Fred's Lab MANATEE -new SPECTRAL SYNTH (ONLY SOUNDS demo)

video upload by FutureMusic.es

"The world of synthesis gets a boost with the innovative Fred's Lab Manatee: A four-part multitimbral synthesizer with the power to transform sonic creativity"

https://fredslab.net/

"With its unique combination of synthesis algorithms and intuitive control panel, Fred's Lab Manatee is an agile and amazing tool for any producer or composer.

With its heralded spectral synthesis and multi-timbral/multi-part capability, this beautiful machine generates 16 voices (depending on the loaded preset ) and four parts , meaning great flexibility in terms of sound design power.

Manatee features a generator that combines the best of additive and wavetable synthesis architectures , inviting synthesists to agile exploration through innovative sonic textures (watch our video, above).

Initially a Kickstarter project (2023), the creative and experimental Fred's Lab Manatee is now available from retailers in limited quantities.

Advanced technology for exceptional sound
A wide range of modulation and synthesis tools make Fred's Lab Manatee a perfect instrument for any MPE (MIDI Expressive) controller . With a well-documented MIDI implementation, users will easily integrate it into their ecosystems, whether with hardware or DAW software . This total adaptability makes Manatee an invaluable resource for any experimental production environment.

The robust generator incorporates a variety of sources, including a spectral generator and a sub-oscillator . It displays sonic flexibility and innovative features, with the possibility of using VA (Virtual-Analog) and FM 2OP synthesis algorithms , for greater versatility and adaptability to different styles.

Two 16-bit 200MHz DSP chips and four 24-bit Burr Brown DAC converters power Fred's Lab Manatee , ensuring processing power for its generation and high audio quality, respectively.

The signal path in Fred's Lab Manatee: Classic and highly modulated
Each voice is built on two oscillators, and an advanced ring and noise modulator ; there's also a multi-mode resonant filter with additional 'RC' section, a powerful saturator module, two meta-envelope generators, a customizable LFO, and a classic matrix connecting sources and destinations.

In addition to established routing , each modulation source targets many parameters; and the modulation intensity is controllable via any available source of expression (MIDI CC, aftertouch, and so on).

Each part of Fred's Lab Manatee incorporates a spectral shaper, two programmable LFOs, a time-based effects module with delays, comb filters; and finally, two adjustable stereo equalizers.

An unknown company in search of smart bidders
A variety of filters and modulators enrich the creation process. Manatee’s multi-mode filter supports 6, 12, and 24dB/oct roll-offs plus a robust saturator, for unique, characterful sounds. And a lush reverb module is available as a master or insert effect.

There's a lot more to Fred 's Lab Manatee than is beyond the scope of a current news story, but it does make us wonder what the fate of this seemingly tiny creative company will be.

It may end up in the domain of a big company ( remember Kyra/Valkyrie ?), or it may continue to please users with developments and updates as exquisite as the one we are dealing with. Few users, yes, because there are problems to obtain it compared to what seems to be a minimal manufacturing capacity."