Sounds from Superbooth 2025: Knas Ekdahl FAR

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."

Pictured left: Knas / Ekdahl Polygamist (top); FAR prototype (middle); and a trust ARP Axxe (bottom) from a 2024 interview with Knas.

"Karl Ekdahl, also known as Knas, is a Swedish-born, US-based artist and electronic musical instrument luthier. He designed the widely-loved esoteric analog desktop effect—the expressive spring reverb, Ekdahl Moisturizer. This year at Superbooth, Karl introduced a wild-looking electro-acoustic instrument called FAR. These instruments are based on the principle of extracting different harmonics from a vibrating string by precisely controlling the speed and pressure of a bowing wheel. Naturally, we were eager to learn more about this development.

In our interview, Karl provides a unique look into the world of Knas, exploring its history, ethos, and philosophy. He discusses his approach to instrument design, the concept and technology behind FAR, and other instruments created by Knas. Additionally, he highlights the important role of Baltimore's artistic community in his work, continuously emphasizing along the way that Knas is and has always meant to be more than just a gear company."

You can find the interview here.

Knas The Ekdahl Polygamist

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

via this listing

You can find demos of the Polygamist in previous posts here.

"Super-rare, discontinued, legendary, semi-modular experimental noise synth

Knas made about 70 of these, then production was stopped. They are now super-rare, almost impossible to find. Great synth for live/improv sonic madness.

Overall condition is Excellent, only downgraded to Very Good because a couple of the plastic switch caps are missing. This does not affect function, everything is working as it should.

2 unique oscillators (Tilt & Multiply), 3 LFOs, Multi-pole Filter, plenty of patch points, ribbon controller, CV/Gate and MIDI control, easy interface with eurorack gear."

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Resonance Studios - New Studio Featuring Vintage Synths Opens in Stockport, UK

Press Release follows

**Revolutionary Music Studio Opens in Stockport, UK: Preserving Musical Heritage for Future Generations**

**Stockport, UK, 8th August 2024** – A ground breaking music recording studio is set to open in Stockport, offering musicians from all backgrounds access to some of the most elite and rare music equipment ever made. This state-of-the-art facility, set less than 500m from Strawberry Studios (10cc, Joy Division), is dedicated to preserving musical heritage and ensuring future generations can experience and utilise these exceptional instruments.

The studio features over 250 pieces of new and vintage music equipment, including legendary items such as the Roland Jupiter 8, Synclavier II, Linn LM1, 2 Arp 2600s, a Yamaha CS50 and CS60, and the Voyetra 8. Additionally, it houses extremely rare instruments like The Waldorf Wave, Baloran The River and The Pool, Knas The Ekdahl Polygamist, and the elusive Yamaha DX1, with fewer than 150 of each still inexistence.

As the third largest studio of its kind globally, this new facility not only provides musicians with access to these extraordinary instruments but also offers comprehensive recording, MIDI sync and tracking capabilities. The sampling station, equipped with twin Technics 1210 turntables, Emu SP12 (Public Enemy, Beastie Boys), Akai MPC60 (DJ Premier, DJ Shadow), and a library of over3,000 LPs and singles, providing an authentic and diverse sampling experience.

The studio's mixing and mastering setup features elite level equipment such as Neve 1073DPX Preamps and 8816 Summing Mixer, Shadow Hills Master Compressor,2 Distressors and iconic effects including the Publison Infernal Machine 90,Lexicon 224 and Eventide H3000 which are enhanced by excellent listening and monitoring capabilities, thanks to the support from a partnership with Focal. This ensures that every project attains the highest audio standards, providing artists with label-ready quality recording.

In alignment with a commitment to the community and musical preservation, 3% of all profits are donated to the charity Shelter, supporting efforts to combat homelessness. The remaining profits are reinvested into maintaining and expanding the studio's collection, ensuring that this invaluable resource continues to grow and thrive.

Resonance Studios are also proud to announce a collaboration with local institutions to offer free studio sessions, making this incredible facility accessible to musicians who might otherwise never have the opportunity to work with such high-calibre music equipment. Further details to be announced.

This new music studio in the vibrant Stockport, UK embodies a unique blend of historical preservation and cutting-edge technology, creating a haven for creativity and innovation. Musicians, producers, and enthusiasts alike are invited to explore and utilise this exceptional space, ensuring that the legacy of these remarkable instruments continues for generations to come.

**About the Studio:** Located in the heart of Stockport, UK, our music studio is a creative space for musicians and producers. With a collection of over 250 pieces of elite and vintage music equipment, top-tier recording and mastering capabilities, and a commitment to preserving musical history, we aim to inspire and empower artists from all walks of life.

https://resonancestudios.co.uk

KNAS Ekdahl Polygamist

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via this auction

"The Polygamist is a very rare and sought after experimental drone synth, perfect for improvising,and unlike anything you've played before. It features two unique oscillators, a filter with variable pole feedback, three LFOs, a ribbon strip controller and more, it's basically a full modular synth but with semi-modular routing built in. Some highlights include a tilt waveform on VCO 1, morphing smoothly from saw through triangle and out the other side, three subfrequencies available from VCO 2, a unique pitch multiplying oscillator, looping ADSR, and a duophonic midi to CV convertor. This one includes a custom hardwood case and a variety of patch cables to get you started. Touch strip is not only duophonic, but also pressure sensitive, which makes it quite expressive. Includes hardwood case, cables and power supply."

