muSonics 'The Vanilla Synthesizer' from STG Soundlabs

23 Jan by Rob Puricelli |

4,7 / 5,0 | Approximate reading time: 2 Minutes

Previewed at the back end of 2023, the new ‘American Format’ modular synth from STG Soundlabs, under the muSonics moniker, is available to order now!

The Clue is in the Name

Just in time for Winter NAMM 2024, STG Soundlabs have today announced the opening of orders for their new ‘Vanilla Synthesizer’. Bearing the muSonics brand, which Suit & Tie Guy mischievously played with last year, The Vanilla Synthesizer is somewhat of an homage. The clue is in the name. Look at the initials. Got it? There you go!

But Suit has been very keen to point out to me that this is most definitely NOT a clone. It is, in his words, an abstraction. He has taken every function of his inspiration, a wonderful synthesizer built by a guy called Tom, and designed a family of modules that cover every function.

Inspiration, Not Imitation

Suit & Tie Guy has taken inspiration from the circuits of Tom’s synth and optimised them. Circuits for the VCO, filter and LFO can all trace their heritage back to circuits and components that Suit knows well. Designs that friends and colleagues suggested and to whom Suit wanted to pay respect. The LFO, for example, is based on the design of the one found in the MS-20, but enhanced by output attenuators more common in British synth designs of the day.

A control bus module is included which allows you to patch pitch and gate CV into a single place. These are distributed to all the important places within the synth to reduce cable clutter. It can also be used as a keyboard tracking amount control for the filter.

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Made With Love in Illinois

The cabinet is also noteworthy. It is based on the Trumansburg cabs, albeit smaller. It is made of walnut grown in Illinois and milled and constructed locally too. The cabinet is then treated to 4-6 coats of tung oil and fitted with aluminium rails. All by hand.

The Vanilla Synthesizer comes fitted with a universal PSU. Components have been chosen to avoid the supply chain issues of recent years.

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STG Soundlabs muSonics ‘The Vanilla Synthesizer’ is available to order now from STG Soundlabs. The price is $2,500 USD plus shipping. Pre-orders require a 50% deposit with the rest paid on completion. The first run ships in March 2024. STG Soundlabs can also customise the case colour, if you ask nicely!

STG Soundlabs are at Winter NAMM 2024 and found at booth 12100. The Vanilla Synthesizer will be available to try. Drop by, say hi and tell them Gearnews sent you. I can’t guarantee a discount, but Suit will greet you with a smile!