Gligli Returns with Overcycler Hybrid Synth

Gligli barely needs an introduction. With 2013's P600FW - a hard/software upgrade for the Prophet 600 that added vibrato LFO, flexible envelopes & loads more to the classic 1982 synth - Gligli wowed synthesizer fans in a world where Polyphonic Analogue wasn't yet affordable.

I was so taken with demos of this instrument that I, in 2022, decided to buy myself a Gligli modded Prophet 600. Along with an Arion SCH-Z chorus, I can confirm that it sounds a million dollars.

Anyhow, Gligli is back, this time with an exciting DIY hybrid synthesizer design. Writing on Gearspace, Gligli revealed the specifications:

• 6 voice polyphony using hybrid synthesis (Digital "single cycle" oscillators / per-voice analog VCF and VCA).
• 2 synchronizable oscillators per voice, duty cycle modulation on any waveform, dual waveform mix modulation, "girth" modulation (from a subtle veil to "ring modulation"-like sounds), 80KHz sample rate for a clean sound by default.
• 3 complete envelopes with lin/exp choice and looping (oscillators/filter/amplifier).
• 2 complete LFOs with 6 modulation destinations.
• 1 noise generator.
• Voice panning on the stereo output.
• Sequencer / Arpeggiator.
• Patches and single cycles (AKWF, ProphetVS, ...) stored on an internal flash chip, accessible through USB mass storage.
• USB powered with USB MIDI and regular MIDI.
• It will be available in the next few months as a DIY kit with a pre-populated PCB for around 250€ or fully assembled for around 300€.

Colour me interested! I love a hybrid, from Waldorf's M to the mighty Korg DSS1 - and this unit's girth modulation sounds intriguing. The breadth and scope of single cycle waveforms also sound like quite a synth adventure!

Speaking about the current phase of the project, Gligli stated:

I have finished porting the firmware, and I am happy: I had no major modification to do on the prototype for everything to work :)

You can read more about the Overcycler here:

https://gliglisynth.blogspot.com/search/label/overcycler

Posted by MagicalSynthAdventure an expert in synthesis technology from last Century and Amiga enthusiast.

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