This Is Not Rocket Science and Error Instruments SmartLab: Weird Granular String Synthesizer
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SmartLab is a freaky collaboration between This Is Not Rocket Science and Error Instruments, and it’s as beautiful as it is weird. Also Flourish Eurorack system!
This Is Not Rocket Science and Error Instruments SmartLab
Superbooth has become a lot more commercial and conventional over its now 10 years of history, so it’s nice to see more experimental instruments like SmartLab are still being developed and shown. This is the latest collaboration between This is Not Rocket Science and Error Instruments, two forward-thinking companies that generally play by their own rules – with the operative word being “play.”
SmartLab is not a module, although it can play nicely with Eurorack. What it is, then, is a standalone instrument that borrows some ideas from the two companies’ previous modules, like White Rabbit, but put together in an entirely new way.
SmartLab: Six Times Strong
SmartLab is a six-voice string synth featuring Karplus-Strong algorithms that you play by touching the six fader strips arranged vertically on the front panel. You can change the sounds from smooth to abrasive and tune them. There are also effects and sequences (one per fader), as well as a sequence per CV output so you can control external devices.
You’ve probably noticed the big glowing ring in the middle. This is a looper and granular engine that captures what you play and obliterates it, or does the same with audio recorded through the onboard microphone. You can then play the captured audio with the faders.
The whole shebang is powered by USB.
The two companies are hoping to start shipping SmartLab in June with a price of around €600.
From SmartLab to Flourish
This Is Not Rocket Science have also announced that they are leaving the Eurorack world to concentrate on keyboard instruments, like BigFish, which I reported on recently. Their final product is Flourish, a Eurorack system that represents the greatest hits of 10 years of TINRS.
They are only making 20 of them, and you can order one directly from the company for €3200.
More Information
- This Is Not Rocket Science homepage
- Error Instruments homepage
- More about This Is Not Rocket Science
- More about synthesizers
- Buy synthesizers at Thomann*
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