4 track
digital
multitimbral synthesizer
for creating generative music
Multitimbral
synthesizer
You can arrange a whole ensemble:
drums, basses, leads, strings, percussion, drones, noises and more....
If you place the same timbres on all tracks, you will get a classic polyphonic synthesizer.
Use methods of:
- subtractive synthesis
- additive synthesis
- physical modeling synthesis
- FM synthesis
Kaleidoscope has on each track:
- complex oscillator for creating huge variety of waveforms
- wavefolder
- hardsync
- filter with resonance
- comb filter
- overdrive
- FM mixer-router
- audio mixer-router
Filter with resonance.
To make it easy to play on resonance, the filter cutoff frequencies are set to the frequencies of MIDI notes.
Comb filter.
Can work as a resonator, cutting out some of the harmonics.
Can work as a delay line to create volume.
The Kaleidoscope oscillator can create very complex waveforms that can flow smoothly into one another.
Control the tilt of the asymmetrical triangle.
Control the PWM shape of the square.
Put the saw through one of the wavefolder modes.
Use amplitude folding to add aggression to the sound.
Use phase folding to create a sub-oscillator or hardsync.
Kaleidoscope has an overdrive module, which is also an element of additive synthesis.
Kaleidoscope overdrive is located either before the combo filter or after it. In the second case, the overdrive will create a very powerful and destructive effect.
In Kaleidoscope, you do not control the gain of the signal entering the overdrive with a fixed characteristic, as is done in most other devices.
You control the curvature of the overdrive characteristic.
At small values, the overdrive provides soft saturation of the signal.
At large values, it works as a hard fuzz, turning any incoming signal into a square one.
The delay lengths of the Kaleidoscope comb filter are set to MIDI note periods.
This allows the use of physical modeling methods for systems inside a digital waveguide.
Each Kaleidoscope track has an input for frequency modulation with controlled attenuation.
The modulating signal can be the sum of any combination of Kaleidoscope tracks.
This can be used as a regular 4 operator fm synthesis.
Or it can be used as an unusual way to distort sound.
It is based on functional methods for creating control signals and triggers.
Such a sequencer works as an add-on to the control system and does not conflict with external sequencers.
The generative sequencer can be used to create rhythmic patterns and parametric arpeggios.
Each envelope generates a trigger at the end of its attack-decay cycle. This so called end of cycle trigger can be passed to any other envelope to trigger it.
If an envelope triggers itself, it becomes something like a low-frequency oscillator (LFO).
If the envelope trigger exchange is disabled, it works in the normal ADSR mode.
Each envelope has an 8-step pattern-mask with variable length.
It's a bit like a step sequencer. But it's more of a very unusual way to create envelopes with complex behavior over time while you hold them.
The pattern and its length are parameters, so they can be modulated.
The modulation envelope output can be quantized, i.e. changed from continuous to stepwise.
This is useful, for example, for creating arpeggios. Including rhythmic ones.
The arpeggio parameters will depend on the envelope shape and period, as well as on the quantization parameter. All these parameters can be modulated.
Arpeggios can be created not only at the oscillator frequency, but also at the frequency of the filter with resonance, the comb filter, and the envelope period.
Connect an external keyboard or sequencer via MIDI to play notes on the generative sequencer.
Kaleidoscope's generative sequencer works as an add-on to the control system and does not conflict with incoming MIDI messages.
matrix
You select only one parameter for the modulator (envelope or LFO) from several available track parameters.
Kaleidoscope has a three-dimensional modulation matrix.
You select not only the parameter for the modulator, but also the track on which this parameter is located.
You can combine modulators in any way.
- Assign several modulators to one parameter.
- Modulate the duration of envelopes or a pattern.
- Create feedbacks. Negative feedbacks stabilize the behavior. Positive feedbacks, on the contrary, shake it up and turn it into chaos.
In Kaleidoscope, you modulate not only the timbre parameters, but also the dynamics of this modulation. This opens up a new dimension for sound exploration.
Such possibilities can be found in the world of modulars, but not in the world of standalone synthesizers.
ADSR Volume Envelope
Has 2 destinations.
Has a pattern mask with an assignable length.
AD Modulation Envelope
Has 2 destinations.
Has a pattern mask with an assignable length.
Each destination of the modulation envelope has an independent quantization setting.
Velocity Envelope
Has 1 destination.
Kaleidoscope allows you to smooth out the MIDI Velocity signal, turning it into an Attack-Hold-Release envelope.
Channel Aftertouch Envelope
Has 1 destination.
Kaleidoscope allows you to smooth out the MIDI Channel Aftertouch signal, turning it into an Attack-Hold-Release envelope.
Keytrack with smoothing
Has 1 destination.
Kaleidoscope allows you to smooth out the value of the MIDI Note signal, so that you can use it to modulate any available parameter.
Mod.Wheel and Pitch-Bend
Have 1 destination each.
sound core
MID, FOLD, MIX, DRIVE, CUTOFF, RESONANCE, PITCH, GLIDE, VOLUME, FMVOL, FMSRC
control system
volenvSHAPE, volenvPERIOD, volenvMODDEPTH1, volenvMODDEPTH2, volenvPATTERN, volenvPATTERNLENGTH, modenvSHAPE, modenvPERIOD, modenvMODDEPTH1, modenvMODDEPTH2, modenvPATTERN, modenvPATTERNLENGTH, modenvQUANTIZE1, modenvQUANTIZE2
laboratory
in your
Explore soundscapes,
then save, load and share your results with friends.
Kaleidoscope has 128 slots for saving presets.
Presets can be exported from the device's memory to a computer.
Presets can be imported from a computer to the device's memory.
There are no other indicators on the panel except the screen. This is an advantage. You are focused on one interface element and get full information from it.
The Kaleidoscope display shows instantaneous values of all parameters, taking into account any modulations.
It also displays all modulation sources in the bottom line. So that you can always see who is modulating whom.
The Kaleidoscope has a page organization of parameters.
8 groups of pages.
4 pages in each group.
4 parameters on each page.
The page displays the parameter value for all 4 tracks at once.
To change a parameter for a track:
- select this track while holding the track selector sensor
- rotate the parameter encoder to change the value
By selecting several tracks, you will change the parameter for all selected tracks at once.
Want to make the sound brighter? Select tracks on the track selector and turn the DRV (Drive) parameter. With one movement, you can affect the overall sound.
- power
- firmware update
- preset management
MIDI TRS Type-A
- In
- Out
Audio TRS
- 4 mono outputs with independent configuration
Then we contact you and clarify all the details
You pay.
We send the device.
Write to us if the acquaintance was successful.
We are always ready to help.
Inst: @vadjuse
YouTube: @vadjuse
GitHub: @vadjuse
- Vadik MinkinConcept. Code. Circuit design. Construction.Having developed several devices for SOMA, I decided to move on.
It took several years to create an instrument that would combine the compact design, flexibility of modular synthesis, and ease of control of modern multitimbral synthesizers.
