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MANATEE
Multitimbral Spectral Synthesizer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIruExbizMM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5BtlYMQnhg
Sound examples

All following examples were recorded straight from the Manatee, using no additionnal audio processing. Many thanks to Philippe Guérin & Quintin Copper for their help.
Crystalized (multitimbral)
Trance-like (multitimbral)
Filmix (multitimbral)
Filter Choices
Robots HQ
Brass
Mildy Chilly
Smooth
Ballade
E-Piano
Basic Bass
Funky Style
Worn Reeds
Catacomb

Manatee

is Fred's Lab most powerful machine, a 4-part 16-voice spectral synthesizer module, with full support of MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression).

This digital synthesizer offers up to 16 voices (preset dependent), 4 parts and a selection of carefully hand crafted audio algorithms. With its extensive and well documented MIDI implementation, Manatee is the perfect companion for any expressive MIDI controller and every advanced hardware or software MIDI sequencers.

Included are innovative synthesis & modulation tools, thanks to the unique spectral engine, a smart blend between additive and wavetable synthesis, granting the adventurous musician the possibility to sculpt and articulate his sound from the timbre spectral level.

Manatee also includes more traditionnal - Virtual Analog, Waveform and 2-Operator FM - algorithms to either complement the spectral oscillator or to be used solo.

Each voice is built upon 2x oscillators, an advanced noise & ring modulator, a multimode resonant filter with an extra "RC" section, a beefy saturator module, 2x meta-envelopes + 1x custom-LFO and a classic modulation matrix. In addition to the hardwired routing, each modulation source can target many parameters and the intensity of the modulation be controlled by any available expressor (MIDI CC, Aftertouch...).

Each part carries the spectral maker, 2x custom-LFOs, a time based effect module with delays, comb filters and finally 2x adjustable stereo equalisers.

A master, lush sounding reverberation module is also included as an insert effect.

Package content

Manatee is shipped with a printed version of the QuickStart Guide (english) and a 12V Universal Power Adapter.

Warranty

All Fred's Lab machines are guaranteed 3-years against manufacturing and design defects.
Customers have a 14 day purchase withdrawal right.

Our instruments follow strict compliance testing by an independent laboratory and comply with the applicable CE and FCC directives.

Synthesis

Per voice

Patch modes

Patches can be:
• monophonic, with optional legato & unisono modes
• polyphonic, with optional unisono mode

Unisono modes allocates two voices per note.
Voices stereo spreading and detuning are configurable.
Tremolo and Vibrato functions are also included.

Sound sources

1x Spectral Generator with:
• reference spectrum selection
• choice of the reconstruction waveform
• formant, rotation & inversion controls

1x Sub-oscillator with:
• Sinus / 2-op FM engine
• Saw / super-saw engine
• Pulse / super-pulse engine
• Triangle / 2-op FM engine

Sub-oscillator and Spectral Generator can be mixed as needed.

Ring Modulator with:
• O1 x O2 operation
• volume and advanced noise controls

Sound shapers

Multimode Filter with:
• 6, 12 & 24dB / octave modes
• custom Low-Pass, Band-Pass, High-Pass & Notch models
• self-oscillating with built-in resonance saturation
• pitch tracking functions

RC Filter with:
• 6 dB / octave attenuation
• basic Low-Pass & High-Pass models

Saturator module with:
• brutal tube, fuzz, bit-crush models
• drive + dry/wet controls

Modulation Sources

2x Meta-envelope with:
• common attack, sustain and release controls
• individual decay, aftertouch, velocity controls
• masked modes including ADSR, -DSR, A-SR, AD-R, Gate ...
• retriggering and cycling options
• configurable velocity influence on times
• target and expressor choices

1x Custom-LFO with:
• vast selection of algorithmic waveforms
• up to 3 chained waveforms
• rate and start phase controls
• MIDI & External clock synchronisation options
• built-in AR envelope
• single shot mode
• target and expressor choices

3x Modulation Matrix Slots with:
• source, amount and target per slot
• expressor selection to modulate the patch amount
• connects part sources to voice targets
• connects voice sources (primary) to part targets
• works in addition to default routings
• and in addition to single modulator targets

Per part

Spectrum Maker:
• producing the timbre for the Spectrum Generators

Noise Source with:
• sample rate control
• built-in color filter

2x Custom-LFO with:
• identical as the voice ones

Time effect with:
• multiple algorithms (echo, ping-pong, comb filter)
• delay length from 1ms to 8s
• built-in color filter
• feedback level and polarity controls
• MIDI & External clock synchronisation options

2x Stereo Equalisers with:
• multiple shapes (low or high, cut, shelf, boost, notch and more)
• center frequency control
• attenuation / boost parameter

Arpeggiator with:
• classic on & hold modes
• pattern (up, down, up & down ...) and octave range parameters
• notes periode and length settings
• predefined pattern masks
• MIDI & External clock synchronisable

