New synth maker SynTesla shared this video, highlighting their work for Hans Zimmer to create “the largest modular synth in the world”.
The system, aka Giorgio III, is a massive 5U modular synthesizer, created by SynTesla (Pierre-Jean Tardiveau) in collaboration with Yusynth ( Yves Usson) for Zimmer’s 2025/2026 world tour. The system is completely uncompromising and over the top, or as SynTesla describes their synths, ‘Unnecessary, Therefore Essential’.
Here’s what Tardiveau has to say about the custom modular synth:
“This synthesizer is undoubtedly the largest modular synth in the world, consisting of 12 cabinets measuring 5 x 5U + 1 x 3U in height. Only 10 cabinets are installed on stage, with two others serving as back-up behind the scenes.
This monster represents 10 months of hard work in total.
23 types of modules were designed and produced in large numbers. To give you an example, the synth is composed of 3 separate units of 4 voices each, for a total of 12 voices, with 2 VCOs, 2 DCOS, 2 filters, 6 DADSRs, 6 VCAs, 1 resonator, 4 LFOs, buffered multis, logic, attenuators, attenuverter, mixers, wavefolders, gate delays, summing mixers, etc. etc…
The modules were manufactured in France by Syntesla and designed by Yusynth and SynTesla. They were assembled in Los Angeles at Hans Zimmer’s studios and then shipped to Germany for final assembly on the tour stage.
When the synth arrived in Oberhausen, Hans Zimmer had never seen it before (he was rehearsing in London while it was being assembled in LA), and I can promise you that his smile in the photo is not fake (neither is mine).
The electrical part of the cabinets was also designed and built by SynTesla. It includes an oversized power supply with a capacity of 10 amps, an active filter that provides perfectly stable and clean voltage, and a power distribution board in SynTesla and DotCom format, as well as an integrated voltmeter and ammeter. The whole system has several levels of safety.
This made it possible to connect each cabinet to a solid-state relay socket controlled by DMX from the lighting console. The robustness of the device allows the whole or part of the system to be switched on and off in sequence, depending on the pieces being played on stage.”
Zimmer is featuring the modular system in his ‘Next Level’ live concert series. Here’s a video, via
C3|Nik, catching it in action:
Tardiveau has been sharing previews of his work on Facebook, but the SynTesla site is currently a placeholder.
“I’m extremely honored to have been chosen, along with my fledgling company, to work on a monumental project with one of the biggest names in the music industry,” notes Tardiveau. “This is a rare opportunity for me, a real boon for SynTesla, and I’ve chosen to devote myself fully to it. This will mean postponing the opening of the SynTesla boutique and the release of related products by several months.”
We’re looking forward to seeing what SynTesla has in store for synthesists.
Check out the videos, and share your thoughts on Hans Zimmer’s Giorgio III modular synthesizer in the comments!
It’s actually a supercomputer containing Zimmer’s consciousness turned into AI.
Or maybe it’s actually just a painted box on one side that looks like modular, and Zimmer is sitting at a desk behind it with a laptop and Zebra3+LegendHZ….
Patching in between songs must be a real pita.
Skill. It’s what separates performing musicians from commenters.
No one is repatching this between songs.
My comment was meant to be ironic. Most audiences would get bored after waiting for 4 hours for repatching.
magical thinking seems to be what some commenters believe in. 😉
“Only 10 cabinets are installed on stage, with two others serving as back-up behind the scenes.”
So it’s something like 2 cabinets per song. 😉
Don’t you think that it’s internally normalized, so that patching is only needed for over-riding the defaults?
That’s not uncommon on large systems designed for live performance.
Zimmer’s older 5U system, created by the late Gert Jalass of Moon Modular, was designed with this type of normalization.
Exactly my thoughts – especially considering the very few patch cables actually seen on the front of the modules.
All modules have an internal CV /gate buss that allow internal patching and preset selection within a minute thanks to dedicated switches modules
First, this is super impressive. Excessive? Absolutely. But still very cool to see.
Now the big question. Price!
And Keith Emerson must be smiling down from above on this thing.
Unmentioned is the accompanying world’s largest crew of the world’s largest roadies. Imagine an Agent Smith swarm of Eddie Riggs.
That’s such an unnecessary monstrosity! Reminds me of Marshall amps stacked 10 stories high! Still fun to look at though 🙂
A big hats off to the builder who clearly did a phenomenal job. It’s also nice to see people like Hans supporting modular synth developers.
Impressive machine. Odd thing is there’s a tiny little patch in the far let cabinet, that’s it. That and the synth playing in the video is a plugin.
From Modwiggler:
“Each module has a CV and Gate bus that allows for internal pre-patching. It is connected to a custom module that allows you to change the preset by pushing some switches. Ultimately, you only need a few connecting cables to make it work.”
Never knew you could gave presets with a modular system. ??
I thought I’ve seen it all…
This is ridiculousness taken to the next level LoL
with everything going on in the world right now
and this is what you find ridiculous…
How many of the keyboards are are actually connected to it?
So there is going to be a globally projected symposium of translocated omniscience when the aliens land. Got it. I saw this on Rick and Morty in anther timeline.
touring with a setup this large just seems like self-inflicted pain
eh that’s what roadies are for
Not so painful when there’s a crew to move it and set it up for you!
“DADSRs”
OK you made that one up, didn’t you? ? XD
Wtf is a DADSR?
Delay/attack/decay/sustain/release
DADSR = Delay-Attack-Decay-Sustain-Release. It’s a thing, Google it.
Well that doesn’t look good for you
The ADSR might be the “norm”
But complex multistage envelopes are too. The Yamaha CZ had an 8 stage envelope
Just think, Omnisphere 3 can do all that for $499
Its the new T.O.N.T.O. What a beast. Touring with it will probably include a tax break that will pay for it as a business expense. I doubt that Zimmer needs it as a sound design tool at this point in his career.
Now, everyone start yelling for a software version.
Reminds me of the fake guitar-amp walls of the good old-days (facepalm)
I have a larger one in my shed.
Watched the video… pointless when it comes to the sound.
You could get those pulses with Zebra…
Looks like it’s for show.
For sure. Emperor’s new clothes.
Pre-orders just announced – Behringer to make a smaller version – name rumoured as Biorgio? Arturia alleged to be calling the whole thing un tres gros grain de folie? French synth rivalry reaches new heights…..
Could have been an iPad app
…while u-he Zebra HZ is quietly running in the background providing all the sounds.
If Spinal Tap had a modular synth.
gets one and instantly patches the same mono baseline then uses VSTs for everything els. Only kidding.
Doesn’t even sound like an authentic 303. Seems over the top for making acid.