ERM Polygogo Euro Module Lets You Explore Polygonal Synthesis (Hands-On Demo)

The latest loopop video takes a look at the ERM Polygogo, a Eurorack module that lets you explore Polygonal Synthesis.

The module is essentially a complete stereo synth voice in Euro format. It can be used independently to create a wide range of sounds or integrated with other modules to create more complex patches.

Polygonal Synthesis is an approach created by ERM’s Maximilian Rest and Christoph Hohnerlein. It is based on complex two dimensional amplitude shaping of sine waves, combined with internal modulation sources and a new type of wave folder.

Five parameters let you modulate the sound:

  • Order defines the number of corners on the polygon, which can range from a line (order 2) to an almost perfect circle (order 28) with all fractional settings in between. The number of corners defines the ratio of overtones with respect to the fundamental frequency: a low count keeps the harmonics near the fundamental frequency, a high order shifts them up.
  • Teeth tilts the sides of the polygon out of the normal orientation and can be used to control the loudness of the overtones. It creates discontinuities in the waveform and acts as balance between the fundamental frequency and the overtone spectrum.
  • Roll rotates the object around the center and animates the waves.
  • Operator modulates the fundamental frequency for ‘FM madness’. FM Ratio is settable and quantizable, FM Amount goes from ‘subtle growls in the lows to aliasing madness’ at high frequencies.
  • Fold overflows the wave to the other side, leading to ‘tickling noise at low settings and crushing and slicing the waveform to total distortion’ when fully turned up. This digital artifact was reproduced in analog circuitry and delivers the most crisp and open sound.

Video Summary:

“ERM’s Polygogo is a stereophonic, single voice Polygonal Synthesis based Eurorack module. Polygonal synthesis was invented by ERM, and the basic idea behind it is to generate two separate stereophonic waveforms based on a circular XY scan of a two-dimensional shape. Various manipulations on these 2D shapes, like morphing the number of vertices, bending them inwards or expanding them outwards, change the harmonic structure of this module’s sound in interesting and sometimes surprising ways.

In this review I explore the various timbral components of Polygonal Synthesis and give a few patch idea examples that attempt to stretch it as far as possible.”

Topics covered

0:00 Intro
0:30 What is it?
1:50 Build
2:10 Order
3:30 Cycle
4:50 Teeth
5:40 Fold
7:05 Roll
8:15 Operator
9:45 Add reverb…
10:40 PATCH IDEAS
10:55 Vibrato
11:40 Sync
13:30 Exp FM+sync
14:00 PWM?
15:05 Mod all
15:45 Rnd per note
17:40 Rnd per phrase
18:00 Freeze chords
19:25 Fold hack
21:00 Fold VCA
23:05 Teeth VCA
24:00 Pros & cons
25:30 Outro jam

Pricing and Availability

The ERM Polygogo is available now for 539 Euro.

8 thoughts on “ERM Polygogo Euro Module Lets You Explore Polygonal Synthesis (Hands-On Demo)

  1. Let me guess: nobody has heard of a Lissajous pattern, let alone done it with an oscilloscope. So if it’s renamed as “polygonal synthesis,” it becomes new and exciting. Nice module, nice sounds.

    1. Absolutely nothing to do with that outside of being an assumption. The idea came from the Reddit gif of creating a sine wave with the circumference of a circle. Any resemblance beyond that is coincidental and superimposed from your own experiences.

    1. i think everyone here has used a lissajous phase scope at some time or another Brian, don’t over-flatter yourself because you learned a new word.

        1. And in your vast experience, have you run across any other synthesizers that use the same method of generating sound as this does?

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