Modulus Music has officially introduced modulus.002. They describe it as ‘the first analogue/digital hybrid polysynth to have been designed, developed, and manufactured in the UK for four decades’.

Here’s what they have to say about the modulus.002:

As an analogue/digital hybrid keyboard synthesiser (using an aftertouch-enabled premium Fatar semi-weighted, five-octave key mechanism), modulus.002 provides 12 discrete voices of polyphony with full multitimbrality if so desired. As such, it features two NCOs (Numerically-Controlled Oscillators) per voice for exceedingly high resolution and stability with wide-reaching waveform selections, together with two sub-oscillators, individually (and uniquely) switchable from a traditional square wave to having the same waveform as the main NCO to effectively produce four oscillators per voice; a Modulus-designed 24dB/octave four- pole transistor ladder filter featuring some very unusual morphing or ‘polesweeping’ effects, enabling ear-opening transitions from 24dB/octave four-pole to 6dB/ octave one-pole filtering and anywhere in between; one LFO per voice as well as a global LFO; wide-ranging modulation options, all accessible directly via the front panel — no navigating convoluted and confusing menus; a pure analogue signal path from the oscillators right the way through to the combined XLR/TRS balanced/unbalanced outputs (with all 12 voices individually available for external processing via a dedicated D-Sub connector); two audio inputs enabling internal audio processing from the VCF onwards… and that’s only scratching the surface. Not literally, of course!

All voice control parameters are accessible via an intuitive front panel.

According to Modulus, the modulus.002 brings cloud functionality to a synthesizer for the first time.

The Ethernet port means modulus.002 can be connected to a network to enable updates via the Internet and access to the modulus.cloud means user profile settings, sound patches, sequences, and other content can be easily replicated to a cloud-based server platform to enable rapid resynchronization to another modulus.002, regardless of whether it is owned by the same user or a collaborator at a remote location.

Features:

modulus.002 provides twelve discrete voices of polyphony with full multi-timbrality if desired

Two oscillators per voice with two sub oscillators, which can be switched from being either traditional square wave to having the same waveform as the main oscillator – in effect making four oscillators per voice

Analogue / digital hybrid architecture uses NCOs for very high resolution, and very stable oscillators. Over 50 different waveforms, ranging from classic analogue sounds to more unique digital shapes

modulus designed 24db per octave four pole transistor ladder filter, with some very unusual morphing characteristics or ‘polesweeping’, enabling transition from four pole through bandpass to one pole 6db per octave, or anywhere in between

Two LFO’s, one per voice and one global

Extensive modulation options, all accessed directly from the front panel – no menu options

modulus.002 features a range of sequencing options – a built in 16 Track, 12 row, 32 step sequencer with 16 dedicated step time editing knobs on the front panel and MIDI sync capabilities. Sequences can also be transposed dynamically while running

A very highly featured arpeggiator with a wide range of different modes, including modulus ‘hold’ mode, enabling arpeggiator-based sequences to be created

The modulus Animator, which enables any control parameter on the modulus.002 to be sequenced, enabling very complex filter transisitions, wave form changes and modulation matrix changes to be sequenced

The modulus Animator, which enables any control parameter on the modulus.002 to be sequenced, enabling very complex filter transisitions, wave form changes and modulation matrix changes to be sequenced 4.3″ screen with wide viewing angle, display is context sensitive where the control parameters of any control knob that is touched by the user, is immediately displayed

Twelve ‘quick recall banks’ are accessible directly from the front panel, enabling performing musicians to get rid of their set sheets and build set lists of presets, sequences and animations, all quickly accessible from dedicated front panel buttons. Up to ten banks of quick recalls can be created

VCF and VCA envelope generators

Four Key Modes – Poyphonic, Monophonic, Unison and Stack

FATAR semi-weighted five octave key mechanism with aftertouch

All voice control parameters are accessible from front panel, that follows a traditional synthesiser work flow

Pure analogue signal path with combined XLR/TRS sockets for balance / unbalanced outputs. Further, each of the twelve outputs can be brought out individually via a dedicated dsub socket

Two audio inputs enabling audio processing from the VCF onwards plus external MIDI in and out

XY joystick and Sustain and Expression pedal inputs for performance controls – any control parameter can be assigned to any joystick axis (X+, X-, Y+, Y-) by pressing the dedicated front panel selector button

Ethernet port to connect your modulus.002 to your network and enable updates via the internet (no more midi sysex dumps) and access to the Modulus cloud features

Here are the official audio demos:

https://soundcloud.com/modulus-music/sets/modulus002-patch-demos

modulus.002 is available to purchase for £2,995.00 GBP (plus VAT) / €3,795.00 EUR (plus VAT) / $5,200.00 USD (plus local sales tax). See the Modulus Music site for audio demos and more details and the previous Modulus post for a sneak preview video of the modulus.002.