Today at Superbooth, Gamechanger Audio announced the newest version of their electro-mechanical desktop synthesizer, Motor Synth MKII.

The company has expanded on features and the overall capability of the Motor Synth’s unique technology. Upgrades and features include separate multi-mode analog filters, redesigned modulation section, and additional digital voice equipped with a separate envelope, portamento section, and digital multimode filter.

The Motor Synth was originally introduced in 2019. It is based on a unique motor oscillator engine – this is a system of electro-motors that are able to instantly change their rotation speed in order to produce musical notes.

These motor oscillators can produce four distinct waveforms – Sine, Saw, Square and the so-called M waveform. The M waveform is produced by a set of electromagnetic pickups that are placed next to each motor’s rotating inner coils. As the coils rotate the motor’s coils create electromagnetic fluctuations that can be amplified to produce a unique Motor waveform. The Sine, Saw and Square waveforms are produced by a set of specially designed Optical discs that are mounted to each Motor’s shaft.

Each Motor Disc has three “tracks” engraved onto its reflective surface. These “tracks” are designed as a circular optical representation of the Sine Saw and Square waveforms. Each reflective “track” is paired with a separate infra-red laser and sensor that picks up the reflected beam. As the disc rotates and brings the differently shaded areas in circular motion, the infra-red reflectivity sensor begins outputting a so-called “Optical Waveform”.

Features:

• The MOTOR Synth offers two separate MOTOR Voices, with 4 Electromotor oscillators each – both voices can operate in mono, unison or in four-note polyphonic mode.
• Both Motor voices are equipped with a separate analogue multimode filter section with adjustable DRIVE, CUTOFF, RESONANCE, ENVELOPE SHAPE & AMOUNT and FILTER TYPE.
• There are four analogue filter types – 24 dB LP, 12 dB BP, 12 dB HP, 12 dB AP (All-Pass). The new analog filter circuits have increased headroom, improved envelope response speed and a very precise analog Keytrack mode with adjustable depth, direction and filter “glide”.
• The MOTOR Synth MK II features an additional third voice – a digital engine that can be used either independently, or to augment the raw sound of the MOTOR Voices. The Digital engine (DCO) can be used to produce various classic waveforms (with waveshaping), or as a noise generator.
• The DCO is also equipped with a separate, fully controllable AMP ENVELOPE, PORTAMENTO section, and its own Digital multimode Filter designed to reproduce the 4 analog filter modes.
• The MOTOR Synth has a single output jack that can be configured either as mono, or as a stereo output – thus routing the synth’s two motor voices into separate channels. The digital voice can also be routed to the V1 or V2 outputs, or to both.
• Dedicated center indent potentiometer for creating amplitude cross-modulation with either Voice 1 or Voice 2. The Detune / Drift knob gives you two kinds of oscillator detune effects.
• Powerful modulation section that includes 3 individual LFOs with adjustable positive and negative depth controls. Each LFO can be easily assigned to almost any knob or encoder value on two independent modulation slots A and B.
• Five independent modulation waveforms available for each LFO – each with a detailed waveshaping engine.
• Powerful arpeggiator engine offers detailed control over a large variety of parameters, including note accent, pattern shift, note repeat and more.
• Multiple independent motion Record lanes assignable to all sound parameters.
• A built-in monophonic sequencer engine with controls for micro-timing, probability, ratchets, pattern length, pattern saving and chaining and much more.
• Non-velocity sensitive 8 key keyboard with 4 pitch shift encoders – this is a small but powerful note input system with a lot of performance tricks up its sleeve. Alternatively, the MOTOR Synth is fully MIDI and CV compatible and can be used with all of your favorite keyboards (incl. poly-aftertouch), controllers and sequencers.

Details on pricing and availability are to be announced.