Bram Bos Solderbox is a new generative semi-modular Synthesizer for macOS and iOS, created in collaboration with YouTuber Jakob haQ.
YouTuber Jakob haQ is known as an expert in iOS music-making. The Swedish musician, however, has been working with hardware modular synthesizers for some time now. He has developed his approach to modular and builds most of his modules from DIY kits or simply himself.
For his new project, Solderbox, he has turned his hardware modular Synthesizer into an app in partnership with Bram Bos. A developer known for the Fluss granular app with Hainbach, Hilda Synthesizer, and others.
Bram Bos Solderbox
Solderbox is a new, easy-to-use, 3-voice semi-modular Synthesizer for iOS and macOS, made in collaboration with YouTuber Jakob haQ. According to the developers, the synth architecture is heavily based on Jakob’s own hardware modular synth, consisting of many hand-made modules.
Bram Bos Solderbox consists of two independent oscillators with glide and various waveshapes, including a supersaw with seven sawtooth waves. The second oscillator can also be an FM modular for VCO 1.
Directly below, it hosts a wave-surgeon module that combines two rectifiers with attenuverters to split both waveforms into positive and negative halves. The attenuverters are especially helpful as they open up interesting patch workflows. For example, you can split or fade the waves or use them as a wave shape generator.
Then, it hosts a multi-flavored waveshaper with five different types, including wave folding, wave bending, and more. In the same module or column, you get a noise/random section with different morphable noise colors: brown, white, sample & hold, and crackle.
In addition to the noises, two separate random generators (I/II) generate random signals when a gate signal is sent into the random trig or the envelope generator is triggered.
Bram Bos and Jakob haQ also added filters to the Solderbox Synthesizer app. It has four modes (6, 12, 18, and 24dB), which can be controlled manually with classic cutoff and resonance knobs or via CV. An additional filter drive adds spice to the filter’s character.
Hopefully, an update will add more filter modes like highpass, bandpass, and notch.
Modulation
Yes, the new Jakob haQ semi-modular Synthesizer also offers built-in modulation. First, you can patch two syncable multi-wave LFOs to parameters. They are fully independent or combined, allowing you to create a more unpredictable, wild modulation source.
Secondly, you get a West Coast-inspired envelope generator with rise (attack) and fall (release), adjustable slope, a selectable sustain mode, and a loop function.
Next to the modulators, it hosts a utility module with three inputs and dedicated attenuverts. They have various utility functionality, including signal multiplication, summing, slew control, and more.
The built-in pulse sequencer (+ quantizer) is a highlight of the new Bram Bos Solderbox. It is a generative module that creates repeating complex CV and melodies using three simple square LFOs, each with independent controls, synced to the current tempo.
Furthermore, a built-in quantizer allows you to create proper melodies with the Pulse sequencer. Good: you can also use the quantizer separately or differently. There is also a patchable VCA with a lovely drone mode.
The Entropy is a hybrid between a cheap digital delay and a bit-crusher that processes its delay lines with an 8-bit memory processor. This results in echos that become increasingly crunchier and noisier with every round. Thanks to the AUv3 effects version, you can also use it as a separate FX processor with other apps.
The second half of the interface is the patch bay, which contains all audio in/outs and CV in/outs that are patchable with Buchla-style stackable cables. Lastly, all synth settings are exposed as AU parameters, so you can also automate them in your DAW or control them with a MIDI controller.
First Impression
At first glance, it is a lovely, structured, semi-modular Synthesizer. Most features are familiar from classic semi or fully modular hardware synthesizers. This makes the app particularly suitable for discovering the modular patch world without investing 300€+ in a hardware unit.
In terms of sound, Solderbox is again on a high level like all the last Bram Bos apps, including Hilda, a 0-coast-like Synthesizer, which is one of my favorites. Congrats to Jakob haQ and Bram Bos.
Bram Bos Solderbox is available now for $12,99 on the Apple AppStore and runs on iOS (iPad/iPhone) and macOS (Apple Silicon) as standalone app and AUv3 plugin (synth/effects).
More information here: Bram Bos (Ruismaker) / AppStore
This is a really great plugin! Such a nice interface and great sounds.
Very well thought out. Nice price as well!