Isla Instruments Teases new Caladan Synthesizer

via Isla Instruments

"From now on, I shall be known as...
Muad'Dib

Well, today is a milestone, everything is ready and has been sent off to fabrication to make the first hardware prototypes.

Caladan is (will be) an 8-part multi-timbral polyphonic analog / digital hybrid synthesizer.

We are carrying on the legacy of a fantastic, groundbreaking synthesizer called the 'Parva' by FutureSonus. Building on its DNA, we are putting our own twist on it to make it the perfect partner to the S2400.

Same form factor, same aesthetic (yes, same wood sides if you want)

It will bring polyphonic playback of multi-sampled instruments (SF2, SFZ, +) out of the box.
But the special sauce is the 8x expansion slots inside the case which will allow me to go completely fucking nuts with add-in voicecards.

OPL3, SID, SEM, SH-101, MiniMoog, Pro-1, etc etc... all these flavours can be realised on expansion cards and all accessed by a common UI.

Voicecards can of course be analog OR digital. The intention is to open this side of the synth up to allow 3rd party developers to create cards also.

I'm literally creating MY 'Dream Synth' and I want to take you along for the ride.

First hardware should be here in a few weeks!!

Here's a couple of renders of what the prototype will look like.

FUCKIN YES!!!!!"

Futuresonus Parva 2010 Black

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

It's hard to believe it's already been 12 years. You can find some demos in previous posts here.

"Parva by Futuresonus is an 8-voice digitally-controlled analog multi-timbral MPE-compatible polyphonic synthesizer. combining the warmth and fullness of true analog synthesis with the power, convenience and connectivity provided by a digital brain, Parva represents a huge step forward for desktop synthesizers. inside Parva are eight voice cards, each its own complete analog synthesizer, loaded with a plethora of incredible features:

3 digitally-controlled analog oscillators with a +/-5 octave range, hard sync and choice of triangle, variable-width sawtooth, and PWM waveforms
4 ADSR envelopes with choice of exponential and linear modes and looping option
4 LFOs with key-synced and free-running options and a wide variety of waveshapes including sine, saw, triangle, square, random and even stepped shapes
dual VCFs with 12 and 24dB LPF and HPF modes, a 12 dB BPF mode, self-oscillation and filter FM
to be clear - each voice has all the features listed above, and because Parva is multitimbral it's possible to distribute its 8 voices as desired across multiple patches simultaneously. on top of that, Parva is one of the very few hardware synthesizers to offer full MPE support. hook up a Linnstrument, Continuum, Sensel Morph or Roli Seaboard to unlock the incredible potential of per-voice velocity, pitch bend, pressure and modulation - and put it all to work just as you'd like with the Parva's 40-point internal modulation routing matrix!

in addition to its robust analog synthesis engine, Parva's hardware is geared towards maximum power and flexibility with minimum effort. Parva's main outputs and headphone output make simple L/R stereo synthesis a breeze, but each voice also has its own stereo 1/4" TRS line level output, enabling independent recording and effects processing of any or all of Parva's eight voices! the USB type B port makes connection to a computer host easy while standard 5-pin DIN MIDI I/O ports enable connection with controllers old and new. Parva's USB type A host port - a first among analog synthesizers! - enables direct support for USB MIDI controller connection. no more running power this way and signals that way. just plug and play!"

Futuresonus Parva | Ambient improvisation demo

video upload by MIDERA

"Hit record and just tweaked the synth and filters.

Eventide Blackhole VST used for reverb."

dawn huntres - futuresonus parva

video upload by synthesizer express

"the track was created entirely with the parva synthesizer except for drums
fx used is the brainworx rooms reverb"

Futuresonus Parva

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"This is an 8-voice multitimbral analog synth with 3 digitally controlled analog oscillators per voice. It has a very nice modulation matrix, which makes it very versatile. This unit has serial nr. 00146 and is in excellent condition."

