SuONOIO Modular Synth Unboxing

Some unboxing pics of my SuONOIO. Be sure to click each for the super sized shot. I can't wait to dig into it. This isn't a simple noise maker. It's much, much more. For those new to the SuONOIO, it's a joint venture between Alessandro Cortini of SONOIO and previously NIN, and Scott Jaeger of the Harvestman, who's digital eurorack modules are renowned in the modular synth community as being the best of the best.

If you look at the label under each knob, from left to right, you will see FREQ-A, MIX, FREQ-B, SAMPLE-A, SAMPLE-B, MOD AMT and MOD FREQ (see below for more pics). Essentially you have two sample sets from Alessandro Cortini's SONOIO album to manipulate, but, don't think of this as a sample/loop player. This is much more powerful. This is a textural drone synth with modulation capabilities that make it surprisingly flexible and sound very, very good. Side note: the built in speakers do NOT do it justice. Fortunaltly a 1/4" out is built into the unit. Head phones don't do it justice. Plug it into your studio system and you are treated to an incredibly unique and powerful sounding synth.

The SAMPLE-A knob lets you select the SAMPLE for what is effectively oscillator A, and SAMPLE-B for oscillator B. You can adjust the frequency of each with the corresponding FREQ knobs, and you can adjust the MIX between the two with the MIX knob. There is a volume knob and an on/off toggle switch.

Where the magic really comes in is with these little cables and the red jumper caps provided just under and to the side of each FREQ knob. If you look at the knobs again, you will see little empty jumper connections next to each. Each individual jumper corresponds to a different effect. Connect the jumper and the effect is enabled. Some, like distortion, are active immediately, others come in with the MOD AMT knob. You can use the cables to route the RND effect described below, or use them as a more flexible way to "pop/touch" effects in and out for real time performance. You can even patch between multiple SuONOIOs (see RND below).

The Sample Effects are as follows x 2 (one for each sample/osc):
DISTORTION 01 - a loud, powerful distortion effect.
DISTORTION 02 - a more subtle "bitcrushing" distortion.
CROSS-MOD - The audio output of the other channel controls the pitch. Use the MOD-AMT knob to adjust depth.
BACKWARDS - Reverses the playback of the channel.
LFO -> FREQ
LFO -> WINDOW - Your gateway to endless, bizarre rhythm effects.
LFO -> AMPLITUDE
LFO INVERT
RND - These two pins generate random on/off signals. The rate of change can be controlled with the MOD-FREQ knob. To use them, use one of the mini-cables to connect a RND pin to your desired jumper location, on the TOP row of pins per jumper.

Additional individual effects :
DELAY A - Enables Delay effect for channel A. MOD-AMT controls delay send/feedback, and MOD-FREQ controls the wet/dry mix.
CRYSTAL - Gives the delay feedback an octave-up effect.
SHORT 01 - Shortens the delay time.
SHORT 02 - Shortens the delay time by a different amount. Use both SHORT jumpers with high feedback for a flanger effect.
DELAY B - Enables Delay effect for Channel B.
FREEZE - Freezes the value of the MOD-AMT and MOD-FREQ controls only for the delay effect (so you can change the LFO settings while keeping the same delay sound).
SWAP - The knob position of the MOD-AMT and MOD-FREQ controls (as applied to the delay) is mirror-imaged: a 0% setting becomes 100%, and so on.
RESERVED - This jumper doesn't do anything right now, but will do exciting things in the future.

http://www.sonoio.org/
http://sonoio.org/suonoio/