Variations to Taste – The Core Idea of Ember
When working with synthesizers, you have two distinct stylistic choices: digital vs. analog.
Digital synthesizers are precise, reliable, and offer endless sound design possibilities. They’re perfect when you need sharp, consistent results. Analog synthesizers, on the other hand, are raw, organic, and full of life. The beauty of analog lies in its imperfections—slight detunes, fluctuating envelopes, and a general unpredictability that makes every note feel unique.
When trying to make a digital synth feel analog, you often rely on programmed modulations to replicate this organic quality. But what really happens under the hood of an analog synth goes far beyond simple detuning.
Breaking It Down
With Ember, we wanted to distill that analog “alive” feeling and break it down into four key circuit parameters:
• Age
• Rust
• Instability
• Detune
In earlier prototypes, we combined everything into a single parameter. But we realized you might want a synth that stays perfectly in tune while still having unpredictable variations in envelope and volume. So we gave each element its own dedicated control.
The magic of a synth feeling alive is in the subtle unpredictability—no two notes should feel exactly the same. In analog synthesizers, this happens naturally because of the quirks and flaws in the circuitry. In the digital realm, where accuracy is precise down to fractions of a percent, we can simulate these behaviors to bring the same organic character to life.
The Four Circuit Parameters
All Circuit Parameters = 0%
Clean
• Age 100%: Simulates the gradual wear and tear of a synthesizer. Over time, circuits degrade, creating warmer tones, reduced clarity, and subtle coloration in the oscillators.
Age
• Rust 100%: Adds gritty texture and imperfections, emulating oxidized connections or worn-out components. It’s perfect for adding a vintage vibe to your sound.
Rust
• Instability 100%: Introduces unpredictable behavior, like subtle volume and envelope fluctuations, mimicking the quirks of old hardware struggling to stay consistent.
Instability
• Detune 100%: Adds the classic analog chorus effect—slight variations in pitch between oscillators that create warmth and thickness in your sound.
Detune
Each parameter is designed to be adjustable, giving you the freedom to sculpt the exact level of unpredictability you want.
Here is the same line with all parameters engaged in one of the factory presets:
All Circuits
Closing Thoughts
What makes a synthesizer truly inspiring isn’t perfection—it’s character. With Ember, you can craft a sound that feels alive, unique, and deeply expressive. Whether you want just a touch of analog charm or full-blown vintage chaos, the choice is yours.
Check out this review by Amner Hunter, who dives deeper into Ember and it's possibilities below:
Don't believe us? Read the Sounds of Revolution review about Ember.
