Dreadbox Abyss Polyphonic Analog Synthesizer

At the 2017 NAMM Show, Dreadbox introduced the Abyss polyphonic analog synthesizer.

The new synth features four playing modes, a single-oscillator per voice architecture and built-in effects. 

Features:

  • 4 Voice Analog Synthesizer
  • All Analog Discrete Components
  • 4 playing modes :
    – Unison
    – Polyphony
    – Chords (+ user chords)
    – Multi channel (multitimbral over selected controls)
  • 1 VCO + 1 Sub Oscillator per Voice
  • White Noise Generator
  • Independent Wave shaping Modulator
  • Polyphonic Glide function
  • 4 independent LFOs (1 for each voice) to control Vibrato
    Variable Speed Depth and Delay
  • Vibratos and Glide can be set out of phase via the Detune (Vibrato) control
  • VCO autotune function
  • 24 dB/oct 4-pole Resonating Low Pass Filter (based on the Murmux series)
  • Dedicated ADSR Envelope Generator to the Filter
  • Velocity sensitivity over the EG Attack Rate or the EG Level
  • Dedicated ADSR Envelope Generator to the VCA
  • OTA Drive circuit
  • Reflector: 1024 BBD Delay for Chorus/Flanger or Static Flangers
  • Hybrid Delay Circuit as found on the Erebus
  • 4-stage Analog Phase Shifter
  • 2 Analog LFOs with 4 waves each to control the Filter, Reflector, Delay, Phaser
  • 4 Modulation Wheel Choices
  • Fine Tune Control
  • CV Control over Filter, Phaser, Delay and Reflector
  • Dry output (without effects)
  • Signal Input ( at the effect stage)
  • Midi In / Midi Through
  • Aluminum Case

Dreadbox has not yet posted audio or video demos of the Abyss on their site.

Pricing and Availability

The Dreadbox Abyss polyphonic analog synthesizer is priced at 1099 € and is expected to be available in April 2017.

34 thoughts on “Dreadbox Abyss Polyphonic Analog Synthesizer

      1. or ONLY the fingerboard of a Violin — it will be another $5k to get the rest of it….

        Electronic musicians are a spoiled lot.

  1. Had one of these for the last few weeks….. it’s a unique synth. Incredibly creative and can sound HUGE!!!! It’s a sound designer’s dream out of, what on the surface looks like a limited set of controls. The main thing is it as that Dreadbox “rawness” and depth, and just sounds fantastic.

  2. When I first glanced at the headline, I thought it said ‘Abscess’, and was wondering if they had focus-grouped that name first… 🙂

      1. Hmmm? More features, more polyphony, two oscillators per voice instead of one, effects section, five octave keyboard, patch memory etc etc etc. For only $300 more. I care.

        1. This uses VCO voices though. The Rev2 is a very different synth in many ways. This is actually very close to the specs of the monster jupiter 4… Well worth the price i am thinking hmmmm. Haha tax return season yess.

        2. TimS…. VERY different kinds of synth…. everything you’ve said is TOTALLY valid and true and if those features are what you need and want then this obviously isn’t the synth for you. If you’re solely concerned with the “sound” of the synth though it’s a totally different story. In terms of richness of sound, creative possibilities and looking outside of the box The Abyss is an incredible synth and personally I would rather have 4 voices of true, gritty “analogness” than 8,12 or 16 voices of safe mediocrity. I can’t comment on the REV2 specifically because I haven’t tried it in person, but it IS based very closely on the 08 which is a synth that I NEVER found any personality in… especially because I’ve a PolyEvolver PE (again only 4 voices) which OOZES character!!! The Abyss will never appeal to everyone because of it’s limited features compared to a lot of the competition but what it lacks in bells and whistles it storms ahead with sound and charisma. But essentially two VERY different synths……

      1. I’m not so sure. The only components they call out as per voice are osc/subosc and vibrato LFO. And “2 Analog LFOs with 4 waves each to control the Filter, Reflector, Delay, Phaser” makes it sound like there’s one filter. Maybe it’s just a poorly written description, but …

  3. Fantastic synth.
    If it only had one extra voice, I’d be in and happy to pay more.
    4-voices is just too limited.
    If you play a 7th or 9th chord there’s no room anymore to play a bass note.

    1. Just don’t play the 5th note… And if you really need to you can leave out the 1st as well (if you’re playing it as the bass note).

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