Axel Hartmann Teases A New Monster Synth

axel-hartmann-new-synth

Synth designer Axel Hartmann – who’s behind the industrial design of a huge number of synths, from the Alesis Andromeda to the Hartmann Neuron to the Waldorf Wave – is teasing something new, above.

Here’s another view:

20-synth

Features:

  • Only 20 black and 20 silver will be made
  • Waldorf / Sledge Synthesizer Engine
  • SPL Supra Op-Amp audio technology
  • Wavetables
  • Hartmann Neuron Synthesizer Sampleset
  • Pure aluminium shell, milled from a massive blocl
  • Collapsable, milled ultra thin aluminium panel
  • Custom-built pure aluminium knobs and wheels
  • Custom-built acrylic-glass switches
  • Highest quality, custom-built, all black Fatar TP 8 Keybed

Here are a few of the synths that Hartmann has designed previously:

  • Waldorf synths, including the MicroWave, Wave, Blofeld and others;
  • the Alesis Andromeda Analog Synthesizer;
  • the Hartmann Neuron;
  • the Access Virus Polar;
  • the Moog Little Phatty and Minimoog Voyager XL;
  • Arturia’s Origin, Spark & MiniBrute;
  • the StudioLogic Sledge; and
  • the Schmidt Analog Synthesizer.

Full details are to come.

37 thoughts on “Axel Hartmann Teases A New Monster Synth”

  1. I doubt I can afford whatever it is but let me put in a vote for the world to adopt different sized knobs for different functions, depending on frequency of use. Beautiful and cognitively friendly.

  5. The Little Phatty is one of the most beautiful synths ever made. Curious to see what this is, but at the same time kind of through with all the teasing…

  6. Only 20 black and 20 silver will be made | Waldorf / Sledge Synthesizer Engine | SPL Supra Op-Amp audio technology | Wavetables | Hartmann Neuron Synthesizer Sampleset | Pure aluminium shell, milled from a massive block | Collapsable, milled ultra thin aluminium panel | Custom-built pure aluminium knobs and wheels | Custom-built acrylic-glass switches | Highest quality, custom-built, all black Fatar TP 8 Keybed

    1. Designing the hardware layout has nothing to do with the software or electrical engineering — so, nothing “he” has done has been particularly “buggy…” — I own about 7 things he’s designed, and not any bugs around here, thanks.

  11. Why they not just build the Andromeda again? A great Synth it was.
    No development costs, just make the chips again in China, build it there and there WILL be customers for it….

    1. Really overrated synth. It sounds pretty good – how could 12 analog voices not sound pretty good – but the build quality is crap.

      2. 12 analog voices can easily sound bad, imagine a 12 voice Rhythm Wolf?
        Analog does not automatically mean good, remember?
        For example, I used to have a 6-voice ‘all-analog’ Sequential Multitrak and guess what, it was the worst sounding synth I’ve ever heard.

        The Andromeda on the other hand, is probably one of the most powerful and sought after synths of the last 20 years. The reason you think it’s overrated is probably because you haven’t ever played one..

        1. I worked at Rod Argents’ in the 80s. We tried to sell the Multitrack but not only did we all think it was a heap of sXXX, but they had a habit of breaking down. One we sold 6 times over, kept coming back like a bad penny. I’d haul it up to the engineer… “oh, no, not AGAIN ?”….

        2. I bought a Sequential Circuits Multitrak when it first came out. Had to order it.. Never heard one in a store and the internet wasn’t around for demos. Was VERY disappointed with the sound. It was Multi Timbral which was revolutionary at that time but that was it’s only strong point. 30 years later people are buying them and talking about them like they were the most awesome synth ever made.

  15. ok i was joking before, but i have just looked closely and that does look sexy. the nobs remind me of the ones you used to get on hifi amps from the 70’s (i think thats when they were made) with the VU type meters for levels.

    1. I think it is reminiscent of the design aesthetic of Dieter Rams,for instance: http://outspoken.wpshower.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/dieter-rams-BRAUN-Receiver-REGIE-510.jpg
      That’s the kind of look that will never really go out of fashion, only temporarily while new technology for creating user interfaces becomes available (think membrane keys and LCDs) and designers struggle to adapt their language to incorporate the best of the new technologies.

    2. The knobs are exactly the same as the Blofeld’s and Rocket’s by Waldorf. So it’s a safe bet this one’s a Waldorf, too.

  16. The layout gets me thinking of Sledge, but the knobs look a little Waldolf – maybe it is a similar working to the Sledge being a per-knob function of the Blofeld hardware – this being a per-knob function of Pulse II hardware.

  17. Reminds me a lot of the older Elektron boxes (Monomachine and Machinedrum). I love it.

    I also like the various knob sizes.

    1. I don’t know why they said that since the Sledge is based on the Blofeld engine but without access to certain features and parameters to make it more “stripped down.” I’m imagining/hoping this will be as feature oriented and powerful as the Blofeld.

  23. sooo, … i gotta ask at this point… every synth that seems to have more than one voice is “monster” these days? this label has become so overused. what exactly makes this one “monster”?

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