This video, via ProckGnosis, demos four basic patching examples on the Dreadbox Erebus synth module.
The Erebus is a new semi-modular, paraphonic analog synth module. It offers what is essentially a monophonic synth architecture, but allows for independent control of its two oscillators. This means you can play (or sequence) two different pitches, but the pitches will go through a shared VCF, VCA, etc.
Here’s what ProckGnosis has to say about working with the Erebus:
For me, there is a nice immediacy felt with working with patch cables versus a digital modulation matrix with menus you have to dig through just to decide what source is modulating what destination.
With real patch cables and a semi-modular synth, adventurous exploring is much more promptly rewarded, though the problem can be trying to go BACK to some really cool sound you did an hour earlier, but can’t remember how.
Features:
- Full Analog Paraphonic Synthesizer
- Full Analog 2-voice Paraphony or Unison sounds
- 2 x VCO with separate glide controls
- Two pole (12dB/ocv) resonating VC Low Pass Filter
- VC LFO with additional VC Depth
- 2 x Envelope Generators (1xADSR and 1xAR dedicated to the AMP)
- VC Delay/Echo
- 14 patches for an astonishing Modular experience
- CV Outputs: LFO, Envelope, Modulation Wheel, Gate, Osc1 pitch (1V/ocv), Osc2 pitch (1V/ocv)
- CV Inputs: Osc1, Osc2, Echo time, VCF, LFO rate, LFO depth, CV/Gate
- MIDI interface: Pitch note/gate on-off, retrigger function (on-board), Mod wheel (patched on-board), Pitch wheel, MIDI Channel select 1-7 or Omni (DIP switch)
- Paraphony CV/GATE outputs lets you to turn monophonic devices into Paraphonic, or even combine 2 monosynths into a paraphony orgy
The Dreadbox Erebus is priced at UR $539. See the Dreadbox site for details.
Got this synth,sounds huge, very easy to use, filter is great, quite unique. fantastic delay; if u dig a little u can make really weird (noisy or not) sounds.
Built construction seems perfect to me too.
Daang, that looks like a good product. I like the ability to control the LFO rate with a voltage is pretty sweet, too.. modulation can sound much more natural by modulating its rate with an additional LFO. Also, the included echo is a good feature, since that means I wouldn’t need to build another pedal/effect chain just to get this thing’s pre-mixer signal the way I want it.
I wonder how much work I’d have to do/equipment I’d have to get to really be able to take advantage of the two OSC control inputs for paraphonic use… I guess that’s what CV1 and CV2 are for? Patch CV1 to OS1 and CV2 to OS2 and control it with an ordinary midi keyboard, perhaps? I love the paraphonic option, btw, it makes the thing so much more usable for people who play synths like keyboards. I’d really like to see a strong demand for that feature, since it could push designers to start including more than just two in this paraphonic format. I guess the patch cables would start getting messy though.
This filter over any of the new moogs and most dave smith too. It doesnt have a ton of features but its just a lush tone monster. Dreadbox are doing it right, imo.
This synth looks great, but what’s with the trend of calling everything paraphonic these days? I think it’s pretty much an assumption that if you have a modular or semi modular synth with direct access to the oscillators you’re going to be able to control their frequencies independently.. something like the Volca Keys with its strict, rigid midi implementation could get away with it, but until recently this would’ve just been called a monophonic synth. sorry for the rant 🙂
Maybe in the early 70’s, people might have gotten excited about it, but by the time I got into synths, ‘paraphonic’ was viewed as a sort of ‘polyphony lite’.
Kind of funny that it’s come back around to be a selling point for some people. I guess, if you’re going to get a monophonic synth, a paraphonic option is good. But it’s still ‘polyphony lite’!
In order for a synth to be polyphonic it must have separate elements for each voice. This means a separate oscillator, filter, envelope, and vca per voice. So even a synth that can only play two notes at once is polyphonic, well duophonic, if each voice is a self-contained entity.
A paraphonic synth, on the other hand, will share at least one element across all voices. Just sharing the filter, is pretty common on most synths, though.
The Erebus is paraphonic because it shares the filter, vca, amp envelope, and filter envelope. It can, however, send two sets of pitch data, one set to each oscillator.
LFOs, keys, wheels, and other mod sources are not normally considered in such an arrangement,
So there is a difference. Most paraaphonics are used to play fifths simultaneously.
Obviously, most analogs are likely capable of paraphony, especially in the modular world.
What make the Erebus stand out, is that you can route it’s paraphonic dual pitches to outside instruments easily.
If I remember correctly, you can connect 2 or 4 units together to get up to 8 voices of paraphony over midi, which is a neat feature if you’ve got the cash. Also, like all the Dreadbox stuff, so much tone!
So, be honest ST… how much did they pay you guys to post this? Because this is not new. It’s a really nice synth, but definitely not new.
It’s ok to promote a Synth, just don’t say it’s new. We’re not stupid 🙂
It is a new synth. There are very few of them in peoples hands as of yet, and the preorder wait list is quite long.
Regardless, this is a post of a user video – not a company ad. These are posted all the time – like user videos of old synths….
Who the hell is ST?
I think the price point (on their website) of $540 is very favourable. And I think it sounds great.
it´s a great synth that works perfect together with the SQ-1 Stepsequencer using CV
… and in combination with the echo you get a nice playground…
(owner of Erebus SN.:007)