Unveiling Cyma Forma ALT: A Journey with synthanatomy

16. April 2025

LUMINA

Unveiling Cyma Forma ALT: A Journey with synthanatomy

Dive into a universe where sound becomes story with synthanatomy at the helm. Exploring the Cyma Forma ALT, an analog pin matrix synthesizer unveiled at SynthFest France 2025, synthanatomy guides us through innovations that transform musical narratives. Experience the evolution of sound design as each feature breathes life into new sonic adventures.

The Sonic Canvas Unveiled

In the dim glow of SynthFest France 2025, where synthesized dreams twinkle like stars, synthanatomy introduces us to the Cyma Forma ALT. This analog pin matrix synthesizer, a creation born from innovation and passion, is a tapestry of sound waiting to be painted. With its unique fader concept, it invites us to sculpt melodies that linger in the ether. We are drawn into a realm where each pin becomes a brushstroke, crafting harmonies that echo into the profound depths of our imagination. It’s a synthesizer that doesn’t just play notes but maps out whole constellations of sound.


Mapping the Galaxy of the ALT

Here, we explore the celestial mechanics of the Cyma Forma ALT. It embraces us with cross faders that slide between low pass and high pass, much like shifting tectonic plates of sound through our hands. The ALT is not merely a machine but a companion in our quest for sonic exploration. Modular roots inspire its architecture—a nod to the historical EMS. Unlike the EMS, it simplistically routes control voltage (CV) while audio flows freely, unbound by constraints. Dual PCBs connect seamlessly, unveiling a universe where oscillators dance and modulations sing. synthanatomy captures this intricate ballet with grace, revealing endless destinations for modulation—19 to be precise. Each possibility is a universe ready to be explored. Sample and hold, envelope followers, and LFOs blend into a cosmic fabric where sequences are more than just rhythms—they are time itself, woven into sound.

It is quite complex, but it's also way easier for the user to patch modulation sources with destinations.

© Screenshot/Quote: Synthanatomy (YouTube)

Unveiling the Heartbeat of Innovation

The heart of ALT pulses with innovation, and synthanatomy reveals its poetic intricacies. Each oscillator offers more than harmonic frequencies; they breathe life into melodies, giving them texture with elements like a sawtooth waveform. As synthanatomy weaves through possibilities, we discover the ALT’s potential for FM synthesis. Oscillators engage in conversations where frequencies modulate one another, weaving complex patterns of sound. It’s a realm where sound becomes a tangible entity. Experimentation is encouraged, and the ease of access opens doors to little galaxies within every flick of a switch. Here, FM synthesis is not merely functional; it’s a dance of electromagnetic energy.


A Symphony in Development

You can build your chord with alt and then transpose it with the keyboard.

© Screenshot/Quote: Synthanatomy (YouTube)

From the birth of ALT to its present form, we witness a symphony in development. Since last year’s Superbooth, its creators continuously composed new features, shaping it into a refined instrument of musical expression. synthanatomy guides us through enhancements in scale and root note management, where musicians can sculpt their scales as deftly as an artist molds clay. The addition of a second filter and performance buttons breathes fresh air into its sonic lungs, allowing users to manipulate the breath of sound itself. Despite its evolving form, the ALT eschews presets, demanding live interaction—a commitment to the raw essence of sound design. Its tactile nature invites us to explore textures and hues of sound, and though it stands at 97% completion, it resonates with a promise of infinite explorations yet to unfold.

The Journey Continues

Our journey with the ALT does not end. synthanatomy reveals that this almost-complete masterpiece is heading towards its final phase. The Kickstarter campaign, a cosmos of collaboration and support, propelled its progress. As production nears, the ALT remains exclusive, its distribution handled with care, echoing a desire for quality over mass proliferation. Scheduled for deliveries in the summer and debuting for sales in the fall, it holds an anticipation as thick as the fog it synthesizes. The creators are dedicated to intimacy and detail, preferring to oversee the ALT’s journey to enthusiasts’ hands directly. It’s more than a product; it’s a narrative of time, crafted in sound and shared with all who choose to listen.


The Resonance of Tomorrow

Conclusively, as we drift through synthanatomy’s narrative, we see the ALT as more than a mere device. Its price, poised just above a thousand euros, offers a gateway into its auditory wonderland. Enveloping us in its embrace, the ALT remains unprescribed, unpreserved by presets, waiting to be unfolded by curious hands. It is a reminder that sound is an ever-expanding universe, forever urging us to dive deeper into its mysteries. Through synthanatomy’s lens, the ALT becomes a vessel that does not merely emit sound; it awakens the ghosts of sonic possibilities that await our touch. With each activation, it pulses with magnetic resonance, inviting us to sail its nebula streams and chase the echoes of a future yet to be heard.


This article is also available in German. Read it here: https://synthmagazin.at/enthuellung-der-cyma-forma-alt-eine-reise-mit-synthanatomy/