Knif Audio : Knifonium Synthesizer • HYPERION Vol.1 🎛️ Custom Presets

video upload by ultimateXsounds

"Hyperion Vol.1 - Custom Presets for the Knifonium software synthesizer. Inspired by the evocative soundscapes of cinematic masterpieces such as 'Oppenheimer,' 'All Quiet on the Western Front,' and 'DUNE,' this collection showcases the raw power and sonic beauty inherent in the Knifonium."

https://www.ultimatexsounds.com/

You can find additional posts featuring the Knifonium, both hardware and software, here. Knif Audio's software emulation was announced in 2020.

Knif Audio Knifonium Monophonic Analog Tube Synthesizer

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

via this auction

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

"Incredibly rare Knif Audio Knifonium monophonic tube synthesizer keyboard. These are no longer in production or available to purchase new and limited to only 45 units made worldwide. Features include 26 tube monophonic synthesizer with two oscillators and a 4th order ladder filter and a ring modulator. Beautiful wood cabinet and reverse black/white keyboard. A true work of art. Don't pass up on this rare chance to own a unique custom build synthesizer. From original owner's smoke free home studio. It's fully functional and in excellent shape. Includes external power supply, hardcase and spare tubes."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Jonte Knif's KNIFONIUM - Handmade Miniature 1/6 scale.

video upload by Ronaldo Lopes Teixeira ROLT

And the original: (see the Knifonium label for more)

Knifonium team on fire (!/?)

video upload by Jonte Knif

"It was a rare occasion. Six Knifoniums in a row. We had to do something."

Testing the Knifonium batch of 2022

video upload by Jonte Knif

"Getting a bit out of control during test procedures. Too much fun. 100% live. No externals. No sequencers."

Jonte Knif: Knifonium [from 2013]

video upload by BRQ Vantaa Festival

"Jonte Knif esittelee rakentamaansa analogisyntetisaattori knifoniumia.

Olli Virtaperko: Ambrosian delights, konsertto knifoniumille ja barokkiorkesterille
Kantaesitys Ke 7.8. klo 19 Pyhän Laurin kirkko, Kirkkotie 45, Vantaa
Suomalainen barokkiorkesteri
Jonte Knif, knifonium
Ville Matvejeff, kapellimestari

Info: http://www.brq.fi/en/ohjelmainfo/ambr...
Tickets: https://brq.mycashflow.fi/product/6/k...

Olli Virtaperko: Ambrosian delights, concerto for knifonium and baroque orchestra
Premiere: Wed August 7th at 7 pm The Church of St. Lawrence
(Kirkkotie 45, Vantaa)
The Finnish Baroque Orchestra
Jonte Knif, knifonium
Ville Matvejeff, director"

Native Instruments releases KOMPLETE 14, KONTAKT 7, and CHOIR: OMNIA

video upload by Native Instruments

"The wait is nearly over. KOMPLETE 14 drops September 27th and it’s packed with more tools than ever, including over 145 instruments and effects, over 100 Expansions, and over 135,000 sounds.

Discover KOMPLETE 14: https://www.native-instruments.com/sp...

Introducing brand-new releases like KONTAKT 7, CHOIR: OMNIA, and iZotope’s Ozone 10 Standard, as well as NI favorites like PLAYBOX, LORES, and 40’S DRUMS AND KEYS, it’s got all you need to spark new ideas, keep you in your creative flow, and take your tracks to the finish line.

There’s even new additions from Soundwide partners Plugin Alliance and Brainworx, with vocal tuning from bx_crispytuner, powerful analog synths like Knif Audio's Knifonium, and legendary console emulations that help give your sounds that studio shine."

KOMPLETE 14 In Action | Native Instruments
video upload by Native Instruments

00:00 - KOMPLETE 14 SELECT
00:33 - KOMPLETE 14 STANDARD
01:09 - KOMPLETE 14 ULTIMATE
01:40 - KOMPLETE 14 COLLECTOR'S EDITION

Red Means Recording explores KOMPLETE 14 | Native Instruments

video upload by Native Instruments

3 Tracks with Komplete 14

video upload by Red Means Recording

And the press release:

KOMPLETE's biggest update yet features 60 newly included instruments, effects, and Expansions, plus iZotope's mastering tool Ozone 10 Standard and additions from Plugin Alliance and Brainworx

