Modal Electronics SkulptSynth SE assessment | Engadget

Over the final decade or so we’ve seen an explosion of low cost, moveable synths pushed largely by Korg’s deceptively highly effective Volca line. Even firms like Modal Electronics, which generally trafficked in higher-end devices that began at round $2,000, immediately felt stress to compete within the sub-$300 vary. First it dabbled with two simplistic DIY kits: the CraftSynth and CraftRhythms. But then in 2018 it introduced the Skulpt to Kickstarter, adopted shortly thereafter by the $149 CraftSynth 2.0. These have been way more severe pictures on the entry stage. But the place each impressed with their sound, the construct high quality was poor and the unique Skulpt was a bit of overpriced at $299.

The SkulptSynth SE makes an attempt to handle these considerations. It’s fairly a bit cheaper at simply $199, placing it extra according to the Volcas, and the construct high quality is sturdier, too. But below the hood it’s largely the identical instrument, and the query is whether or not it’s as compelling now because it was three years in the past.

Alright, I received’t make you wait: The reply is sure. The Skulpt sounds nice. Sure, loads of different synths have come and gone over the past three years, particularly on the cheaper finish of the spectrum, however that doesn’t take away from the superb digital analog engine right here. There’s a complete of 32 oscillators stacked in 4 voices (although utilizing the unfold perform you may develop that to 16) with two totally different waves per voice. This provides the Skulpt a thick tone that, when you in all probability received’t mistake it for true analog, continues to be loads inviting. While it is completely able to dealing with basslines and lead responsibility, the Skulpt actually shines in terms of pads the place these stacked oscillators actually flesh out the sound.

The Skulpt has a wealth of modulation choices, too, that give it a shocking quantity of depth for one thing so small and low cost. There are devoted filter and amp envelopes, but additionally a mod envelope and a pair of LFOs, considered one of which is polyphonic. Those final three might be assigned to a bunch of various locations, with a complete of eight modulation slots obtainable. In addition, there’s ring modulation, FM and pulse width modulation choices, plus a morphing filter that goes from lowpass, to bandpass then highpass, to not point out built-in delay and distortion results. There are way more sound design instruments right here than you’d have any proper to anticipate for $200.

The wealth choices are nice, however really navigating these controls is a bit troublesome. The unit comes with a cheat sheet and also you’ll all the time need it readily available. While the entrance plate has easier, much less complicated graphics than the unique Skulpt, the SE nonetheless isn’t precisely intuitive. While there are strains that present you what controls are linked to one another, they’re not specified by any form of clearly logical method. And the tiny orange and white textual content labels really feel crowded and laborious to learn at occasions. While the structure is visually fascinating, it’s additionally infuriating. This a spot the place type clearly received out over perform, and never for the higher.

Another factor that’s improved on the SE is the construct high quality. But, similar to the panel design, it’s not as large an improve as you would possibly hope. The knobs really feel a bit of firmer and have barely extra resistance than on the Craft 2, however they’re nonetheless fairly wobbly and low cost. At least they don’t slide proper off the encoders with a delicate tug, although.

I’m unsure how a lot better the general construct is than the unique Skulpt, and it’s solely marginally higher than the Craft 2. In normal, the Skulpt SE nonetheless feels chintzy. But it does include a canopy that can assist shield it in a bag, which is greater than I can say for the Craft. Sadly, although, the contact keyboard is as dangerous as ever. It’s not all the time tremendous responsive and the structure by some means manages to really feel each cramped and sprawling all on the identical time. Playing easy triads required an uncomfortable quantity of stretching and I may hardly ever play a chord development with out by accident triggering a minimum of one stray notice. Volca keyboards are actually nothing to get enthusiastic about, however they make the Modal touchstrips really feel like low cost imposters.

One ultimate gripe concerning the bodily design: The Skulpt has full-sized MIDI out and in ports, however a 3.5mm lineout jack. While full-size MIDI DINs are appreciated, I’d slightly see ¼-inch audio outs and smaller TRS MIDI jacks if I had to decide on. And actually, on one thing that’s battery powered and moveable, TRS MIDI simply makes extra sense. Save the house.

Plenty of my complaints concerning the interface and unimpressive construct high quality might be ignored although for those who simply use the app. Stick the Skulpt someplace out of the way in which and join it to your laptop or cellphone over USB and also you’re set. Then you may management it through MIDI over USB and do all of your patching from throughout the Modal app. It’s a lot simpler than utilizing the gadget itself. It even has a VST model so you may management the Skulpt out of your DAW, however I had some points getting it working on my Windows PC.