New Synth, The Norand Mono, Pairs Analog Sound With Deep Control Options

French synth startup Norand has shared a sneak preview of the Norand Mono, a ‘modern day analog’ that pairs an all-analog signal path with deep control and performance options.

Mono features ‘contextual modulation’, a unique modulation system that gives you full control over every parameter. Each parameter has its own envelope and audio-frequency modulator.

Features:

Synth voice:

  • Fully analog signal path
  • 2x analog oscillators
  • Continuously variable waveform
  • Thru-zero frequency modulation
  • Hard-sync
  • Filter overdrive
  • 1x 3-pole multi-mode filter
  • Continuously variable filter color
  • 1x Main ADSR envelope

Modulation:

  • 13x dedicated AD envelopes
  • 20x dedicated modulators

Modulator (modulation oscillator):

  • 4 waveforms
  • Type settings : Free/Synced/Audio-Rate
  • Audio-Rate anti-aliased, quantized to OSC1
  • Free from 0.1 to 80 seconds

Envelope:

  • Attack-Decay segment from 10us to 20s

Sequencer:

  • Up to 64 step per pattern
  • Individual length/scale/beat-division per pattern
  • Individual microshift/ratchet/probability per step
  • Per step parameter automation (offsets)
  • Swing/Slide/Accent
  • Copy/paste anything
  • Undo/Redo anything with 1024 events history
  • Mod Note mode
  • Fast, clock independent project Load/Save

Randomizer:

  • Quantized note randomizer
  • Ranged parameter automation randomizer
  • Step randomizer
  • Mod note randomizer
  • Microshift/Probability/Ratchet randomizer

Pricing and Availability

The Norand Mono is available to preorder for 666€ and is expected to ship in January 2021.

via Sonic State

20 thoughts on “New Synth, The Norand Mono, Pairs Analog Sound With Deep Control Options

  1. Not sure I’m understanding this. It’s great to have an extra lfo or even three lfos but why do I need _20_ lfos on a 2-osc 1-filter synth? it’s nice to have a filter envelope but why do I need _13_ envelopes? one per note perhaps but then is that very helpful on a monosynth? I’ll admit it’s probably me missing something but I’ve browsed their site and can’t figure it out.

    1. I believe the number 20 and 13 with regard to LFOs/Envelopes means the number of shapes/contours.

      so instead of traditional wave forms for an LFO, you have more interesting waves to chose from.

      as for the Envelope, you can have ADSR, AD, HADSR, with various slopes (linear, exponential)

      so it may have one or two actual LFO/Envelope but with many shapes/contours to chose from.

      note: I haven’t looked at the specs, just logical reasoning.

    2. From the manufacturer’s product page:

      “A World of Modulations

      Mono introduces contextual modulation, a unique modulation system that gives you full control over every parameters. Each have their own envelope and audio-frequency modulator. By simply touching a knob to select the underlying parameter, unleash Mono’s full creative potential.”

      1. OK thanks! So it’s a modulator and envelope for each parameter (frequency, wave, resonance etc). It’s an interesting idea. Although I’m not sure it’s so much better than the usual way of having patching and a few lfos and envelopes.

        For example to put different tremelo on each oscillator would be easy and unusual on here. But to put the same tremelo on both oscillators would be rather fiddly. Which is the other way round to usual. That said on a polysynth or a synth with multiple filters these long evolving sounds are great.

    1. Not expensive either, and arguably cheap for what it does.

      Can you name any other hardware synth that has a dedicated EG and LFO for every parameter?

      Obviously, this is for people that already have tried ‘cheap’ synths and want something more capable. And for people like that, this looks very interesting.

    2. My first synth, a Roland SH-1 (with 1 LFO) cost me $562. That’s nearly $1900 in today’s money. I’m sure plenty of people can afford this.

      1. I don’t understand why people keep on making the same mistake comparing something that was brand new to something that is 40 years old. Forget about it being a synth, think about it as a phone and you will be close to the truth. Of course here there are a couple of touches, mainly the thru-zero but still it could be cheaper, especially since you can get polyphonic analogue synths in similar price.

    3. Like most other music gear choices, beginners will start with gear that’s cheap, not knowing or caring what the differences are with more expensive gear, and then will move on as their knowledge and needs increase.

      1. Actually the gear market is targeted at rich hobbyists. A pro probably bought whatever he needed 10 years ago and won’t change his workflow for a while, since a) he has no time to waste b) he knows gear don’t bring clients or make sales.

    1. I noticed that too. it seems they are a startup company in France. but if it doesn’t explicitly say where it is assembled, you can probably guess.

  2. Love it. Everyone arguing and posturing over a musical instrument like they want to kill someone over it. This is a beautiful instrument with incredible functionality. I am sure the people hating on this wonderful machine make horrible dead music as their is no other possibility.

    Wonderful execution of an idea Norand!!!!

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