CRAFTsynth v2.0 Synthesizer Announced by Modal Electronics

The British company Modal Electronics has announced the launch of a new version of its small mono synthesizer called CRAFTsynth. The second generation instrument – CRAFTsynth v2.0 – differs from its predecessor not only by the changed internal architecture but also by a completely different appearance.

The new CRAFTsynth v2.0 synthesizer was closed in a casing that uses the same concept of service and design as the SKULPT presented this year. The small instrument offers a total of 8 oscillators with two passes (with the possibility of penetration) and a mixer section. The oscillators can use a set of 40 waveforms (including Virtual Analog, digital and borrowed from the Modal v2 synthesizer). There are also up to 16 different modifiers to process and modulate signals from oscillators (including Frequency / Phase Modulation, Hard / Window Sync, Ring / Amp Modulation, Derez / Bitcrush, Wavefolders, Waveshapers).

New additions to the interface are full MIDI in / out jacks as well as an input and output for an analog clock. This will harmonize perfectly with devices from KORG or Teenage Engineering. On board again is a USB port, with which you can connect the synthesizer directly to a computer or a mobile device. In addition to these innovations, there is still a line and headphone output on the back of the device.

CRAFTsynth v2.0 also provides a filter with various operating modes (LP / BP / HP), UNISON mode, 3 envelope generators and two LFO generators, DELAY and DISTORTION effects and a matrix with 8 slots. The available 8 sources can be linked to different purposes, only three of which can be programmed from the panel (the other previous dedicated application). The synthesizer offers 64 cells for presets and a built-in arpeggiator. The touch “keyboard” includes eight “keys” and offers access to eight different scales with the key signature. There are 12 encoders on the panel, each of which can handle two different parameters. Each of the knobs can also be used to send CONTROL CHANGE messages.

The compact instrument is equipped with MIDI (IN, OUT / THRU) connectors, line and headphone output as well as SYNC connectors (IN, OUT). CRAFTsynth v2.0 can be powered by three AA batteries or through a USB port. The latter also gives the possibility of transmitting MIDI messages and cooperation with computers (PC, Mac) as well as tablets and smartphones (iOS, Android). Regardless of the chosen platform, we can use the MODALapp application that gives access to all the synthesizer parameters, including those not available from the panel.

We will shortly be able to pre-order there for +/- 129.99 GBP. The delivery is scheduled for early 2019.