Berlin, September 27th, 2022 – Native Instruments today released a massive update to its flagship production suite, KOMPLETE 14. Now available in NI's online shop, it features KOMPLETE's most extensive range of sounds so far and seamless tools for putting the ideas they inspire into motion, creating an all-in-one package for creativity. KOMPLETE 14's expansive libraries help find, design, and transform instruments in previously unimagined ways, with premium search tools to focus on sounds fast. KOMPLETE 14 is available in four different sizes – SELECT, STANDARD, ULTIMATE, and COLLECTOR'S EDITION, the last being a comprehensive offering of 145+ instruments, 100+ Expansions, and over 135,000 sounds. With synths, sampled instruments, percussion tools, immersive effects, and more across the stylistic spectrum, KOMPLETE 14 remains the go-to choice for music-makers of all types to find their ideal creative flow.

Included in KOMPLETE 14 STANDARD and above, KONTAKT 7 offers a huge library of sounds, alongside iZotope's all-new mastering tool, Ozone 10 Standard, which assists in putting the finishing touches on any production. More new additions come via an array of synths and effects from Plugin Alliance and Brainworx, as well as the CHOIR: OMNIA sample library, included in the KOMPLETE 14 COLLECTOR'S EDITION.

KONTAKT 7 is the next evolution of the world’s favorite sampler. Included with KOMPLETE 14 STANDARD and above, KONTAKT 7 features a refreshed HiDPI Factory library, with new instruments ranging from an orchestral section from Orchestral Tools to rare analog synths and everything in-between. An enhanced HiDPI browser offers lightning-fast access to filter and preview the largest selection of sampled instruments around, including global text search and editable filters for searching sounds. KONTAKT 7 also includes under-the-hood audio improvements and the new effects Psyche Delay and Ring Modulator from GUITAR RIG 6 PRO.

Soundwide (the group consisting of Native Instruments, iZotope, Plugin Alliance, and Brainworx) and its comprehensive ecosystem of audio creation products is on display throughout the leading production-suite that is KOMPLETE 14. Powered by machine learning, the Ozone 10 Standard tools from iZotope make mastering easy, with assistive technology driving balance in this latest version of the industry’s most comprehensive pro mastering software. New tools from Plugin Alliance and Brainworx help further develop and drive creativity, with synths and effects, including bx_Oberhausen, Knifonium, LO-FI-AF, Focusrite SC, and more.

CHOIR: OMNIA captures a 40-person vocal ensemble at their passionate peak. Created in collaboration with Strezov Sampling, the production process used a world-class signal chain to record the choir over six weeks of live performances. The library creates a contemporary symphonic experience for dynamic scoring across soprano, tenor, alto, and bass sections. Two browsers and intuitive controls allow for easier use of the expressive, deeply customisable instrument, and the SYLLABUILDER enables the construction of individual syllables and intricate phrases to create entirely unique vocalizations.

Soundwide’s mission is to make music and audio creation a more joyful and inspiring experience for creators everywhere by helping them to find, and stay in, their creative flow. KOMPLETE 14 is just the latest development in NI's commitment to providing best-in-class tools for bedroom producers and seasoned pros alike. The four tiers of KOMPLETE 14 likewise include a range of advanced instruments, effects, and Expansions, such as SOUL SESSIONS and NEO BOOGIE in the SELECT package, PLAYBOX in STANDARD, PIANO COLORS and ASHLIGHT in ULTIMATE, and LORES in COLLECTOR'S EDITION.

Using Guitar Effects Pedals with Eurorack (Boredbrain Injectr)

video upload by Jameson Nathan Jones

"This eurorack module makes getting guitar effects pedals into a eurorack modular synth easy. The Boredbrain Injectr has loads of additional functionality to make your patches more interesting including a gate extractor and envelope follower. Let's see how we can put those features to use as well."

0:00 - the premise and routing
1:18 - the original sound
1:40 - getting it into the eurorack
2:22 - the effects pedals
3:33 - Knifonium into Injectr (pedals bypassed)
4:23 - CV control for pedals
4:55 - Knifonium into Meet Maude into Injectr
5:36 - Knifonium into Meet Maude into Randy's Revenge
6:48 - Injectr's gate extractr
7:50 - triggering other oscillators with the gate extractr
8:34 - Intellijel Planar for stereo movement
9:42 - layering the two signals
11:49 - improvisation
14:31 - endscreen videos

SoundsDivine 'Warm Glow' - BX Knifonium

video upload by SoundsDivine111

"Preview of the presets from the 'Warm Glow' soundset for BX_Knifonium
https://www.soundsdivine.com/product/..."

