At the 2010 NAMM Show, Eowave introduced its new analogue duophonic ribbon synthesizer, the Eowave Persephone Mark II.

The Persephone is a unique ribbon-controlled synth that also can be used as a modular synthesizer controller.

Specifications:

Synthesis section

• 2 analogue oscillators with tune, fine tune, space
• 12dB resonant low-pass filter with adjustable resonance and frequency
• LFO with adjustable LFO speed

Ribbon features

• duophonic pressure and position sensitive 50cm ribbon
• variable ribbon scale from 1,2,5 & 10 octaves (or adjustable)
• 12 bits resolution (4096 values)
• half-tone mode

Controllers

• 16 routing presets (8 fixed, 8 assignable)
• position 1&2 on the ribbon
• pressure on the ribbon
• modulation key
• 2 pedals (optional)

I/O

• CV out 1/2/3/4
• MIDI in/out
• 2 pedal in
• audio out
• USB
• external power supply

Major upgrades

• duophonic ribbon
• 2 oscillators
• resonant filter
• USB
• CV outputs
• 16 routing presets
• online upgrade possibility
• black leather like suitcase – ribbon length: 50cm

Description:

Eowave is rethinking instruments from the past with smart sensor technology. The result is a new innovative instrument with real analogue oscillators, a duophonic ribbon, 100% compatible with the computer environment with a USB I/O, MIDI I/O and 4 CV out.

“We’re exploring ideas from the past and rethinking them with new technology to create new interfaces for musical expression”, says Marc Sirguy, designer of the Persephone markII.

Eowave creates the first duophonic ribbon

Sensor technology now enables to recreate controls like ribbons with a new accuracy and a new duophonic process. The ribbon enables to play glissando like on a Theremin, les Ondes Martenots or a Trautonium. The addition of one oscillator takes all its dimension with the new duophonic ribbon which extends the instrument sonorities spectral to play simple chords, but also enables numberless modulations, e.g. FM of one oscillator on the second one.

A 100% analogue audio signal path

The Persephone markII has two analogue oscillators with a waveform from triangle to saw, going from 1 Hz to more than 20 000 Hz. An analogue resonant 12dB low-pass filter inspired from the filters from the 70s-80s enables to shape the sound. With its entire analogue audio signal path, the Persephone markII can generate notes with a continuous variable range up to ten octaves to create deep and resonant cello tones on the lowest notes to ultrasonic frequencies on the highest pitches. An optical modulation key will transmit the slightest vibration for expressive modulations.

8 factory routings, 8 users routings: a modular architecture

16 routing presets enable to select different routing architectures between the sound parameters and the 7 controls available (ribbon pressure, ribbon position1 & 2, key, pedals 1 & 2, LFO) for 8 destinations (lo pitch, hi pitch, filter, VCA lo, VCA hi, filter mod1, filter mod2 and VCA). 8 presets are fixed and 8 are editable users presets configurable thru a free software. Users routing presets will be stored in the Persephone2 internal memory. This new section significantly increases the instrument control and modulation possibilities.

Compatibility with computer music environment

The A/D conversion is made with Eowave ESS DSP. This process assures a 12 bits resolution (4096 values) conversion for an accurate musical gesture. It’s 100% MIDI compatible and uses USB full speed 12 Mb/s. This makes the Persephone2 compatible with all MIDI compatible softwares whilst the latency is reduced at less than 1,5ms.

A smart controller

With a complete I/O section featuring 4 CV out, 2 pedals in, MIDI in & out, audio out, USB (MIDI), the Persephone markII can be turned into a powerful and unique controller to control most of your analogue or digital synths.

Video via SonicState.com