Chimera Synthesis bc8 micro-synthesizer

via this auction
"The maker describes the bC8 as "probably the smallest production synthesizer in the world and certainly the cutest." That's probably about right. This thing is only 2.75 inches in diameter and 2 inches tall, but they packed in a hand-assembled gold-plated circuit board, eight potentiometers, a stereo mini-plug, a push-button control, four LED's, and a battery holder (it takes three AAAs).

The maker says: "Sophisticated digitally based oscillators are housed on the DSP as well as an innovative recording system and internal control voltage patching. Choose between single-shot and repetive envelope generator modes; use the separate ATTACK and RELEASE knobs to create long and soulful drones; select the recording system to record and play back complex patterns of control knob movement, speed up or slow down the pattern playback to add extra glide detail or confusion, override any of the controls during playback to adapt, complicate or simplifiy your composition."

More description is here.

This was one of the last batch of bc8s made, and Chimera Synthesis says they have no plans to make more. If you followed the saga, you'll know that it was almost impossible to get one even when they were being made. I waited about six months for this one, then realized I really need more definite pitch control (read: keys, and polyphony) for what I want to do.

You can hear the bc8 in action played by my friend Opsysbug on YouTube"
Here, here and here. Click on the Chimera link below for more.