Synthux - Spotykach

Spotykach is a dual-deck performance looper and sampling instrument from Synthux, bringing together tape-style looping, rhythmic slicing and granular processing. Feed it anything from a drum machine or synth to a voice or field recording, then work on the sound independently across its two decks. Each deck has three modes: Reel is inspired by tape looping, with reverse, overdubbing and pitch/speed manipulation; Slice breaks recordings into rhythmic fragments that can be triggered and re-sequenced; and Drift takes things into granular territory, introducing shifting variations in pitch and time. You can also resample from one deck into the other, letting a simple recording gradually turn into something very different.

The interface looks rather wild, with two swirling LED rings, patch points and twelve touch-sensitive pads shaped like strips of spliced tape, but the workflow itself feels straightforward once you've made sense of the controls. The pads handle recording, playback, sequencing and effects, while the main controls reshape the loops as they run. Spotykach draws on several generations of recorded-sound manipulation: reel-to-reel techniques, digital sample chopping and granular processing. The emphasis is on experimentation and on small changes that push a loop in unexpected directions. The name fits too: Spotykach is a traditional Ukrainian liqueur associated with stumbling, which Synthux use as a metaphor for those off-kilter moments.

A built-in dual modulation engine provides LFOs and envelope followers, and its modulation can also be sent to external Eurorack-compatible gear. Two effects slots per deck add further processing, while seven CV inputs, gate I/O, analog clock sync and MIDI make Spotykach easy to connect to modular systems, sequencers, controllers and foot switches. It works with both line and Eurorack-level signals, and its open-source firmware runs on the Daisy Seed platform.

Spotykach feels like an instrument to explore by ear and intuition. Change something, listen, and follow where it leads. There is enough control to be deliberate, but plenty of room for unexpected results.

Features:

• Dual-deck performance looper and experimental sampling instrument
• Two independent stereo recording decks
• Three processing modes per deck:
• Reel — tape-inspired looping with reverse, overdubbing and pitch/speed manipulation
• Slice — rhythmic chopping and re-sequencing
• Drift — granular processing with pitch and time variation
• Resampling between decks
• 12 touch-sensitive pads shaped like spliced tape strips
• Two LED rings for visual feedback
• Built-in dual modulation engine
• LFOs with multiple waveforms
• Envelope followers
• Eurorack-level modulation output
• Two effects slots per deck
• Seven CV inputs
• Gate input and output per deck
• Analog clock input and tap-tempo synchronization
• MIDI input and output via 3.5 mm TRS
• MIDI clock and controller support
• Stereo audio input and output
• Line-level and Eurorack-level input support
• Open-source firmware
• Daisy Seed processing platform
• Supports community-developed alternative firmware
• Includes custom travel case, patch cables, MIDI TRS adapter, USB-C cable and MicroSD card