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High Voltage Synthesis – the PLASMA Voice is Gamechanger Audio’s electrifying entry into the modular space.
The MOTOR Synth MKII by Gamechanger Audio is out now and available in limited quantity! Gamechanger Audio first announced the groundbreaking MOTOR Synth concept back in 2019, and the electro-motorised instrument was brought to life the following year via a large public crowdfunding campaign endorsed by the likes of Richard Devine and even Jean Michele Jarre himself.
After shipping the first batches and receiving feedback from users the Latvian team of engineers have been busy introducing a multitude of significant upgrades to the original MOTOR Synth design.
The MOTOR Synth MKII features:
A re-engineered MOTOR Voice block with custom-built brushless electromotors and carefully designed acoustic treatment materials ensuring a significant reduction in mechanical noise
Two MOTOR Voices with full independent control over Amp Envelope, Pitch Envelope and Analog multi-mode Filters
Three fully assignable Modulators with independent clock sources and two Mod destinations each
An added Digital Oscillator Voice with extensive waveshaping capabilities & noise engine + fully independent Amp Envelope, Pitch Envelope and its own Digital Filter
New performance functions, such as Amp, Pitch and Envelope LINK & UNLINK, Filter LINK, UNLINK & OFFSET, as well as the innovative CLUTCH Key
Fully redesigned comprehensive Arp and Sequencer Engines with Voice Assign, as well as a powerful Motion Record engine with 8 editable Rec Lanes
Complete MIDI & CV control Extensive Input Signal Processing capabilities
VOCODER Engine, GATE, SIDECHAINING, FILTERING.
Motor Synth MKII is available in limited quantity at $3 299 USD / €2 726 EUR.
Learn more about the MOTOR Synth MKII: https://gamechangeraudio.com/motor-synth-mkii/
To celebrate the arrival of the MOTOR Synth MKII, Gamechanger Audio have released an epic synthesizer space journey video, created by the MOTOR Synth’s designer Fricis Kalvelis, and featuring an exquisite all-MOTOR Synth composition by Martins Melkis – Gamechanger Audio’s lead development engineer and one of the creators of the MOTOR Synth.
In addition Gamechanger Audio have recently posted two new sound example videos to give a concise sonic overview of MKII capabilities:
UNIQUE MOTOR OSCILLATOR ENGINE: The MOTOR Synth is based on a unique Motor oscillator engine – it is a system of electro-motors that are able to instantly and precisely change their rotation speed in order to produce musical notes. These Motor Oscillators can produce four distinct waveforms – Sine, Saw, Square and the so-called M waveform. The M waveform is produced by a set of electromagnetic pickups that are placed next to each Motor’s rotating inner coils. As the coils rotate the Motor’s coils create electromagnetic fluctuations that can be amplified to produce a unique Motor waveform. The Sine, Saw and Square waveforms are produced by a set of specially designed Optical discs that are mounted to each Motor’s shaft. Each Motor Disc has three “tracks” engraved onto its reflective surface. These “tracks” are designed as circular optical representation of the Sine Saw and Square waveforms: Each reflective “track” is paired with a separate infra-red laser and sensor that picks up the reflected beam. As the disc rotates and brings the differently shaded areas in circular motion, the infra-red reflectivity sensor begins outputting a so-called “Optical Waveform” – a proprietary technology that we developed specifically for the MOTOR Synth.
Additional FEATURES include:
TWO INDEPENDENT MOTOR VOICES: The MOTOR Synth offers two separate MOTOR Voices with 4 Electromotor oscillators each – both voices can operate in mono, unison or in four-note polyphonic mode.
Both MOTOR Voices are equipped with a separate set of controls for adjusting VOLUME, SCALE, WAVESHAPE, individual AMP ENVELOPE engines for each musical note, as well as very detailed control over a deep and versatile PORTAMENTO / PITCH MOD section (called “Acceleration / Brake” ).
