The X-Bay Ultimate Synthesizer by Anatal Electronics is currently seeking funding on Kickstarter. Note you can find a banner link to the X-Bay campaign in the top right banner section here on MATRIXSYNTH, so you can get back to the campaign anytime.
In short the X-Bay is an analog modular synthesizer and patchbay in a 4U rack mount enclosure.
It will host analog modules featuring designs from classic vintage synths, for example Roland oscillators and Oberheim filters. You can freely patch and route the modules as you would on a classic modular system, however you do so in a software editor. One way to think of it is as a true analog version of Clavia's Nord Modular, or a software modular with an analog synth engine. What is the main advantage? Size, flexibility, true analog synth engine, and of course, the ability to save patches, all at a lower cost; and it will be expandable. Interestingly, the system can also be used as a cable free patchbay for full integration with your other gear, including other modular hardware and software. The X-Bay offers a cost effective and space saving way to expand your current system or to explore the world of modular from scratch.
The following is the description from the Kickstarter campaign. Be sure to check out the campaign for additional demos and images.
Imagine that you can capture all the patch capabilities of your analog modular in one magic box. Maintaining the full analog signal path, configuration and recall via software. Imagine that you can put together an analog synth like a car in a computer game. A Jupiter oscillator, an Oberheim filter, a Korg envelope ... assembled in a few clicks and with endless routing options.Nothing virtual, genuine vintage analog sound with famous synth chips from the 70's and 80's.
Completely modular with cable-less analog patch matrix.
Patch cable-less with analog switching chips and software, full digital control.
Without AD/DA conversions between matrix input and output for 100% analog signal path and true zero latency.
Option to function partly or fully as cable-less patchbay for all external devices too.
Option to cable-less patch and control other 3th party modular synths too.
Total analog recall, switch between cable-less wiring configurations instantly. Option to work with downloadable presets too.
Extendable cable-less patch matrix with switching cards, can grow to your needs and desires.
Extendable sound with vintage module cards.
Compact and robust 19" enclosure with optional custom front plate for enclosure pledges that fill up our goal.
Xtreme price break, affordable automated analog audio matrix (search ebay on "64 audio matrix" and see for yourself).
Hard gold plated pcb's assembled in Europe, build to last a lifetime.
We from Anatal Electronics worked for many years on an extendable analog patching matrix that works with chips and software. Upon that patch matrix we build a modular synthesizer with real analog sound that can be controlled with chips and software instead of cables. All analog settings and patch configurations can be saved and restored. For your reference it can be seen as a real analog Nord Modular, an extendable polyphonic Arturia Matrix Brute or a modular Omega infinity with up to 256x256 modulation matrix size.
X-Bay works with cards for extending the matrix and also for adding more of our our vintage modules. The matrix can be extended from 32x32 to 256x256 IO.
Affordable quality
Because every aspect can be controlled digitally there is no need perse for physical buttons or sliders, they are optional not mandatory. This saves a lot of development time and production costs and is the reason why we don't need to compromise on quality for an affordable price. We use ddr pc memory connectors for all extension cards because they are around for decades and many are familiar with their ease of use. Another benefit of not having physical knobs or sliders is that they cannot wear out and cause noise.
The price of components and connectors often depends on how many are sold. Because the connectors we use are in every pc they are affordable and reliable.
Our offer is so generous compared to comparable products that one might wonder if it can be any good. Our pricing is partly business strategy but for the greater part the result of having the right group of people get together at the right point in history. Over a century of combined experience in electronics, software development and vintage synthesizer technology, ignited with passion and the desire to make a difference, can cause a true genuine revolution in a significant industry. We did it because we can and now we need you to make it happen. Be part of something majestic!
Proven technology and components
The underlying concepts for the switching modulation matrix is like other networking technologies, complex but around for many decades. The audio signal switching chips we use are in production for more than 25 years. Our effort made it possible to have such a matrix in a small enclosure so that it will fit in a 19" rack.
The synthesizer modules are implemented with reissued, cloned or original chips from Curtis Electronics and SSM. By many considered as the best choice and many well known vintage synthesizer from the 70's and early 80's are implemented with these chips.
How to play
Connect a midi keyboard or midi software like cubase and control it like any other midi device. Modular connections and analog settings can be applied with our software that runs on devices with internet browsers. Also over WIFI for phones and tablets. Separate mouse and touch interface is provided. It does not mean that X-Bay cannot be controlled by knobs or sliders. It is even remarkably easy to make a true analog controller with direct contact pots. Mind you many, if not most, synthesizer have encoding controllers which is basically digital control and differs not much from a midi controller that you can already use since X-Bay is midi controllable. For sure in the near future an analog controller will be provided by either us or 3th parties."
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/anatal
