Michigan Synth Works - SY0.5

Finally! The analog percussion classic now available as Eurorack module! - The SY0.5 emulates a voice of the Pearl Syncussion SY-1. Thanks to all kinds of original components, it sounds just as beautifully as its predecessor. The repertoire ranges from kicks to all kinds of tonal FM percussion to metallic snare and high zapp sounds. It also adds four CV inputs and a velocity-sensitive trigger input to the original concept for deep Eurorack integration.

The SY0.5 is like its predecessor a really good drum module. And unlike the latter  CV-controllable and equipped with V/Oct tracking!

At its core, the sound generation consists of two triangle oscillators, noise, filter, VCA, two decay envelopes and an LFO. Though focusing on fast operation, one has to get used to the interface and naming conventions first:

The six Oscillator Modes A - F configure the basic behaviour of the sound generation:

• A only one oscillator is heard

• B one oscillator modulates the frequency of the other. Sounds often metallic.

• C both oscillators mixed. Reminds of vibraphones

• D both oscillators mixed. Velcocity affects low to high sweep.

• E for B plus noise. Thin metal!

• F noise only

Via the "Mode" CV input the modes can be advanced by a trigger or adressed by using CVs.

"Tune" sets the basic pitch AND the cutoff frequency of the filter. "Width" refers to the bandwidth of the filter. "Sweep" refers to the bandwidth of the pitch change through the envelope, whose decay time here is called "Speed".These three are the core parameters.

"Decay" is the decay time of the VCA only. "LFO" controls the strength of the effect of the LFO on the pitch (vibrato) and "Speed" its frequency. The S/H switch does not belong to the LFO, but activates an independent stepped random voltage, which changes the pitch with each incoming trigger.

Once this principle has been internalized, SY0.5 not only allows dreaded 80ies e-drum sounds, but much, much more.