The Erica Synths Bullfrog, a new educational electronic music instrument, created in collaboration with Richie Hawtin, is now available to pre-order.
Features:
- Fully analog design
- Accurate voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) that tracks great over 8 octaves
- Manually adjustable and voltage controlled waveshapes – sine-shark fin and pulse wave with pulse width modulation (PWM)
- Zener diode-based noise generator
- Resonant lowpass voltage controlled filter (VCF)
- Voltage controlled amplifier (VCA) with adjustable offset
- Delay effect with adjustable delay time and feedback amount
- Two looping attack-sustain-release envelope generators (EG)
- Manual gate button
- Voicecard slot
- Built in speaker
- DIN5 MIDI input
- USB connector
- Dimensions: 40 x 385 x 210 mm
- Weight: 1.8 kg
Bullfrog is a classical subtractive synthesizer – it consists of several “modules” for sound generation – VCO, NOISE GENERATOR – and treatment – VCF, VCA/DELAY, as well as “modules” that generate control and modulation signals to control them – ENVELOPE GENERATORS and SAMPLE & HOLD.
The Bullfrog will not make the sound on its own unless it is patched – using Eurorack patch cables to interconnect the “modules” or by inserting voice cards that create internal connections between the “modules” in a specific way and add extra functionality, like sampler/looper, sequencer, groovebox, etc.
What’s included:
- BULLFROG synthesizer
- Universal 12VDC wall wart adapter
- User manual
- 10 patch cables
- 3 pre-patched voice cards: Sequencer, Acid Bassline, Sampler Looper
- 3 DIY voice cards
Pricing and Availability:
The Bullfrog is expected to ship Sept 10, 2023 and is priced at 500 Euro. See the Erica Synths site for details.
This looks fun and cool! I hope we see them in Canada.
Hmm, I am not a fan of gear with expansions, like this. Part of the personality, I guess? I am quite sure I am not alone in that I want my tools (whatever type) to be “complete” and finished. Knowing there’s phyisical upgrades / expansions out there for something I own, will always linger in my head, telling me that what I already own will be even better once I buy it. Because yeah, it’s not just these three that come with it (the website shows 8). So… Things like this get a pass from the get-go.
Though the DIY cards, where you get to solder your own patchbay connections, is a fun one! This, I hope to see more of in the future by other companies! DIY presets!
Preordered! Been waiting since the announcement. Get out the way my nerds!
I hope the cards are flexible.. so when Im bored I can push on it sideways… or let my cat do it for me.
The “Drum Sequencer” mode on the “Groovebox” voicecard sounds like they’ve made a tiny Grids clone…
They already are on Moogaudio and Nightlife’s websites.
I like the concept but it seems overpriced for what it is you’re getting. If it was $200 cheaper I could let it slide, but I would rather invest in a Eurorack case & a few modules for the $610 this goes for in the states.
I kind of like it.
Especially with the extra cards. The sample one looks very fun, and I genuinely love the idea of DIY cards for saving “presets”. I think that’s very clever idea, especially as it’s meant as an educational synth.
However, I think if that’s what you want then Erica’s own EDU Moritz Klein series of modules will serve you better.
Also something like Cre8Audio’s West Pest or East Beast will get you there at less than half the price of this.
If you want to play with samples too you could add something like an Elektron Model Sample to that and still be in the same price range.
Plus, it has no LFO.
I like it, but….
these “intro to modular ” and other niche cutesy type boxes need to go way down in price. no way is this thing worth 500$ + bucks. if it came with all the voice cards, maybe , but the fact you have to buy more, just makes this gimmicky / in line with teenage engineering. im sure it sounds good, but pass for me.
Ha Ha complaining about the price hey its Richie Hawtin you know he invented techno like la la land invented Jazz! Go to the site see the picture of him trying to look like the Steve Jobs of the techno music world. So yes, this will be Overly price lets be real I do not know of a grade school that can afford this machine. How about giving teachers pens, paper, art supply and computers.
“But it’s for the kids, for their, you know, their education!” The ultimate technodad excuse for bringing a new gadget into the house.
500eu? That’s why I prefer Behringer. Soon Kobol for 199$