Magnolia 8 Voice Synthesizer by Frap Tools at Superbooth25 | Interview with Simone | Audio Examples

video upload by Christian Halten

"In this short documentary (3'48") Simone of Frap Tools from Italy expands on the company's history and how the Magnolia 8 voice polyphonic thru-zero frequency modulation synthesizer came to life. The film contains short audio examples of the instrument as well. Filmed on 2025/05/09 at Superbooth25 in Berlin.

Cinematographer, Director and Producer Christian Halten"

On Polyrhythms and Poymeters – live patching of Studio No.3 with Francesco Gennari

video upload by Frap Tools

"In today's episode, Francesco Gennari takes us on a true USTA masterclass, using it to weave a texture of four voices and a delay effect. Different pattern lengths and rhythmic structures create a complex and ever-changing harmonic and melodic landscape, but they also control the delay taps, pushing forward the limitations of sequencer-based compositions."

-Linktree: https://linktr.ee/francesco.gennari

Time stamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:18 Modular performance
02:53 Track Structure
03:21 Changing patterns live with Usta
04:01 First Voice: Brenso + Doepfer LPG
04:33 Bagai as a source of random modulation
05:07 Timbral shaping with Brenso
06:11 Second voice: Brenso + Doepfer SEM filter
06:45 Voice 3&4: Piston Honda MKIII + Optomix
08:29 Polyrhythmic interplay between voices
09:06 Ratcheting and randomness in Usta
09:44 Polymetric element in the ending section
10:35 Effects: Disting EX as a dual ping pong delay
11:22 Clocking Empress Zoia with Usta

12 synths, drum machines, FX & innovations you need to know from Superbooth 2025

video upload by MusicRadar Tech

"For a few years now, Berlin’s Superbooth show has been a focal point for music technology gear announcements, but the 2025 iteration took this to another level. The sheer volume and variety of new music making gear on display in and around the FEZ event space was beyond anything we’ve seen in previous years.

MusicRadar was on the ground to test everything we could get our hands on. As the show drew to a close Managing Editor Si Truss, Reviews Editor Simon Arblaster and Tech Channel Editor Matt Mullen found a quiet corner in the woods to sit down for a roundtable (sans table) discussion about their highlights from the 2025 Superbooth show floor."

In this video:
Frap Tools Magnolia – 02:03
Korg Berlin Phase8 – 05:40
Moog Messenger – 09:07
Erica Synths HexDrums – 12:16
1010music Bento – 14:58
Novation Launch Control XL 3 – 17:20
Neuzeit Instruments Drop – 19:12
Cre8audio Boom Chick – 20:51
Clank Uranograph – 22:38
Eternal Research Demon Box – 25:10
Polyend Mess – 27:20
Instruō Seashell – 29:52
Honourable mentions – 32:01

Superbooth 2025 Highlights

video upload by Thomann Synthesizers

"Just got back from this year´s Superbooth in Berlin. Here are some of our highlights.
Frap Tools just might have dropped the polysynth of the year. Intellijel surprised us with a stunning desktop mixer.
Haken Audio & La Voix Du Luthier’s resonator turns any synth into an acoustic instrument—and Korg’s Phase 8 is finally production-ready. Superbooth 2025 came through!”

Interesting bits and pieces:
00:07 Intellijel
02:01 Frap Tools
03:59 Haken Audio & La Voix Du Luthier
06:45 Korg
08:55 Make Noise
10:40 Polyend"

SUPERBOOTH 25: Frap Tools Magnolia

video upload by Sound On Sound magazine

"The Magnolia is the first keyboard synthesizer from Frap Tools, and sees the company bring the distinctive sound of their Eurorack modules to an eight-voice polysynth. We get a demo of the latest pre-production model."

MAGNOLIA, one of the HIGHLIGHTS of Superbooth

video upload by Hispasonic

Click CC for subtitles.

"We went inside the Frap Tools booth at the Berlin Superbooth to explore the Magnolia, a polyphonic synthesizer that has caught everyone's attention.

