Analogue Solutions has released Impulse Command, a stereo, semi-modular analog monosynth with tons of dynamic features. Impulse contains some unique features including dual dynamic analog oscillators, dual analog filters, stereo digital effects, a 16-step sequencer with Radical reorder and a MIDI loop sequencer.
The subtractive synthesis signal path in Impulse Command creatively gets going with two VCOs, producing the raw audio sound source for later processing. The VCO1 boasts a white noise generator alongside sawtooth and triangle waveforms, while VCO2 DETUNE thickens things up. Thereafter, Amount dictates the intensity of MIDI VEL (velocity) or EG2 signal that will be applied to modulate VCO2’s volume, selected via a toggle switch, while I.L. manually sets the initial level of VCO2 volume, and allows that level to be dynamically controlled when set to zero; speaking of oscillators, the VELOCITY control sets the amount of MIDI velocity that will be applied to the square wave-equipped SUB (sub-oscillator) volume, while I.L. manually sets the initial level of SUB volume, so also allows that level to be dynamically controlled when set to zero.
Pitch modulation, meanwhile, such as vibrato or a pitch sweep, can be obtained by patching with cables using the mini-jack sockets sited along the top of the front panel. While Impulse Command is mostly pre-patched, it has a range of modulation routing possibilities to make it act in some ways like a modular system and is capable of producing the same types of sounds. It does, however, have a sizeable selection of patch sockets that allow adventurous users to re-patch it or connect it to an external modular system.
Analogue Solutions Impulse Command Features:
» Analog audio and modulation circuits
» Stereo / dual filters
» This synth can sound like multiple synths all at once
» Stereo digital effects (reverb and delay)
» 16 step analogue sequencer
» 16 step MIDI Note sequencer
» Dynamic internal patch system
» Sequencer ReOrder! feature
» Dynamic VCO mix levels
» Semi-modular
Analogue Solutions Impulse Command Circuits:
» Two Analog VCOs
» Two 24db analog LPFs
» Two Analog LFOs
» Two Analog ADSR envelopes
» 16 Step analog CV sequencer
» 16 Step MIDI note sequencer
» Stereo output / dual filter+VCA
» Dynamic VCO levels
» Special internal dynamic patch system
» Analog noise
» Sub Osc
» Stereo effects
» Four VCAs
» Modular jack sockets
» MIDI In
Impulse Command comes complete with two CEM chip-style filters — the same type as those used in classic synths such as the Elka Synthex, Fairlight CMI, Oberheim OB8, and Sequential Circuits Prophet-5. However, Analogue Solutions claims the Impulse Command contains its own sonic character. Many of the controls are duplicated for each of those 24dB/octave filters. The upper VCF is called VCF-L (left) and the signal — following its own dedicated VCA — is routed to the left output jack. The lower VCF is called VCF-R (right) and the signal — following its own dedicated VCA — is routed to the right output jack. Cutoff sets the master frequency cutoff for both filters, while Peak sets the resonance/feedback level of both filters. VCF-R Detune offsets the second filter’s frequency cutoff, while Velocity sets the amount of MIDI velocity that will modulate the cutoff of both filters, and Arggo adds cross modulation from VCO2 to the filter Cutoff, creating a more edgy sound — increasing Peak to higher levels emphasizes this effect.
Impulse’s designer, Tom Carpenter states, “this synth is a journey of discovery. You’ll take the occasional wrong turn, but you’ll also make many exhilarating turns, and each destination will be nirvana-like. Life is all about the journey. So experience and play.”
There are four modulation sources, EG1, EG2, LFO1, and LFO2, while Level sets the level of modulation applied to the filter Cutoff. Creatively, Mod Invert inverts the modulation for VCF-L, which, as an example, enables pseudo-auto-pan effects. External sound sources, such as vocals, guitars, mixer sends, and samplers, etc, can be sent through the filters for further treatment by simply plugging the sound source into the rearside IN (input) socket. Following on from filtering, Impulse Command’s signal path arrives at two separate analog ADSR envelopes. EG2 is hardwired to control the VCAs that follow the VCFs, but both EGs are available for modulation of various circuits and have trigger and signal output jacks for further patching.
Processing plays a part in Impulse Command’s sonic philosophy. Primarily designed as a powerful analog synthesizer, some essential effects — bit crush, delay, flanger, and reverb — have been included to give the resulting sound some texture and ambience. The latter three effects can even be modulated to a degree by the Step Sequencer, so they can be dynamically controlled. Control-wise, turning Effect selects the eight presets, while Aspect1 and Aspect2 are used to make some adjustments to the sound space preset selected.
Sequencing is where the sounding-like-several-synthesizers-simultaneously-playing-Impulse Command can come into its own. There are two sequencers — an analog Step Seq (that produces voltages) and a MIDI Loop Sequencer (that produces MIDI note loops). Both are clocked from the same signal source, selected using the Sequencer Synchro switch, though the MIDI Loop Sequencer can be independently stopped and started. As implied by name, the MIDI Loop Sequencer is used to record melodic loops and will always run in time with the analogue Step Seq, which is primarily used for modulation. But both benefit from the radical Reorder! function that affects the sequencer stepping order — forwards, backwards, and all sorts of strange yet wonderful variations.
Analogue Solutions’ Impulse Command is available now for £849 / €1,179 / $1,199.
Analogue Solutions