"Quasi Stellar Objects" from the new album "MOD NIGHTS"

video by Marc Mennigmann

"What do you do when you are up at night and can't sleep?I started to experiment with my modular synthesizer and recorded the results. This is a selection of pinged filters, polyrhythmic sequences, strange sounds and moods - but I always tried to work out the music of an experiment. Although some tracks even use the output of a biofeedback sensor connected to an aloe vera plant, these tracks try to give you a sense of melody, harmony and rhythm.So if you like to dive into my night moods, here they are.

Full album available at: https://mennigmann.bandcamp.com/album...

It features sounds from the Instruo Saich, a pinged Cwejman RES-4 and the Erica Pico Voice. All these are triggered and filtered by Rene 2, a DMF-2, a Sinc Bucina and mangeled with a Lubadh and a Mimeophon. Finally I added the keyboard synth line using the Knifonium VST."

Plugin Alliance Announces Enhanced Emulation of Knifonium Tube-driven Synth

Knif Audio Knifonium - Playthrough


Knif Audio Knifonium - Overview with Matthew Wang

Plugin Alliance


"SANTA CRUZ, CA, USA: Plugin Alliance, supporting all major plugin formats and uniting some of the best-known international audio companies under one virtual roof, is proud to announce availability of Knif Audio Knifonium — solidifying sister company Brainworx Audio’s new plugin partnership with Finnish pro audio equipment extraordinaire Knif Audio as an enhanced emulation of the extraordinary Knifonium, an exceptionally beautiful-sounding monophonic synthesizer that is driven by a whopping 26 vacuum tubes — as of July 7…

As an upscale synth sensation, the Knifonium features two tube-driven oscillators, a 4th order ladder filter, a ring modulator, and a gorgeous ‘steampunk’ aesthetic (worthy of American science fiction author K. W. Jeter — originator of the term — himself). Handcrafted in small batches by high-end audio device designer Jonte Knif, the original hardware unit really reflects his incomparable attention to detail. But beautiful as it is, the Knifonium is not just expensive eye-candy capable of making ‘weird noises’ but rather an exceptionally musical and inspiring instrument that offers countless possibilities for shaping and modulating sounds.

Although a new addition to the Plugin Alliance family, the notable Knif Audio name is revered by hardcore synth freaks and audiophile engineers alike. And although lead designer Jonte Knif has been making vacuum tube-based hardware for mixing, mastering, and sound design for years, his Knifonium synth sensation is carefully crafted to be second to none. No one sums it up better than Jonte himself, however, who simply says: “It sounds like nothing else.”

Engineers at Brainworx Audio have taken a great thing and made it even better. Because not only is the plugin version of the Knifonium even more accessible and easier to use than the original, it also adds features that just aren’t possible in the analog world.

With eight independent voices added to the synthesizer, Knif Audio Knifonium opens up an entirely new universe of possibilities as an enhanced emulation — for instance, imagine an atmospheric-sounding pad produced by a total of 208 vacuum tubes!

The software version also adds M/S (mid-side) and stereo Spread capabilities, a powerful Unison mode, as well as the carefully-curated FX section, including a well-known vintage-style Phaser, plugin partner brand SPL’s EQ Ranger, Wavefolder, and more as a wide range of effects that Knif Audio Knifonium users will actually want to use.

Ultimately, Knif Audio Knifonium sounds uniquely rich and captivating — even at its most basic. But best of all, Jonte Knif confirms that it sounds and behaves just like the real thing. This should come as little surprise since Brainworx Audio meticulously modeled the complete circuits of the original hardware — including all 26 tubes, and applied its patented TMT (Tolerance Modeling Technology) to recreate the natural variations in Envelope parameters, Pitch, LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator) speed, and so many more characteristics to make this digital recreation sound as realistically analog and natural as possible.

Knif Audio Knifonium is available for purchase (as an AAX AudioSuite-, AAX Native-, AU-, VST2-, and VST3-supporting, fully NKS — Native Kontrol Standard — compatible virtual instrument plugin for macOS 10.9 through 10.15 and Windows 7 through 10)
at an attractive introductory price of $199.99 USD until August 10, 2020 — rising thereafter to an MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) of $299.00 USD — from here: https://www.plugin-alliance.com/en/products/knif_audio_knifonium.html"

New Tube Based Monosynth Project from Metasonix

prototypesynth1 from METASONIX on Vimeo.