INDEPENDENT MULTI-MODE ANALOG FILTERS: Both MOTOR voices are equipped with a separate analog multimode filter section with adjustable DRIVE, CUTOFF, RESONANCE, ENVELOPE SHAPE & AMOUNT and FILTER TYPE.
There are four analogue filter types – 24 dB LP, 12 dB BP, 12 dB HP, 12 dB AP (All-Pass). The new analog filter circuits have increased headroom, improved envelope response speed and a very precise analog Keytrack mode with adjustable depth, direction and filter “glide”. DIGITAL VOICE (DCO): The MOTOR Synth MK II features an additional third voice – a high quality digital engine that can be used either independently, or to augment the raw sound of the MOTOR Voices. The Digital engine (DCO) can be used to produce various classic waveforms (with waveshaping), or as a noise generator.
The DCO is also equipped with a separate, fully controllable AMP ENVELOPE, PORTAMENTO section, and its own Digital multimode Filter designed to reproduce the 4 analog filter modes.
CONFIGURABLE STEREO OUTPUT The MOTOR Synth has a single output jack that can be configured either as mono, or as a stereo output – thus routing the synth’s two motor voices into separate channels. The Digital voice can also be routed to the V1 or V2 outputs, or to both.
MODULATION SECTION WITH THREE ASSIGNABLE LFOS: The MOTOR Synth MKII also features an extremely powerful modulation section that includes 3 individual LFOs with adjustable positive and negative depth controls. Each LFO can be easily assigned to almost any knob or encoder value on two independent modulation slots A and B. There are five independent modulation waveforms available for each LFO – each with a detailed waveshaping engine.
CROSS-MODULATION AND DETUNE OPTIONS: The MOTOR Synth features a dedicated center indent potentiometer for creating amplitude cross-modulation with either Voice 1 or Voice 2. The Detune / Drift knob gives you two kinds of oscillator detune effects. ARP, MOTION RECORD, SEQUENCER: Powerful arpeggiator engine offers detailed control over a large variety of parameters, including note accent, pattern shift, note repeat and more. Multiple independent motion Record lanes assignable to all sound parameters. A built-in monophonic sequencer engine with controls for micro-timing, probability, ratchets, pattern length, pattern saving and chaining and much more.
PERFORMANCE KEYBOARD: Non-velocity sensitive 8 key keyboard with 4 pitch shift encoders – this is a small but powerful note input system with a lot of performance tricks up its sleeve. Alternatively, the MOTOR Synth is fully MIDI and CV compatible and can be used with all of your favorite keyboards (incl. poly-aftertouch), controllers and sequencers. Sound characteristics and visual experience. As an instrument that uses electromotors as its main sound source, Motor Synth inherently possesses many unique sound traits that will surely appeal to many musicians that favour analogue electronic instruments and synthesizers in particular. With its unusual tonal and timbral qualities, unlimited microtonal pitch adjustment and modulation abilities, and note attack and decay properties influenced by the acceleration and deceleration curves of electromotors, Motor Synth works well across a wide range of musical styles. Whatever way anyone chooses to play Motor Synth a stunning visual experience is guaranteed. Motor Synth’s see-through protective glass cover above its core sound system of eight electromotors enables users to receive visual feedback from the instrument itself by being able to see those spinning electromotors in action. The visual experience is enhanced by the visible set of reflective optical disks attached to the electromotors’ shafts being coupled to a set of eight mini strobe lights, so those spinning disks themselves turn into a hypnotic light show, courtesy of the strobe effect!
About Gamechanger Audio:
Gamechanger Audio was founded by four friends committed to exploring uncharted music electronics territories to create devices that provide real value while stretching the imagination of both musicians and engineers. The Gamechanger Audio team consists of daring engineers and musicians who above all value originality, functionality, and beautiful product design. Gamechanger Audio doesn’t compete with traditional audio devices but instead offers new, inspiring tools for music-making.
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