There may not be a better distillation of the Analogue Solutions ethos than its magnum opus: Colossus. This large-format modular synthesizer debuted in 2020 to critical acclaim and spared no effort in faithfully delivering an iconic analog experience brimming with the ineffable character of historic, mid-century synthesizer designs. While it’s found a home among plenty of hobbyists and professionals alike, the Colossus keeps good company with a who’s who of electronic composition, including Depeche Mode, Deadmau5, the Human League, Erasure, Trent Reznor, Hans Zimmer, and Pete Townshend, to name just a few.
A dedication to true analog synthesis isn’t limited to the studio-sized consoles of an earlier era; the Fusebox X delivers a bona fide 3-note polysynth in a sleek, ergonomically designed desktop package. Analogue Solutions doesn’t mince words when they say, “true analog,” either. Fusebox X derives its massive sound from its vintage-inspired, ’70s-style circuitry, eschewing CPUs that would normally lock down circuits and quantize controls to evoke genuine analog essence. Plug in, sound out, and experience the distinctive tri-phonic voicing of a 100% analog sound path which would be a crime to describe as anything less than massive.
LeipzigV3 is a tremendous all-arounder with a predilection for the low end, excelling at evoking sonorous basses, from the subtle to the searing. Like its siblings, this desktop synth is 100% analog and is built on a foundation of ’70s and ’80s circuitry that exudes historic, distinctive sonics. Full-bodied and oozing with character, LeipzigV3 is nothing short of a monophonic masterclass in form and function, blending versatile, powerful output with a streamlined interface designed to be right at home with its vintage analog circuitry. Without CPUs to hold it back, LeipzigV3 is keen to push well into the overdriven for hard, mangling lows, but it can be easily reigned in for soft leads with plenty of warmth.
Dubbing the Impulse Command a “sonic realizer” isn’t just for show. This true stereo, all-analog machine was designed from the jump to transcend conventional boundaries of what we think of as a synthesizer. Equal parts drum synth, pattern generator, and modular loop producer, the Impulse Command sprawls tremendous sonic territory to construct loops and sequences that would have anyone believing they were hearing multiple synths simultaneously. It’s just that powerful. And the two independent LPFs supplement its sound with plenty of control, resulting in an inspiring, reactive instrument for modular-style looping that’s unmatched in its creative potential.
Each Analogue Solutions instrument is meticulously handbuilt in England and designed by founder Tom Carpenter. His visionary approach to synthesis is literally and proverbially felt with his active, hands-on presence in every aspect of the company, which results in award-winning instruments whose distinctive, authentically vintage sounds are critically lauded around the world. Rejecting CPUs in favor of total analog circuitry means that audio paths, LFOs, envelope generators, and more are brimming with character, escaping the sterilization of sound that’s all too common with CPU control. This also eliminates a memory bank, which encourages deep exploration of every shift in voltage or current. This guarantees that every sound produced is uniquely yours and completely original.
