Genki Instruments Katla #2 | Winterdagen

video upload by Winterdagen

"Here's another patch on the gorgeous ‪@genkiinstruments‬ Katla synthesizer.

For this keys patch I made use of Katla's voice rotation, with one of 5 voices tuned an octave higher than the rest, resulting in unpredictable pitch jumps in the melody, which I love. I didn't make use of Katla's oscillators for this patch, in stead the sound is coming from the filter with the resonance fully up, which tracks pitch very nicely when tuned with the simple calibration mode of holding down the two filter mode knobs.

I'm a big fan of these singing filter sine waves, which always feel a tiny bit unstable which makes them sound magical. To top it off I'm modulating the panning of the voices, I blended in some of Katla's lovely noise for some warble and I added some of the amazing internal reverb, which reminds me a bit of my Vongon Ultrasheer. I love this sound so much and I've never heard any other synth make it quite like this!

You don't see me playing the keys in the video, but I played this patch for hours, instant inspiration really. This melody is came out of that improvisation.

Thank you for watching!

ps. sine waves generally don't translate all that well on phone/laptop speakers, so speakers/earbuds/headphones advised.

Katla is shipping as of this week, find more info at: https://genki.is/"

Genki KATLA - THE VOLCANO SYNTH!! Now Available

video upload by Starsky Carr

"What happens when a synthesizer completely breaks the rules?
In this video, we explore the Genki KATLA — a truly unique polysynth inspired by Icelandic volcanoes, featuring a rotating voice architecture, hybrid signal path, and some of the most unpredictable sound design possibilities I’ve come across.

This isn’t your typical analog polysynth. Each of the five voices can run independently with different waveforms, octaves, and modulation — creating evolving textures, harmonic movement, and generative-style sounds that feel closer to modular synthesis than traditional keyboards.

🎛️ What makes the KATLA special?
• Rotating voice polyphony (round robin-style synthesis)
• Independent per-voice oscillators & tuning
• Digital oscillators + analog filter signal path
• Looping envelopes reaching audio-rate modulation
• Phase distortion, wavefolding & multiple distortion types
• Tape-style wow, flutter & pitch instability effects
• Stereo voice movement & evolving spatial modulation
• External inputs for processing other gear

From lush ambient pads to aggressive, evolving sequences — this synth can go places most instruments simply can’t. It’s not about recreating vintage sounds… it’s about discovering entirely new ones.

💸 At around €5000, this is definitely not a beginner synth — but for sound designers, and anyone looking for something truly different, it well worth a look."

Genki Katla Sound Design: Making sounds from scratch and exploring
video upload by MR TUNA Music

Chapters: 0:00 - Intro 0:16 - Init patch 0:44 - Filter sounds 1:26 - Raising 1 voice 1:43 - Creating a basic pluck sound 2:24 - Aftertouch controls 2:45 - Bring in a little reverb 2:56 - LFO to filter cutoff 3:16 - LFO to reverb mix 3:46 - Keyboard cutoff 4:00 - Osc 3 Square wave 4:23 - Sub oscillator 4:54 - KATLA parameters 5:01 - Rústir wavefolder 6:08 - Rökkur stereospreader 6:37 - Skriða envelope randomizer 7:27 - Aska random modulations 7:57 - Glóð tape stops and flutters 8:35 - Skjálfti ??? 9:14 - Kvika slow tape modulations 9:38 - dark pads 10:20 - Móða voice detuning 11:20 - Katla sounds with aftertouch 13:28 - Thanks for watching

"Hey guys! Very very excited to be presenting the Genki Katla to you all... I am truly in awe of the sound of this very unique and powerful instrument.

I thought the best way to get to know the synth is to start from scratch so in this video we'll go full hands-on with the Genki Katla, exploring (almost) every parameter and building sounds from an initialized patch.

From some raw drone layers and gritty textures to evolving pads, rhythmic sequences, and atmospheric beds, we will see just what this instrument can do, discover new sounds, and maybe make some friends along the way 🙏

If you're into sound design, unique synths, or just love discovering new instruments, this one is for you!

HUGE thanks to Genki for letting me a part of this with them and showing off this super cool synth.

No money was paid, no agreements were made... these are my real thoughts on this very premium synthesizer and I will be sharing lots more."

Press release follows:


Genki Instruments announces availability of Katla as Voice Rotating Polyphonic Synthesizer inspired by its natural namesake

REYKJAVIK, ICELAND: having twice blown European musical minds thanks to show-stealing showcases at SUPERBOOTH25, May 8-10, Berlin, Germany and Machina Bristronica 2025, September 27-28, Bristol, UK, before adventuring across the pond for a repeat performance at Buchla & Friends 2026, January 24-25, LA, CA, USA, Reykjavik-based instrument developer Genki Instruments is proud to announce availability of the eagerly-awaited Katla as a Voice Rotating Polyphonic Synthesizer inspired by Iceland’s largest subglacial volcano as its natural namesake — readily representing the company’s first foray into analogue synthesis, albeit one that uniquely utilises a set of wildcard parameters to infuse it with organic, unpredictable behaviour as an instrument that is worthy of that legacy, excelling at generating rich, evolving, multi-layered textures, where each note stirs, swells, and erupts in its own distinct way — as of March 31…

