Macbeth Proto

[jaypodesta]

Ken Macbeth posted these photos of a 3osc "prototype" on Facebook with this message:

"as well as the 5U stuff that I'm working on.....I play with the idea of designing some very small (42HP in 3U) midi driven analogue! Whay just have one oscillator and one envelope generator when you could have three oscs and two independant envelopes?!"




Be nice if he did do a prototype and then put it into production.

[shaft9000]

one thing's for sure: those are 3 of the bad-assest oscillators ever to fit in a shoebox

[101 Force]

It seems as though Macbeth has released a number of products in low-production runs... I wish I had gotten a Macbeth M3 desktop module while he was still producing them...

[Sir Nose]

I think he did 2 runs with about 100 each with some upgrades to the 2nd run.

From the Macbeth yahoo group: "around 190 M3Xs made and there are 120 M5/Ns out there"

Luckily, I usually spot 3 to 5 M3Xs for sale a year. I just haven't had the skill or disposable income to justify one.

The X-Factor is beginning to feel like vaporware, but maybe after the R&D for the modular line is finnished he'll go back to work on it.

[101 Force]

Luckily, I usually spot 3 to 5 M3Xs for sale a year. I just haven't had the skill or disposable income to justify one.

Just out of curiosity, what's the going price for those on the used market? I wouldn't mind picking one up in the future, if the prices are somewhat reasonable...

[Sir Nose]

If I remember correctly, $1000 to $1400

[stikygum]

That 3 osc box is crazy. I like his idea, more accessible and no need for a Euro case, but the must be up there and I wonder if it's going to be a stripped down version from his Euro dual Osc. This would be a f@cking blast with my FR XS though.

But I agree, it would be nice to see it make it out of proto land.

I would have to be convinced about the Env. though, as I didn't like the slow M3X env it had.

[jaypodesta]

Looks like this might be happening!

Ken on Facebook: "voila!....le 'micromac' !!

The ABS white plastic case that is shown here is temporary- a metal case will be designed!"

"...it will come as a 42hp module- or cased as a synth with MIDI!"

[haj]

it would be awesome if those oscillators can be LFO as well and modulate anything but I doubt that's the case. maybe 3rd one only like mini? if it features sine wave it's a killer.

[clusterchord]

it has a transistor ladder filter, that can self oscillate and do sine. this is sort of a mini version of minimoog - VCO3 can be switched to LOW, send to filter or other VCOs. but there are extras: it has both individal CV IN for each VCO (!!), and individual VCO outputs. there's a lot of options with pathing to other stuff right there. there is a PWM input on VCO3 as well. also, compared to mini, you don't have a noise generator (tho you can add one thru external audio input) but gain oscillator sync, and a switch to use filter envelope on VCO2 (sync slave). so classic sync sweep leads are possible.

what i find most exciting, Ken said the built of the VCO/VCF/VCAs is the same (high) quality of his 3U X-modules, and new Mk1 modular stuff.



i see this as standalone moogy bass/lead/drone synth or, if used w a few other euro modules, like cpl of attenuators/mixers n modulators, as all fundamentals of a small modular.

[nathanscribe]

So who's going to guess the price..?

EDIT: scratch that, it's a thousand quid:

http://matrixsynth.blogspot.com/2010/09 ... romac.html

Looks like a Macbeth is for when I bang my head and wake up in the body of someone with money.

[Scories]

Actually, it seems like there is a noise generator on osc.3.
Overall, it seems like a very tempting option as I usually prefer portable analog modules.

[stikygum]

I would love to pair this with my FR XS. I will have to figure out a way to make room to plop that dough. Fantastic product this has shapped up to be. It's super attractive.