Global

Master Reverberation with:
• massive hall algorithm
• diffusion, feedback and size controls
• color filter for reflections

Hardware

Computing

• 2x 200MHz 16bit dual-core DSPs
• 4x 24bit Burr Brown DACs
• 64 MBit of fast PSRAM

Memory

• 64x factory presets
• 256x user presets
• 16x user multis
• extra 4x user presets per multi
• 1x system configuration

Connectivity

• 1x 2.1mm DC jack input
• 1x DIN5 MIDI input
• 1x DIN5 MIDI through
• 1x DIN5 MIDI output
• 1x 3.5mm TRS jack clock + start/stop input
• 1x 3.5mm TRS jack headphones output
• 2x TRS 6.35mm jack input / output - aux left & right
• 2x TS 6.35mm jack output - main left & right

User Interface

• 23x quality metal potentiometers
• 18x illuminated switches
• 8x tactile switches
• 22x classic red LEDs
• 2x16 FSTN+ character LCD display
• with dimmable LED backlight

Mechanics

• powder coated steel chassis
• acrylic display window
• quality rubber feet
• 267 x 140 x 60 mm
• 1470 grams

Power Requirements

• DC 12V with center positive
• Max 350mA consumption

Preset packs

Fred's Lab teamed up with some of the most talented sound-designers to bring you a collection inspiring idea-sparkers and ready-made presets you can efficiently use in your tracks.

synth_nyc Collection

Crafted by synth_nyc, this bank features 64x meticulously handdesigned presets in sysex format.

Taking full advantage of the advanced spectral oscillator and unique synthesis options, it is perfectly designed for atmospheres, pads and keys sounds. This bank also provides a solid set of basses, plucks, bells ... but also arpeggiated sounds with a retro / nostalgic vibe. Provided sounds have an emphasis on expressiveness, they all make great use of velocity & aftertouch controls.

  • A01 Mana
  • A02 Massive
  • A03 Blocks
  • A04 WT
  • A05 Phasor
  • A06 Joanne
  • A07 Fun Bass
  • A08 12dB Brass
  • A09 Grain Vox
  • A10 Pluckore
  • A11 Splapy
  • A12 Joe
  • A13 Dirty Lead
  • A14 Rizohr
  • A15 Poly Chrome
  • A16 Speak
  • A17 Elektron
  • A18 Grow
  • A19 Klavier
  • A20 Digi Seq
  • A21 Drony
  • A22 Prog Rock
  • A23 Dance
  • A24 Melo Vox
  • A25 Trancey
  • A26 5th Dimension
  • A27 Broken
  • A28 Vox Pad
  • A29 Victory Bass
  • A30 Excape
  • A31 Unfair
  • A32 Twilo
  • A33 Omen
  • A34 Clear Ya
  • A35 Depeche
  • A36 Acidic
  • A37 The Search
  • A38 Intro
  • A39 Digitaly
  • A40 Padiva
  • A41 Roaring
  • A42 Ricochet
  • A43 Vagaries
  • A44 Pale
  • A45 Hard Bass
  • A46 Clarity
  • A47 Air
  • A48 Lazer 2
  • A49 Winter
  • A50 Insects
  • A51 Morphee
  • A52 Rainless
  • A53 Ravey Lead
  • A54 Super Pad
  • A55 New 80s
  • A56 Low Bit
  • A57 Rhodies
  • A58 Rush
  • A59 Digi Drone
  • A60 Complexy
  • A61 Fragile
  • A62 Whitey
  • A63 Shimmers
  • A64 Deelite
As an extension of Bank A, Bank B shifts towards classic hybrid and early digital synth sounds, featuring timbres reminiscent of wavetable and FM-based synthesizers. Still, a wide variety of presets are offered, this bank complements Bank A perfectly.

  • B01 Fly Bass
  • B02 Evolve
  • B03 Plasma
  • B04 Polyte
  • B05 Fuzzy B
  • B06 Octavia
  • B07 Gentle Bell
  • B08 Wow Bass
  • B09 Shadows
  • B10 No Sync
  • B11 Help
  • B12 Orsay
  • B13 OSCar
  • B14 Softness
  • B15 Arco Yo
  • B16 Percusa
  • B17 DX Glory
  • B18 RegeN
  • B19 VA M00g
  • B20 Momentum
  • B21 Silver
  • B22 Double D
  • B23 Critical
  • B24 Fallout
  • B25 OD Square
  • B26 Beautix
  • B27 In A Box
  • B28 Jungle
  • B29 Sub Wood
  • B30 Vintage
  • B31 Birdy
  • B32 Snake
  • B33 Whipy
  • B34 Follow
  • B35 Double B
  • B36 Sliders
  • B37 Hypnose
  • B38 Marching
  • B39 Finger
  • B40 Search
  • B41 Funky
  • B42 Play
  • B43 Basement
  • B44 Step Stone
  • B45 Memory
  • B46 Rich EP
  • B47 EnTrance
  • B48 Alive Bass
  • B49 Clouds
  • B50 Quinte
  • B51 Waltz
  • B52 Tears
  • B53 Fragile
  • B54 Happy Square
  • B55 Symetric
  • B56 Blooming
  • B57 Abrasso
  • B58 Magician
  • B59 Torn
  • B60 Electric
  • B61 Squarish
  • B62 Resilient
  • B63 Xpress Bell
  • B64 Finalize
Step beyond the ordinary with SFX, a sound bank crafted by Voltage Life Support, a lifelong expert in remote & abstract sounds.

