Electro-Harmonix has introduced Mini-Synthesizer for iPhone and iPad, a recreation of their 1980’s hardware analog synth, The Mini-Synthesizer.
The Mini-Synthesizer app comes with 22 presets and the ability to store an almost unlimited number of user presets.
Features:
- OSC Section
- PITCH slider lets the player raise or lower the pitch of the note by +/- 1 octave
- SUB-OCTAVE slider introduces a note one octave below what’s being played for extra bottom
- OCTAVE UP switch causes the note being played to jump up one octave.
- TUNE knob lets the player tune the MINI-SYNTHESIZER to other instruments and sound sources over a +/- 50 cents range.
- FILTERS Section
- PHASE RATE slider adjusts the speed of the phase shifter
- FILTER START sets the start frequency of the filter sweep
- FILTER STOP sets the stop frequency of the filter sweep
- SWEEP RATE controls the speed of the filter sweep
- PHASE switch turns the effect on/off
- 2X FILTER switch changes how the audio passes through the filters (either in parallel or in series)
- Q switch sets the amount of resonance on the filter sweep
- RETRIGGER switch turns the filter retrigger on/off
- DELAY Section
- TIME slider adjusts the delay time up to two seconds
- FEEDBACK controls the number of echo repeats
- BLEND adjusts the mix of the original signal and the echo repeats
- DELAY switch turns the effect on/off
- REVERB Section
- AMOUNT slider adjusts the reverb effect level
- BLEND slider controls the mix of the wet and dry signals
- REVERB switch turns reverb on/off
- REVERB>DELAY switch lets the user place either Delay or Reverb first in the effects chain for a variety of cool sound effects.
- MISCELLANEOUS CONTROLS
- VOL (Volume) slider adjusts the MINI-SYNTHESIZER’s overall sound output level
- POLY/MONO switch toggles between polyphonic (four notes can be played simultaneously) or monophonic (only one note can be played at a time) modes
- PRESETS pop-down menu displays the presets available and allows the user to instantly select one
- HORIZONTAL slider lets the player adjust the keyboards sounding range over an expansive eight-octave range.
- RIBBON Interface lets the player perform portamento (glide up or down to pitch), vibrato and other expressive playing.
Pricing and Availability
Mini-Synthesizer is available now for iPhone and iPad ($2.99 for phone, $4.99 for tablet). An Android version is planned for release in the fall.
interesting part is it have the same feel as the original
love having the presets as well as the other touches.
cool
and nice demo video by the ways
nice to site working again too
Woah. Looks like the best way to spend $5 for the foreseeable future.
agree
I can see this being on a must have list
Sounds really inspiring.
I like the sounds and the simplicity of the interface with tons of faders, perfect pedal to recreate. Having the Holy Grail reverb makes this thing worth the price right there. But I will buy it just to encourage more apps from Electro Harmonix since they are my favorite pedals! Next up the HOG please!!!!
I’d be even more excited if they decided to make the hardware again. I’d take the real synth for $199 (in same price range as Microbrute)
Nice to see EH expanding their portfolio into apps though.
Famously used on Van Halen’s “Sunday Afternoon in the Park” which was arguable, the first recognizable Van Halen synth part (2 years before Jump).
Apparently, there is no smoothing in fast glides (listen to the one at 5:49) or a too harsh pitch correction. Doesn’t sound like a theremin.
OMG, you’re right! I want my $5 back!
Yeah… not sure that’s a deal-breaker for me, either.
could be the operator
I noticed finger went from keys to ribbon and back
Its completely smooth like a slide whistle. I showed the ribbon glide and then targeted a real keys to show you can easily land on a note IN pitch every time
Something most people who never played a Theremin would have trouble with.
I even showed vibrato using the ribbon.
Its completely smooth
Sorry Bill, but I disagree. You can clearly hear steps in the ribbon glides. It may comfort you that even a $799 seaboard can’t do 100% continuous glides. (for example at 0:27: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSOVDi-9ypw&index=39&list=PLyYxAIH3vCooOqjizvUTKkAknOgece3Cf)
one neat thing is when you change presets
the sliders move to the sounds setup
cool
like the who touh
Yes rhat’s nice, but pretty standard on any software synth.
i have a few but the first time i have seen the sliders actually move where you notice it
most i have the knobs change but to see them actually move to the new spot, i did not see that
This is very cool and I don’t hear any stepping on glides listening on my Sony 7506’s. iPad Air 1 iOS 9.3.3
As a real-time performance instrument it is much fun.
First impressions w/ an iPad Air & Novation Launchkey Mini:
Sounds good BUT the midi is horrible.
a. Each restart have to tell the app there is a keyboard attached.
b. Misidentifies the keyboard (says I have an Akai connected).
c. Each restart have to redo midi learn. This one is particularly annoying.
Also, if you tweak one of your own patches, you have to save as a new patch, no overwrite. This is plain dumb.
Finally, hate the velocity – even on high you have to beat the keys to trigger a note.
No other app I use has these problems, including the free, independently developed DRC app. EHX should have done considerably better.