Supercritical - Redshift 6

Supercritical Synthesizers Redshift 6 is a flexible, six-voice analog desktop synth with "Variable Character."

As a "Variable Character Synthesizer," this futuristic-looking synth from Supercritical meets the demands of a modern production environment in every aspect. Redshift is presented in a desk-friendly enclosure with neatly arranged controls: at the center is a hexagonal 2.7-inch color display, with four endless rotary knobs above and below for parameter control. These are complemented by push buttons.

To the left of the display are five rotary knobs (Stack, Detune, Morph, Character, Drive) for controlling the Demon Core Oscillator circuit, which has already proven successful in the eponymous Eurorack module. The abbreviation DCO is likely not coincidental, as it refers to an analog oscillator that is "digitally" clocked for reasons of pitch/frequency stability. Predecessor examples from synthesizer history include the Roland Juno 6/60/106, Roland JX3-P/JX-8P, Elka Synthex, or the Oberheim Matrix 6/1000. Unlike the aforementioned, Redshift benefits from a modern and complete MIDI control. Importantly, the signal flow is entirely analog (except for switchable effects). The control plane is digital and governs the "Variable Character." Among other options, users can choose between Twin-Osc, Supersaw, Flanging-Phase-Sync, and Transistor Organ. You can decide whether to use these sounds in six-voice, Vintage Poly-Dual mode (3+3 voices), or as six (independent) monosynths routed to individual outputs—somewhat akin to the Oberheim Xpander! A combination of these options is also available at no additional cost, and for discerning users, each of the six voices can be operated paraphonically, with each supporting up to 16 voices of paraphony.

To the right of the display are the four controls of the filter section (Cutoff, Resonance, Env AMT, Mode). The filter is based on the Supercritical Neutron Flux Filter and comes in a four-pole Variable Character design. This is an analog, yet digitally controlled filter that can assume a variety of vintage characters and ambiguous sonic identities (Liquid, Crisp, Fat, Mean, Sour). It is an analog "Variable Character Filter" (VCF?) that combines the benefits of analog sound with digital precision/control. This means there are no worries about stepped filters or digital clipping a la JD 800. "Evil Distortion" is possible and can be enhanced through filter chaining. A voice can be routed to the filter of another voice (and so on). The gain staging, also under digital control, features an Analog Boost functionality that can go up to "11." Therefore, there are plenty of opportunities to push the limits.

In the lower part of the device are the "Quick" buttons. Pressing a button takes you directly to the menu and assigns the knobs to the corresponding functions. This is similar to the HydraSynth and is the best way to efficiently edit the extensive possibilities. There is quick access to sound generation/shaping (DCO, VCF, AMP), the associated modulation options (ENV 1-3, LFO 1-4), or the effects section, with parameter values displayed on the screen. Pressing the Macro button switches to Macro mode, allowing users to assign their own combinations of multiple parameters to one (of six) knob from the OSC or filter section. Redshift has six individual outputs, MPE, MIDI I/O—both via MIDI DIN jacks and USB. The latter can also be used for firmware updates, potentially making this Variable Character Synth even more versatile in the future.

Features:

• Six-voice compact desktop synthesizer module
• Sixfold multitimbral
• Fully analog signal chain
• Sound engine based on the Supercritical Demon Core Synthesizer
• Analog four-pole filter with various configuration options
• Six audio outputs (2 main, 4 aux outs)
• Optional voice/filter chaining
• Gain staging with analog boost circuit
• Stereo DSP effects section (with bypass function)
• 2.7-inch TFT display with eight dedicated endless knobs and button grid navigation
• Oscillator and filter section knobs that can be configured as user-defined
• Can be configured as custom macro knobs
• Modern MIDI implementation (MIDI I/O via DIN or USB)