See the Futuresonus label for some demos.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Futuresonus Parva | Pad demo

video by MIDERA

"Temporary exchange - my Ambika for a friend's Parva (potentially final exchange, if we agree to it). It has some weird glitches, like the voices are all a bit out of tune. One of the voices appears to be slightly set to sound more in the left channel. Another voice is quieter than the others. No amount of calibration fixes this. I reached out to the developer, but I haven't heard anything back from them and sort of assume I likely won't hear back.

My Ambika, on the other hand, doesn't have the right filters installed. Someone sold it to me as an SMR set, but it has 3X SMR and 3X 4P filters. They were unwilling to take it back when I noticed.

But honestly... I just want to try to save up for a Prophet 12 :S

I am mostly thinking the Ambika is probably almost better than the P12, from what I've heard from folks online. But.... always good to find out for myself. The P12 looks great too.

Anyway, I thought I'd make a few sounds that I liked on it and post the video. It's always nice to just write a few things and see what I think. Here - my camera ran out of memory and lost a lot of footage. Oh well, enjoy some footage from some vacations."

FutureSonus Parva

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

CLICK FOR MORE »

Futuresonus Parva

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

Demo in the listing previously posted here.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Futuresonus Parva Uncommon Matte Black Version

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"Incredibly flexible analog synth, this is a hard one to let go but I'm paring down to the absolute minimum studio space. 8 voices, 3 oscillators, 4 envelopes and 4 LFOs per freakin' voice, assignable stereo outs for each voice, wildly flexible modulation matrix, MPE, USB host, lots of knobs and constant display menus so minimal diving. You can split the voices any way you want. Exepansive pads and

I purchased this new from Brad at Futuresonus and he checked and calibrated all of the voice cards just two months ago.

Specifications
Oscillators
3 Digitally-controlled analog oscillators per voice
Sawtooth, triangle, and PWM waveforms
Variable-width saw waves
Tunable +/- 5 octaves
Hard Syncable
Independent level controls
Envelopes
4 4-stage (ADSR) envelopes per voice
Exponential curves for punchy attack and natural decay
Linear mode also available
Loopable envelopes
Routable to >40 destinations
Modulation
4 LFOs per voice
Sine, sawtooth, triangle, and square waveforms
Random sample-and-hold
Stepped LFOs
Free-running or key-synced
Routable to >40 destinations
Polyphonic Aftertouch
Filters
2 configurable voltage-controlled filters per voice
24db or 12db low-pass or high-pass modes
12db bandpass mode
Self-oscillating
Filter FM
Inputs / Outputs
Individual 1/4" stereo line-level outputs for each voice
1/4" left and right main outputs
Stereo 1/4" headphone jack
MIDI input and ouput
USB port for MIDI input and output
USB Host port for direct connection of USB MIDI controllers
Dimensions
10.5" x 8" x 3.5" (26.7cm x 20.3cm x 8.9cm)"

CLICK FOR MORE »

Revisiting the Futuresonus Parva

Published on Sep 8, 2019 ProckGnosis

"We're revisiting the Futuresonus Parva after last playing with it almost 3 years ago. The firmware for the OS and the voice cards has been updated a few times since then, and now at v0.7, it appears (according to some feedback from online forums) that it might not be getting any more updates.

I like the way it sounds quite a bit, and the intent of this video was to highlight how good it can sound, but it's far from a smooth operating, problem-free synth. There are still some common problems multiple units still have, and then individual units seem to suffer from varying problems too. I'm pretty lucky that mine operates fairly well under basic operating conditions. With a great mod matrix, lots of source and destination modulations, 4 LFOs, and 4 envelopes (all 4 assignable to whatever mod), it's also fairly programmable (the menu diving doesn't slow it down too much). Add to that, it's MPE-capable, so it's pretty playable too (as long as all your voice cards are working fairly well).

You'll hear over the course of the video, the oscillators or filters started adding a slight buzz beyond the normal over driving of the filter. Though that slight additional buzz can sound cool under some circumstances, it's better to be able to control when that happens. Usually doing a reboot of Parva and calibrating the filters fixes any problems like that, that can develop. There's no excessive buzzing during the filter sweeps in the video because that was recorded the following day, after I had powered the Parva off and on.