This is not your typical collection of basses, brasses, pads, or bells. Instead, it delivers dark, enveloping ambiences, unpredictably evolving sequences, intricate noise textures, random percussive hits, screaming leads and striking sweeping transitions. Using stereo to its best and complex modulation techniques, these sounds evoke the presence of sci-fi landscapes, alien forms, ancient server rooms, and underground bunkers. Adds the needed tasty weirdness to your sound palette.

  • A01 Impact
  • A02 DizRav
  • A03 Snashd
  • A04 CrashI
  • A05 Mucken
  • A06 Wormol
  • A07 Metask
  • A08 Excitr
  • A09 Prasea
  • A10 Hitseq
  • A11 R3D4
  • A12 Fermen
  • A13 InDaFs
  • A14 Arcad3
  • A15 ChpDon
  • A16 DonAft
  • A17 Razorr
  • A18 3rdLap
  • A19 RedAlm
  • A20 Fision
  • A21 Whispr
  • A22 90Prg
  • A23 Hotwee
  • A24 Droops
  • A25 RosnSq
  • A26 NetTrp
  • A27 BadOme
  • A28 RxTx
  • A29 Sweepo
  • A30 PliDnz
  • A31 Violok
  • A32 Bloww
  • A33 HeyDu
  • A34 Distnz
  • A35 2600is
  • A36 DJ-Yo
  • A37 Q-Bit
  • A38 ISABus
  • A39 Scorch
  • A40 Gligle
  • A41 Collek
  • A42 MindER
  • A43 Pow200
  • A44 Fricto
  • A45 ITBoez
  • A46 Crushr
  • A47 Sawcer
  • A48 Hardrr
  • A49 WyshWy
  • A50 Shorts
  • A51 Housto
  • A52 SurT67
  • A53 LegaSW
  • A54 LoosIt
  • A55 126Hel
  • A56 PolyRI
  • A57 Fire
  • A58 Tiger
  • A59 Bitsto
  • A60 Comput
  • A61 BaseBL
  • A62 Windee
  • A63 Madnes
  • A64 Btshor
Voltage Life Support returns with another essential transmission — a full sound pack for cold-planet explorers navigating shattered glass craters and eerie forests of sublimated spheres. Inside: a collection of ambiances, pads, drones, and sound-effects designed to send shivers through your spine and across your skin. Atmospheric, haunting, and unearthly. This is Sphere.

  • B01 Gleem
  • B02 Obskur
  • B03 FrostX
  • B04 Pyral
  • B05 Heks
  • B06 PstEc
  • B07 E-ON5
  • B08 NebulA
  • B09 MelTr
  • B10 Echode
  • B11 Hushog
  • B12 Fluxor
  • B13 Voida
  • B14 Sundar
  • B15 Titoon
  • B16 OrbS11
  • B17 QuartZ
  • B18 VolTar
  • B19 SpheraTG
  • B20 Thobja
  • B21 Phaeza
  • B22 Vorxal
  • B23 Hozon
  • B24 Deegit
  • B25 Formix
  • B26 Eclips
  • B27 Eros3
  • B28 Elann
  • B29 Osmix
  • B30 Girok
  • B31 Pulser
  • B32 Subver
  • B33 GraviT
  • B34 Burner
  • B35 Refera
  • B36 Phazr
  • B37 Metoca
  • B38 Return
  • B39 InterP
  • B40 Lander
  • B41 Sanctk
  • B42 RawEdg
  • B43 Reavol
  • B44 Reflec
  • B45 aCall
  • B46 Arena9
  • B47 Crater
  • B48 Excavr
  • B49 Horizn
  • B50 Descen
  • B51 Capila
  • B52 Heavy5
  • B53 Dome
  • B54 Rimway
  • B55 Strwas
  • B56 OthaFr
  • B57 Rebond
  • B58 Lavaa
  • B59 Encloz
  • B60 Alarm
  • B61 Scater
  • B62 Rift41
  • B63 Collek
  • B64 XenD6

License / fair-use

These presets are yours to use freely in your own music production without needing to pay any sort of royalties. However, each preset pack copy is licensed to a single user.

Please carefully read and agree to the following End User License Agreement before purchasing any of the paid preset packs.

End User License Agreement