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Modular A1 - Printable Version

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Modular A1 - SynthWizard - 08-17-2021

Modular A1

<div><span>Modular A1</span>

<div class="field field--name-field-specifications field--type-double-field-extended field--label-above">
<div class="field--label">Specifications</div>
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<div class="field--item"><div class="double-field-extended form-group"><span class="specification-term" title="Polyphony" data-content="The number of voices (notes) a device can produce simultaneously. Typically, a monophonic device can only play one note at a time. A Duophonic device can play two notes at a time. A polyphonic device can play two or more notes at a time." data-placement="top" data-trigger="hover" data-toggle="popover">Polyphony - </span>
<span class="specification-value">1 Voice</span>
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<div class="field--item"><div class="double-field-extended form-group"><span class="specification-term" title="Multitimbral" data-content="A synthesizing instrument that can play two or more timbres (also called sounds or patches) at the same time. A typical multitimbral tone generator can play, for example, the brass, piano, and violin parts all at once." data-placement="top" data-trigger="hover" data-toggle="popover">Multitimbral - </span>
<span class="specification-value">1 Part</span>
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<div class="field--item"><div class="double-field-extended form-group"><span class="specification-term" title="Oscillators" data-content="An electronic device which generates a periodic signal of a particular frequency, usually a sine wave, but sometimes a square wave or other waveform. In an analog synthesizer, oscillators typically produce regularly repeating fluctuations in voltage - that is, they oscillate. In digital synthesis, an oscillator more typically plays back a complex waveform by reading the numbers in a wavetable." data-placement="top" data-trigger="hover" data-toggle="popover">Oscillators - </span>
<span class="specification-value">1 VCO</span>
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<div class="field--item"><div class="double-field-extended form-group"><span class="specification-term" title="Waveforms" data-content="A signal, either sampled (digitally recorded) or periodic, being generated by an oscillator. Also, the graphical display of a sound pressure wave over time." data-placement="top" data-trigger="hover" data-toggle="popover">Waveforms - </span>
<span class="specification-value">Square, Triangle</span>
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<div class="field--item"><div class="double-field-extended form-group"><span class="specification-term" title="LFO" data-content="Low Frequency Oscillator. An oscillator especially devoted to applications below the audible frequency range, and typically used as a control source for modulating a sound to create vibrato, tremolo, trills, and so on." data-placement="top" data-trigger="hover" data-toggle="popover">LFO - </span>
<span class="specification-value">1 LFO</span>
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<span><a title="View user profile." href="http://www.vintagesynth.com/user/406" lang="" about="http://www.vintagesynth.com/user/406" typeof="schemaTongueerson" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="">Naomi Bolton</a></span>
<span>Tue, 08/17/2021 - 08:21</span>

<div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p>The Modular A1 is a semi-modular analog synthesizer by Sonicsmith that was released in 2018. Although it is interesting as a standalone unit, the Modular A1 is perhaps more useful when combined with other Sonicsmith boxes. Sonicsmith billed the Modular A1 as not audio controlled but "a perfect accompaniment to them." This basically boils down to the fact that the Modular A1 will enhance any existing analog synth rig and enrich their sound.</p>

<p>The Modular A1 is a compact unit that consists of a VCO and LFO that is both sync-able. It also features two VCAs, with one dedicated to the VCO and the other to the LFO. It features numerous patching options, and both VCO and LFO can be square or triangle waves. When it comes to audio outputs, this synth has a regular line-level one via big jack as well as a 9V mini-jack on the top panel. The mini-jack is helpful for a variety of reasons and opens up a world of tweaking possibilities when used with mini-jack to mini-jack cables. A standard guitar-style 9V DC supply powers the whole thing.</p>

<p>The front panel of the Modular A1 is divided into three color-coded sections. On the left-hand side is the VCO, with a frequency control knob for sweeping across the full range and a fine-tune knob for more accurate adjustments. The small toggle switch above the knobs is for switching between the square and triangle waveshapes. XXX The right side of the front panel is almost a mirror of the left side and is dedicated to the LFO. The two knobs on this side adjust the LFO amount and the LFO rate. It also features Sync and Rate inputs as well as a dedicated oscillator output.</p>

