Last week, I published an article about an upcoming new interesting virtual analog Synthesizer for Max For Live. Now, it’s available. Max For Cats, a company specialised in creating commercial Max For Live devices released today MSE, a Synthesizer that is inspired by the concept of the iconic Oberheim Four Voice Synthesizer. The developers describe it like this: the MSE system brings classic technology and the associated playing style into the modern computer age.
The new MSE Synthesizer System is not just one Synthesizer but features three different components: a mono/poly synth module, a Quad version that includes four of the MSE synth stacked together like the original hardware counterpart Oberheim Four Voice and a cool step sequencer with the name SEQ8. SEQ8 is an powerful analogue style step sequencer with 8 steps, a swing feature, additional randomization option for each row, integrated MIDI scaling and more.
What I have heard from the demos, the sound quality is really amazing and the interface is super straightforward like the original device. If you are Ableton Max For Live user, don’t forget to check out this new release from Max For Cats.
MSE Synthesizer module
The MSE Synthesizer module is a small but very powerful and versatile high quality synth. It can be played in mono mode or 8 voice polyphonically.
- Mono or 8 voice poly mode
- Glide/Pitchbend
- 2 oscillators (saw/pulse with PW)
- Oscillator sync for pulse wave
- Multimode state variable filter with LP, notch, HP and BP
- 2 LFOs with several waveforms, sync or free running
- 2 ADS envelopes
- A sub and noise oscillator
- Several modulation targets
Quad
The big Quad is four of the MSE synths stacked together and each MIDI note will sequentially play one of the four MSE modules – just like the old 1975 Four Voice Synthesizer from Oberheim. Each module can have it’s own key split and can be programmed fully independently. A Unison mode will play them all together for ultra-phat bass or lead sounds.
- 4 MSE modules
- Keysplit for each MSE
- Individual glide for each MSE
- 8 oscillators
- Oscillator sync for pulse wave
- 4 multimode state variable filters with LP, Notch, HP and BP
- 8 LFOs with several waveforms, sync or free running
- 8 ADS envelopes
- 4 sub and noise oscillator
- Several modulation targets
The Quad Editor opens in a floating window
SEQ8
And finally, the SEQ8 is an analogue style step sequencer with 8 steps, swing, integrated MIDI scaling and Map function. The pattern can be transposed with incoming MIDI notes. This sequencer can be used with any synth, be it software or external hardware synths.
- Sync or free running
- Key transpose
- Randomise for each row
- 1- 8 note steps
- 1- 8 octave steps
- 1- 8 velocity steps
- 1-8 map steps for free parameter mapping with smoothing
- Swing
- Note scaling
- Direction: FWD (forward), BWD (backward), BAF (back and forth), ALT (alternate), RND (random)
- Step mutes
The new Max For Cats MSE System Synthesizer is now available exclusively over the Sonic Bloom website for a price of $35 USD /30€. It requires Live 9.5 or higher and the Max For Live 7.
More information here: Max For Cats MSE System
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