While Frap Tools is typically known for its Eurorack modular synths, the Italian company is branching out. Magnolia comes as Frap Tools’ very first keyboard synthesiser, and it’s rammed with all of the brand’s signature analogue sounds, from the Brenso to the Cunsa.
The Magnolia boasts an eight-voice polyphony, with two ‘Carrier’ and ‘Modulator’ oscillators. The pair of oscillators are derived from the company’s 30HP Brenso, reworking the module’s two triangle-core oscillators.
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The ‘Carrier’ or ‘West Coast’ oscillator boasts through-zero frequency modulation, allowing you to capture sideband-rich analogue frequency modulation sounds. The oscillator also has a wavefolder and flip sync capabilities. The second ‘Modulator’ or ‘East Coast’ oscillator allows you to toy with pulse width modulation and fine-tune.
Elsewhere, the ‘sound seasoning’ Cunsa module’s quadruple analogue pingable multimode resonant filter has been repurposed for the Magnolia’s filter section. There’s also 24 dB/Oct resonant high-pass and low-pass filters.
The Magnolia also understands that good things come in threes. That’s why it comes with three loopable attack, decay, delay, hold, release and sustain envelopes. There are also three digital low frequency oscillators.
Taking one look at the Magnolia, and it’s clear that there’s plenty of room for experimentation. We’ve not even mentioned the arpeggiator, 16-step sequencer, bi-timbral programs (boasting SINGLE, MORPH, DUAL, and SPLIT MODES), or all-analogue signal path yet. And there’s 512 preset memory slots, so you can truly go wild creating new projects.
The synth also has an industry favourite keyboard from Fatar, equipped with polyphonic aftertouch capabilities. You can also keep track of your modes and filters thanks to helpful LEDS on every source – and you can switch modulations on/off with a simple toggle.
The company insists that the Magnolia is “fun to play”, and it certainly looks to be. A promo clip of the Magnolia in action highlights just how versatile and exciting the synth can be.
From alien spaceship glitching, to epic fantasy whirring, to eerie piano tones, the Magnolia seems to be quite an impressive debut onto the high-end keyboard synthesiser market.
Those attending Berlin’s Superbooth this weekend will be able to experiment with two pre-production units at Booth B049. Frap Tools aims to release the Magnolia synth by the end of summer.
