Genki Devices publicizes availability of Katla as Voice Rotating Polyphonic Synthesizer

Reykjavik-based instrument developer Genki Devices has introduced availability of the eagerly-awaited Katla as a Voice Rotating Polyphonic Synthesizer impressed by Iceland’s largest subglacial volcano as its pure namesake — readily representing the corporate’s first foray into analogue synthesis, albeit one which uniquely utilises a set of wildcard parameters to infuse it with natural, unpredictable behaviour as an instrument that’s worthy of that legacy, excelling at producing wealthy, evolving, multi-layered textures, the place every observe stirs, swells, and erupts in its personal distinct method — as of March 31…

Clearly Katla’sinspiration runs via its ‘volcanic’ veins. In any case, it isframed by aspect panels and knobs cast from genuine Icelandic lava, giving every instrument a tangible connection to the volcanic forces that impressed it. That this synth ought to surelyroar is a given. Genki Devices inevitably selected, due to this fact, to package Katla out with 4 unbiased distortion locations, probably the most unruly of which is a stereo CMOS (Complementary Metallic Oxide Semiconductor) Drive impact — a characterful saturation stage, pushing tones from heat and rounded to fractured and snarling.

Lively on the core of the Katla Voice Rotating Polyphonic Synthesizer — to present it its full appellation — is its voice-rotating engine that routes notes throughout 5 discrete voices, every with individually adjustable parameters. Put it this fashion: with six distinctive voice allocation modes, Katla excels at producing wealthy, evolving, multi-layered textures. The VOICES MODE options three round-robin modes (with every observe being assigned to one of many 5 voices in sequence, making a rotating sample of sound) — the primary cycles ahead via the voices, the second cycles backwards, and the third selects voices at random — alongside three unison modes (with all lively voices mechanically assigned to the notes performed and dynamically adjusted in accordance with what number of keys are held): Staccato,whereby envelopes re-trigger with each observe set off; Legato, whereby envelopes re-trigger solely when all keys have been launched; and Mono Mode, disabling polyphony and allocating all voices to the identical observe.

For sure, Genki Devices’ first foray into analogue synthesis stands out from the sound of the analogue crowd courtesy of a set of wildcard KATLA parameters. Duly designed to infuse it with natural, unpredictable behaviour, bringing life and motion to the method of sculpting sounds, these comprise: MÓÐA, a method of including tuning instability by simulating an outdated synthesizer drifting out of tune to present a classic character. 

KVIKA, applies gradual pitch fluctuations per voice utilizing a slewed random waveform, impressed by the wow modulation present in classic tape machines; SKJÁLFTI, applies quicker pitch fluctuations to every voice, paying homage to the flutter behaviour present in classic tape machines; GLÓÐ, produces transient bursts of pitch modulation utilized independently to every voice, much like the impact of momentarily slowing a tape by urgent on the reel; ASKA, inserts random modulation on per-voice quantity and filter cutoff, and in addition introduces brief bursts of noise that lead to a chaotic and unpredictable sound as probably the most advanced of the KATLA parameters; SKRIÐA, applies random values to the A (Assault), D (Decay), S (Maintain), R (Launch) instances of the AMP ENVELOPE; RÖKKUR, spreads notes throughout the stereo subject, positioning voices 2 and 4 to the left, 3 and 5 to the best, with voice 1 remaining centred — assume notes formed by devoted left and proper distortion channels, immersed in a spacious stereo reverb; and final, however on no account least, RÚSTIR, Katla’s wavefolder — typically thought-about an indicator of so-called West Coast synthesis, which generates harmonics by folding the sign again on itself.

However again down from the molten-hot heady heights of these KATLA parameters and onwards into extra acquainted subtractive synthesis terrain, Katla’sfive unbiased voices — every paired with its personal devoted sub-oscillator, with world SUB controls for waveform and octave — permit for five-voice polyphony, with particular person filters, amplifiers, LFOs (Low Frequency Oscillators) providing distinctive combos of their minimal and most outputs that are used to modulate stereo results (together with a lush stereo digital reverb impressed by basic Nineteen Eighties {hardware}, designed so as to add depth and atmosphere to the sound); this permits distinctive, non-repetitive modulations that really feel natural and alive, whereas looping envelopes blur the traces between envelopes and LFOs, letting customers craft rhythmic, evolving patterns or tempo-synced modulation.

It is value noting right here that Katla may be synced to the BPM (Beats Per Minute) of a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) or any exterior clocking gadget, permitting all modulations to lock tightly to the music, whereas envelopes and LFO timings may be quantised to musical intervals, resembling quarter notes, eighths, or triplets.

That isn’t all, although. The keyboard monitoring adapts envelopes, LFO timing, and filter cutoff to the pitch of every observe, making each key reply with its personal distinctive character and motion. Furthermore, Katla is absolutely MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression) appropriate, with per-note response to strain, pitch, timbre, and aftertouch. And when in unison mode, all voices are allotted to a observe, so when releasing a chord one of many notes will linger barely longer than the remainder, all of the voices being assigned to that observe, leading to a monophonic launch section; alternatively, Unison Grace Interval enabling introduces a slight timing offset, permitting Katla to let all notes fade out easily and naturally.

Naturally, in fact, Katla options 5 exterior inputs, every routed to its corresponding voice, so customers can freely feed audio from any supply, sequence between the inputs, and course of the alerts via the Voice Rotating Polyphonic Synthesizer’s analogue sign path, thereby including heat, distortion filtering, and character to exterior sounds.

Since every Katla is meticulously hand assembled, it’s truthful to say that each unit isn’t just a synthesizer however quite a uncommon, finely-crafted piece of musical artistry. Based on Genki Devices CEO Ólafur Bjarki Bogason, “Past the volcanic synth idea, we needed to create a really inspiring instrument with a great deal of character and a singular and immense high quality; I hope artists respect the eye to element we put into it — high quality that may be felt all the best way from the daring aesthetics and design, the excessive torque of the sliders, to how Katla sounds and feels to play. Now that we’re rising out on the opposite aspect of the inventive course of, I really feel grateful for the chance to create a really novel synth that may hopefully encourage a complete new technology of gamers.”

Delivery on March 31, 2026, Katla is accessible to order — priced at €4,990.00 EUR(together with VAT and free supply) — instantly from Genki Devices right here: https://genki.is/katla