DISC Analogue Solutions Polymath Modular Synth with Sequencer and Arp

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What is Paraphonic?

Ideally, for full ?polyphony? in an analogue synth you effectively need a complete analogue synth per voice. That is VCO, VCF, EG and VCA. For an analogue synth this is an expensive affair. So a few synths were Paraphonic (for example the Korg Monopoly). This mean that you still had a VCO per voice, but they shared a single VCF, VCA and EG. This provided cost and space savings.

Why is Polymath using the paraphonic method?

We chose to go Para? not so much to save money or space, but because to make a truly polyphonic modular synth becomes a patcher?s nightmare. I know, we have done it using discrete modules. You end up with a sea of patch cables and you can barely get to any of the synth?s knobs. We wanted Polymath to be a fully patchable, versatile analogue synth, as well as being polyphonic not just a one trick pony. Going Para? was a good comprise, allowing it to both be manageable (patching wise) and polyphonic.

Polymath is Fully Modular

In the sense that every thing can be detached and repatched. It doesn't have to be used as a poly synth or a traditional ?mono synth?. It can be repatched to do whatever you wish. Circuits can be isolated and used in conjunction with other modular synths or synths such as the Telemark. The position of important patch points have been placed close together, where possible, so shorter patch leads can be used that won?t obscure too much front panel. For example, Mixer Out jack is placed next to the VCF Audio In jack. This means that it can be patched up to be a mono/poly synth with a minimal amount of cables or front panel-obscuring! Some voltages are pre-patched in a sense, via quick and easy to use front panel pot?s or switches, but they can all be effectively removed from the circuit by setting them to zero.

Features/Specifications

• 4 VCOs. Each have Pulse Width, Portamento, Saw wave, Square Wave, CV inputs, CV outputs, Sync. VCO1 has Sub-Osc output
• Multimode VCF based on (not a clone) the Oberheim SEM (LPF, BPF, HPF, Notch) with multiple CV control
• Audio input, to allow processing of external audio (vocals, for example, from your DAW, etc) through the filter
• 2 LFOs
• 2 ADSR Envelopes
• 8 Step Analogue Sequencer with sliders
• Arpeggiator ? with Up, Down, Up/Down modes and Octave range
• Poly Mode (Paraphonic)
• Note Trig/ReTrig
• Unison Mode for mega-fatness
• Ring Modulation
• Sample and Hold
• Noise
• Multiples
• Adaptor
• Spring Reverb ? a triple spring Accutronics unit is used
• MIDI to CV Converter
• Mixer
• Inverter
• Headphone Amp
• VCA
• Real Wood sides made by Lamond Design
• 2 LED Gooseneck Lamps included
• Solid steel and aluminium construction
• Carry handle
• Includes an assortment of patch cables