U N DER T H E HOOD
IK Multimedia’s
UNO Synth Pro and UNO Synth Pro Desktop By Brian Berk
In last month’s “Under the Hood,” we mentioned the huge popularity of keyboards today. But not to go unnoticed is the popularity of synthesizers as well. IK Multimedia offers two new products in this space, the UNO Synth Pro and UNO Synth Pro Desktop. Developed in collaboration with Italian boutique synthmaker Soundmachines, both of these new analog synthesizers take the UNO Synth monophonic synth and expand it in nearly every section: more oscillators, more filters, more sequencer memory, more effects, more presets, more connections and more programmability. UNO Synth Pro puts this new sound engine in a rugged metal chassis with a 37-key semiweighted keybed, made by Italian manufacturer Fatar, while UNO Synth Pro Desktop provides a more portable form factor to travel anywhere. The UNO Synth Pro’s dual-filter, three-oscillator paraphonic design lets it create nearly any synth sound imaginable, and it comes with 256 presets, a new 64-step sequencer and expanded CV/Gate and audio connections. “The sound and performance, the creative inspiration and the flexibility of the UNO Synth Pros makes them unique and com46
parable to no other. UNO Synth Pro gives you the freedom to shape basically any synth sound you can imagine,” said Enrico Dell’Aversana, UNO line product manager. What is the importance of three oscillators? They offer continuously variable waveshape, including pulse-width modulation. Oscillators can be hardsynced for more harmonically complex tones, and oscillator FM (frequency modulation) lets users shape everything from bell-like sounds to screaming industrial tones. UNO Synth Pro even includes ring modulation for wobbly, sci-fi sound, and a white noise generator for a wide range of percussive sounds and epic rises. In addition to the original UNO Synth’s two-pole OTA multimode filter, UNO Synth Pro adds a new SSI 2/4-pole LP filter with selfoscillation. The dual filters can be used in series or parallel, with invertible phase, for a total of 24 possible filter modes. This unique design offers nearly limitless tonal possibilities, from recreating classic vintage sounds or forging completely new, experimental sounds, stated the company. UNO Synth Pro offers two full ADSR envelopes, one dedicated to the filter and the other to
amplitude, with both available as sources to modulate everything from oscillator pitch and waveshape to LFO (low-frequency oscillator) speed. Two LFOs can create classic synth vibrato, wah and tremolo, as well as handle more complex modulations including audio range FM. “A 16-slot modulation matrix makes routing all these a breeze,” IK Multimedia stated. “Users can quickly and easily design even the most sophisticated modulation scheme, with both internal and external sources.” UNO Synth Pro also offers four effects blocks: an analog overdrive circuit from the original UNO Synth, plus three new, custom-designed digital effects: modulation, delay and reverb. External signals can also be routed through these effects. UNO Synth Pro offers a premium 37-key semi-weighted Fatar keybed, while UNO Synth Pro Desktop provides an enhanced version of the original’s long-lasting capacitance-sensing keys along with pitch and mod strips for enhanced expression. Both units add firm-touch rubber pads for the control sections, plus LED-backlit indicators and an LED display for key information, making it easier than ever to use live on stage or in deep program-
ming sessions in the studio, the manufacturer noted. Next up on the list of features for the UNO Synth Pro is 256 user-editable presets, each capturing the full state of the sound engine from oscillators to effects. An onboard 64-step sequencer offers both step and real-time recording, with automation of over 80 parameters, letting users create incredibly intricate and evolving soundscapes, and even write CV and gate automation. And a 10-mode arpeggiator makes it easy to create intricate patterns and runs, which can be recorded into the sequencer. Last, but certainly not least, UNO Synth Pro offers two noiseless, balanced stereo outputs as well as headphone out, for studio audio quality in any situation. USB and five-pin DIN MIDI In and Out are designed to make it easy to integrate with other synths, Macs/PCs and mobile devices, and its assignable CV/Gate connections lets UNO Synth Pro interact effortlessly with a Eurorack or other modular system. “And now, an audio input allows access to the filter and FX section for external signals, in addition to the original pass-through for daisy-chaining multiple units together without using a mixer,” concluded IK Multimedia. JUNE 2021