As mentioned in the video, supposedly Brad (the creator of the Parva) has moved on to other projects, which is unfortunate. It would have been great if similar to how the Exodus Valkyrie synth was adopted by Waldorf (and rebranded Kyra), the Parva had been picked up by a more established company and supported/developed into a full-up, finished product. Hopefully whatever new project he's involved with will be able pick up where this left off.

I had a blast programming it the last week, so if I come up with even more interesting patches or if there IS another firmware update, I'll likely do another video."

Futuresonus Parva

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"100% ANALOG SOUND
From the oscillators and wave-shapers to the voltage-controlled filters (VCF) and snappy OTA-based voltage-controlled amplifiers (VCA), Parva's signal path is 100% analog. There's no DSP here.

POLYPHONIC & MULTI-TIMBRAL
Eight note polyphonic. Eight voice multi-timbral. Amazingly flexible.

DIGITAL CONTROL
Save and recall patches instantaneously, change parameters via MIDI, and route LFOs and envelopes to more than 40 destinations in the modulation matrix.

USB HOST
Parva is the first analog synthesizer to feature a USB Host port, which allows you to connect any class-compliant USB MIDI keyboard — or other controller — directly, without the need for a computer.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Futuresonus Parva 2018 Black

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

Update: link fixed.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Futuresonus Parva

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"Features 8 voices with 3 DCO's per voice.
It also has 8 stereo outputs - one per voice!
Very powerful, big, lush sounding synth.

There are currently no new models being sold, so the only way to get one is second hand!"

Per Futuresonus: "Parva orders are temporarily suspended while we focus on new development"

CLICK FOR MORE »

FutureSonus Parva Analog Synth Module SN 00003

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

CLICK FOR MORE »

Futuresonus Parva - Polyphonic Analog desktop synth

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"This is a fantastic 8-voice multitimbral analog desktop synthesizer. It is MPE compatible, has USB host capabilities, meaning you can plug a class compliant USB controller directly into it, as well as standard USB and MIDI. It has individual outs per voice, in addition to a stereo master out. I encourage you to listen to demos and hear how great it sounds!!! The user manual is also available on line to read about what a deep instrument this is."

You can find additional posts featuring the Futuresonus Parva here.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Futuresonus Parva Analog 8 Voice Synth

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

CLICK FOR MORE »

Futuresonus Parva - 8 Voice Analog Polysynth

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

CLICK FOR MORE »

Futuresonus Parva & Linnstrument - Dry Sound Demo

Published on Feb 19, 2017 cube48

"Poor playing skills, showing some MPE patches for Parva."

Suzanne on LinnStrument with Parva synth (Leonard Cohen cover)

Published on Feb 11, 2017 Geert Bevin

"When Leonard Cohen passed away at the end of 2016, I wanted to create a tribute to him. He's the one who inspired me to be a singer-songwriter, and as a kid I played many of his songs to learn how to finger-pick on the acoustic guitar.

With the LinnStrument being the instrument I co-created with Roger Linn, it felt like a nice symmetry to try to cover some of Leonard Cohen's songs on the LinnStrument 128 with just one synthesiser as the sound source, very similar to the simplicity of an acoustic guitar.

The sound comes entirely from the Futuresonus Parva synth, set up as an 8-part multi to match the 8 rows of the LinnStrument. I spent quite a long time fine-tuning the sound of each multi-timbral part to be suitable for that particular note range and playing intent, not unlike each string of a guitar having a different thickness.

This is one of those projects that I worked on for such a long time, that I have no idea if it's actually any good or not, so I just throw it out there. I plan to record a few more Leonard Cover songs like this if people don't consider it complete heresy."

Parva Meets Elements

Published on Jan 30, 2017 Dudadius

"Futuresonus Parva being run through it's paces with special guest, Macbeth Elements. Graphic highlights my just-released album, now on Bandcamp, soon to iTunes, etc..."