What is The Vanilla Synthesizer? It's Ready, That's What

via the STG Soundlabs/muSonics Electronic Newsletter:

Is it The Vanilla Synthesizer or the muSonics TVS?

I started working on this project a year and a half ago.

Originally my thought process was to make a new American format synthesiser that could be sold as modules, kits, and bare boards. I was concerned about the future of the format, and I felt a new line of basic modules and infrastructure at a variety of price points was important. I still do.

STG Soundlabs was a failure because I made things that ultimately the eurorack market simply did not want. Yes, I sold some, and will continue to maintain the line as best as I can, but it's very hard to find photos of eurorack installations with STG Soundlabs modules in them, but rare to find a nice big man-sized synthesiser without my modules in it.

Another thing I wanted to do was teach myself how to do my own engineering. It didn't start that way, but it became that way. I'd been a hardware product developer since 2005 but never actually laid out a circuit board. That is no longer true, and I've done things beyond this project that I haven't even talked about.

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NAMM 2024 - MuSonics - Vanilla

video upload by sonicstate

"At NAMM 2024, we hooked up with Suit and Tie Guy, who introduced us to the Vanilla Synthesizer, a departure from the Eurorack modular format toward a more East Coast leaning complete instrument. Suit And Tie Guy describing it as a walnut-cabinet beauty packed with 70s goodness in American format, says the Vanilla Synthesizer promises a unique blend of vintage aesthetics and cutting-edge functionality. Boasting solid gold artwork, it features two LFOs, two VCOs, one filter, two envelope generators, two VCAs, and a mixer. Suit and Tie Guy showcased the control distributor, a device that minimizes patching by efficiently distributing CV and gate inputs to various components of the synthesizer with cable-free operation, though patching is available in the style of iconic synths like the ARP 2600. While not a limited edition, it has limited availability due to its meticulous construction process, and that each one is built to order.

Vanilla Synthesizer Available to order. Price 2,500 USD

https://www.musonics.com/"

MuSonics' The Vanilla Synthesizer Now Shipping

via MuSonics

"MuSonics is pleased to announce The Vanilla Synthesizer is now shipping and available to order.

The Vanilla Syntheisizer is a small-batch analogue synthesizer in American format which is chock-full of highly optimized 1970s circuitry and tone in a beautiful walnut cabinet. It now features a default patch routing which allows it to make music out of the box with no additional cables between modules.

Those interested in The Vanilla Synthesizer should visit musonics.com to read its origin story, view photos and videos of the instrument, and see ordering details.

If you are at the 2024 winter NAMM convention please visit us at booth 12100 to experience it in person!"

NAMM 2024: Musonics Vanilla 5U Synth - Sounds Only

video upload by sonicstate

"At NAMM 2024, we hooked up with Suit and Tie Guy, who introduced us to the Vanilla Synthesizer, a departure from the Eurorack modular format toward a more East Coast leaning complete instrument. Suit And Tie Guy describing it as a walnut-cabinet beauty packed with 70s goodness in American format, says the Vanilla Synthesizer promises a unique blend of vintage aesthetics and cutting-edge functionality.

Jim Heywood from @EarmonkeyMusic spent some time with it to get us a sounds only video.

Vanilla Synthesizer Available to order. Price 2,500 USD

https://www.musonics.com/"

New muSonics VANILLA 5U Modular Synthesizer Based on the Oberheim SEM w/ KORG MS20 LFO

Overview video upload by manmade madman

"This is an introduction to the Vanilla modular synthesizer by muSonics.
The Vanilla synthesizer is a wholly contained modular synthesizer in 5u/Moog Unit and is inspired by the original Oberheim SEM and Two Voice models. As shown, it has normalled CV/Gate, two oscillators, a multimode SEM filter, two Attack/Decay/Sustain envelopes each with built in VCA's, and an output mixer. There are many points of overdrive and distortion in the signal path, which I think is a great thing.

You can think of this as a modular 'best of' modular Oberheim SEM!

Come see it LIVE and in person at #KnobCon2023

#musonics #modularsynth #oberheim #analogsynth"

An Update from muSonics via Their Electronic Newsletter

via muSonics

It's Independence Week and while I had intended for this to go out on the 4th itself, I put a bit more work into something special for you which delayed it a few days. I hope that's okay with you.

I wanted to give everyone a status update on how things were going over here and also offer a couple of specials to celebrate. Out of respect for the dozen or so people who have been patient and trusting of me I'm going to let you know how things are going and then share a few cool deals.

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STG MuSonics Vanilla Voice (5U MU Dotcom Large Format!)

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

via this Reverb listing

You can find demos in previous posts here.

From the listing:

"If you have not been following the 5U scene, you may or may not know that Suit and Tie Guy's eurorack company, STG Soundlabs, was acquired in a private equity trade valued at 6 million $DOGE by America's oldest synthesizer company, MuSonics (makers of fine musical instruments). You may also not know that this new and revitalized MuSonics then set about completing the work that Tom Oberheim started and created the "Vanilla Synthesizer" -- the culmination of all of the circuit and synthesis ideas of the Oberheim Two Voice. This is the first version of that synthesizer.

