The Swarm by Atrium Instruments

video upload by DECIMA1



DESIGN PHILOSOPHY

​Knob-For-Knob Functionality
We at Artium Instruments are committed to knob-for-knob functionality. Every feature of The Swarm is directly mapped to a knob, button, switch, or jack, ensuring effortless control. There's no need for menu-diving or complicated sequences of button presses to access features; everything is conveniently accessible at your fingertips.
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Curated, Onboard Effects
With over a decade of experience in the effects industry, we have carefully curated a selection of effects that seamlessly complement the synth core. Unique to The Swarm is its capability to use the onboard effects with other equipment, allowing you to route external audio through the inputs on the back.
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Plug and Play Functionality
The Swarm utilizes a USB-C MIDI host for simplicity and ease of use. Most modern class-compliant MIDI controllers with USB functionality should plug in and work immediately with zero setup. Additionally, The Swarm provides power to your controller, streamlining your setup process. For older controllers that only have DIN connections, a USB to DIN converter can be used to ensure compatibility. (These converters typically cost $10-20)
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Quality Craftsmanship, Intentional Design
We've invested considerable thought into crafting the overall feel of the instrument. From the layout of the knobs to the choice of colors, artwork, and the weight of the enclosure, every detail has been considered. These details matter to us because we recognize that the connection a user forms with a piece of gear is almost as crucial in the creative process as the sounds it produces. We hope you can feel the love and passion we've poured into every aspect of The Swarm, from its sonic capabilities to its design aesthetics.​
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Open Source Platform
Artium desktop synths use an open source platform known as Axoloti or Ksoloti for development and implementation of its products. Click here for details on the open source platform being used.

SYNTH CORE

Oscillator
The Swarm features a SuperSaw oscillator with 8-note polyphony. This oscillator is composed of seven individual saw waves stacked on top of each other. The magic unfolds when you detune the waveforms by applying a frequency offset, resulting in one of the most massive synth sounds available.

Control Modes
The Swarm employs this massive sound through two distinct control modes: Polyphonic Mode and Arpeggiator Mode. In Polyphonic Mode, you can play up to eight notes simultaneously, exploring the full range of polyphony. Arpeggiator Mode offers a comprehensive monophonic arpeggiator, automatically sequencing held notes in a variety of patterns, enhancing your creative possibilities.
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More Features & Controls
To shape the sound further The Swarm has a 4 Pole Low Pass Filter with a subtle resonance as well as a simple attack and release envelope.

ONBOARD EFFECTS

All onboard effects can be used with other music equipment. Simply plug an external audio source into the rear input jacks, and The Swarm will seamlessly mix the external audio with its synth core, allowing for simultaneous processing of both signals.
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Freeze
By pressing the touchpad on the right, The Swarm records a 1000ms sample of the current audio. It then layers, and smears the sample, creating an infinite drone frozen in time—a perfect foundation for layering additional notes. The freeze effect facilitates overdubbing, and pressing the touchpad with the freeze knob at its minimum setting erases the memory, allowing the device to capture a fresh sample.
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Delay
The Swarm's delay is a digital delay with a subtle touch of warmth. The delay length synchronizes with the arpeggiator clock, which can be adjusted manually using the clock knob or via the tap tempo touchpad on the left. Additionally, the delay features a multiplier knob, offering a range of unique subdivisions that complement the synced arpeggiator, including quarter notes, dotted eighths, eighths, and triplets.
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Reverb
The reverb effect in The Swarm strives to enhance the natural body and ambience of the synth core without overshadowing it. Its stereo reverb algorithm is controlled by a single knob, which adjusts both the mix and decay simultaneously. This versatile control allows you to seamlessly transition from realistic room or hall effects to expansive cathedral-like soundscapes, offering a wide range of atmospheric possibilities.
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Chorus
The SuperSaw oscillator practically demands to be paired with a chorus effect. The Swarm employs a stereo 4-voice chorus effect alongside a gradually shifting LFO, aiming to craft dimensionality without becoming nauseating

CONTROLS

SYNTH CORE
Detune - Detunes SuperSaw oscillator
Filter - Cutoff frequency of the filter
Attack - Rising edge of envelope
Release - Falling edge of envelope
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ARPEGGIATOR
"ARP" Toggle - Activates Arpeggiator Mode
"HOLD" Toggle - Stores all notes played in memory
Direction - Selects the direction of arpeggiator (UP, DOWN, SEESAW, RANDOM, ORDER PLAYED)
Octaves - Selects the number of octaves played by the arpeggiator
Clock - Speed of the arpeggiator and delay clock
Clock Toggle - Switches between manual clock knob and tap tempo.
Tap Tempo (Yellow Pad) - Tap tempo for arpeggiator and delay clock

