New Experimental Synth, Beats FM, Features FM/AM/SW Radio

Italy’s X Audio Systems has announced the Beats FM, an experimental all-in-one stereo analog synthesizer, processor and sync unit with FM/AM/SW radio.

They say that the Beats FM “offers a new approach to music and sound creation, that no other instrument can offer.” It’s the equivalent of 8 synth modules, enclosed in a high-quality beech/aluminum case with an antenna.

Production of the Beats FM is being funded via an IndieGoGo project.

Here’s a demo of the Beats FM in action:

Here’s what they have to say about the Beats FM project:

“We want to give everybody the possibility to participate in the creation of this unique machine. We feel that the world needs new options when it come to music production and sound exploration. The spontaneous and versatile nature of the BEATS FM, together with it’s warm analog sound is designed to be a center piece to a number of music studios worldwide.

This is the first ever production run of this unit, and nobody knows if there will be further developments in the future. It all depends on the support that all the backers will bring to this project. Our goal is to produce as many units as possible. Satisfaction of every backers is our main priority. Thanks to you, this project is already a reality! Every backer will receive a one-of-a-kind, hand-assembled, individually numbered, limited edition BEATS FM with power supply, antenna and user’s manual.”

Features:

  • 1 x stereo wide-band FM/AM/SW radio with LFO modulated tuner knob
  • 2 x analog 4-pole low-pass filters (clones of CEM3320, the chip used in the Prophet 5) with self-oscillating resonance and LFO modulation
  • 4 seconds of stereo digital delay with time control, feedback, tone, sync and panning with LFO modulation
  • 1 x LFO with 16 different “bendable” waveforms with rate, multiplier and polarity
  • 1 x Sync unit to lock the LFO to: 1-audio click track, 2-analog clock, 3-tap tempo
  • 2 x analog 2-pole high-pass filters
  • 1 x effects mixer
  • 2 x external audio inputs with overdrive

Pricing and Availability

Beats FM is available to project backers for about $782 USD.

Note that crowdfunding projects can involve risk. See the project page for details.

15 thoughts on “New Experimental Synth, Beats FM, Features FM/AM/SW Radio”

  1. Very interesting, but the illustration videos were not very convincing for a limited radio with a build-in filter-bank.

    1. I agree. However it would have added quite a bit more complexity to the design. Maybe something for a future version if they get enough interest in this one.
      FWIW I stumped up the cash for this. SW radio can be fun, and the interface seems fairly immediate. It’s nice to see a new idea on the scene. Yes there are other ways to achieve a similar result, maybe. It just looks like immediate fun to me. Might look at getting a cheap FM transmitter, so I can beam in my own audio and make use of detuning that tuner.

      1. Agreed. There are more than a few synths that let you use outside audio as a modulation source for sure. I think the price is steep, but it’s clearly a passion project, and I hope they do well.

  4. very cool and original idea, you just have to hope you live in a place with interesting radio stations which it sounds like Italy has! bravo, this is cool.

  6. If I were to purchase this, I’d do it for capturing the noise and howlings in between stations. But the lack of sampling is ridiculous. I can hook up my (filter-laden) marine radio to my mpc and get a good approximation of what this synth can do. But perhaps others see it differently. I do welcome the inventive approach though…

  7. I was very interested in this especially for a stereo LP filter, but the price is too high for me. If it was sub $500, I’d be all over it.

    1. I was thinking the same… but a good filter, LFO and delay is already close to the selling price..by what I see they don’t look bad at all!!! Thinking twice now…

  8. Would be sad to see this, or the buchla 272e, or even Cage’s radio composition performances becoming obsolete due to possible analog radio phase out.

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