If you want SEM type sounds, this is the best sounding SEM that it is possible to introduce into your studio in the year of our lord 2025. Arguably, it is the best sounding analog monophonic synthesizer that currently exists. Set aside that it obviously looks beautiful and amazing and ergonomic and that it invites you to play it; it simply sounds better than any other monosynth made in this millennium.

Including STG's unique backplane CV/Gate cables to pre-patch control signals between modules, making these modules something like an Oberheim SEM with Arp 2600 pre-patchability -- this thing is a true modern classic. :)"

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Vanilla Synth by muSonics – Boutique Analog Beauty at Superbooth 2025

video upload by Jonathan Knightsnare

"At Superbooth 2025, I had one of those “stop in your tracks” moments when I stumbled across muSonics' Vanilla Synthesizer — and luckily, got to hang out with the incredibly thoughtful creator, Amos, who walked me through the philosophy and craftsmanship behind this stunning instrument.

The Vanilla Synthesizer is a 5U modular analog synth, but don’t let the minimalist look fool you — under the hood, this thing is loaded with sonic personality and beautifully engineered references to vintage legends:

🎛️ The filter takes inspiration from the SEM/Oberheim lineage, offering that sweet, musical, slightly gritty character that feels alive at every knob turn.

🎚️ The mixer section is modeled after a vintage Moog CP3, giving your waveforms a subtle analog saturation that glues sounds together in a way no plugin can touch.

🔁 Normalized patching means you can play without any cables, but every section can still be overridden, so it's flexible for both beginners and modular veterans.

🌰 All of this is housed in a gorgeous solid walnut enclosure, handcrafted and finished in Illinois — it’s a tactile joy that looks like a piece of mid-century art as much as a synth.

What struck me most wasn’t just how good it sounds — which it does — but how thoughtful the whole instrument feels. It’s clear that Amos isn’t just an engineer, but a true musician and synth lover who’s building tools meant to inspire.

This isn’t mass-market gear. It’s boutique, handcrafted, analog music woodwork. And if you’ve ever wanted a synth that feels like an heirloom, this is it."

NAMM 2025: Musonics Vanilla Synth TVS

video upload by sonicstate

"We caught up with Mr. Suit-and-Tie-Guy from Musonics*, who revisited the hand-built *synthesizer they showcased last year. Due to positive feedback, they transitioned from hand-built components to surface-mount technology, making production more manageable. This synthesizer, now mature, features one of the most stable oscillators available, although admittedly, Musonics enjoys a bit of wobble traditionally.

Significant updates include a wire-free design, normalled on the inside, but allowing for patching if you wish, and offering connections for power, voltage, gate, balanced XLR, quarter-inch unbalanced, and MIDI interfaces. Innovations were packed into the synthesizer platform, evolving it into a development platform for Musonics' new standalone arpeggiator and sequencer, the *Continuo*. This sequencer is inspired by the classic Roland arpeggiators seen in models like the SH-101 and Jupiter-8, offering multiple time control options, pitch sorting, and octave staggering."

MuSONICS VANILLA Vintage-Inspired Modular Synthesizer Demo 🌌 #KNOBCON 2023 🌆

video upload by Vulture Culture

"Matt was kind enough to show me Vanilla, the brand-new Modular Synthesizer which pays tribute to some of the greatest vintage synthesizers of all time. Of all of the synths I heard at Knobcon this one was the juiciest with the smoothest resonance."

Here's What You Missed at Knobcon 2023 | A Retrospective by Vulture Culture

video upload by Vulture Culture

"Knobcon 2023 was an incredible experience and here's my retrospective on the eurorack gear, the vintage synthesizers, the performances and the community."

And a playlist of Vulture Culture's Knobcon videos:



Some of these were previously posted. You can use the player controls to skip around.

Playlist
XCELON Modular Stereo Mixer | Boredbrain Music 🌌 #KNOBCON 2023 🌆
NINA 12-Voice Analog Polysynth with Motorized Controls 🌌 #KNOBCON 2023 🌆
MuSONICS VANILLA Vintage-Inspired Modular Synthesizer Demo 🌌 #KNOBCON 2023 🌆
XER MIXA | NOISE ENGINEERING Presentation and Demo 🌌 #KNOBCON 2023 🌆
MYSTIC CIRCUITS PSYCHADELIC PRESENTATION 🌻 3DVCA #Knobcon 2023
MODBAP MODULAR | These are my favorite modules at 🌌 #KNOBCON 2023 🌆
INTO THE WAVES | OLD HAG Tone Charm Audio Pedal Presentation 🌌 #KNOBCON 2023 🌆
GSG.LIVE The New Home For Synth Jams on the Internet 🌌 #KNOBCON 2023 🌆
Here's What You Missed at Knobcon 2023 | A Retrospective
TOP 5 PERFORMANCES at KNOBCON 2023 (No Talking)
Sickest Eurorack Performance at #Knobcon 2023 | Dub Station Zero Live
Omiindustriies CHAOS IN CONTROL | Ya Jerk and Cascading Register Modules Demo #Knobcon 2023