"This is the THIRD major revision of this monosynth project. So many problems with previous PCB versions that we went with some RK modules instead, to save some pain. Two completely different filters. This will be a very goddamn complicated device and so it will not be cheapie-poo. Three thyratron vcos, ten PC boards, and 15 tubes equals a certain level of assured misery. The almost 'done' prototype is STILL not 100%. Two+ years of my life blown away so people can have a 'flagship product' to talk about. Even if they don't buy one---honestly I will be amazed if we sell five of them in this deeply saturated market.

And it is still a few months until the front panel is ready, and I still need to write an owners manual. At least it won't sound like a goddamn Moog, ha ha ha. And it will be cheaper than a bloody Knifonium."

darkenergymedia labs livesream

Started streaming 23 minutes ago darkenergymedia

"livestream of indefinite length.
knifonium manipulation, recording, and sound design."

Studio Tour #2 - Mark

Published on Aug 26, 2018 SynthMania

Cool intro piece. Great to hear synths being used in this style/context.

"A visit to my good friend Mark - We spent a few hours in his studio and went through his equipment, which includes classics like Mini and Memorymoog, but also modern equipment like the Andromeda and Poly Evolver. A huge thank you to Mark for sharing his knowledge and demonstrating the gear for us!

00:22 - Mark's theme on Andromeda & Elements
02:03 - Alesis Andromeda
03:16 - MacBeth Elements
04:07 - Moog Minimoog
05:22 - Hammond XK-3c with pair of Leslie 147s
06:14 - SoundConstruction workstation desk
07:28 - Eurorack modular skiff 1
09:11 - Focal Trio6 Be studio monitors
10:40 - Equator D5 monitors
11:28 - Empirical Labs LilFrEQ equalizer pair
12:13 - Moog Moogerfooger delays
12:45 - Empress Multidrive
15:12 - Kurzweil PC3X
16:25 - Eventide Eclipse
17:20 - API 2500 stereo compressor
18:10 - AKAI MPD232
19:09 - A genial idea from Mark! :-)
21:14 - Speck Xtramix mixer
21:25 - Aurora interface
21:30 - Coleman switcher
21:39 - Great River mic preamp
22:00 - Dave Smith Poly Evolver
24:27 - Poly Evolver demo
26:05 - Moog Memorymoog
28:57 - Memorymoog demo
30:51 - Moog Moogermoofer MIDI MuRF
31:58 - Moog Voyager demo
33:20 - Cwejman S1 mkII
34:17 - Oberheim Synthesizer Expander Module
34:55 - Eurorack modular skiff 2
35:39 - Andromeda demo
37:47 - Hammond XK-3c / AcousticSamples B5 organ demo"

Update:

Studio Tour #1 - Tom

Published on Jan 21, 2018 SynthMania

"A visit to my good friend Tom to buy (for the 2nd time!) a classic PPG synth from him. We spent a few hours in his studio and went through his equipment, that features many classic pieces of gear. Fired up the newly acquired Zhiyun Smooth Q and iPhone X, and this is a condensed "best of" version of the visit. A huge thank you to Tom for sharing his knowledge and demonstrating the gear for us!

Update from Tom:
Audio interface he uses: Forssell MADA-2a
Multitracking: Alesis HD24XR

00:46 - Toft Audio ATB24
01:37 - Marshall Time Modulator
04:38 - Roland RSP-550
09:08 - Publison DHM 89 B2
10:10 - Publison Infernal Machine 90
11:45 - Knif Audio Knifonium
13:50 - Oberheim Two Voice
17:52 - Roland Jupiter-8
20:15 - Modor NF-1
22:04 - Radikal Technologies Spectralis 2
23:31 - Sycologic M16R
24:16 - Hypersynth Xenophone
25:54 - Roland TR-8
27:08 - MacBeth Elements
29:47 - Kurzweil 250 RMX
33:13 - Eventide H8000FW
36:23 - Lexicon 480L
39:25 - Nord Electro 5D 73"

Knif Audio Knifonium Tube Mono Synthesizer

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
Published on Oct 5, 2017 Olli Virtaperko

