Radikal Technologies has released the Delta CEP A, a new paraphonic semi-modular synthesizer that they’ve been promoting for the last two years. The Delta CEP A arrives in two form factors, Eurorack and Desktop.
Radikal has chosen to structure the Delta CEP A as paraphonic synthesizer where all of the notes generated go through a single filter and VCA (Voltage Controlled Amplifier) combination. Paraphonic synthesizers can be played polyphonically, because their oscillators allow for independent pitching according to chords. In addition, Polyphonic oscillator control allows for multiple voices to be played simultaneously, which is perfect for creating evolving pad sounds.
On the face of it, a semi-modular synthesizer has hard wired connections for its most essential sound generating and altering attributes. This allows users to be able to play the Delta CEP A right out of the box, but can also dig a little deeper to add their own patching when they see fit. The Interpolator feature has the ability to store snapshots of sound creations into the Delta CEP A’s internal memory, allowing users to play those snapshots sequentially, creating unique and morphing sonic sequences. The snapshot memories can also be used as preset memories, and are filled with presets from Radikal Technologies’ sound design team.
Delta CEP A also contains a MIDI to CV interface in its aptly-monikered MIDI2CV section. The MIDI2CV section has additional outputs for connecting to external Eurorack modules, and a dedicated digital bus for controlling Radikal Technologies’ RT-311 Swarm Oscillator architecture. The two two oscillators that can both build swarms of (up to eight) oscillator clones capable of being pitched in musical intervals, chords, clusters, or fat detunes. All Swarm parameter settings can then be saved as interpolatable snapshots, enabling even more dynamic results.
The LFO 1 section features five waveforms, MIDI and clock synchronization, and an invertible Depth control for modulation purposes. Providing up to eight oscillator clones of its own, Delta CEP A’s single swarm oscillator is accessed via the Swarm OSC section; Paraphonic play mode (allowing four voices to be simultaneously played), PITCH quantization, and easy tuning (DETUNING). The Mixer section mixes the outputs from the Swarm oscillator and the noise source or an external signal for the filter. The VCF (Voltage Controlled Filter) section, structured around an analog 12 dB multimode filter contains a stereo digital emulation of that 12 dB multimode filter, plus a digital 24 dB lowpass filter. Furthermore, an ADSR section supplies an envelope generator, together with Attack and Decay voltage control inputs. Its VCA can be controlled by either the ADSR envelope or GATE signal, while also providing external inputs for the following FX processor section, featuring a modulated stereo delay effects, flanging, and phasing.
Encompassing no fewer than 23 knobs, 14 buttons, 28 RGB LEDs, 14 outputs, and 17 inputs, the Delta CEP A is very much a hands-on affair. Carefully chosen connectivity provides users with freedom to integrate it into their existing Eurorack small-format modular system. Or opt to use it as an independent standalone synthesizer with Radikal Technologies’ desktop option, which contains an integrated stereo Output; stereo FX-Input; MIDI In/Out/Thru and DC 12-19V, 2A DC-IN connections, plus onboard a dedicated On/Off switch.
Radikal’s Delta CEP A is available now for $999 / €899 for the Eurorack version and $1,298 / €1,198 for the desktop unit.
Radikal Technologies
