Manatee
is Fred's Lab most powerful machine, a 4-part 10 to 16-voice spectral synthesizer module, with full support of MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression).
This instrument offers original & innovative synthesis options thanks to the spectral engine, a smart blend between additive and wavetable synthesis, granting the adventurous musician the possibility to sculpt and articulate his sound from the tone 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 holds 2x oscillators, an advanced noise & ring modulator, a multimode resonant filter (12, 24 dB / Octave) with extra RC section, a wild 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 versatile stereo delay and finally 2x adjustable stereo equalisers.
A master quality reverberation module with several models (hall, plate, room ...) is also included as an insert mixing effect.
General
Manatee is a professional
MPE & multitimbral digital synthesizer with a polyphony ranging from 10 to 16 voices (depending on patches complexity), 4 parts and multiple carefully crafted audio algorithms for sound generation.
The instrument
MIDI implementation is extensive and well documented and fully complies with the recent
MPE - MIDI Polyphonic Expression - specifications. Thus making
Manatee the perfect companion for any expressive MIDI controller and all advanced hardware or software MIDI sequencers.
Fred's Lab instruments are still proudly & manually assembled at our facilities in Bonn / Germany using
premium components and material sourced from all over the globe.
For more information, please visit:
Pre-Kickstarter website
Package content
Manatee will be shipped with a printed version of the
English QuickStart Guide, a
universal power adapter and
2x MIDI DIN cables.
Warranty
All
Fred's Lab machines are guaranteed 3-years against manufacturing and design defects.
Customers have a 14 day purchase withdrawal right.
Machines follow
strict compliance testing by an independant laboratory and complies with all applicable
CE and FCC directives.
Sound Architecture
Until offical release, all specifications advertised are preliminary!
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.
Sound sources
1x Spectral Generator with:
• reference spectrum selection
• choice of reconstruction waveform
• formant, rotation & inversion controls
1x Sub-oscillator with:
• sinus / 2-op FM engine
• saw / super-saw engine
• pulse / super-pulse engine
• triangle / folder engine
• waveform player
Sub-oscillator and Spectral Generator can be mixed as needed.
Ring Modulator with:
• O1 x O2 operation
• volume and noise controls
Sound shapers
Multimode Filter with:
• 12 and 24dB / Octave attenuation
• custom LowPass, BandPass & HighPass models
• self-oscillating with built-in saturation
• tracking control
RC Filter with:
• 6 dB / Octave attenuation
• custom LowPass & HighPass models
Saturator module with:
• 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
• velocity influence on times adjustments
• target and expressor choices
1x Custom-LFO with:
• wide selection of algorithmic waveforms
• waveforms chaining options
• rate and start phase controls
• MIDI synchronous modes
• integrated AR envelope
• target and expressor choices
3x Modulation Matrix Slots:
• in addition to default routings
• in addition to modulator targets
Per part
Spectrum Maker:
• producing the timbre for the Spectrum Generators
Noise Source with:
• sample rate control
• built-in noise color filter
2x Custom-LFO with:
• as the other ones
Stereo Delay with:
• multiple algorithms (mono, stereo, ping-pong ...)
• delay length from 1ms to 8s (model dependent)
• MIDI synchronous modes
2x Stereo Equalisers with:
• multiple shapes (low/high, cut, shelf, boost...)
• center frequency control
Arpeggiator
Global
Master Reverberation with:
• several algorithms (hall, plate, room ...)
Technical Details
Until offical release, all specifications advertised are preliminary!
Computing
• 2x 200MHz 16bit dual-core DSPs
• 4x 24bit Burr Brown DACs
• 64 MBit of fast PSRAM
Memory
• 250x preset storage locations
• 32x multi storage locations
• 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 oldschool red LEDs
• 2x16 FSTN+ character LCD display
• bright & 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
