Bram Bos Solderbox is a brand new generative semi-modular Synthesizer for macOS and iOS, created in collaboration with YouTuber Jakob haQ.
YouTuber Jakob haQ is named an professional in iOS music-making. The Swedish musician, nevertheless, has been working with {hardware} modular synthesizers for a while now. He has developed his method to modular and builds most of his modules from DIY kits or just himself.
For his new venture, Solderbox, he has turned his {hardware} modular Synthesizer into an app in partnership with Bram Bos. A developer identified for the Fluss granular app with Hainbach, Hilda Synthesizer, and others.
Bram Bos Solderbox
Solderbox is a brand new, easy-to-use, 3-voice semi-modular Synthesizer for iOS and macOS, made in collaboration with YouTuber Jakob haQ. In keeping with the builders, the synth structure is closely based mostly on Jakob’s personal {hardware} modular synth, consisting of many hand-made modules.
Bram Bos Solderbox consists of two unbiased oscillators with glide and varied waveshapes, together with a supersaw with seven sawtooth waves. The second oscillator will also be an FM modular for VCO 1.
Straight under, it hosts a wave-surgeon module that mixes two rectifiers with attenuverters to separate each waveforms into constructive and damaging halves. The attenuverters are particularly useful as they open up fascinating patch workflows. For instance, you’ll be able to cut up or fade the waves or use them as a wave form generator.
Then, it hosts a multi-flavored waveshaper with 5 differing types, together with wave folding, wave bending, and extra. In the identical module or column, you get a noise/random part with completely different morphable noise colours: brown, white, pattern & maintain, and crackle.
Along with the noises, two separate random mills (I/II) generate random alerts when a gate sign is distributed into the random trig or the envelope generator is triggered.
Bram Bos and Jakob haQ additionally added filters to the Solderbox Synthesizer app. It has 4 modes (6, 12, 18, and 24dB), which could be managed manually with basic cutoff and resonance knobs or by way of CV. A further filter drive provides spice to the filter’s character.
Hopefully, an replace will add extra filter modes like highpass, bandpass, and notch.
Modulation
Sure, the brand new Jakob haQ semi-modular Synthesizer additionally provides built-in modulation. First, you’ll be able to patch two syncable multi-wave LFOs to parameters. They’re totally unbiased or mixed, permitting you to create a extra unpredictable, wild modulation supply.
Secondly, you get a West Coast-inspired envelope generator with rise (assault) and fall (launch), adjustable slope, a selectable maintain mode, and a loop operate.
Subsequent to the modulators, it hosts a utility module with three inputs and devoted attenuverts. They’ve varied utility performance, together with sign multiplication, summing, slew management, and extra.
The built-in pulse sequencer (+ quantizer) is a spotlight of the brand new Bram Bos Solderbox. It’s a generative module that creates repeating advanced CV and melodies utilizing three easy sq. LFOs, every with unbiased controls, synced to the present tempo.
Moreover, a built-in quantizer permits you to create correct melodies with the Pulse sequencer. Good: you may as well use the quantizer individually or otherwise. There’s additionally a patchable VCA with a stunning drone mode.
The Entropy is a hybrid between an affordable digital delay and a bit-crusher that processes its delay traces with an 8-bit reminiscence processor. This leads to echos that turn into more and more crunchier and noisier with each spherical. Due to the AUv3 results model, you may as well use it as a separate FX processor with different apps.
The second half of the interface is the patch bay, which incorporates all audio in/outs and CV in/outs which can be patchable with Buchla-style stackable cables. Lastly, all synth settings are uncovered as AU parameters, so you may as well automate them in your DAW or management them with a MIDI controller.
First Impression
At first look, it’s a pretty, structured, semi-modular Synthesizer. Most options are acquainted from basic semi or totally modular {hardware} synthesizers. This makes the app significantly appropriate for locating the modular patch world with out investing 300€+ in a {hardware} unit.
When it comes to sound, Solderbox is once more on a excessive stage like all of the final Bram Bos apps, together with Hilda, a 0-coast-like Synthesizer, which is considered one of my favorites. Congrats to Jakob haQ and Bram Bos.
Bram Bos Solderbox is obtainable now for $12,99 on the Apple AppStore and runs on iOS (iPad/iPhone) and macOS (Apple Silicon) as standalone app and AUv3 plugin (synth/results).
Extra info right here: Bram Bos (Ruismaker) / AppStore