Magnolia stands out for its unique architecture, with two oscillators that break with convention: a through-zero oscillator that allows analog linear FM, evoking the classic timbres of Yamaha's FM synthesizers, but in a 100% analog format. It also features a more traditional oscillator with octave controls, variable waveform and a wave folder to add richness and timbral complexity. Want metallic sounds or subtractive textures? Magnolia dares to do both.

This synth also impresses with its polyphony and bithermality, allowing everything from dense sounds in dual mode to splits and morphing between presets. Each voice features two independent filters (low pass and high pass), extensive modulations with synchronizable LFOs, dedicated envelopes and an effects stage that includes analog distortion and digital slots for delays and modulations (still under development), as well as a built-in sequencer and expressive controls such as aftertouch, expression pedals and modulatable panning.

In this video you will hear sound demos that show the versatility of the Magnolia, from expansive stereo leads to vibrant textures with delayed vibrato. We also tell you details about its release, scheduled for late 2025 at an estimated price of 3995 €.

00:00 Intro
00:25 Sound Demo
04:29 Synthesis architecture
09:43 Availability and pricing"

Frap Tools Magnolia - A Bucchla Style Polysynth?.. from a modular manufacturer??

video upload by Starsky Carr

"A demo of the Magnolia from Frap Tools by the lovely Giovanni at‪@superboothberlin‬ 2025
Im, not doing a whole load of demos this year, just things that catch my eye, and this has been one of the stars of the show

It has such easy access to through zero FM and wavefolding, which enables it to go from very pleasant to a screeching maniac with a couple of twists!"

Frap Tools Magnolia | Analog Thru-Zero FM-Synthesizer | Superbooth 2025

video upload by Thomann Synthesizers

"The Frap Tools Magnolia is an 8-voice analog polysynth that marks the Italian brand’s debut in standalone keyboards. Unveiled at Superbooth 2025, it fuses Frap Tools' modular DNA with a modern, expressive design. Each voice features dual oscillators, combining West Coast-style thru-zero FM and wavefolding with East Coast-style PWM, and dual analog filters (HP/LP). Magnolia offers polyphonic aftertouch via a premium Fatar keybed, intuitive modulation routing with LED feedback, and flexible bi-timbral modes including splits, layers, morphing, and onboard sequencers. Expected to launch in summer 2025, it promises deep sound design with hands-on playability."

Frap Tools: Magnolia - SUPERBOOTH 2025

video upload by Bonedo Synthesizers

Superbooth 2025 Frap Tools Magnolia

video upload by Padawan Studio

"Superbooth 2025, first impressions on the Frap Tools Magnolia"

Sounds from Superbooth 2025: Frap Tools Magnolia

video upload by Perfect Circuit

"We're on the ground in Berlin at the year's biggest synth event. Stay up to date with all the latest gear news, announcements, and preorder info on our Superbooth coverage hub."

Frap Tools Magnolia Prototype Sounds only

video upload by AMAZONA Music Mag

Frap Tools Magnolia, 8-voice analog thru-zero FM polyphonic synthesizer | Project update

video upload by Frap Tools

Click CC at the bottom of the player for subtitles.

"Magnolia will be an 8-voice analog through-zero FM synthesizer, which we built to create sounds from the modular world through a classic keyboard interface.

Waveshapers, wavefolders, and, most importantly, analog linear through-zero FM unlock every sound associated with the 'West Coast' synthesis world. But that's not all! Fat resonant filters and powerful analog oscillators allow more traditional subtractive synthesis sounds as well.

A vast and flexible modulation section encourages complex patches with the twist of a knob, but it is always easy to keep track of what's going on thanks to LEDs on every source and destination. An arpeggiator and a sequencer complement the machine.

We are announcing and showcasing two pre-production units. We aim to release the final version at the end of summer, and it will show some differences. It may have a more refined interface, it will feature digital effects, and some of the features currently under evaluation may disappear.

