The Erica Synths team is on a roll! After the recent preview at SuperBooth (see our video below) they have released the Black VCO and additional Black VCO Expander to the world, as well as the new 10HP version Black Polivoks VCF v2 & Black VCA v2 – because… who doesn’t want to save rack space??
Last but not least, they just announced the launch of the long-awaited Fusionbox, a desktop analog multi-functional effect box.
Let’s start with this one first, just because at ANR we are seriously addicted to standalone, tabletop-format units (see our thoughts on the Erica Synths Acidbox)!
Fusionbox
Fusionbox combines BBD chip based effects – delay, flanger, chorus – with tube overdrive in the delay output and feedback path for some extra thickness.
For more flexibility, lowpass filtering is fully adjustable from none to extreme for really deep bass sounds. Also, Fusionbox boasts a special feature, not found in other contemporary stompboxes or effect units: Vintage Stereo Ensemble (we’re looking forward to hearing this with some string machines).
Features:
• Delay and Flanger effects
• Vintage Ensemble Stereo effect
• Tube overdrive in the delay output and feedback path
• FX send/receive connector
• Footswitch connector
• 2 BBD chips (1024 and 4096 stages)
• Passive Lowpass filter for extreme subbass sound
Here’s Fusionbox in action
More info on the official website. Price: €440 (+ VAT).
Erica Black VCO
It’s an analogue VCO with four simultaneous waveform outputs and one octave down suboscillator.
The core of the VCO is borrowed from the famous Russian synth Polivoks VCO and in exponential converter, they used the original matched transistor IC that was used in Polivoks. Unlike harsh logic divider based suboscillators, Black VCO transistor-based suboscillator generates distinct, rounded squarewave found on TB303.
Together with Black VCO Expander – waveform mixer you get massive analogue sound source with plenty of patch points for modular use.
Features:
- Simultaneous sine, triangle, saw and pulse wave outputs
- -1 octave suboscillator
- Manually adjustable and CV controlled pulse width
- Great tracking across 8 octaves
- Exponential FM input with attenuator
- Synchronization input
- Octave switch – 5 octaves
- Skiff-friendly design
More info: Visit the Black VCO product page.
Price: 220€ (ex. VAT)
Erica Black VCO Expander
Essentially, this is an advanced waveform mixer with a two octaves down suboscillator, and it allows you to explore wave design in brand new areas.
NB! This is expander module that can be connected only to Black VCO. It will not work as standalone eurorack module.
Features:
- Waveform mixer/inverter
- Sine/Triangle/”Tits” waveform switch
- Transistor-based -2 octave suboscillator
- -1 and -2 octave suboscillator crossfade
- Suboscillator lowpass filter
- Diode limiter on output signal amplitude
- Three simultaneous outputs
More info: visit the Black VCO Expander product page.
Price: 110€ (ex. VAT)
Check out this demo video by Carl Mikael’s Cabinet of Curiosities:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgtxATjlfLw
Erica Black Polivoks VCF
It’s one of the most authentic sounding emulations of the famous Russian synth, the Formanta Radio Factory Polivoks filter.
The original Russian ICs K140UD12 is used in the sound circuit. Erica Synths made several updates to adapt the VCF for contemporary modular synth demands.
Independently buffered inputs, extended Cutoff knob, eliminated clicks, when switching filter modes, and output stage added to eliminate signal inversion. The result is a much punchier bass sound and very smooth controls.
More info: visit the Black Polivoks VCF v2 product page.
Price: 165€ (ex. VAT)
Erica Synths Black Voltage Controlled Amplifier is a uniquely designed, hi-fi level VCA with improved attenuation and CV reject levels, and bias control for great tremolo effects.
Smooth fading between linear and logarithnic response allows you create versatile percussion sounds. LED bargraph gives visual feedback on the output level.
Features:
- Manual bias control
- Manual fading between linear and logarithmic response
- Two CV inputs
- Output level indicator bargraph
More info: visit the Black VCA v2 product page.
Price: 165€ (ex. VAT)
Wanna buy? Visit the Erica Synths website.
Wow, that’s a really clever way of thinking about it!