Ann Arbor, MI based startup Modern Sounds shared this preview of their Pluto portable semi-modular synthesizer.
The design of Pluto draws from a legacy of portable electronic instruments, from the Buchla Music Easel to 80s Casio synthesizers. It features five channels of modulation (named for the five moons of Pluto), two voices, two sequencers, a mini-keyboard and onboard delay.
Features:
- Compact 2-voice, 2-sequencer patchable synthesizer
- Easily create complex, randomized sequences
- Low-aliasing digital oscillators, wavetable oscillators
- Mini touch keyboard
- Clock range from 1 bpm to audio rates
- Audio input for audio processing (line level)
- Audio output (headphone, line out)
- Quantize to preset scales, MIDI, or even audio input
- Built-in delay with looping and glitch modes
- Eurorack-compatible patch signals (5v)
- Sync In & Out
- MIDI In & Out (TRS, USB)
- 2 channels CV Out (0-5v, default 1v/oct calibrated)
- Power/charge via USB (Micro B, cable included)
- Rechargeable 2500mAh battery
Pricing and Availability
Details are to be come.
I wonder if having a few of these patched together would increase voice count and or sequencing complexity
Looks cool for a starter bit of kit
this looks really cool! It combines many elements I’m looking for in a small and unique package. Curious to learn more about this little thing.
I think it’s brilliant
This reminds me of a baby Buchla. Sounds cool!
Really smart and nice.
if this is inexpensive I am interested if for no other reason than to pair with the crave
Very nice!
$450
If that is the price I cant see them selling too many of these, but they probably don’t expect to, this is a pretty niche bit of kit. They will probably attract the boutique Eurorack crowd where prices for modules are high and this adds utility and oscillators. If they got it out for say $200 then it becomes more of a ‘no brainer’ for people just to buy and experiment/play with.
To be a tiny company and sell something like this for $200? You would actually be losing money when all was said and done when accounting for all costs incurred in the process. This is an incredibly fair price for a beautifully designed standalone instrument.
More importantly, Congrats to the designer!!! This is glorious!
There are many boutique synths, even more complex than this one, selling for a lot less than $450. Just check Tindie, Etsy, or Thonk. I’ve bought unique synths by Otem Rellik for $400 (only 4 units produced, and wooden carved boxes). I also bought the lil Erebus for around $300. Yes, it was a DIY but analog. This is digital, so it should not be that expensive. As a DIY, this would probably produce profit at $200. An already built unit should not go for more than $300.
It means ~ make noise 0-coast in Euros.
ouch was hoping for something lower
Delicious form factor, which is HUGE. Other companies take note!
But it’s a Semi-Modular Synth