Metasonix S-2000 Synthesizer

Metasonix´new handmade tube synthesizer has been designed to be played instantly. After 30 seconds of heat-up time it can be played with the ribbon controller. But the S-2000 is not as simple as it might sound - the two oscillators can act as resonanting filters, there are three envelopes/LFOs, CV/gate connections and even an external audio input.

The S-2000´s sound ist generated by two all-tube oscillator/filter ?operators?, with resonance variable from flat response to deep oscillation. The drive parameter is variable from clean sine wave to a distinctive distorted square/pulse wave. Frequency range from less than 10Hz to more than 3kHz. Resonate both for FM sound effects. The instrument´s level is controlled by an all-tube VCA.

Three envelope generators are there for modulation issues:

• C1: attack-release type feeds the VCA
• C2: attack-decay type feeds the operator-two sweep and optionally the VCA, and may be set to retrigger automatically.
• C3 is the same as C2, but feeds the operator-one CV input.

Plus a built-in and highly-sensitive ribbon controller, which triggers C1-C3 when the ribbon is touched. Two modes are available, continuous open for pitch bending (theremin-style), and single-touch for discrete held pitches. The ribbon gives more than 3 octaves of pitch range. You can remove the ribbon controller and e.g. exchange it by a longer one to get a better resolution The ribbon manufacturer is SpectraSymbol, by the way.