<p>&nbsp;Finally, the central area is a small section dedicated to the VCA with a CV input and a solitary switch. The switch can be toggled to route the LFO output to control VCO pitch.</p>

<p>Overall, the Modulator A1 is an interesting assortment of oscillators that can deliver some useful sounds on its own. However, it really shines when combined with other hardware. Sonicsmith clearly designed this unit to work well with and enhance the other synths in the line-up, so it is not as compelling to users looking for a standalone synth. It's not quite the deep dive into modular synthesis claimed by Sonicsmith, but to get the most out of it, you really need other CV-enabled gear.</p>
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<div class="field field--name-field-make-er field--type-entity-reference field--label-above">
<div class="field--label">Make</div>
<div class="field--item"><a href="http://www.vintagesynth.com/taxonomy/term/1201" hreflang="en">Sonicsmith</a></div>
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<div class="field field--name-field-year field--type-integer field--label-above">
<div class="field--label">Year</div>
<div class="field--item">2018</div>
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<div class="field field--name-field-musical-genre-er field--type-entity-reference field--label-above">
<div class="field--label">Musical genre</div>
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<div class="field--item"><a href="http://www.vintagesynth.com/taxonomy/term/775" hreflang="en">Electronic music</a></div>
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<div class="field field--name-field-synth-type-er field--type-entity-reference field--label-above">
<div class="field--label">Synth type</div>
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<div class="field--item"><a href="http://www.vintagesynth.com/taxonomy/term/778" hreflang="en">Analog</a></div>
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<div class="field field--name-field-interface-features-er field--type-entity-reference field--label-above">
<div class="field--label">Interface features</div>
<div class="field__items">
<div class="field--item"><a href="http://www.vintagesynth.com/taxonomy/term/784" hreflang="en">Modern</a></div>
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<div class="field field--name-field-format-er field--type-entity-reference field--label-above">
<div class="field--label">Format</div>
<div class="field__items">
<div class="field--item"><a href="http://www.vintagesynth.com/taxonomy/term/788" hreflang="en">Desktop / Tabletop</a></div>
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<div class="field field--name-field-price-range-er field--type-entity-reference field--label-above">
<div class="field--label">Price range</div>
<div class="field__items">
<div class="field--item"><a href="http://www.vintagesynth.com/taxonomy/term/795" hreflang="en">Less than $500</a></div>
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<div class="field field--name-field-image-er field--type-image field--label-above">
<div class="field--label">Image</div>
<div class="field--item"> <img src="http://www.vintagesynth.com/sites/default/files/2021-07/ModularA1Pic.png" width="530" height="530" alt="Sonicsmith Modular A1" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-responsive"></div>
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<div class="field field--name-field-files field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-above">
<div class="field--label">Files</div>
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<div class="field--item"> <div class="file-item">
<a href="https://sonicsmith.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Modulor-A1-Owners-Manual.pdf" class="file-title">Sonicsmith Modular A1</a><span class="file-description">Owner's Manual</span>

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<div class="field--label">YouTube</div>
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<div class="field field--name-field-youtube-link field--type-youtube field--label-hidden field--item"><img src="http://www.vintagesynth.com/sites/default/files/youtube/SZBNwmYXFo8.jpg" alt="Embedded thumbnail for Modular A1 &gt; YouTube" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-responsive"></div>
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<div class="field field--name-field-youtube-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field--item">Modulor A1 synth intoduction</div>
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<div class="field-author">by
<div class="field field--name-field-youtube-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field--item">Sonicsmith</div>
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<div class="field field--name-field-user-rating field--type-vs-synth-rating field--label-above">
<div class="field--label">User Rating</div>
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<div class="field field--name-field-texture field--type-list-string field--label-above">
<div class="field--label">Texture</div>
<div class="field--item">Monophonic instruments</div>
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<div class="field--label">Disqus comment</div>
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