We've been working on it for the last year, and we're eager to show it to the world!"

Follow-up to this post where you'll find additonal pics.

Update: press release follows:

Frap Tools to take on high-end keyboard synthesizer market with ‘West Coast’ MAGNOLIA making its public debut at SUPERBOOTH25

MEDOLLA, ITALY: Frap Tools, hitherto known as a manufacturer of Eurorack modules and accessories alongside professional audio compressors in the 500-Series format, is proud to venture into the world of high-end keyboard synthesizers with its introduction of MAGNOLIA — announced as an 8-VOICE ANALOG THRU-ZERO FM SYNTHESIZER built to unlock every sound associated with ‘West Coast’ modular synthesis through a classic keyboard interface — anchored around showcasing two pre-production units at SUPERBOOTH25, May 8-10, FEZ-Berlin, Germany…

As an 8-VOICE ANALOG THRU-ZERO FM SYNTHESIZER, MAGNOLIA unlocks every sound associated with the so-called ‘West Coast’ modular synthesis world with waveshapers, wavefolders, and, most importantly, analog linear TZFM (Through-Zero Frequency Modulation) Indeed, its intentions are made clear from the outset by the on point wording worked tastefully into its (initial) top panel design. No need to necessarily remain there, though, for fat resonant filters and powerful analogue oscillators also allow for more traditional subtractive synthesis sounds. And although a deep and flexible modulation section encourages complex patches with the push of a button and twist of a knob, switching modulations on and off with the TOGGLE function, it is always easy to keep track of what is going on thanks to the inclusion of LEDs (Light-Emitting Diodes) on every source and destination.

Digging deeper, MAGNOLIA features eight analogue voices with two oscillators — carrier and modulator — and 24 dB/oct resonant HIGH-PASS and LOW-PASS filters; the carrier oscillator has a through-zero core for precise, sideband-rich analogue FM (Frequency Modulation) sounds, so crystal-like pads to growling basses are available to all with the greatest of ease, while FM can be applied to the filters. Furthermore, sculpting sounds that have not been heard before on analogue polysynths are now perfectly possible, thanks to MAGNOLIA’s unique signal flow — think continuously variable waveform shapes and a wavefolder circuit per voice!

Those two oscillators are derived from Frap Tools’ BRENSO (https://frap.tools/products/brenso/), a Euroack module readily representing its creator’s primary analogue source of articulated waveforms whose degree of entanglement can be precisely set by the musician. MAGNOLIA’s Oscillator 1 is the ‘West Coast’ one with TZFM, wavefolder, and FLIP SYNC, while Oscillator 2 is the ‘East Coast’ one, with PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) and fine-tune. Whether wanting experimental FM sounds or punchy synth brass, they are always at anyone’s service. Speaking of Frap Tools’ unique modular soul, MAGNOLIA’s filter section is derived from CUNSA (https://frap.tools/products/cunsa/) — itself a quadruple analogue ping-able multimode resonant filter, saturator, mixer, and oscillator, no less!

Musically, MAGNOLIA sports a keyboard from fellow Italians FATAR, with polyphonic aftertouch capabilities for enhanced expressiveness, while a per-part ARPEGGIATOR and per-part 16-step SEQ (sequencer) serve to creatively complement the synthesizer still further. Features briefly worth drawing attention to here by way of ending on some more high notes include MAGNOLIA’s bi-timbral programs (with SINGLE, MORPH, DUAL, and SPLIT MODES); all-analogue signal path; three loop-able DAHDSR (DELAY, ATTACK, HOLD, DECAY, SUSTAIN, and RELEASE) envelopes; three digital LFOs (Low Frequency Oscillators); and 512 preset memory slots.

Anyone attending SUPERBOOTH25, May 8-10, FEZ-Berlin, Germany can get up close and personal with two MAGNOLIA pre-production units by swinging by Booth B049 there. Their creators will be showcasing them personally, eager to show the results of their hard work, while providing a passionate warm welcome. Frap Tools aim to release MAGNOLIA as a production product by the end of summer, albeit with some differences evident by then. The interface will likely be more refined, featuring digital effects, while some features currently under evaluation could conceivably be removed."

