be a one-time pre-order sale. For ex, Stylophone Gen R-8 (2019) was limited to 500 total. Pittsburgh Modular’s Voltage Research Lab (2019) fulfilled its Kickstarter orders, otherwise not available. Point being if you’re possibly interested in IMPLEXUS and your situation allows, back it (pre-order) on Kickstarter.