We guess you can never have too many synths. On the other hand you may either have limited physical space in your studio or your computer may run out of storage. So, what will you do? Especially as there is a new beast in town. We would recommend you to seriously consider dropping some old stuff in favor of this little beauty – the Compusynth 400. Giorgio Sancristoforo has yet again introduced a new powerful machine, this time a modular synthesizer instrument that takes inspiration from the west coast paradigm and Altair8800, one of the first personal microcomputers available to the hobbyists in the mid 70s.

A powerful sonic laboratory, the Compusynth features a peculiar 128 bit sequencer, oscillators, filters, efxs and processors, and flexible routing with 1,596 patch points. It’s is unique in that it merges elements of vintage 70s digital and vintage 70s analog to create a synth you really haven’t seen, borrowed from an alternate timeline. It’s a bit like if Altair had made its own version of the 200 series Buchla, with plenty of twists thrown in.

Compusynth has everything I ever dreamt about west coast modulars: enough resources to create tons of sounds with the addition of a large memory sequencer and a fantastic tape echo. Compusynth can make weird experimental sounds as well as traditional fat synth sequences that will serve any music genere with its warm and deep tone.

A cute tape recorder with many tape simulations is at hand to record your sound and gigs. Compusynth is made for experimentation, free from cliché and formulas, it is a magnificent tool for live improvisation, drones, strange bongos and extremely flexible for sound design. You can use any virtual audio driver to connect Compusynth with your DAW, just in case…

Currently only available as standalone software for macOS (Universal), Compusynth is priced $19.50 USD. A Windows version is scheduled for January 2023.

Specs:

• 4 VCOs
• 4 LPVCA (low pass gate)
• 4 envelope generators
• 1 resonant low pass filter
• 3 independent resonators
• Microcomputer memory sequencer (a la Altair) with 3 tracks
• 1 ring modulator
• 1 attenuverter
• 1 minimum function
• 1 tape echo
• 1 spring reverb
• 3-channel mixer (sum)
• 4-channel mixer with master output
• Tape recorder

19.50€ now for macOS Universal (M1/Intel), with a Windows version promised for next month.

More information: Giorgio Sancristoforo