Musikmesse Update: Macbeth Studio Systems introduced the very sexy, limited edition M5N modular analogy synth.

If the Macbeth M5 wasn’t droolworthy enough for you already, the M5N offers yet further tightening of the of the transistor-based Envelope Generators- on the ‘FAST’ setting- the Attack/Decay/Release parameters have been shortened by some milliseconds to produce Macbeth’s ’snappiest’ envelopes to date. Meanwhile, the ‘SLOW’ setting has these same parameters generating constants of up 5 minutes in rise and fall times…great for slow evolving ambient movements…

Both Filters have been updated for greater signa-to-noise ratios, providing clean and equal outputs due to improved output stages.

Cosmetically- it’s not just a new paint job- Macbeth changed the slider caps from the mixer type to a more conventional synthesizer type.

Each Oscillator now has the ‘hidden’ preset calibration parameters available to the user. With the use of a small screwdriver, parameters such as tuning, waveshaping and range are now at the discretion of the player, Not everybody wants oscillators rigidly in tune, and some may feel that they prefer a more vintage sound by affecting how the oscillators track in accordance with each other, subtly adjusting the oscillator tracking can provide the user with some very ‘fat’ bass end sounds, while high-end detuning can add sparkle to recordings. Other functions also have this facility and this also means not having to send a unit back to be recalibrated.

Other features that have been included in the M5N are the facility to voltage control the dual LFOs with and external OV to +5V signal – great with an external function generator. Even some of the ‘normalised’ patching has changed too.

M5N is currently being produced in a short run- the unit is available from Analogue Haven (USA), RL Music (UK), Schneiders Buero (Germany) and MESI (France). The M5N from MacBeth Studio Systems is £2500.00 GBP, excluding VAT if in the EU and shipping.

M5 Specs:

• 3 Voltage Controlled Oscillators
• 1 Noise Generator
• 1 External Input Amplifier
• 1 Ring Modulator
• 2 Voltage Controlled Filters
• 2 Audio Mixers
• 2 Voltage Control Mixers
• 2 Low Frequency Oscillators
• 2 Envelope Generators
• 4 Voltage Controlled Amplifiers
• 1 Voltage Controlled Panning
• 1 Spring Line Reverberator
• 2 Analog Sample & Hold
• 2 Lag Proccessors
• 2 Multiples
• 1 Volt/ Octave interface. +5V Gate
• Unit powered by 240VAC or 110VAC