"Olli Virtaperko: Ambrosian Delights, concerto for Knifonium and chamber orchestra
Part I, Fat & Filth, the Knifonium Cadenza
Jonte Knif, Knifonium
Recorded 31 March 2017 at Hannikaissali, Jyväskylä, Finland.
Released by Ondine in CD Romer's Gap/three concertos (ODE-13052)"

O. Virtaperko: Ambrosian Delights for Knifonium & Baroque orchestra

Published on Oct 9, 2017 Olli Virtaperko

"Olli Virtaperko: Ambrosian Delights
Concerto for Knifonium & Baroque orchestra (original version)
Jonte Knif, Knifonium soloist
Finnish Baroque Orchestra FIBO, conducted by Ville Matvejeff

I Fat & Filth – Cadenza (0’00-7’30)
II Ambrosian Delights (7’30-12’41)
III Passacaglia (12’41-17’08)
IV More is More (17’08- 27’25)

Recorded 6 September 2014 at Vaasa Church, Vaasa, Finland
Full orchestral score: http://www.virtaperko.fi/ambrosian-de..."

via this auction

See this post for additional demos.

"Jonte Knif is a genius designer of top-top-top-notch audio equipment. He makes some of the best mastering gear in the world, notably the unparalleled Soma equalizer. A few years ago he decided to put his mastery of electrical engineering and tube topology to the test by building an all-tube analog synthesizer, the Knifonium. The first batch of 6 saw two bought by Hans Zimmer (they are used subtly in the Interstellar soundtrack, and less subtly as a guest synth in the Blade Runner soundtrack). The second batch of 6 brought improvements to the routing and performance-based usability. This is from the second batch, and is currently one of 12 in the world - and the only one in this colour! (all the others are reddish wood, as opposed to this dark stain).

Simply put, this is the biggest sounding raw-sound I've ever heard from an instrument. The all-tube build allows you to overdrive various tube types at various points in the signal chain, layering nonlinearities into complex tones that react to your performance. And it's not just the core sound: there's a ton of performance tools, such as a buttery-smooth XY joystick that's assignable to tons of parameters, velocity sensitivity, aftertouch (also assignable to various things), a very shapeable LFO, and a second full assignable envelope besides the standard VCA. It's honestly absurd. The best instrument I've ever played.

This is a unique, rare piece that will add real tonal power and texture to your work. Take advantage of my momentary lapse in judgement and need for funds and grab this. Jonte will be building more, but the wait time is very long.

Includes the huge power supply, solid flight case, and a full set of extra tubes!"

CLICK FOR MORE »

Knifonium Joystick Manipulations

Published on Apr 22, 2016 darkenergymedia

"stripped the knifonium down to two slightly detuned saw waves. manipulating filter cutoff with the y-axis of the joystick, and 12 semitones of pitchbend with the x-axis. very little resonance on the filter. output amp set to pentode, VCA boost disengaged.

there is NO POSTPROCESSING on the knifonium with the exception of mild limiting which was applied to the output of the track as a whole. other than that, no compression, EQ, or other effects have been used.

this is pure, unadulterated tube madness. utterly satisfying. other than the unfortunate wubby dubstep feel to the whole affair."

See the Knifonium label below for more.

KNIFONIUM SteampunkSpaceSpies - 25 Tube Monophonic Synthesizer

Published on Apr 5, 2016 darkenergymedia

"25 tube monophonic synthesizer.

This piece of music is done entirely (including percussion and sound effects) with the Knifonium Tube synthesizer, made by Jonte Knif. For purchase information contact Geoff Farr at GSF Agency (http://www.gsfagency.com).

---

This was recorded and edited using MOTU's Digital Performer. I started working on this back in November, capturing some wild performances, effects, and percussion sounds.
Native Instruments Kontakt was used for building up and temping the tracks, then many were augmented or replaced by doing repeated multitrack passes directly from the Knifonium.
A pair of Lexicon MPX500s were used for pingpong delays during tracking on a few parts, but all other FX were within Digital Performer.
Final mix was captured to an Apogee Ensemble.

I felt that there were plenty of demos of the instrument in its raw state (not multi tracked) so I had to see how far I could take this. The tune had been hanging in my brain for about 3 weeks, and the Knifonium seemed like a very Steampunk Sci-Fi instrument, so this is what I had to do...
Enjoy!

