Neutral Labs Queen Elmyra: 8-Voice Drone Synth with Analog Tube
Neutral Labs introduces Queen Elmyra, a formidable new drone synthesizer designed for experimental soundscapes and intricate sonic textures. This instrument, currently available for pre-order via Kickstarter, presents itself as a versatile sound design tool. It features 8 voices, each capable of hosting up to 3 oscillators, resulting in a total of 24 oscillators. Moreover, its comprehensive control interface includes 69 knobs and faders, alongside 96 patch points on the front panel, ensuring deep customization.
Unleashing Sonic Potential
At its core, Queen Elmyra boasts wavetable-based oscillators, providing a wide array of initial sound textures. These digital oscillators offer the distinct advantage of stable tuning, eliminating the need for frustrating calibration procedures often associated with analog counterparts. Furthermore, the voices can be quantised to a diverse selection of scales, including microtonal options, or configured for chord modes. Beyond its drone capabilities, the instrument can also function as eight independent mono synthesizers, offering remarkable flexibility for various production needs. This adaptability makes it a valuable asset in many studio setups.
Hybrid Sound Sculpting
The sound shaping capabilities of Queen Elmyra are truly extensive, blending both analog and digital domains. For instance, users can engage the integrated tube circuitry to introduce subtle saturation, or push it further for rich, aggressive distortion. Additionally, the analog multimode filter provides further sonic refinement. A unique aspect of this filter is the ability to adjust its resonance characteristics by directly plugging components like diodes or capacitors into the front panel. Consequently, this allows for a level of hands-on customization rarely seen. The signal path is further enhanced by dozens of stereo digital effects, including delay, reverb, chorus, phaser, and more. Importantly, the entire analog and digital effects chain is fully patchable, allowing for complex stereo or dual-mono configurations with ease.
Extensive Control and Connectivity
Control over Queen Elmyra’s parameters is exceptionally granular. Every single parameter is under CV control, facilitated by its 96 patch points, making it highly compatible with other modular and semi-modular gear. Moreover, each voice can be transformed into a complex modulation source with the flick of a switch. This functionality allows for intricate self-patching, enabling voices to modulate parameters of other voices, as well as the stereo distortion, filter, or effects. Connectivity options include MIDI In and MIDI Thru, along with clock input, reset input, and clock output, ensuring seamless integration into various studio environments. Balanced stereo outputs, a headphone output, and individual voice outputs are also provided.
Modern Studio Integration and Longevity
Despite its capacity for wild and unstable sounds, Queen Elmyra is designed for modern studio environments. Modulation sources and sequences can be precisely synced to external clock or MIDI, or allowed to run freely for a more organic feel. Neutral Labs is known for its ongoing firmware support, and Queen Elmyra is set to receive similar treatment. Updates are simplified via USB-C with drag-and-drop file copying, requiring no special software. Finally, the unit is housed in a sturdy bamboo and steel case, assembled in Germany, reflecting a commitment to quality and durability.
Features
- 8 wavetable-based voices with up to 3 oscillators per voice
- Suite of per-voice effects with 2 effect slots per voice
- Quantised, microtonal and chord modes
- Analog stereo tube saturation/distortion
- Analog stereo multimode filter with adjustable resonance flavour by plugging components into the front panel
- Dozens of stereo effects (delay, reverb, chorus, phaser, filters, distortion and more)
- Analog and digital effects chain is fully patchable (stereo or dual mono)
- Every parameter is under CV control (96 patch points)
- Sequencer per voice
- Each voice can be turned into a modulation source in various modes
- MIDI In and MIDI Thru
- Clock input, reset input, clock output
- Balanced stereo outputs, headphone output, individual voice outputs
- Set of patch cables and multiples included
- Sturdy bamboo and steel case, 410 mm x 265 mm, 3.9 kg
- Assembled in Germany
👍 Pros
- ✓ Extensive sound generation with 8 voices and up to 24 wavetable oscillators.
- ✓ Comprehensive modulation via 96 patch points and full CV control over all parameters.
- ✓ Hybrid sound shaping combining analog tube saturation, a customizable analog filter, and diverse stereo digital effects.
👎 Cons
- ✗ The high number of controls and patch points may present a learning curve for new users.
- ✗ Primarily focused on drone and experimental soundscapes, which might not suit all production styles.
More info: Neutral Labs | Queen Elmyra