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Smokey Quartz - Plant Music 22 (Aloe + PlantWave, Polygamist & Wretch)

video by Smokey Quartz

"In this Plant Music video I connect the Plant Wave to a lil Aloe we have growing in a pot outside. The MIDI coming from the PlantWave plays the Knas Ekdahl Polygamist which then sends pulse waves and trigger signals to the Metasonix S-1000 aka Wretch Machine."

KNAS Ekdahl Polygamist

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

via this auction

“'The Ekdahl Polygamist is mainly designed with experimental / drone / noise / improv in mind but can really take you wherever you wanna go. The basic architecture is classic VCO/VCF/VCA design but all of the building blocks have been designed to allow for much more interesting / chaotic sounds then you get from your bread-and-butter synth'

Only 53 made - discontinued -this is #17!
in great shape, there is a chip on the top panel around a screw (pictured) Everything else is great and is functional! it took me awhile to find one of these and frankly I’m sad to see it go.
Somewhere between a Serge, Buchla, and EMS sound-wise.. it’s insane! Lots of fun to patch and play."

You can find demos of the Ekdahl Polygamist in previous posts here.

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Mungo State Zero Synthesizer: Drone

rts213

"A short clip demonstrating the polyphonic Mungo State Zero. In this first example, only 5 oscillators were used."

Check out additional Mungo State Zero Synthesizer demos in previous posts here. It was initially priced at $12,000, then $8900. I always thought this, and an Ekdahl Polygamist would make for an interesting combo. Throw in a Jomox Sunsyn for good measure. Maybe a Synton Syrinx, and OSCar [what's this?] to boot. Funny how certain synths remind you of others that remind you yet of others... Down the synth rabbit hole. This site is the ultimate synth rabbit hole. Whatever happened to that new Syrinx?

KNAS Ekdahl Polygamist Modular Synth with Flightcase and Cables

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

via this auction

"The Ekdahl Polygamist is one of only 53 made (now discontinued) by Knas which is mainly designed with experimental / drone / noise / improv in mind but can really take you wherever you wana go. The basic architecture is classic VCO/VCF/VCA design but all of the building blocks have been designed to allow for much more interesting / chaotic sounds then you get from your bread-and-butter synth.

Highlights includes VCO1 which features a "Tilt" output which is a triangle wave that can be *tilted* from sawtooth, to triangle, to ramp. VCO2, the "Pitch multiplying oscillator" consists of a fundamental and three "sub harmonics" that mimics additative/FM synthesis for very complex waveform and chaos generation. The ADSR is loopable and can be used as an oscillator, it can also be paused in its transition. The three LFOs all go to audio range and two of them go down to about 4 minutes for one waveform period. It also features a duophonic, pressure sensitive ribbon controller which sends MIDI data. It has two independent MIDI/USB-to-CV converters which can be ganged in duophonic mode. And there is of course, much, much more.

In good working condition and well looked after, this also comes with a custom yellow flightcase, original manual, adapter and some patch cables."

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Ekdahl Polygamist Modular Synthesizer

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

via this auction

"One of the weirdest and most unrelenting synthesizers ever made. Only around 50 or so units exist! Armed with a ribbon controller strip at the bottom - the warm analog goodness is further amplified by the input of human touch. This vicious beast is capable of churning out a vast palate of sound - from bleeps and bloops to dreamy soundscapes, from torid screeches & squawks to percussive metallic clangs, noisy walls of sound to the echoing depths of space. Your programming ability is your greatest weapon. Expect to fiddle around with the various parameters at your disposal to achieve sudden moments of clarity, only to find your temporary destination is muddled by the curiosity to keep on pressing further into uncharted territory. Have either photographic equipment/a sampler/ a pencil & paper ready because you’ll be stumbling onto new sonic discoveries with every knob turn. I will include 5 one-foot patch cables to start you off on your journey. A power adapter will be provided as well."

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Rare Knas Polygamist

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via this auction

"If you're here, you know. Rare synth! Excellent condition ."


You can find previous posts featuring the Knas Polygamist including demos here. I believe there were only 53 made. They were discontinued back in 2014.

Knas The Ekdahl "Polygamist"

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

via this auction

Video in the listing previously posted here.

"Rare and discontinued - 1 of 53 made:

THIS is not your typical synthesizer.

