Analogue Solutions has introduced Ample, an analog matrix synthesizer that they say “combines the best elements of several of our recent products”, including:
- The sound elements of Fusebox
- Jack patch points of Concussor Eurorack
- Patch pin matrix of Vostok
- Echo from Dr Strangelove
- Sequencer and CV touch pads of Generator
Aside from MIDI support, they say everything else is “totally analogue, using real transistors and op-amps”. There are no CPU-stabilised and quantised circuits, no DCOs, no digital LFOs and no digital EGs.
The circuitry is based on designs dating back to the mid-1970s, so they say that Ample has “a genuine old sound”.
Features:
- 3x Analogue Oscillators
- VCO3 can easily be used as a LFO
- 2x Analogue Low Frequency Oscillator
- LFO2(/Sync) has a triangle wave output
- CO3 can be used as an LFO and has Saw, Triangle and Square wave modulation signals
- Analog Filter – four pole 24bB per octave low pass filter.
- The VCA can be set to THRU so it is always ‘open’. This allows Ample to be used as an effects processor.
- 2x Analog Envelopes
- MIDI support – they say that “MIDI is intentionally kept simple, so you can concentrate on making new sounds and making music, not getting tied up with SYSEX programming. You get the all-important control over filter cut-off using MIDI Velocity.”
- Patchable External CV Control Sockets
- Sequencer – Ample has a vintage-style 16-step sequencer.
- Touch Keys – There are 6 touch keys that each output a set voltage.
- Echo
Here’s a first look video from Starsky Carr:
Pricing and Availability:
Analogue Solutions Ample is available now for £1999. A
Some good techno there Starsky
overall good looks, but my eye doesn’t like the offset knobs and jacks.
I don’t really get who this is for
I’d think it would be quite useful for techno? Noodly transposable sequencer attached to a good sounding voice? Sign me up 🙂 thought you could argue some doepfer modules at that pricerange might do the same and some.
Modular can do any sound. What’s your suggestion? No more standalone synths? Confused. I think you’re missing the point.
Heh, that’s my thought with most of Analogue Solutions’ gear. I’ve scrolled past their gear in online stores or whatever, but never got around to check what they sound like. Their stuff either looks unappealing (underdesigned), or like home decor (overdesigned). Skipping through this video, it really sounds like what I expected: no character. Just more another analogue purism playing it safe.
If I were to get a handful of thousands that I HAD to waste on an expensive synth, I think I’d take a look at GPR, but otherwise I would never lay down so much money for, and be stuck with, a core sound. Choose well, and with three or four well-chosen synths, you got yourself covered.
It’s for people who have disposable income.
And, that’s ok… Tom gets it!
Analogue Solutions seem determined to offer gimmicky products that don’t have a long shelf life. No other manufacturer has such an extensive list of discontinued products. As a consumer you tend to worry that this is because each product didn’t quite work as intended. The constant recycling of the patternator suggests the designer thinks it is brilliant and if only the stupid consumer could see how amazing it was too. In AS’s favour is that the synths sound beautifully analog. But modular gear achieves the same without the restrictions imposed by a semi-modular design. Nothing about this would induce me to part with £2K.
I think it’s more that he just gets tired of making the same thing after awhile. At least that was the basic attitude when i asked why the Generator was no longer being made. I personally find the Patternator fatures like the weird auto gate selecting knobs and interval touchpads to be brilliant and I can see why they get worked into new products. YMMV