The SunSyn is an 8-voice Analog Synthesizer Module with Low -and High Pass filters, various waveforms and numerous Routing possibilities.

Extended information

The analog synthesizer was born and over one decade, most exiting music productions were characterised by their sound. After some years, when computers were new and interesting, the quickly developing techno-scene desired unique analog sound and machines with easy, intuitive handling. Those marvellous artefacts with all their bugs were rediscovered and finally declared to absolute 'cult'-objects. Today, analog sound stands for 'punchy, powerful and intuitive acces'. There is hardly no pop-production, that does not live from some fat analog sounds. The JoMoX SunSyn continous the range of big and exciting analog synthesizers. Expanding the well-known capabillities, the SunSyn connects extensive sound generation and -processing features with most intuitive acces in every studio and live setting.

The SunSyn is a completely true analog, multitimbral and programmable synthesizer. In general, it is equipped with 8 independent voices. On demand, we manufacture 4- and 6- voice versions, that can be upgraded with additional voice cards.

Oscillator Section
Every SunSyn voice has two true analog oscillators, built up in descrete cuircuit technology and featuring the classic waveforms saw, square and pulse with pulsewide-modulation. Besides that, every voice has two so called RCOs (Ramp Controlled Oscillator). This is the first time to use complex waveforms with anlog 'feel' in an analog synthesizer. The RCOs follow the VCO-characteristics like modulations, sync and subtile tuning- and frequency-alterations. That means, digital waveforms come alive like never before. All in all you have 4 oscillators per voice, i.e. 32 at all. Inside the machine you have 4 wavesets with 256 waveforms each, to feed the RCOs. More wavesets are available on via PCMCIA-card.

Filter Section
The filter section contains a fully configurable 4 pole true analog filter. On each pole, high/lowpass characteristics and coefficients (i.e. the basic cutoff frequency for each pole) can be adjusted individually. So you have the possibility to crossfade continously from a typical Moog 4pole to an 18db - 303 lowpass to an Oberheim-like 2pole filter. Additionally, using the HP/LP switching for each pole, it is possible to create the most spacy bandpass- and highpass-filter sounds. Furthermore, you can store all filter-parameters in 2 scenes and MORPH (in the analog domain!) between them.

Envelopes
According to the machines conception, both envelopes are descrete analog curcuits and super fast. One can be inverted. Typical envelope modulation paths are hardwired and have thier own knob on the frontpanel.

LFO's
There are two LFOs per voice. Each one can be delayd or applied to events. Waveforms are triangle, saw up/down, square and random. The rate is adjustible between approx. 1kHz and 0,02Hz to create superslow sweeps.

Modulation
One of the most exiting innovations of the SunSyn is the routing-system. It turns the SunSyn into an 8-voice modular synth with programmable routing system. And it is absolutely easy to use.
In addition to the fixed routings (e.g. Env1->VCA) you have 4 flexible and programmable routing paths per voice, called Routing-Element.

Source1
1 of 8 + Source 2
1 of 8 + Modifier
1 of 8 * Destination
1 of 8
VCO1 S
VCO1 R
RCO1
ENV 1
VCO1KV
VCO1PV
NOISE
LFO1 VCO2 S
VCO2 R
RCO2
ENV 2
VCO2KV
VCO2PV
EXT IN
LFO2 Controller
VCO1 S
VCO2 R
ENV 1
ENV2
RCO1
LFO1
LFO2 VCO1 FM
VCO2 FM
VCO1 PW
VCO2 PW
VCF CUT
VCF RES
VCF IN
VCA AMT
Source1 Source2

You can picture Routing-Elements as a modular-systems wire, with two inputs (sources) and one output (destination). They are connected by an electronically controlled knob (modifier), to manipulate the intensity. The intensity itself can be modulated by any Midi-Controller (e.g. controller, velocity, aftertouch) or by an analog audio-signal from the SunSyn. So you create 'modulated modulations'. Besides that, the signals of each voice can modulate among each other. Up to now, this was only possible with 'real' (and huge) modular systems. Everything works of course in the analog domain. Therefor no operation is limited by fixed point calculation errors (as in DSPs), but instead offers full dynamic-range for chaotic effects which apear on many modulations.
Every modulation path is easy edited and understandable by one single view on the front panel.

An example:
Both VCOs are cross-modulated. This needs 2 Routing Elements, one for each voice. The intensity of the modulation can be controlled by e.g. key velocity. But this is just for starters. At the same time, an external audio signal is mixed with noise and cutted into pieces by LFO1 and is mixed into the filter input. Now there still remains one Routing Element to e.g. ringmodulate RCO1and RCO2, and let the result modulate the VCA amount (if RCO2 is the source and RCO1 the modifier, both signals get multiplied; the result is a ring modulation). The final sound result should be spaced out in every sense of the word.

Control Panel
There is a knob or lighted button on the control panel for every importand function. All in all, there are 40 of them. The SunSyn has a 48 character-LCD with 4 soft-controllers and 4 soft-buttons to handle several edit-menues in an easy way. A three character LED shows programm number and the actual parameter value.

Sound storage
The SunSyns internal memory can handle 350 sounds, 150 multis and 4 wavesets. There is a card-slot for PCMCIA-Cards on the backside. So you can expand sound- and waveform-memory. JoMoX will offer a series of cards with sounds and waveforms. Cards with 8MB capacity can be used. They can store 500 sounds (350 single/150 multi) and 63 wavesets with 256 waveforms each.

Midi
All knob movements and keypad events are sent and recieved as Midi controller data. We will deliver editor templates for the best known software sequencer systems.

In / Outputs
The SunSyn has a stereo-out. Stereo-panning can be modulated by an LFO. There are also 8 freely routable individual outs. All out-sockets are electronically symetried. The headphone-out has its own volume knob. Besides that, there is a stereo input, to send external audio signals or control voltages into the SunSyns routing system.

Power supply
The SunSyn has an internal power supply. It is a 'clean' and computer controlled audio-power-supply, specially designed to aviod any unwanted effects to the audio-circuits. The line voltage is switchable 230/110V and the power cable is removable.

Casing
The SunSyn is housed in a solid metal case with wooden end cheeks. It can be used as 'desktop'machine or can be installed in a 19"" rack by swapping the end cheeks.

Technical specifications

Number of voices: 8
VCO's 2 per voice; waveforms: saw, pulsewidth
RCO's 2 per voice, digital waveforms follow the analog oscillators
Filter 4 pole fully configurable, individual cutoff and HP/LP switching for each pole; analog morphing between two filter setups is possible. True two pole switching is possible
Envelopes 2 ADSR per voice, real analog RC-envelope (discrete circuitry)
LFO's 2 per voice individually, waveforms triangle, sawtooth up/down, rectangle and random
Routing Elements 4 per voice. Analog modulation matrix with 4096 possible combinations per Routing Element
Presets 350 Single / 150 Multi
Display LCD 2x24 characters, LED 3x7 segment for parameter display
Soft controller 4 incremental encoders
Card 1 PCMCIA card slot for waves and sounds
Midi Midi In, Midi Out, Midi Thru
User Interface 40 knobs, 42 buttons, 85 LED's
Outputs 1 individual out per voice (8 total); 1 stereo mix out, 1 HP out
Output level about +4dBu at all outputs
Inputs 2 external inputs, can be used for audio and CV
Supply 220/110 V line voltage selectable
Dimensions 19"" 6 RU
Weight about 12 kg