The Ekdahl Polygamist is mainly designed with experimental / drone / noise / improv in mind but can really take you wherever you wana go. The basic architecture is classic VCO/VCF/VCA design but all of the building blocks have been designed to allow for much more interesting / chaotic sounds then you get from your bread-and-butter synth.

Highlights includes VCO1 which features a "Tilt" output which is a triangle wave that can be *tilted* from sawtooth, to triangle, to ramp. VCO2, the "Pitch multiplying oscillator" consists of a fundamental and three "sub harmonics" that mimics additative/FM synthesis for very complex waveform and chaos generation. The ADSR is loopable and can be used as an oscillator, it can also be paused in its transition. The three LFOs all go to audio range and two of them go down to about 4 minutes for one waveform period. It also features a duophonic, pressure sensitive ribbon controller which sends MIDI data. It has two independent MIDI/USB-to-CV converters which can be ganged in duophonic mode. And there is of course, much, much more."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Smokey Quartz - Pneumata #11

Published on Nov 8, 2017 Smokey Quartz

"In this Pneumata video the Metasonix S-1000 screams along with it's D-1000 drummer brother and Knas Ekdahl Polygamist lover friend. Also, I go playing in the rain."

Smokey Quartz - Wretch Jam #11

Published on Nov 2, 2017 Smokey Quartz

"The Metasonix S-1000 howls and growls during this Halloween noise improvisation. Reverb provided by the Metasonix vacuum tube spring reverb module, R-56. The Knas Ekdahl Polygamist is possessing the Wretch, controlling it with pulse and gate signals."

Smokey Quartz - Wretch Jam #10

Published on Oct 30, 2017 Smokey Quartz

"I haven't posted a 100% Metasonix Wretch Jam in over 3 years so I decided to fire up that cantankerous monster for some improvised noise. Pulse wave and gate signals are being fed to the Wretch from the Knas Ekdahl Polygamist Synthesizer. The Polygamist is just out of frame and can't be heard but is acting as a dominatrix to the submissive Wretch, telling it what to do and running the show. Also, vacuum tube spring reverb is coming from the Metasonix R-56 module."

Smokey Quartz - Polygamist Quad #3

Published on Aug 18, 2017 Smokey Quartz

"Oh of course the Polygamist has friends! It's no fun to always play with yourself! In this Poly Quad video the Knas Ekdahl Polygamist invites some friends from California (Metasonix S-1000 and D-1000) and an old friend from Japan (Roland SH-101) to participate in an improvised noisey jam!"

Smokey Quartz - Polygamist Quad #2

Smokey Quartz
Published on Aug 14, 2017

"Four Ekdahl Synthesizers sitting in a tree. D R O N I N G ... another noisey foursome improvisation with the Knas Ekdahl Polygamist Synthesizer"

Smokey Quartz - Polygamist Quad #1

Smokey Quartz
Published on Aug 4, 2017

"A full-on Polygamist Quad is an explosion of noise, love, flow, energy, blockages to be built and released, and hot sticky passion. In this video I improvise with myself across the boundaries of time, using a Ekdahl Polygamist for some foursome noisey synthy fun. Also, I’m trying out Landscape FM’s AllFlesh patching/pressure pad things for the first time."

Smokey Quartz - Pneumata #10 "Hummingbird Drones"

Published on Jun 14, 2017 Smokey Quartz

"In this latest Pneumata video, the Metasonix D-1000 and S-1000 along with the Knas Polygamist create a nice pulsating drone to celebrate Spring. Recorded on Easter 2017 while the hummingbirds were feasting on aloe flowers."

Plant Music #4 – (MIDI Sprout + Metasonix)

Published on Jan 30, 2017 Smokey Quartz

"In this experiment, the MIDI Sprout is a 'one-plant band', playing the drums and synthesizer. The MIDI signal coming from the Sprout are being sent to both the Metasonix D-1000 drum machine and the S-1000 Wretch Machine. With some MIDI tools in Ableton, I’m restricting the signal to 4 notes to play the D-1000. The Polygamist is also shown being manipulated but it is only sending control voltages to the S-1000, it is not heard in this video. Reverb is coming from the Metasonix R-56 Spring Reverb module just outta sight about the D-1000. I don’t start touching the succulent, a Crassula falcatta, until about 1:20."

All parts here.

Plant Music #3 (MIDI Sprout + Knas + Metasonix + Arturia)

Published on Jan 26, 2017 Smokey Quartz

"In this video I connect the MIDI Sprout to a Philodendron ‘Congo Rojo’ and let it play the Ekdahl Knas Polygamist synthesizer and Arturia’s B-3 V Virtual Hammond Organ. Interjecting it’s noisey self into the mix is the Metasonix S-1000 Wretch machine, which is being “played” by the Polygamist via it’s pulse wave and gate outs. So, a plant is playing a synthesizer that is playing a synthesizer!? Ableton Live’s MIDI effects are also massaging the MIDI data coming from the MIDI Spout. It's really all just a bunch of fun noise."

All parts here.