Future Retro Intros Three New Products The Winter NAMM Show

At the 2014 NAMM Show, boutique synth maker Future Retro introduced three new products:

  • The Zillion is a single track algorithmic sequencer, inspired by the very rare Triadex Muse sequencer.
  • The Swynx converts MIDI clock messages into MIDI, DIN Sync, and Analog Clock outputs, with two additional controls for adjusting the time signature and swing for syncing devices.
  • The 1X4X2 THRU box was designed as an expansion for the Swynx, providing four MIDI outputs, and four DIN Sync outputs.

SchneidersBuero’s Andreas Schneider caught up with Future Retro’s Jered Flickinger at the show and got an update on the new Zillion algorithmic sequencer, above, and some of FR’s other new products. 

The Zillion is a single track algorithmic sequencer with endless possibilities for generating and manipulating musical patterns live.

Features:

  • Tempo: 25-250BPM (x4)
  • Swing: 50-75% (x4)
  • Direction: forward/reverse (x4)
  • Loop Point: 1-16 beats, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64 bars, free running (x4)
  • Transpose: 0-36 steps (x4)
  • Scales: 16 preset, 83 user (x4)
  • MIDI Note Entry for programming scales and transposing patterns
  • Melody, Velocity, and Theme each with 1 billion+ combinations
  • Rhythm with 2 million+ possibilities
  • 32 bit Shift Register with 36 bit types (x4)
  • MIDI IN/OUT Channel: 1-16 (x4)
  • MIDI Sync: Internal, External, send MIDI Notes and Clocks

Below, Flickinger introduces the Swynx:

The Swynx converts MIDI clock messages into MIDI, DIN Sync, and Analog Clock outputs, with two additional controls for adjusting the time signature and swing for syncing devices.

Now all your favorite vintage gear can have that swing feel, with real time adjustments of the swing amount in .5% increments or accuracy, without any modifications. Add new time signatures (and pre-scales) for your sequencers and drum machines as well.

In addition, the Swynx can also be used to synchronize the Roland CR-78 drum machine to MIDI, add swing to it’s internal patterns, and program patterns into the CR-78’s user memory locations using a standard MIDI keyboard.

Time Signatures: 9/8, 7/8, 6/8, 5/8, 2/4(x2), 4/4(x2), 8/4, 3/4(x2),6/4
Swing: 50-75%, 0.5% increments/accuracy
CR-78 Step Write: 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 1/6, 1/8, 1/12, 1/16, 1/24, 1/48

The 1X4X2 THRU box was designed as an expansion for the
Swynx, providing four MIDI outputs, and four DIN Sync outputs.

In addition the 1X4X2 THRU can also be used as a standalone
thru port for any MIDI or DIN Sync devices.

Power is derived from the MIDI IN port.

Inputs: MIDI IN, DIN SYNC IN
Outputs: MIDI OUT (x4), DIN SYNC OUT (x4)

Finally, Flickinger also was showing the previously announced Mondovox, a hardware MIDI routing and manipulation tool:

See the Future Retro site for more info.

3 thoughts on “Future Retro Intros Three New Products The Winter NAMM Show

  1. a bit pricey perhaps. If you look at fyrd- or mutable-instruments. They provide things that “could” do the same for about half of the price. But anyway, flag for me.

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