New Vacuum Tube-Based Synthesizer from Metasonix
August 30, 1999
Metasonix has announced the availability of its PT-1 "Phattytron"
monophonic analog synthesizer.
The PT-1 is unique in that its entire signal path consists of tubes, rather
than semiconductors. The VCO uses tubes, the VCF uses a tube, and the VCA uses
tubes. Even the numeric display for displaying the MIDI preset is a vintage gas-discharge
"Nixie" tube. This tube architecture makes it sound unlike other electronic
music products available.
Even
though it uses vacuum tube technology, the PT-1 is modern enough to incorporate
MIDI. The PT-1 uses a standard MIDI input for approximately four octaves of pitch,
with four presets controlling modulation effects. Auxiliary inputs allow processing
of external audio signals, FM synthesis, and filter voltage control. You can even
incorporate the PT-1 into a modular system since all of its patch points are on
the front panel for easy access.
The PT-1 comes housed in a 2U rackmount chassis, with selectable 120/240V,
60/50Hz power settings. The all tube signal path does come at a price - the suggested
list price for the PT-1 is $2400. Some of the available options include a modified
Kraft joystick for pitch bends (MIDI-based pitch bend is not possible), balanced
XLR output, exclusion of the MIDI interface, and a second VCO (available later
this year).
For more information and to hear some sound samples of the PT-1, visit Metasonix
on the web at www.metasonix.com.
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