Sneak Preview Of ‘The Beast’ Synthesizer

Developer Steve Hunt shared this sneak preview of ‘The Beast’ – a new synth design from Yorick Tech Ltd.

Hunt describes The Beast as “a prototype / test bed for a mono synth project which will be a cut-down version of this, using the best bits. Possible poly version too….”

Features include:

  • 2 x CEM 3340 VCOs, one with supersaw and one with double-wavefolder. Each has its own PWM LFO and pitch ADSR and sub oscillator.
  • 4 filters:
    • Oberheim SEM doubled to give 12 or 24dB slope.
    • Roland SH-1 based filter, again with 12 or 24dB.
    • 904a Moog Modular clone
    • miniKorg Traveller-based design
    • Filters can be set in series, parallel and are fed from the 2 mixers as 2 pairs.
  • 7 LFOs
  • Ring modulator
  • 6 ADSRs (2 miniMoog clones, 2 digital and 2 CEM)
  • ‘Many’ VCAs, including 2 mixers and stereo panning for each mixer
  • Spring reverb
  • 4×5 mod matrix
  • Midi or CV in

This is a preview of a development prototype, so details on pricing and availability are to be announced.

4 thoughts on “Sneak Preview Of ‘The Beast’ Synthesizer

  1. Not a production model or a teaser or in development or even a prototype but “a preview of a development prototype” — a whole new dimension of vapourware!

    1. Hm… Hunt describes it as a prototype/testbed, which makes a lot of sense in this context. It’s part of the early phases in the design process (discover/define), before development and delivery.
      https://www.designcouncil.org.uk/news-opinion/what-framework-innovation-design-councils-evolved-double-diamond

      Then, Synthtopia shares a preview of said testbed.

      What’s neat is that we’re able to get early into the whole process. It might become a polysynth. Relevant features will be selected based on usage, not abstract concepts. It’s an open version of R&D which is much closer to Human-Centred Design than what we typically get in the synth world.

  2. I have his Low Frequency Expander for the OB-6. It’s a quality product, and he’s continually updating it. So I have faith that this will be a very interesting synth!

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