In this week’s episode of Synth Journal, we check out a free emulation of the ultra-rare CRB Uranus analog polysynth. In other news: the 4ms MetaModule goes polyphonic, and there’s a new software editor for the Sequential Prophet-6.
Synth Journal
4ms MetaModule is now 4-Voice Polyphonic
A modular system within a modular system, the mighty 4ms MetaModule is one of the most powerful things you can add to your Eurorack system. With access to over 1,500 virtual modules from various developers, it can be a synth, an effects unit, a super-versatile modulator, or anything you see fit. You can even create patches in VCV Rack on your computer, and then use the MetaModule to add them to your physical modular and take them on the road.
And it keeps getting better. The latest firmware update adds a slew of user-requested features, the most exciting of which is 4-voice polyphony. The module now supports polyphonic cables with up to 4 voices per cable. There’s also built-in MIDI support for 4-voice polyphony per cable. Most 4ms modules have been updated to support polyphony, and there are new RackCore Sum, Merge, and Split modules for creating polyphonic patches.
In addition, the v2.2 firmware update includes a bunch of other improvements and bugfixes. You can download the update from the MetaModule website.
The 4ms MetaModule is available at Thomann*.
ST Modular DII-ONE: Compact MIDI Controller and Problem-Solver That Fits in Your Pocket
ST Modular, purveyor of fine DIY modules, has released a very handy new MIDI tool. The DII-ONE is a MIDI controller and interface that lets you add a few extra knobs and buttons to your synths and grooveboxes. The device also offers some handy routing functions.
The compact DII-ONE fits on any desktop (or even directly on the control panel of the synth you’re controlling) and is equipped with a USB-C port, MIDI In/Out in TRS format (Type A), and an analog clock output. It features four rotary knobs and four push buttons, all of which can be freely assigned in no time at all using a MIDI Learn function.
A browser app lets you delve deeper into the configuration. Among other things, you can adjust the value ranges of the knobs and the behavior of the push buttons (momentary/latching).
The DII-ONE enables bidirectional MIDI communication between a computer and connected MIDI devices. It also features selectable thru modes for routing MIDI data between the USB and TRS connectors in various ways. So it’s not just a universal controller but also a MIDI interface and a bidirectional router. Sweet!
You can find more information about the DII-ONE on the ST Modular website.
CRB Uranus 1: Free Emulation of an Ultra-Rare Italian Polysynth
Never heard of the CRB Uranus? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. With only five units ever made, this mid-1970s Italian gem is so rare that it’s been flying under the radar of even the most history-savvy synth enthusiasts.
But now you can add this super-rare analog polysynth to your DAW for free! According to developer Marcelo Colò, he had a chance to spend some time with an original unit as he was tasked with getting it ready to be showcased at trade shows and events. He then teamed up with Marco Molendi to turn the dream into reality: a full emulation of the Uranus that faithfully reproduces the analog polysynth with all its quirks and features. And the best part is: it’s free!
Like some other analog synths of the same era, the Uranus was designed as an all-in-one instrument, offering two independent synth parts split across the keyboard and even a built-in drum machine. The synth has eight oscillators in total, four for each synth part. Each oscillator also gets its own VCF and VCA. This lets you create some pretty wild analog timbres.
If you’re looking for a free software synth that ventures pretty far off the beaten path, the CRB Uranus 1 should be straight up your alley. The catch is that it’s currently only available for Windows; I really hope they’ll bring it to other platforms soon!
Rogier Derix Rogue P6: Software Editor and Librarian for your Sequential Prophet-6
Here’s an alternative to the ‘official’ Soundtower editor for the Sequential Prophet-6. If you own a Mac, you can now download the Rogue P6 editor and librarian by Rogier Derix from the Mac App Store to control and organize your Prophet-6 from the comfort of your computer.
In contrast to the Soundtower editor, Rogue P6 doesn’t try to mimic the look of the hardware. Instead, it looks more like a modern software synth, giving you full access to every parameter of the Prophet-6 with deep visualization. You can see the oscillator waveforms, filter curves, envelope shapes, and even the effects of modulation on any parameter in real time. There’s even an Undo feature with 10 steps, which can really save the day if you’ve messed up your patch with a few unsuccessful edits.
In addition, Rogue P6 includes a full librarian that lets you build named, ordered sound banks, import patches in .syx format, reorganize the patches on your hardware unit, and much more.
Rogue P6 is a standalone editor for Mac only. It’s available from the Mac App Store for $44.99.
The Sequential Prophet-6 is available from Thomann*.
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