EFFECTS
Freeze (Yellow Pad) - Press to record. Pressing with Freeze Knob at minimum will erase sample
Freeze (Knob) - Sets the level of of the frozen, infinite drone
D.Level - Delay signal level
D.Feedback - Number of delay repeats
D.Multiplier - Sets delay multiplier (quarter note, dotted eighth, eighth, triplets)
Reverb - Mix and Decay of reverb increase simultaneously
Chorus - Sets chorus level

REAR PANEL
Out(L) - Left Output (stereo headphone jack/TRS when Out(R) is unconnected)
Out(R) - Right Output
In(L) - Audio input to send external audio through onboard effects (If source is Mono, use In(L))
In(R) - Audio input to send external audio through onboard
Oct+: Shifts the entire synth up one octave for every press
Oct-: Shifts the entire synth down one octave for every press
MIDI HOST INPUT - Provides power and communication with your USB Midi Controller
USB POWER SUPPLY - USB-C plug to power synth​

USER TIPS

SETUP
With the included cables, connect the USB-C coming from the power supply brick to the "USB POWER SUPPLY" port on the back. Within a few seconds, you will see the LED turn on and start to blink. Plug any USB Midi Controller into the "MIDI HOST INPUT" on the back. If necessary, use the included USB-C adapter. Most Midi Controllers can be powered by this port and do not need external supply. Most Midi Controllers need zero setup and will work immediately after plugging it in. Most issues can be resolved by unplugging and plugging back in.

FREEZE EFFECT
The Freeze Effect needs a bit of explanation. The Freeze Knob controls the volume of the Freeze effect, but it also serves as a mode selector. When the Freeze Knob is at its minimum, it is in ERASE MODE. While in ERASE MODE, tapping the gold touchpad will erase the current buffer.

When the Freeze Knob is in any other position, it is in RECORD MODE. Now when you press the golden touchpad it will initiate a 1000ms sample. This will be shown by the LED indicator lighting for 1000ms.
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(ADDED NOTE: after a few minutes, the buffer will automatically be cleared and reset to avoid degradation).
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OCTAVE SWITCHES
The Swarm has two pushbutton switches on the back to offset the notes up and down by octave. The LED will flash for 1 second when it is back to the original octave with zero offset.
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D. MULTIPLIER
This knob is separated into 4 zones and multiplies the arpeggiator clock time (1x, 1.5x, 2x, 3x). The multiplying only affects the delay time. If you are unsure what zone you are in, there is a helpful LED flash that happens when you switch zones. Turn the knob slowly and the LED will flash when entering a new zone.
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CLOCK SETTING
The Swarm has an unlabeled toggle switch on the bottom left of the synth. This controls which clock mode is active. When the toggle is up, the clock is in manual mode and is set by the Clock knob. When the toggle is down, the clock is in tap tempo mode and is set by the touchpad below it.
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DIRECTION KNOB
This knob is separated into 5 zones and changes the direction notes are played when the arpeggiator mode is active (UP, DOWN, SEESAW, RANDOM, ORDER-PLAYED). If you are unsure what zone you are in, there is a helpful LED flash that happens when you switch zones. Turn the knob slowly and the LED will flash when entering a new zone.
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OCTAVE KNOB
This knob is separated into 4 zones and changes the number of octaves played when the arpeggiator mode is active (1,2,3,4). If you are unsure what zone you are in, there is a helpful LED flash that happens when you switch zones. Turn the knob slowly and the LED will flash when entering a new zone.
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OUTPUTS
The Swarm has stereo outputs. You can use 2 mono (TS) cables and plug in to the Out(L) and Out(R). You can also use a stereo (TRS) cable or headphone plug and insert it into the Out(L) as long as you don't have anything plugged into Out(R).
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INPUTS
You can route external audio through the Swarm. The external audio is mixed in with The Swarm's synth core and both go through the effects. If you have a mono signal, connect to In(L) and it will route to both sides. If you have a stereo signal attach to both In(L) and In(R) with mono cables (please note that the delay in the Swarm is technically mono, but will output to both outputs).