OVERVIEW section also has a features video:

1 OVERVIEW

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FRONT PANEL
MOTOR Oscillators
DCO
VOICE CONTROLS
FILTER SECTION
MODULATION SECTION
MODULATION EFFECTS
PERFORMANCE INTERFACE
ARPEGGIATOR
SEQUENCER
MOTION REC ENGINE
INPUTS & OUTPUTS

FRONT PANEL

MOTOR Oscillators

The MOTOR SYNTH’s central feature is the innovative ELECTROMOTOR OSCILLATOR SYSTEM. The spinning motors can be used to generate electromagnetic inductive signal (M wave), as well as three types of optical waves (sine, square, saw) via a specially designed system of reflective rotating discs.

Modulating the rotational speed of individual motors enables the creation of musical pitches. The eight MOTOR Oscillator block comprises two MOTOR VOICES, with four Motors per Voice, capable of playing notes either in unison (four motors per note per voice) or with four-note paraphony (due to a single analog filter stage per voice).

eight custom-built brushless DC motors;
electromagnetic inductive (M) wave generator / pickup for each motor;
innovative optical “discs” capable of producing three waveforms: sine, saw, square;
noise absorbing soft-mount system;
acoustic treatment for mechanical noise reduction.

DCO

In addition to the two MOTOR Voices, the MOTOR Synth includes a third Digital voice known as DCO. This voice consists of four digital oscillators that can be played in unison or with four-note paraphony. Similar to the MOTOR Voices, the DCO Voice also has independently controllable amp and pitch envelope sections, as well as a dedicated multi-mode digital analog filter. However, it also has additional tone-shaping options, including a wider variety of waveshapes, wave folding, pulse width modulation, and hard syncing. The DCO is not the MOTOR Synth’s main feature, but it serves very well for adding precision and tonal range to the MOTOR Oscillators.

fully independent controls of all parameters;
virtual-analog oscillator and noise engine with waveshaping (PW, fold);
adjustable four note polyphony
dedicated multi-mode digital filter;
multiple routing options for Filter and Output.

VOICE CONTROLS

The MOTOR Synth’s VOICE Control panel is designed to provide complete and independent control over essential sound elements such as volume, wave, scale, amplitude envelope, and pitch envelope (ACCEL/BRAKE). The ability to set up each voice’s amp and pitch envelopes individually is a feature that is not often found in traditional polysynths and offers an extensive range of options for shaping tones and enhancing flexibility.

oscillator output volume, scale, waveform, tone (internal setting);
multi-mode analog amp envelopes (ADSR, AD, AR, DADSR, ADSHR, AD Loop, ADS) with adjustable CURVE parameters;
attack and release-triggered pitch envelope system (ACCELERATION & BRAKE);
additional [ANALOG TONE] control for adjusting the MOTOR Voices’ output pre-filter.

Signal produced by the MOTOR Voices is further shaped by two multi-mode analog filters. While the filter control section is shared, all filter parameters for each voice can be adjusted separately, including cutoff, drive, resonance, envelope amount, envelope shape, type etc.

The ability to control each voice’s filter separately is very rarely found in traditional instruments and it offers a huge amount of sound shaping possibilities.

The Digital Voice (DCO) uses a separate digital filter (with shared controls), however it can be easily routed to pass through either of the two analog filters.

four filter modes: 24 dB Low-Pass, 12 dB Band-Pass, 12 dB High-Pass, 24 dB All-Pass with self-oscillating resonance;
analog pre-filter drive circuit;
multi-mode filter envelopes (ADSR, AD, AR, DADSR, ADSHR, AD Loop, ADS) with adjustable CURVE parameters;
keytrack engine with gradual control over amount, direction, and GLIDE.

MODULATION SECTION

The MOTOR Synth’s modulation section is quite advanced and provides a lot of flexibility. It includes three independent modulators with two destination slots each that can be assigned to any of the instrument’s parameters. Each modulator has its own clock source and subdivisions, which can be adjusted independently.

Furthermore, there are extensive waveshaping options available for each modulator, as well as a fully featured multi-mode modulation envelope with adjustable curve, velocity and reset parameters.

three independent modulators assignable to any parameter;
independently adjustable clock sources and subdivisions per modulator;

two destination slots for each modulator;

extensive waveshaping options for each MODULATOR;

multi-mode modulation envelopes (ADSR, AD, AR, DADSR, ADSHR) with adjustable CURVE parameters.

