In this Sonic State video from Synthfest UK, host Nick Batt talks with Analogue Solutions founder Tom Carpenter about their latest creation, the TC5000.
The Analogue Solutions TC5000 is an analog modular synthesizer, with a full-width pin matrix for patching, above and below a center row of synth modules. The TC5000 modules are original designs, based on Analogue Solutions’ own circuits. Some modules are adapted from the company’s existing synths, and some are new designs, specific to the TC5000.
While the individual module designs are new, the look and build of the TC5000 takes inspiration from the ARP 2500.
Pricing and Availability:
The Analogue Solutions TC5000 is available now to pre-order, priced at 22,000 GBP (exc. tax and shipping), with shipping expected towards the end of 2024.
I wonder whether Analogue Solutions have repeat customers. Whereas you can impulse buy volcas and put them all in a drawer, it’s hard to imagine a home or studio with more than one Analogue Solutions big instrument. Anyone reading who bought more than one, where did you put it?
I’ve seen people with more than one of the desktop boxes. I don’t know anyone who has one of the big ones, but they must sell or Tom wouldn’t keep making them.
so, i guess copying look and feel is ok if you charge and arm and a leg for it, instead of making it affordable to everyone.
There is no shortage of cheap synthesizers in many form factors, most of which are unoriginal in look and feel so I’m not sure if you’re effectively making the point that you think you are making.
The law doesn’t care whether a copy is cheap or expensive – it cares whether the copy is legal, which is where things like patents and trademark come in.
Any patents that protected the design of vintage synths have already expired.
Trademarks can live indefinitely, though, when they are used and protected. This is why Coke can protect its name, logo and even bottle shape.
With most vintage gear, the company that created the original product went out of business years ago and their trademarks have not been protected. This is why you see all types of copies of these products.
Whether or not you think this is ‘OK’ is subjective. Since you raised this issue, why do you think the price of a product is relevant to whether a copy is ‘OK’ or not?
Keeps making them because of the mark up. Cheap SMT PCBs and cheap construction. He sells 4 or 5 of them, he’s got 80k profit easy.
Niche products, for the most part, aren’t expensive because they use rare ‘unicorn’ parts.
They’re expensive because they’re niche products, made in small quantities. They exist because some buyers are willing to pay more to get exactly what they want.
The exception is products like the Moog Minimoog reissue, which do use rare ‘unicorn’ parts and vintage build techniques (old school PCBs, through-hole hand-soldered construction, new old stock parts, etc). This approach appeals to purists.
If you want to make something cheap, make it small and easy to mass produce. It should be obvious that this isn’t the goal here.
Impressive! BUT most musicians would find an microfreak or matrixbrute more useful! Or a virtual modular which costs peanuts compared to this energy consuming monster.
I’m too far outside the loop to handle the $22K price. Its clearly for pros or well-heeled pop stars, not hobbyists. I’m a bit curious as to what kind of sound design goal would require this beastie. One thing seems certain: the patch matrix will be made of far tougher stuff than ARP’s 2500 was.