Drew Neumann

Knifonium SteampunkSpaceSpies Copyright 2016 Drew Neumann, Droomusic (ASCAP) www.droomusic.com

---

directed by chris morgan | darkenergymedia
http://www.darkenergymedia.com

produced by GSF Agency
http://www.gsfagency.com"

See the Knifonium channel below for more.

New Details on the Knifonium 25 Tube Monophonic Synthesizer

See the Knifonium channel for previous posts including video.

"Knifonium is a 25 tube monophonic synthesizer with a 4th order ladder filter and a ring modulator.
Basic Specs:
Oscillator 1 (5 tubes)
-Sawtooth, Triangle, Pulse, Sine
-Sync
-FM
-Octaves 64, 32, 16, 8, 4, 2 -Coarse tune in semitone steps-Fine tune in +/- 100 cents.

Oscillator 2 (3 tubes)
-Sawtooth, Triangle, Sine
-is master for sync and modulator for FM
-Octaves 64, 32, 16, 8, 4, 2 -Coarse tune in semitone steps-Fine tune in +/- 100 cents.

Noise (2 tubes):
-Noise generator is a special tube that is subjected to strong magnetic field. -White, Pink and Red.

Ring modulator (3 tubes)
-Input is sine waves from both oscillators or anything from external inputs, feedback et cetera, drive volume can be adjusted
-Very wide nonlinear range available.

Mixer (2 tubes)
-A tube op amp, virtual earth mixer with one external input.
-3 of the input levels can be modulated.

Filter (7 tubes)
-4th order ladder filter.
-Can go from clean to messy to violent depending on levels and resonance.

VCA (2 tubes)
-Transformer coupled variable mu pentode design.
-More than 40dB of linear range. Capable of total shut down. A switch to increase internal level by 10 dB for nice distortion.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Knifonium Tube Syntheszier Demos

Published on Jan 19, 2014

"In this video I try to demonstrate the Knifonium tube synthesizer. I start with the basic oscillator sounds and then add various "extras" such as changing the amplifier modes and boost, oscillator sync, FM, filter and amp feedback controls, the amazing ring modulator, and the sample and hold modification of the filter cutoff. Along the way I play with filter cutoff and some resonance stuff and basically have fun with it. The joystick controls filter cutoff in the Y direction and pitch in the X direction.

Most of the video is recorded with the Knifonium sound raw into my DAW (Sonar X3 Producer) with absolutely no processing or EQ. I wanted to give people an idea of what it sounds like as you are playing. Towards the end of the video I introduce effects from my Strymon Mobius, Timeline, and Big Sky. It's pretty obvious when they kick in."

Run Away Sound Track

Published on Jan 18, 2014

"This is a first video made with two new pieces of gear. The background sequences are done with my Juno 106 that has been modified with the Kiwi 106 board. This gives it a lot of new features including a sequencer. At the very beginning I use the editor to start the sequencer remotely. The synth you see me playing is the Knifonium which is an all tube synthesizer developed by Jonte Knif of Knif Audio. Everything was recorded live without any overdubbing at all. The only effects are the Juno 106 is going through a Lexicon PCM-80 and the Knifonium is going through an Eventide H3000 D/SE.

The original inspiration for this was me fooling with the Knifonium which I have just had for a day and putting it through the H3000 D/SE and feeling like it had a movie sound track feel. Like if you were walking into a bad situation. On the same day I finished installing the Kiwi 106 upgrade and when I used the sequencer they just seemed to mesh into some sound track like feeling. So...it was snowing all day and I just put it all together for fun.

The Knifonium has a HUGE sound to it. This video doesn't really show it off much but it was just a lot of fun to make so I figured why not since there is not much out there on the Knifonium yet. More to come on that!"

Knifonium Tube Synth

Knifonium vol1 by Jonte Knif
"This is the first dirty demo of my Knifonium tube synth. Dry, directly to line, unprocessed. Ignore the "music" enjoy sounds."

Pics of the inside below.  Check out the keys. Some details from the creator Jonte via the sequencer.de forums:

"Hello folks,

I've spent several months with this project, and now I'm beginning to believe, that I will actually finish it. Missing from the photos are of course front panels, keys, power supply, all semiconductor stuff etc. Photos and early CAD drawings here:

https://picasaweb.google.com/jonte.knif ... 7611939218

https://picasaweb.google.com/jonte.knif ... 3748053346

Shortly: Oscillators, ring modulator, mixer, moog type filter, noise source, Vari Mu type VCA and output amp are tube units. Everything else is IC and some discrete. Don't ask for schematics, I spent full three months on the circuits alone.

