softPop

Softpop is built around a heavily feedbacked analog core: two triangle-core oscillators, a state-variable filter and a track-and-hold circuit. Six faders control the oscillators, the filter and their cross-modulations. The sound ranges from dripping, pop-like blips and drones to subtractive basslines. It is deliberately unpredictable rather than tame.

VCO 0 has a quantizer that works as an auto-tuner, while VCO 1 changes its waveshape through the modulation setting. A looping pattern generator stores two patterns, P1 and P2. The resonant filter offers bandpass, lowpass and highpass modes. An external input with gain and an envelope follower lets the unit process outside audio and sync VCO 1 to it.

A 25-point patchbay allows reconfiguration, and three jacks (A, B and C) send signals in or out of it. The unit has a built-in speaker, a multicolor RGB LED and an anodized aluminum enclosure with laser engraving. It runs on 4 AA batteries, Micro USB or a 7-9 V DC adaptor. A hack chamber at the back is meant for modding, and a wooden handle backplate is sold separately.