Cyma Forma ALT Ships, Strymon Dabble With Karplus Strong! – Synth Journal
Plus a synth built with ship's decking!
The Cyma Forma ALT begins shipping to backers, Strymon bring out their string modelling game, and there’s a new successor to Rample from Squarp!
It’s been a busy week in the world of synths! Machina Bristronica was a roaring success, and there was a tiny piece of news about something new from Roland! Akai jumped in on the game too, and Kodamo released a limited edition version of their MASK1, selling out in hours!
So here’s a round-up of some of the other stories that caught our eye this week, starting off with the fantastic news that Cyma Forma’s ALT is now being sent out into the wild!
Synth Journal: 2/10/25
Cyma Forma ALT
I recall first seeing Cyma Forma’s ALT some while ago when I featured it on my live stream one Friday evening. It seemed to be a fascinating instrument that bucked the trend and delivered something different and interesting in equal measure.
Well, after a successful crowdfunding campaign, the first units are beginning to arrive with backers and judging by the responses, it seems they are very happy with their purchase. With crowdfunding campaigns becoming increasingly risky places to invest in new projects, it’s great to see Cyma Forma’s ALT come to fruition.
Cyma Forma’s ALT is essentially a powerful drone machine, capable of some complex tones and plenty of routing and modulation possibilities, courtesy of its pin matrix. It comes with plenty of useful connectivity so it can slot into almost any working environment, from Eurorack to your DAW.
Check out ALT at the Cyma Forma website and sign up for the newsletter to receive updates on full commercial availability.
Strymon SuperKar+
Best known for their amazing effects pedals, and almost single-handedly inventing the shimmer reverb craze, Strymon also make a few Eurorack modules. These modules have, until now, been mostly effects-based, but the SuperKar+ is a full on synth module!
SuperKar+ is a 32-voice string synthesis module, but not the kind that sounds like a Waldorf Streichfett. The clue is in the name, and it seems the most obvious and natural choice for an effects pedal manufacturer to deliver their first synth.
SuperKar+ (pronounced Super Karplus) uses the Karplus-Strong method of modelling plucked strings using delay feedback. As a manufacturer of delay pedals, this must’ve been a no-brainer for them and an easy one to pursue.
The module, which occupies 12HP of space in your rack, is packed with multiple connections and controls, making it super flexible for your creations. However, it’s a completely self-contained module so can operate completely on its own.
With 32 voices of polyphony, you can have both a single voice and a chord voice playing simultaneously and I have to say, it sounds rather lovely, but then I’ve always had a soft spot for Karplus-Strong sounds. Check out the demo and place your order at the Strymon website. SuperKar+ costs $399 USD.
Future Sound Systems CRIC Brunel Limited Edition
Tying in nicely with Machina Bristronica and its Bristolian heritage, Finlay Shakespeare announced the release of a new version of his highly-regarded CRIC synthesizer, built under the moniker of his company, Future Sound Systems.
The Brunel Limited Edition features a new ‘Signal Black’ panel and uses Australian Jarrah hardwood on the side panels. Why this particular wood? Well, there’s another Bristol connection here, as this wood, as in the actual wood used on the CRIC, is sourced from the reclaimed wood used for the decking on the SS Great Britain when it was refurbished in the 1970s.
The SS Great Britain was Brunel’s ground-breaking luxury liner and one of the great man’s stand-out achievements. So it is fitting that Finlay, based in Bristol himself, has used this and named this version after a man synonymous with the city.
The Brunel Limited Edition CRIC is being sold through various outlets for around £2,616 inc. VAT but hurry as there are only 40 units!
Squarp Instruments Rample Turbo
Squarp’s Rample module has been around for over 5 years now and was pretty well loved throughout, but now it’s back and it has been ‘turboed’! But what exactly does that mean for users? Well, the digital-to-analogue converters, signal conditioning and analog audio paths have been completely redesigned.
These redesigns improve on the sound quality greatly, giving what Squarp say is “a more accurate and detailed sound, especially in the high frequencies“. They’ve also reduced the background noise when no sample is playing.
There’s also a new SD card included that ensures faster sample loading and reduced latency between the trigger input and sample playback. However, the unit runs off the same firmware as the Mk.I Rample, so one presumes everything else under the hood remains much the same.
There’s a new, colourful redesigned face plate and the SD card comes pre-loaded with 200+ kits gleaned from artists and sound designers including Apollo Noir, Sink, Bogdan Raczynski and UTO. Rample Turbo is available now for €385.
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