Clearly Katla’s inspiration runs through its ‘volcanic’ veins. After all, it is framed by side panels and knobs forged from authentic Icelandic lava, giving each instrument a tangible connection to the volcanic forces that inspired it. That this synth should surely roar is a given. Genki Instruments inevitably chose, therefore, to kit Katla out with four independent distortion destinations, the most unruly of which is a stereo CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) Drive effect — a characterful saturation stage, pushing tones from warm and rounded to fractured and snarling.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Going for some techno on the KATLA

video upload by Starsky Carr

"I've heard it do ominous and ambient so I thought I'd try a little #techno with the @genkiinstruments KATLA

... and F**k me does it work!! 🤣🤣

Matched with the ‪@oxiinstruments‬ ONE MKII they make a perfect couple!"

See the Genki label below for more.

Katla Volcanic Synth - Genki's New Instrument at Buchla & Friends

video upload by CatSynth TV

"We get an introduction to Katla, an enigmatic new synthesizer from Iceland-based Genki Instruments, at Buchla & Friends 2026. Named one of the largest volcanoes in Iceland, Katla is synthesizer that combines five digital oscillator voices with envelopes, analog filters and wavefolders, and a set of "Kalta" chaotic parameters, for an organic, "controlled-chaos", sound and performance. It also features side panels and knobs made from volcanic lava rocks.

To find out more, please visit https://genkiinstruments.com/katla

0:00 Introduction
0:27 A demo of Katla and its 'controlled chaos'
2:16 Conclusion

Merch: https://shop.catsynth.com
Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/catsynth
Patreon: / catsynth

And one from Bonedo Synthesizers:

Genki Instruments Katla Synth - Demo and Interview
video upload by Bonedo Synthesizers

See the Genki label below for additional posts.

Buchla & Friends 2026: The Most Insane Synthesizers

video upload by Sam Gutman

00:00 Intro
00:38 Nymira by Terraphones
01:16 Erea 2 by Embodme
02:06 A Wild ‪@BennJordan‬ !
02:17 Flux by Soma Laboratories
03:00 Ruby Moon through Omnisphere Effects
04:33 Demonbox by Eternal Research
05:31 Katla by Genki Instruments
06:36 Buchla Music Easel by Buchla
06:53 Rhodes Piano by Rhodes
07:10 Dvina by Soma Laboratories
07:25 Uranograph by Clank

Machina Bristonica 2025 - A Quick Look Round

video upload by Runningonair

"Just a little video about my trip to Machina Bristonica. Not by any means a full review, I wouldn't have it in me to attempt such a thing.

Links:
Equipment
https://sequential.com/modern-analog/...
https://www.genki.is/katla
https://groovesynthesis.com/
https://novationmusic.com/products/mi...
https://www.arturia.com/products/hard...

Artists
Sakr
https://sakrmusic.bandcamp.com/
Tim Exile
https://timexile.bandcamp.com/
Nadia Struiwigh
https://nadiastruiwigh.bandcamp.com/


https://runningonair.bandcamp.com/

https://open.spotify.com/artist/5fNUf...

https://paypal.me/runningonair?

BAF 2025: Genki Instruments Katla Synthesizer

video upload by sonicstate

"At BAF 2025, we caught up with Kari from Genki Instruments who introduced us to the *Katla Synthesizer*. Touted as perhaps the first Icelandic synthesizer, Katla takes its inspiration from Iceland's largest volcano, featuring side panels made of lava rock, ensuring each unit is unique.

Katla *is a five-voice polysynth that marries elements from both polyphonic and paraphonic synth designs. It offers a range of modes, including a notably dynamic round robin mode, as well as unison options. Each voice in *Katla comes with its own filter, enveloping a unique avenue for creative expression.

The synth is complemented by a suite of modulation sources, including loopable envelopes and integrated LFOs. Effects on board such as stereo reverb and distortion expand its sonic capability. Currently in a digital prototype stage, Genki hopes to incorporate analog components before its release later this year.

More Info:

https://genkiinstruments.com/"

See the announcement post here.

New Genki KATLA Handmade Desktop Synth Inspired by Iceland's Volcano of the Same Name

Volcano Synth - Genki Katla video upload by DECIMA1

"Icelandic electronic music gear maker Genki has introduced the Katla, a unique new instrument that they say 'draws inspiration from Iceland’s powerful subglacial volcano'.

The name ‘Katla’ means 'kettle' in Icelandic, fitting for a volcano often on the verge of eruption. Katla is one of Iceland’s most active volcanoes, located on the South Coast near the town of Vík. It has erupted at least 20 times since 1100, making it the fourth most active volcanic system in Iceland. It last erupted on the 12th of October, 1918, but has been showing signs of unrest in the past decades.

