The Muscarin – experimental semi-modular synthesizer

The Muscarin is an analog music synthesizer with analog and touch controls, that has everything that’s needed for creating music and synthesis of sounds.

Designed by kNoB technology, it is based on cross-modulation technology. It is designed as semi-modular and can be used by its own, or as a part of the eurorack system.

It is made for generating standard sounds and sound effects, as well as for extremely changing their sound while playing, converting it too complex structured noises. It has full manual hands-on controls (switches and knobs), as well as it can be controlled by CV (control voltage).

Overview of controls and functions:

How does it differ from other synthesizers?

Early Muscarin synthesizers were made only for sound experiments and could be classified as noise generators, although it always was a powerful instrument, combining additive, subtractive, FM and Cross-modulation synthesis. Later it was decided to fully reconsider the concept of Muscarin, to widen its range of use, adding new functions, without limiting its noise abilities, and making it more universal and flexible. With this purpose, it was designed as 3u eurorack and has a lot of inputs and outputs.

Muscarin is able to generate bass, lead, piano, organ, violin sounds. But it’s major difference is cross-modulation, which helps to create complex, multifactorial noises, and noise effects, as well as lo-fi drum and percussion sounds.

Muscarin one-shot sound preset:

Muscarin LoFi drums sound preset

Cross-modulation in action:

Synthesizer structure:

The front panel and controls:

Technical specifications:

- Muscarin core - 4x VCO based on square wave, cross-modulation control "Bias", control by CV full range linear or 1v \ oct (4-octave range; 32-500 + Hz)
- LFO is a low-frequency oscillator, has two waveforms square and triangular.
- EG AR envelope generator. Can both receive an external gate signal, synchronize with the LFO, and automatically generate an envelope.
- VCF filter \ saturator 12db\oct has two modes of cutting high or low frequencies.
- VCA \ Gate-5x, voltage controlled amplifiers. They stand one on each generator before the filter and one on the common output. In their heart are the vactrols. That is very much reflected in the sound. Management of both internal and external sources of CV.

Input and output connectors - 16x

inputs:

4x VCO frequency CV control

4x VCA\Gate CV control

1x Main VCA\Gate CV control

1x VCF cutoff CV control

1x Bias (cross-modulation) cv control

1x Envelope AR in

1x External signal in

Outputs:

1x Main out

1x LFO out

1x Envelope AR out

-The front panel is made of plexiglass
- You can choose as a desktop version in a wooden case (pine, CNC milling) and as a module for eurorack without a case
The weight of the device is 600 g, height 3u, length 48HP depth 4 cm.

Power supply 12V. 200mA max.

Who could need it?

Everyone who loves experimenting with sound, and musicians (composers) who want to add some unique sound forms into their compositions and creations. As well as sound designers, who want to widen generated sound pallet.

About - kNoB technology

Know – No Boundaries

kNoB technology is a micro-company based in Russia, in the City of Kazan, which is engaged in the development of unique sound devices since 2015. Noise synthesizers, drone machines, analog sound effects, before now was releasing only unique devices on personal orders, but the positive feedback has pushed us to develop mass production devices. In our work, we rely on calculating and love for sound.

We chose to crowdfund because we’re unable to start mass production all by ourselves, but we believe that together we can create a unique device at an affordable price. Also, we will be grateful for any help in spreading the info about this project.

Risks and challenges.

Nowadays we have a prototype, that has passed lasting tests, and as a result of them, a hard work has been done to correct and supplement the circuitry of the device.

The final product will be a little different, better and will have some more additional functions.

We rely on calculations, and if the project will gain sufficient funding, another testing will be provided. Additional testing will last 1 month. By that time all needed components will be already ordered, after the testing PCB order will be made. The production will take 1 more month. It will be great if everyone will get their device by Christmas!

If we will raise more funds than we have set as a goal, we are ready to hire some temporary workers, to complete the work earlier.

Updates on every stage of production will be posted here and on our social media pages.

Follow us on and stay tuned:

https://www.facebook.com/knobtechnology

https://vk.com/knobtech

https://www.instagram.com/knobtechnology

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG6SPawhFuKXXF...

Information about the process of the campaign:

First demo track play:

New demo track with Muscarin in drone-ambient genre: 

Goal!

Dear friends! Major news!

Our project has reached its goal!
Thanks to everyone who believed and still believes in our devices, to everyone who helped with money or sharing the info.
We still have 8 days ahead so our campaign is going on!
I also want to specify, why the goal was so unambitious.
This is our first experience in crowdfunding and PR. A lot of uncertainty. Our goal was not to raise as much money as we can,
Almost all the work was done by myself, but without help and support of people close to me, my family, and faith and support of all the bakers but of course, all this would be impossible! Thank you!
Specials thanks goes to David Bernaert, for faith, help and the good word! I really appreciate it.
The main purpose now, as it was before, to make a good and qualitative device for affordable price, made of qualitative components.
Another purpose was to come forward, to see what people around the world think of our work and about how we do it.
I am extremely happy about the success and the new established contacts.
But this is not the end, it’s just the beginning.
Some extra demonstrations lie ahead.At the final day, I will post extra info about what's coming and I will give the campaign a conclusion
And a great time to release Muscarin is ahead.
I am eager for allies to get their synthesizers!
Thank you for your attention!

Hooray!

The final day!

Dear backers and dear friends, our crowdfunding campaign came to an end.

I am very happy to see your interest in our synthesizer Muscarine. We have managed to achieve the goal and even surpass it! This would not have been possible without all of you! Hooray, hooray, Hooray!

But this is only the beginning and I would like to submit a plan for what will happen next:

-First week:

I will double-check each synthesizer node. Another stage of prototyping and circuit analysis.

Since there will be completely new features, need to make sure everything works perfectly.

Plus there will be sketches of the updated panel!

-The second week:

As soon as all documents are ready, will be immediately placed an order for the manufacture of PCB and synth parts.

-The third and Fourth Week:

I'll wait for parts and printed circuit boards, to begin final assembly of devices.

In the meantime, they fly, go and float, - I will make CNC chassis.
And the manufacture of some unique parts.

-Fifth Week and next:

The first step will be to gather a few devices
  and will begin testing in different operating conditions.

As soon as the testing is finished, we immediately start sending synthesizers!

Perhaps somewhere there will be delays or problems, and maybe, on the contrary, everything will be faster.
One way or another, I will definitely keep you informed.

Be sure to join our FB group and subscribe to our other pages,
I am very happy to open and transparent discussion of the draft Muscarine synthesizer.
Any questions you can ask me by mail or in person.

For those people who did not have time, but they really want to buy a synthesizer Muscarin
we will leave the fundraising "In Demand" for a couple of weeks

And I also prepared a new promo track and video -