M.F.B. Nanozwerg

Modular monophonic synthesizer semi
1 vco with his sub-oscillator, lfo 1, 1 adsr, 1 multimode filter 12dB / octave.

UTILIZATION

It can hardly be more fun and educational. Perfect to initiate synthesis.
He looks limited but we go more one feels in respect to the ingenuity of the designer.
it is semi modular so you can connect to other modules via analog inputs cv, one for each module (vca / vco / lfo / adsr) plus an outlet for the lfo can therefore connect the lfo out at leisure in cv in the little beast and even multiply its possibilities.
One knob per function, one can hardly do better, the buttons are a little close to each other without it being really annoying, it's just a blow to take, with the index finger and thumb knobs on top of it Password nickel.

SOUNDS

You are responsible for resulting sounds, screaming lead the self-oscillating bass perfectly round, through the keyboard sounds very classy guy prophet, to 220 euros, the total feet. So yes it is monophonic, for agreements oblige you to record track after track, but they will blend perfectly and that you will work your contrapuntal technique.

Use mode FilterBox is a good tool production, and you will discover the magic filters on audio sources, ideal for muscle snare, then obviously there are much better on the market in the genre FilterBox (shermann, chippman) but you soon realize the usefulness of such goodies.

OVERALL OPINION

I for 1 year, I'll buy another in case he passes away.
Educational, versatile, powerful, intuitive, little wonder that I highly recommend.

analog expander, ultra simple, and effective.

basses, leads, acid, percussion .. he can do anything

UTILIZATION

there is no easier to handle. if you know how to use a synth, we find the desired sound in 30 seconds.

against by the German manual is provided .. German. English is on the site.

SOUNDS

the osc and filters have a tendency aggressive and noisy, but there are also sounds muffled and warm looking. all this reminds me of the prophet.

but it is of analog and sounds: sounds huge potato, I'm fine.

OVERALL OPINION

I for 1 year, I tried many other analog or digital synth. technical level, the nanozwerg not show much .. okay. but it sounds really good, it's alive, warm, organic, dynamic .. everything that has not a vst ..

then yes, I'd recommend it.

Compact and very small ... almost in laptop bag ...

UTILIZATION

Solid design and practical hacking. Easily usable even without plunging immediately into the user manual ...

SOUNDS

A synth that hums and granule well well ... when you put it on an audio output quality It is impressive for its size and its compact side! Makes you want to tweak and edit in all directions ...

OVERALL OPINION

I am not a specialist of the analog. But I tried this tool throughout an evening with a friend. Convinced by the sound and the simplicity of the object. Ideal introduction to the synthesis of mono and probably even more ... Nice tool!

Monophonic Analog Synthesizer

Gate switch with an ADSR (bypass ADSR)
1 Self-oscillating multimode filter (LP, BP, Notch, HP)
Voc with a four waveforms (sine, triangle, square, PWM square) 4 octaves heights
A sub VCO (-1 octave, 2 octaves, -1 + -2 octaves)
A noise generator
Lfo a switch with one shot (4formes sine wave, triangle, square, sample and hold, destinations: VCO / PWM, VCF)
A Glide
Key a follower for the filter

MIDI in
Audio In & Audio Out
In CV and Gate in, in VCF, VCA in, in LFO, LFO out

UTILIZATION

Setup is simple retouve the classical parameters for a small monophonic analog synth
With some small specialty filter can be modulated by the VCO, and the LFO can modulate the PWM
Then there are the "hidden" functions (obtained by combinations of buttons):
Velocity-on filter (on / off) which also acts on the LFO speed
-Changing the midi channel
-Activating the internal sequencer (pattern 3 not really useful, and a "gate on" permanent use for audio input)
-Enable the audio input: press the waveform of the oscillator sub until no form is selected and turn the mixer VCO / SUB to SUB

This manual in the box is found in German on the MFB site in English version in PDF format, everything is clear and well explained.

SOUNDS

The sounds are what you program, it is the sound of a monophonic analog synthesizer, the multimode filter greatly extends the range of sounds it is not limited to the bass sounds with a LP filter, is achieved with various modulations and mixers and intelligently designed to get all sorts of sounds. You can create a kit of percussive sounds ranging from kicks, toms, hi hats and snares with claps (with noise generator and the VCO sine filter in the HP).
The term is good (velocity selected) can not be determined velocity, the fact he also acts on the LFO speed is a little disconcerting at first, but it actually gives an unexpected character and more alive to the sound.
By default the filter frequency and speed of the LFO MIDI controller are related to the modulation wheel (I prefer that only the frequency of the filter is connected to this controller)
The position Sample & Hold LFO does not seem very effective.
You can not get the sound source connected to the audio input without hearing the oscillator slightly in the background.

OVERALL OPINION

Use for several months.

The most:
The multimode filter-
The truly portable-size
-The input / output analog (you can connect the output of the LFO has Audio in, we get a kind of static oscillator and more)
Audio-in: ability to use the Nanozwerg as a filter with LFO and ADSR, etc. ...
-Sound (100% analog)
The design-
The price-

Cons:
- The volume is loud enough, and there is no adjustment, increasing the resonance of the filter it saturates very quickly
Gate-Set for ADSR significantly increases the volume (we use the function to avoid Gate hardly a sudden increase in volume when the function is enclanchée)
The function-Sample & Hold LFO is not very convincing especially its action on the filter

I also have a Yamaha CS15D of 1979, which looks at Lots Nanozwerg in sound and parameters, biensur these are not the same machine but Nanozwerg has a very pleasant sound, its portability and multimode filter makes it much more versatile.
To compare it to a VA synth I would compare to the FabFilter One, which is one of my favorite VST and simple-sounding quality.

The Nanozwerg for its price represents a mini analog the most complete, with opportunities for experimentation with its input / output analog and filter (I do not know any other model of this size with a multimode filter), I will have appreciated by being demanding a volume knob and the possibility of having an analog or MIDI sync LFO.

I refereai this choice without any doubt, if my finances the permétaient I'll buy another order prepared my sounds on one while the other is used live.