Neutral Labs Elmyra 2 is a new patchable, microtonal drone Synthesizer packed with analog and digital sound-mangling goodies.
Good news for Elmyra 2 users. Neutral Labs has released the free firmware 2.2 update, which adds many new features to the drone synth.
First, you get a new octave range switching functionality with which you can toggle the tune knob and CV range of the giving voice between starting on a low octave and starting one octave above. For example, in the high octave setting, the sub-oscillator will now be 2 and 3 octaves below the main oscillators.
Another new feature is a chord mode in which three oscillators of the voice architecture are stacked into chords. You can choose between 10 types of chords, including fifth plus octave, major, minor, diminished, and more.
Then, you can explore four new filters:
- non-resonant lowpass filter in series with a non-resonant high-pass filter
- non-resonant lowpass filter in parallel with a non-resonant high-pass filter
- a base-width filter (Elektron inspired), it’s a band-pass filter with the base frequency determining the lower end of the passband.
- a base-width notch filter – notch (bandstop) filter with the base frequency determining the lower end of the stopband
Also, the LFO section got a little upgrade. LFO 1 now supports complex waveforms possible by copying the LFO 2 waveform to LFO 1. Next, LFO 2 now offers four extra wavetables, giving you new modulation options.
Both LFOs now support random modes, including sample & hold (stepped random) as well as sample & glide (smooth random).
The last new feature makes the filter and delay routing more flexible. Instead of the default setting of the filter output going into the delay, the new firmware makes possible to put the filter behind the delay.
A very exciting update for the Elmyra 2 community. I’m happy to this that Neutral Labs’ intriguing drone synth continues to grow.
The firmware 2.2 is available as a free download on the official website.
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Article From July 14, 2023
The Soma Labs Lyra is one of the most popular experimental synthesizers of recent years. For many irreplaceable and for the developer of Neutral Labs, its love for the Lyra went so far that he designed his own Lyra-inspired Synthesizer project in 2020, the Elmyra. This was a great success, especially in the DIY community.
Projects must also be continued. That’s what Neutral Labs thought, too, and with Elmyra 2 he unveils a souped-up successor. It’s now a full commercial product with tons of new features.
Neutral Labs Elmyra 2
The Elmyra 2 is the successor to the popular Elmyra DIY project. It remains a drone Synthesizer but in v2 with a more sophisticated and beautiful feature set. The core now is semi-modular with 41 patch points, 4-voice digital/analog hybrid, and is playable again via touch or CV.
A wavetable-based complex oscillator structure with up to 12 1/v controllable oscillators forms the sound generation part. Each voice can be adjusted with a dedicated tune control. It features a chromatic mode with microtonal scale support for more rich musical results.
Per Voice Mangling
Built-in the Elymra 2 are also nine per-voice modulations and effects, including unison detune, dual sub-oscillators, saturation, bit-mangler, sample rate reduction, noise, and high-pass and low-pass filters. These give you a very wide range of sounds.
From here, it goes into a switchable analog resonant filter; either you can use a boomy and aggressive multimode 2-pole variable filter (LP, BP, HP) or a creamy 4-pole lowpass ladder filter. Then, you can route the signals into a wide range of experimental-flavored effects.
Elmyra 2 hosts a crazy clockable delay with “unhealthy” amounts of feedback, a crunchy lo-fi reverb, and an analog OUCH circuit. The latter is a unique combination of destructive distortion, waveshaping, and filtering.
Customizability
Additionally, you can even dive deeper and customize the sonic character of the Elmyra 2 by using special presets cards. Alternatively, you can also work more roughly and use components like diodes that can be plugged into the front panel. An experimental function that we know from the SCRAT customizable Steiner-Parker filter.
Modulation side, you get 31 modulation targets that can be flexibly patched with different sources. Two LFOs, sine and a complex morphable are available. Besides this, it has analog envelopes hidden inside the touchpads that can be used as modulation sources.
Further, you can work with four 128-step sequencers per voice allowing you to create polymetric strictures. There are also handy utilities, including dual attenuators, buffered multiple, voltage generator, and a CV summing circuit.
Especially nice is the possibility to use Elmyra 2 not only as a drone synth but also as an effect device. It has an audio input allowing you to process external audio through the engine.
According to Neutral Lab, the case is made of plant-based bioplastic and native German oakwood. The Elmyra 2 is made in Germany.
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First Impression
The Elmyra 1 was a fascinating DIY project. Elymra 2 is a massive step forward. Away from the “Lyra-inspired synth” to a much more original, and independent drone Synthesizer. It’s a different beast. The design is very lovely, and the new features make you want to explore it right away.
Neutral Labs Elmyra 2 will be available as an assembled synth or Eurorack module, as well as a DIY kit, from the 20th of July, 2023. It will cost between 550 and 600€.
More information here: Neutral Labs
i prefer OCD panel designs over these lackadaisical ones.
Neutral Labs has a couple of really interesting filter and distortion modules. I’m sure this will bring the same level of experimentation to the table.
I really like what I’ve seen and heard so far in the demos. I need more filth and dirt in my diet. In addition to its standalone sound generation properties, it appears to have good potential for processing/mangling signals in a larger Eurorack setup. I’m looking forward to getting my hands on one. I think for me the standalone unit is a better option as those touch pads would be difficult to use in a vertical rack (and I don’t have 42HP of free space anyway). And…. I like the panel design.