Tuning systems can be changed with small plug in boards. Oscillators have saw, triangle, pulse and very crude sine. There is sync and FM modulation. Keyboard will have after touch but not dynamics. Three octaves of keys, in imitation ivory and imitation tortoise shell.

-Jonte"

Followed by:

"Hallo!

Let me drop in and clarify some things, the concept, my thinking and some techinical details for those who understand English. I understand German pretty well, but don't want to humiliate myself trying to write it, sorry. It would look terrible. :)

First of all, tubes are super stable compared to solid stated devides when it comes to temperature drift. Typical tube originated tuning drift in Knifonium at 440Hz is 2Hz per hour after initial warm up period. On strictly component level typical triode will change transconductance much less than a fet or transistor when temperature changes. Long time aging effects are of course much more important in tubes. Solid state devices stabilize after a couple of days, and only break. Tubes slowly get weaker and weaker. I have now kept the synth on for a couple of months, and can not note any aging effects so far, but they will eventually appear. Then you just change tubes.

Noise? What? :) Yes, I have a noise generator there, an old concept where you place a strong magnetic field on a thyratron tube. Makes very fine white noise. Othervise this thing is dead silent, no humm, no buzz, no noise if not wanted.

It is funny that someone here was sceptical about the ring modulator. in fact it is most fun and interesting when done with a primitive diode tubes+transformers topology and in Knifonium it is surely is one of the most effective ways to get sounds with a little bit of something extra. it is NOT the same thing as IC based state modern ring mod or transformers + diodes topology, they all have their own uses and sounds. IC thingies are the mathematically most perfect and most boring etc.

My past includes a lot of cembalo playing and building, formal "classical composition" and instrument acoustics. That and many other things made me want to specifically create something *I* like, a very "traditional" synth, but with more personality and versatility than those synths I have used myself, Moog Prodigy and Mini Moog. Fine synths, but still not quite there. My main job is to build mastering gear, and that stuff I like to keep absolutely neutral, so it was super fun to let things really get out of controll in the synth.

I have not used tubes in such parts that would not make any difference, all controll electronics is IC based, and I have even put a couple of semiconductors along tubes where they make no difference. It is impossible to hear from the crude first clips what it really means to have a proper tube VCA (not some crude single tube piece of crap, but complex variable mu VCA with transformers). It reacts in a very different way to different signal levels, and the distortions produced can not be simulated with just putting a tube amp after some normal synth.

You might not believe it, but Moog filter is very easy (well, easy if you understand how to...) to make with tubes, and it works beautifully. And still, because the non linearities are quite different and there is broader over load margin it will sound different.

Same applies to oscillators, the waveforms are very different than from typical solid state oscillators.

There is a lot of "iron" on the signal path, i.e. a lot of transformers. This is not to be overlooked. They produce a lot of different low frequency saturation distortions and most importantly the way magnetic iron works creates a "thickening" effect to sounds, this is probably due to Barkhausen effect, "barkhausen noise".

No doubt many of the subtleties are not to be heard by some people, but make no mistake, difference there is.

I have no special needs to brag about the project, I will only manufacture 6 units next year, (I have my mastering gear business to take care of) and those 6 units will be sold in no time. There are now 2 or 3 sold, so if interested, you got to hurry. BUT I do want to make it known that I am not a person to build something based on improper knowledge or non-experience or dubious motivation. But surely I am *a bit* crazy, this was huge work! And yes, of course esthetics played a part in the motivation.

More sounds will follow after I find time to finnish the synth. Probably in January. FM, PW modulation, most modulations, after touch, joystick, feedback, all unfinished at the moment. So what you hear in the "demo" is just oscillators, noise, sync, ring mod, filter and VCA. Not even the output amp which will include more distorion modes and more "sound of iron"

There is no need to argue about the sense to use tubes. I only use them in ways that produce different sounds compared to solid state or digital, and one can like it or not, one does hear it or then not, but difference there is. In my mastering gear the differences to best solid state gear are in deed small, but oh-so-important for the engineers. In the synth's case the differences are *huge* compared to that mastering stuff world ;)

-Jonte"