Cyma Forma RND: One-Button Random Hardware Synth
Cyma Forma has unveiled RND, a hardware synthesizer developed in collaboration with French artist Bambounou. The concept is radical in its simplicity: the front panel features a single button and nothing else. Press it, and the synth generates a fully formed sound with a musical sequence. Press it again, and that sound disappears forever.
One Button, Four Billion Ideas
Under the hood, however, RND is surprisingly deep. Each generated idea combines up to four instruments, each drawing from one of eight synthesis engines: subtractive, FM, acid, noise, speech, Karplus-Strong, supersaw, and additive. Every press randomizes all parameters, drawing from 4,294,967,296 possible seeds. The result is not a preset or sample, but a unique, unrepeatable sound.
Each instrument runs its own Euclidean sequence, and 20 scales are available, ranging from major and minor to Hirajoshi, Prometheus, and Persian. While the sounds cannot be edited directly, you can control the mix, and reverb is built in.
MIDI Turns RND Into an Instrument
Beyond the button, RND offers substantial MIDI integration. It provides four-channel MIDI in over USB-C and TRS mini jack, allowing you to take over individual tracks with a keyboard or sequencer while the others keep playing. In total, there are nine MIDI modes, including solo playback options and global transpose. MIDI clock in and analog sync in/out round out the synchronization options.
For audio, a stereo mix out (post-reverb) is available via mini jack, and a four-track USB-C audio output delivers each instrument separately, pre-reverb. The synth is powered via 5V USB-C.
Features
- 8 synthesis engines: subtractive, FM, acid, noise, speech, Karplus-Strong, supersaw, additive
- 4 simultaneous instruments per patch, individually mixable
- 4 simultaneous Euclidean sequences, playable over MIDI
- 20 scales
- 4-track audio output over USB-C (pre-reverb)
- 4-channel MIDI in and 4-channel MIDI out (USB-C + TRS mini jack)
- 9 MIDI modes
- MIDI clock in (USB-C + TRS mini jack)
- Analog sync in and out (2 TS mini jack)
- Stereo mix out (TRS mini jack, post-reverb)
- Power 5V, 1A (USB-C)
- 4,294,967,296 possible sounds
Price and Availability
RND is available now, priced at around 169.00 EUR / $150. A matching flex case is offered for $66. The synth had its public debut at Superbooth and is in stock at retailers such as Thomann.
Pros
- Eight different synthesis engines combined in one device
- Deep MIDI integration with nine modes and four-track takeover
- Four-track USB-C audio output with pre-reverb stems
Cons
- No direct sound editing beyond the random button and mix control
- Random-only workflow limits reproducibility of results
More info: cyma forma | RND synth
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