MakeNoise 0-Coast Synthesizer Meets Elektron OctaTrack

In the video above, James Ciglar takes the new Make Noise 0-Coast synthesizer through its paces, pairing it up with the Elektron OctaTrack.

The Make Noise 0-Coast is a new all-in-one monophonic synth that combines elements of so-called ‘East Coast’ and ‘West Coast’ synthesis approaches.

The 0-Coast is a standalone synth module that you can just hook a MIDI keyboard or sequencer up to and play. You can override the default routings using patch cables, though, letting you make custom routings or use the 0-Coast as part of a modular setup. 

Features:

  • 2 Channels of MIDI to CV and MIDI to Gate
  • Dual mode MIDI Controlled Arppegiator
  • Sync to MIDI Clock
  • Compatible w/ Eurorack Modular Synthesizer Signals
  • Patchable w/ 13 Sources and 14 Destinations
  • Triangle Core Analog VCO
  • Uncommon Timbral Animation using OVERTONE & MULTIPLY
  • Unique Transistor Based Low Pass Gate DYNAMICS
  • Voltage Control of all circuits
  • External Audio Input for combining w/ outside sounds
  • Headphone and Line Level Amplifier
  • Small Rugged Steel Enclosure

Make Noise hasn’t updated its site with info on the 0-Coast yet, but the new synth is starting to show up at retailers, including Vintage King and others.

23 thoughts on “MakeNoise 0-Coast Synthesizer Meets Elektron OctaTrack

  1. …supernice! really enjoyed watching this…and 0-Coast seems to be a great box, especially when you build up a track like this, meaning sampling the different parts.

  2. As soon as i hear nonesense marketing terms like “east coast” or “west coast” synthesis i switch off. America doesnt own synthesis.
    American synthesisers arent even that distinctive.
    Im sure the new MN module is as good as all their other modules.

    1. The modern synth, especially with regard to voltage control of most parameters, was invented by Moog and Buchla on the East and West coasts.

      Get over it,

    2. Well, it’s too bad you didn’t read or hear a bit more. Part of their reason for building this synth was to break down the barriers of those names.

      East Coast / West Coast is more of a historical context, not really a statement about what is going on today. Nobody claimed to “own” synthesis but there were two major groups in the infancy of the industry that just happened to be working on the East and West coasts of the U.S. creating systems that had very different, unique identities. Much of what we see today is based on their research and development, like it or not.

      1. After seeing the O-Coast at NAMM, and reflecting on it with this posting, honestly, I do not see any resemblance to any “east coast” / Moog design ethos here… there’s no dedicated VCO, VCF, etc, it’s all dense multi-function processors, very much in the spirit of the “west coast” designers like Buchla…. and Verbos… (Verbos is an interesting duality… west coast in design and execution, very much in the Buchla tradition, yet they’re made in New York!)

    3. I wouldn’t say America owns synthesis but the first proper commercial synths where created by Buchla in California and Moog in New York. Many diverse and novel sound design techniques were created in building those systems, techniques which live on in virtually every synthesizer manufactured across the world today.

      I agree that the terms “east coast” and “west coast” are heavily overused in marketing and describing modern synthesizers, however, the terms have a very real historical significance.

    4. Your comment sadly only reveals your own lack of historical knowledge regarding the development of the very first commercially available synths, by Bob Moog on the East Coast and Don Buchla on the West Coast. No, America doesn’t “own” synthesis, nor does Germany (sorry Dieter…) or any other country… but the synthesizer as we know it, IS an American invention!

    5. Well, your comment only reveals your own lack in historical knowledge of synthesizers, sad to say. Of course, no country “own” synthesizers, but it’s a fact that the synth as we know it today, WAS an American invention, thank you very much Bob Moog, and Don Buchla! Today, there are many distinctive US based manufacturers… Verbos carrying on the Buchla design paradigm, and Synthesizers.com in Texas is carrying on the Moog format, with an amazing range of modules, all at reasonable prices, and of course Make Noise! LOTS of great US based synthesizers!

  3. I would have preferred it to be ‘eurorackable’, so you could put it in a skiff with a Pressure Points and have a fun self-contained instrument.

    Really cool sound, though. I was waiting for Thom Yorke to start singing in…

    1. I was at the demo at PCA yesterday. They said it will fit into a rack. Brought one home with me. It’s great. No brainer purchase even though I have a SS with some additions.

      1. From most reports it is taller than a 3u rack. Maybe you can pull the front screws out and drop it out of the box like with the M-32? The side mount jacks might be an issue.

        I think I will build a nice shelf with a front lip and mount it above my Mother 32, using the 2 tier rack sides.

        That should work nicely, giving the Make Noise access to a keyboard, of sorts, and a sequencer right off the bat.

        1. they were vague about it. someone asked, because he had been told it was not rackable, and the response was that it absolutely could be if the sides are taken off. Frankly, though, I am not sure why you would want to. Part of the reason why bought it is because of how small and portable it is.

      2. You brought one home? Dang it, I knew I should’ve went to that release party! Oh well, I’m on batch 2 I think in a couple weeks.

        1. they had 4 for sale that they pulled out of the box so people could try them out. I grabbed one of them, and PCA packaged it back up for me. You’ll be pleased with yours, I’m guessing. I know I’m glad I got one.

    1. Because you have 19% or maybe 20% VAT added to the price. Plus 3.2% import duty. Plus the cost of shipping the instrument to Europe. Plus brokerage fees. Plus 2.5% in currency conversion.

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