synthanatomy unleashes the Pylobolus Alkohol – A Synth with a Cheeky Twist

Dive headfirst into the quirky world of Alkohol. Synthanatomy introduces us to Lionel’s creation, aptly named Alkohol—a nod to both stereo sound and a cheeky French joke. This is not just about getting tipsy; it’s a clever wordplay reflecting the synth’s dual-voice technology. Each voice effectively acts like it’s doubled, hence the name Alkohol. It might sound like a drunken escapade on paper, but in practice, it translates to an enhanced auditory experience, where every note feels twice as vibrant and rich.

As Lionel explains, this prototype model reflects years of contemplative tinkering, pulling from his extensive background in both synth design and IT. It’s not just about popping out a shiny new gadget; it’s about distilling decades of know-how into a tool that musicians will adore.

The core of this innovation lies in its native stereo synthesis. Each voice is equipped with two digital synth engines, left and right, offering modulations that echo and shift, crafting a stereo presence that digital synths often fail to deliver. Ever gone to a gig and felt the bassline vibrating in one ear and the melody wooing the other? That’s the kind of separation Alkohol seeks to capture, and it’s fabulously bonkers!

Time to pop open the hood and peek into the Alkohol’s little engine room. With a whopping 2×9 voice structure, it’s not blowing smoke when it says it’s different. Synthanatomy gets us up close and personal with Alkohol’s inner workings, spotlighting its digital synthesis engine that boasts 18 voices split across a unique stereo setup. Each voice combines three regular oscillators with a specialised VOSIM oscillator.

The latter mimics the human voice in a way that almost feels cheeky. Who said digital can’t have soul? Lionel’s design allows these oscillators to morph and modulate, crafting transitions between voices that are anything but dull. Forget your standard ‘bing bang boom’—this synth offers an expressive palette more akin to a sonic paintbrush. Imagine scrawling mad riffs across your next project with nothing but digital pigments.

Visual aesthetics are often overlooked in synth design, but not so with the Pylobolus Alkohol. This prototype embraces a riotous array of colours, each knob and button hinting at its specific function. It’s not just about looking pretty, though—this colour coding serves as an intuitive guide, enabling the user to effortlessly navigate the complex UI. It’s like walking into a well-lit gig venue as opposed to fumbling around in the pitch black.

Synthanatomy highlights Lionel’s attention to the tactile dimension of performance. How about some real-time modulation on a touchscreen interface? You can tweak settings with an ease reminiscent of sliding a new pint down the bar. A cheeky holographic display pairs with the tactile screen to enable settings management, offering a veritable smorgasbord of options for the modern synth enthusiast.

Furthermore, the Alkohol’s multifaceted sequencing capabilities hint at potential for future expansions. While it’s currently designed with an arpeggiator, Synthanatomy hints at the inevitable inclusion of a full-fledged sequencer. It’s like the prototype is whispering ‘stick around, I’ve got more surprises up my sleeve.’

Now, the real test – what does the Pylobolus Alkohol sound like? With multiple oscillators and filters to play around with, it offers a buffet of choices for sound sculptors. The VOSIM oscillator, in particular, is the star of this sonic circus. Lionel’s much-loved voice simulation morphs seamlessly between different tonalities, as showcased by Synthanatomy’s deep dive into the instrument’s capabilities.

Expect rich textures that range from delicately fine to gloriously coarse, dancing across the stereo field like a well-choreographed punk gig gone electric. While it may not have that analogue fatness, it compensates with versatility. In Synthanatomy’s testing, the Alkohol manages to capture both the raw and the refined—akin to, say, a two-pint buzz accompanied by sweet synthy undertones. Lionel’s promise of future enhancements makes one wonder just how far this rabbit hole goes.

Finally, the Alkohol’s” plans for commercial release remain under wraps, with pricing yet to be discussed. No need to rush genius, as they say. When it finally hits the market, expect it to attract both rave reviews and curiosity from musicians worldwide. Until then, we’re left salivating for more.