Features:

Handmade in Iceland
Basalt side panels, each unit is unique
Genki’s 'digilog sound engine'
Built in spring-reverb, analog filters and warmth circuits
Specifications are still to come at the Genki site, but it looks like the Katla offers four oscillators that can be used in monophonic, duophonic and four-voice paraphonic modes. Other features include a suboscillator, dedicated controls for aftertouch modulation, dual spring reverbs, dual filters, dual envelopes, LFO, chorus, and preset memory."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Supercritical Synthesizers - Cable Salad

video by Supercritical Synthesizers

"Lush. Polyphonic. Very lush and polyphonic.

Four Demon Core Oscillators and four Neutron Flux Filters wired with stereo outputs. Four envelopes and some stereo modulation via the Genki Wave ring. MIDI split to four CV/Gates.

No chorus. Just a touch of Valhalla Room.

Cable salad. Definitely needs some Parmigiano Reggio and olive oil. Does it add more lush?"

Thin Air - Genki Wave MIDI Ring vs. ROLI Equator2 Synth Performance

Nular Music

"In this video I used the Wave MIDI ring by Genki Instruments to control the parameters of ROLI's Equator2 synth plugin via hand gestures.

I've been fascinated by this form of expression since I first heard about Source Audio's Hot Hand ring and the Mi.Mu Gloves, but I couldn't see how I could integrate it into my workflow until now.

nularseq, the Max for Live sequencer I developed specifically for finger drumming turned out to work very well in this context: it allows me to trigger sequences of MIDI notes via tapping my fingers.

Equator2's deep modulation system allows me to control the sound exactly the way I want to. In this performance I used the pan gesture to blend between two oscillators, the tilt gesture to control filter cutoff and scan through a wavetable and the roll gesture to control delay feedback, unison detune and various other parameters.

It's a pretty amazing experience to be able to trigger notes and control various aspects of the sound completely untethered, and I can see a lot of creative uses of this technology. Don't panic, I don't intend to ditch my Launchpad anytime soon =), but expect more videos exploring this form of expression from me soon."

Ping-Ping Pong - A Supercritical Neutron Flux study

Supercritical Synthesizers

"I tried to think of the cheapest trick in the modular synthesizer cookbook. Well, the cheapest trick without Rick Nielsen.

Space. Not that fancy let’s-grab-a-bite-of-that-asteroid-while-we’re-there modern space exploration. The ye-olde-paper-mache-flying-saucers type sci-fi. In Finnish we’d use the word ”Pulputus” which means a sort of a bubbling sound but far more useless. The right kind of useless.

Filter pings! Oh what fun with the Liquid 4 pole setting. This patch has a LFO modulating the Antumbra Knit (a miniature Mutable Instruments Plaits) which has a single low frequency saw wave triggering the filter pings. Both cores of the filter are in use and spread with the stereo control.

After the filter it goes to a miniature Clouds. My own hacked kinda-kammerl-parasites firmware. Only verb this time from it. Then it’s routed to the miniature parasite Warps. Tape echo there. Holy mackerel it sounds good!

Oh the ring? The nice folks at Iceland’s Genki Instruments sent us a couple of their products. The Wave ring’s rotation movement controls the filter FM and the gate starts and stops the tape. Controlled directly from the Wavefront module. Ég tala ekki íslensku but damn this thing is expressive and easy to use. You’ll see more of this in our demos later.

-Heikki

Check Genki out at https://www.genkiinstruments.com
Check our Neutron Flux at http://supercriticalsynthesizers.com/..."

Wave + CME WIDI Master Juno 60 Demo

Genki Instruments

In this demo, Wave, the wearable MIDI controller and the WIDI Master, the MIDI over Bluetooth adapter connect to the classic synth, Juno-60 with Tubbutec Juno-66 mod. Vibrato and filter cut-off are being controlled with Wave, adding another dimension to this classic 80's synthesizer.

//Hardware used
Wave by Genki Instruments
CME WIDI Master
Tubbutec mod

See the Genki label below for more.

Genki Instruments Wave Ring Controller At NAMM 2019

Published on Feb 3, 2019 Synthtopia

"At the 2019 NAMM Show, Genki Instruments gave us a quick demo of their new Wave gestural MIDI controller."

Superbooth 2018 Day Three - Genki Instruments

Published on May 14, 2018 Animato Audio

"I don't know about you guys but I really want one :) Seems like you can get some super expressive sounds out of this combo of eurorack and motion capture. Will probably see a lot more coming out of this space in the future"

Genki Wave Controller Brings Gestural Control To Eurorack

Published on May 11, 2018 Synthtopia

"At Superbooth 2018, Genki showed us their Wave gestural controller, and showed how it can be used with Eurorack modular synthesizers."

Genki Instruments Wavefront @ Superbooth 2018

Published on May 4, 2018 Bedroom Producers Blog

"Genki Instruments presents the new Wavefront CV module for connecting the Wave controller ring to hardware setups and software instruments. Wave ring can also be connected via Bluetooth and used as a MIDI controller."

This is the first Genki Instruments post on the site.