New Magnolia Keyboard Synth by Frap Tools Coming to SUPERBOOTH

via Frap Tools

Update: video here

"And here's what we'll bring to Superbooth: Magnolia is the prototype that kept us busy over the last year. It's gonna be an 8-voice analog throuhg-zero FM polyphonic synthesizer. At its heart, all the sounds you've met in our modules: Brenso, Cunsa, and so on. We could say a 'west coast polysynth', but it's capable of analog subtractive synthesis as well. We'll bring two pre-production units at @superbooth_berlin , so come check them out and stay in touch for some video and audio stuff!"

CLICK FOR MORE »

Frap Tools - System 1

video upload by Stazma

"Today I'm having fun with a small dedicated Frap Tools system. It's a good opportunity to dive into what makes "West Coast" synthesis is and how it work. I'm also going to try to make it jungle (or IDM or whatever you want to call it) and then I'll show you some classic 'west coast' patch I love.

Have fun!"

00:00 Intro
02:32 The modules
04:49 What the hell is 'West Coast Synthesis'
12:21 Does it Jungle??!!
18:38 West Coast Classics PT.1 Crossmod Percussions
21:27 West Coast Classics PT.2 Keyboard Weird
26:00 West Coast Classics PT.3 Polymetric Sequences
34:11 West Coast Classics PT.4 Fake Arp
41:50 End talk"

Studio no. 2 on Stereo Dyads | Performance breakdown with Francesco Gennari

video upload by Frap Tools

"In this new episode, ‪@francescogennarimusic‬ plays his new étude for Eurorack synthesizer and breaks it down. It is focused on "stereo dyads", i.e., chords of two notes only that are spaced across the stereo field. In this video, he will guide us through his compositional approach (which begins on the piano) and the techniques he used to bring it all together, which include using filters as oscillators and modulating stomp box effects through the USTA sequencer."

Time stamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:32 Modular Performance
04:16 Piano Performance
06:00 Track Structure
06:33 Usta in Song Mode to repeat patterns.
07:07 First voice: NTO + Cunsa playing the upper melody.
08:49 Second voice: Stereo Dyads with Cunsa
10:22 Distorted Layer
11:05 Third voice: Bass
12:08 Effects: triggering the Empress Zoia through the Usta sequencer.

A use for aliasing that you may never have seen before!

video upload by Frap Tools

"Aliasing is usually a big no-no: it means that there's something wrong with your digital sound and with a guy named Nyquist. However, thanks to our Bagài, it is possible to make this bad thing a good one and have some fascinating timbre – with an all-analog signal path (for what it's worth)."

Some uses for triggers and bursts you probably did not know

video upload by Frap Tools

"Triggers in the modular world usually... trig stuff. Today we'd like to use them to spice up a pingable filter patch, and there are at least two ways!"

00:00 Intro and overview
00:50 Patch 1: speed-changing triggers
06:37 Variation of patch 1 with two filters
07:20 Patch 2: taming bagài's clock bursts

On cross-FM and fake polyphony | Performance breakdown with Francesco Gennari

video upload by Frap Tools

"In today's video, ‪@francescogennarimusic‬ walks us through the creative process behind his first study for modular synthesizer. It explores three main concepts:

1) Cross-FM with the Brenso oscillator: https://frap.tools/brenso
2) Fake polyphonic strings with the Verbos Multi Delay Processor
3) Creative uses of the mute function through the QSC Quad Stereo Channel and the Usta Sequencer. https://frap.tools/usta https://frap.tools/qsc"

Dynamic stereo spread with Cunsa and Fumana!

video upload by Frap Tools

"We can finally use Fumana's odd and even bands to spread a mono signal across the stereo range while keeping the bass range fully centered. Cunsa is gonna help us so check the video out to find how!"