Kodomo has introduced The MASK1EX, a desktop synthesizer that they say offers “all the incredible sounds of the MASK1 in a small, stylish, lightweight and cost-efficient package.”
The oscillators are based on bitmask synthesis. A sine wave is split into different sections that are repeated, scaled, inverted or silenced, to build a new waveform.
Features:
- The Kodomo MASK1EX comes with 377 preset sounds and 200 user memory slots.
- Each voice offers two bitmask oscillators, two multimode digital filters, four envelopes, a noise source and two LFOs.
- Oonboard stereo effects.
- Change articulation between notes depending on how you play.
- Built-in looper makes it ideal for jamming.
Specifications:
| Synthesis type | Bitmask, Subtractive |
| Polyphony | 10 voices with optimized allocation |
| Play modes | Polyphonic, monophonic, slurred, mono portamento on legato, paraphonic, hybrid poly-mono on legato, slurred paraphonic, mono retrigger, poly retrigger |
| Multitimbrality | 1 part (2 in layered/split mode) |
| Oscillators | 20 digital bitmask oscillators (two per voice) with 8x oversampling, 512 masks each |
| Noise | 10 generators with programmable sample-and-hold frequency |
| Filter | 20 (two per voice), 12dB/oct or 24dB/oct, resonant with pitch tracking and 4 modes (low, high, band pass, notch). |
| Envelopes | 4 loopable ADSR per voice (osc1, osc2, noise, filter), 3 delta-decay (osc1 mask, osc2 mask, pitch) |
| LFO | 2 per part with 7 waveforms and noise, delay, decay and 16 destinations |
| Arpeggiator | 26 patterns with adaptive or fixed chords, latchable, retrig or pitch change modes. Arp do send note events to MIDI out. |
| Looper | Up to 10000 events, unlimited duration, single track. Records notes, pitch bend, mod wheel, aftertouch and sustain pedal. |
| Effects | Two stereo effects in series. First effect: chorus, phaser, distortion, bitcrusher, tremolo and ring mod (64 types). Second effect: delay, comb filter, reverb, room simulations and distortion (48 types) |
| Modulations | Velocity (6 destinations), modulation wheel (16 destinations), aftertouch (16 destinations), LFO1 and LFO2 (16 destinations each) |
| Split | Configurable split point, balance between voices, transpose, panning and tuning |
| Layer | Configurable balance between voices, transpose, panning and tuning |
| Misc | Voice pan spread, polyphonic portamento, keyboard envelope rate scaling |
| Memory | 377 factory presets, internal storage for 200 user voices. EEPROM-based (no battery required) |
| Audio outputs | 2 balanced 1/4″ TRS jack, pro audio level with +/-12V internal power supply, 1/4″ jack headphones |
| MIDI | 2 DIN (in, out), class-compliant USB type B, SysEx voice transmit/receive, CC-mapped voice parameters |
| Controls | 23 buttons, 2 rotary encoders |
| Display | 4-digit red display |
| Pedal input | Sustain, 1/4″ TS jack, adaptive polarity |
| Tuning | 400-470Hz. 6 temperaments including arabic tuning. |
| Size | 33 x 11 x 3cm |
| Weight | 458g |
| Power | External 12V DC adapter, AC 100-240V in |
| Panel | White, gold-plated |
Pricing and Availability:
The Kodomo MASK1EX is priced at €299 ex.VAT. It’s currently listed as sold out.
Been eying the keyboard version at Perfect Circuit for a while, but the 2k price tag had made it a tough trigger to pull. At this price point, the desktop is a no-brainer. Will be grabbing this as soon as they’re in stock.
Great news! That was always an interesting synth engine, but the keyboard version was simply too pricey.
It’s already sold out since Saturday, I think
Cool way to give access to a unique synth engine. I do wish more modules took on the Blofeld folded metal design – looks and feels so good. Not as into the split panel design here, but guessing it kept the cost way down.
I refuse to buy a “desktop synthesizer” that has its internal guts exposed to the outside world/environment. I’ve never understood this kind of cut-rate hardware design and I never will.
I had an opportunity to score one of the full-size ones for a decent deal used. And I was skeptical at first, with the interface and the quirky engine, But I have to say it’s really really surprised me and how easy it is to design sounds and how unique the tone is. I find myself coming back to it over and over again and have been using it pretty heavily on a recent scoring project. I personally think that it’s a little bit overpriced as it is new, But it’s still a great synth.