MODULATION EFFECTS

The MOTOR Synth offers two types of dedicated performance effect-knobs that can be further fine-tuned in separate menu Screens.

The DRIFT/DETUNE knob gradually introduces subtle variations in the rotational speeds of the motor oscillators, thus creating a very nuanced and powerful analog detune effect.

The CROSS MOD knob allows you to modulate the MOTOR Synth’s output with the frequency and waveshpe of both MOTOR Voices. Depending on the Voice’s settings the resulting Crossmod effect can range from a frenzied, ring-modulated distortion to a gentle, pulsating “broken” sound.

CROSS MOD and DRIFT/DETUNE master effects assignable per voice;
multiple adjustable parameters per each effect type.

PERFORMANCE INTERFACE

The MOTOR Synth offers a built in performance interface that consists of a non-velocity sensitive 8 key KEYPAD with four rotary PITCH ENCODERS (PITCH ENC). The MOTOR Synth’s Musical Interface is designed for playing basic NOTE sequences in real time, setting up drones, chords and pads, as well as programming the built in ARP and SEQUENCER Engines.

eight non-velocity sensitive KEYPAD for inputting notes, sequences, patterns with assignable scales and microtonality;
four rotary PITCH ENCODERS for editing note values and microtonal pitch adjustments
innovative CLUTCH function (temporary parameter editing buffer);
internal note SEQUENCER ENGINE with savable patterns, pattern chaining, ratcheting, micro-timing, probability & step-repeat functionality;
powerful MOTION RECORD ENGINE with eight editable lanes (playback speed, direction, duration, quantization).

ARPEGGIATOR

The MOTOR Synth features an extremely flexible Arpeggiator engine that is perfectly suited for live performance with the built in KEYPAD or other external controllers.

The ARP Pattern editor allows you to create endless unique ARP patterns, which can then be saved as presets. The MOTOR Synth has a dedicated bank of ARP-based presets which showcase the engine’s versatility.

Flexible ARP ENGINE with Note Repeat, Pattern repeat, Pattern Shift, Accent functionality;
ARP RHYTHM EDIT mode for creating complex arp patterns with ratcheting, probabilities, etc.;
ARP Patterns can be saved as part of Presets.

SEQUENCER

The MOTOR Synth offers a built-in Sequencer Engine that allows you to create, save and manage up to 8 melodic PATTERNS per Project.
Patterns can be chained and sequenced (similar to “Song Mode” on other devices).

The pattern editor offers a wide variety of parameters that can be adjusted on a per-step basis, as well as a randomization engine that can be used for creating sequences based on different musical scales and specific sets of rules and probabilities.

internal note SEQUENCER ENGINE with savable patterns, pattern chaining;
ratcheting, micro-timing, probability & step-repeat functionality;
randomization engine for generating musical patterns.

MOTION REC ENGINE

The MOTOR Synth is equipped with a powerful motion record engine with eight independent recording lanes, enabling you to capture knob and parameter adjustments in real-time during your performance. You can easily fine-tune the playback speed, direction, and quantization settings for each lane individually. Additionally, you can mute and unmute specific lanes as needed, giving you even more control over your performance.

8 independent motion rec lanes with ability to record any parameter changes on the synth;
Adjustable playback speed, direction, quantization settings for each lane;
Mute and unmute individual lanes.

INPUTS & OUTPUTS

1 MIDI OUT & IN

5-pin DIN MIDI output and input

2 USB

USB type B for data transfer and MIDI output

3 DC input

Use the included power adapter connected to a power outlet

4 Power button

Turn the unit on and off

5 V1 & V2 SEND RET

Pre-filter send and return for MOTOR VOICE 1 and MOTOR VOICE 2 separately.
3.5mm / 1/8 inch unbalanced TRS (TIP – SEND, RING – RETURN)

6 PHONES

3.5mm / 1/8 inch unbalanced TRS

7 OUT

Main audio output
6.35mm / 1/4 inch unbalanced TRS. Use a TS cable for mono output or a TRS cable for split-VOICE output (TIP – MOTOR VOICE 1, RING – MOTOR VOICE 2)

8 IN

Audio input
6.35mm / 1/4 inch unbalanced TS

9 CV & TRIG IN

3.5mm / 1/8 inch CV and trigger inputs

10 FAN VENT

Variable speed fan for cooling. Do not cover the vent.

11 SD CARD

SD card slot

MOTOR SYNTH MKII MANUAL