Neutral Labs Scrooge is a new glitchy, malfunctioning passive semi-modular analog Synthesizer from the Elmyra 2 hybrid drone synth maker: firmware 1.3 out now.
Just under two years ago, the German developer Neutral Labs released the Scrooge, a semi-modular Synthesizer/drum synth with experimental DNA.
Its distinctive feature is its passive circuit design—based on CMOS components and others—which gives the synth a very broken, malfunctioning character. Firmware 1.3 is now available and includes some great extras, especially on the MIDI side.
Scrooge Firmware 1.3
The new Scrooge firmware 1.3 is a free update for existing users and introduces welcome new features and good improvements.
The new possibilities the firmware opens up for playing the synth are a highlight. First, you can play the voice independently via MIDI notes and MIDI CC, also chromatically.
Second, drumkit mode lets you play predefined waveshapes from your MIDI controller or your DAW. Scrooge firmware 1.3 also adds MIDI program change, so you can switch patterns via MIDI.
To make it more flexible to use with external gear, Neutral Labs also extended the minimum and maximum tempo for external clocks to 10 BPM and 500 BPM. You can now adjust the tempo in exact 5 BPM increments using the buttons.
Other changes include:
- Step knob pickup mode: When changing a step parameter, do not jump to the new value until the knob position has moved past it.
- Randomization now includes EXT track.
- When changing track length while a pattern is running, the sequencer now acts as if the track length had been the new value during the last global length reset.
- RUN LED indicates the clock tempo while the sequencer is stopped.
- 2PPQN resolution for clock input (Korg compatibility).
- Sync issues fixed for MIDI and clock.
The Scrooge is certainly one of the most eccentric, most broken-sounding, yet also most original synthesizers of recent years. Being able to play this better via MIDI now is a welcome change. A great update.
The new firmware 1.3 is available now as a free update for existing users. Neutral Labs Scrooge is out now for $699/£549/635€.
More information here: Neutral Labs
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Article from October 30, 2024
The young German company Neutral Labs’ first big commercial success was the Elmyra 2, a hybrid digital-analog drone synthesizer with many features. Now, it’s also available in a nicer bamboo design—bye-bye plastic.
Today, we welcome the company’s second big release. It’s called Scrooge, a passive semi-modular synth with a broken, “malfunctioning” sound.
Neutral Labs Scrooge
Scrooge is probably one of the weirdest and wildest-sounding synthesizers of the year. It’s a semi-modular generator available as a 42HP Eurorack module or as a standalone desktop synth. You have the choice, and the desktop is also usable as a Eurorack module.
The core uses a newly developed analog circuit with special ingredients. It features five distinct, fully analog voices of special circuits using CMOS components, CD4069, CD4093, and more. In addition to its experimental designs, another unique feature is that its voices work without dedicated power supplies.
Instead, the voice architecture follows a passive design where they scrounge power from the sequencer control signals, giving them an organic, wobbly, and broken quality. This makes the unit passive, and you won’t have to power it if you sequence it from external gear. A concept that is reminiscent of the Landscape Noon drum synth.
Each voice then has its volume control and two parameters. The sounds are wild and range from boomy kick drums, clicky hi-hats, or metallic snares up to glitchy, crackling, distorted timbres. This is definitely not yet another classic subtractive analog Synthesizer.
The A&B function is charming. Here, you can send the sound to the A or B main output; the middle position is mute. This means you can process each output (X/Y) differently. For example, they can be routed to other modules, FX pedals, and more.
Sequencing
The built-in advanced performance-oriented sequencer is a powerful element of the Neutral Labs Scrooge, turning it into a rhythmic glitchy multifunction generator/Synthesizer.
The sequencer has five voice tracks, each with a custom step length of up to 64 steps, plus two modulation tracks. The latter can be routed to the voices individually using the X-Y switch. Also onboard is a pattern chaining option with up to 32 patterns, aka song mode. You can store up to 128 patterns in 16 banks.
Neutral Labs Scrooge also incorporates a generative algorithm that outputs random variations of patterns or creates random patterns from scratch. This is great because it is also available while performing, so you don’t have to interrupt your workflow to use the algorithm.
That’s not all. The Scrooge sequencer also offers probability, ratcheting and parameter locking per step. Plus a unique performance-oriented control-all mode. You can change parameters for several steps and tracks at once. In addition, you get micro-timing support and CV slew limiter per track.
Connectivity
Neutral Labs Scrooge is fully integrable into the modular world. A solid audio and CV connectivity set provides plenty of patching and routing options. You get individual voice audio outputs and voice CV inputs that respond well to audio signals.
The so-called Poke inputs allow you to feed the analog voices with gate signals and thus play them without power supplies. You can find sync in/out, reset input, and a TRS type A MIDI socket in the same row.
SequencerTalk did an early hands-on demo in their latest episode 221.
Neutral Labs Scrooge First Impression
A very fascinating, wild, semi-modular experimental synth. I’m sure the new Neutral Labs synth will polarize the synth community. Just like the Landscape Noon did. For many, it will be a random fart machine; for others an inspiring device that is suitable for both experimental and industrial genres.
Broken, noisy, glitchy, wobbly, industrial—that’s precisely why I like the device. There can be more crazy ideas like that. We already have enough Minimoogs and SH-101s, so bring on the unique ideas.
Neutral Labs Scrooge is available now as a 42HP Eurorack module or standalone semi-modular synth. The assembled version is 530€ (+VAT) and the 510€ (+VAT) for the Eurorack module. DIY versions are also available starting at 339€.
More information here: Neutral Labs
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