With the Vectra,Future Retro presents an extensively equipped Vector synthesizer with sequencer. The Vectra uses Vector synthesis, which has been known since 1986 from the Sequential Circuits Prophet VS. The hybrid sound generation is also continued in the Vectra with analog converted filter and VCA. This is where the similarities with the Prophet VS end, as the Vectra boasts numerous features that are quite unique in this density. With four oscillators and five LFOs, each with 505 waveforms, six Morphing envelopes, white and pink noise, four ring modulators, vector mixer, 18 filter variants and step sequencer, the manufacturer has set the bar very high. Instead of a conventional keyboard, the user can expect a capacitive touch keyboard with 29 keys, which generates velocity and even aftertouch and enables special playing techniques such as continuous gliding over the entire keyboard area. Four joysticks adorn the control panel of the Vectra, which is not only visually impressive. Bend/Modw replaces the two handwheels for Pitchbend and the modulation wheel. Mixer is the heart of the Vector synthesis. Cutoff and resonance are also designed as handy joysticks. The X/Y joystick is intended for numerous other modulation tasks. This synthesis structure enables a total of eight different voice modes, including monophonic, paraphonic and rotating. A Patch consists of around 250 parameters! The high number is due to the quadruple presence of oscillators and their modulators as well as morphing parameters for each envelope. or you need all the parameters in a Patch, the moment decides. The important thing is that the Vectra has complex modulation possibilities and, above all, produces sounds for which you would have to use several other synthesizers with far fewer capabilities. Eight parameters per Preset can be assigned as shortcuts to the eight knobs, which makes handling even easier. Up to 999 sounds and patterns can be stored in the device and can be freely combined with each other in live mode.
The Fantastic Four
The Vectra's four digital oscillators have the same structure. They have a frequency range from 0.01 Hz to 20 kHz and impress with a selection of 505 waveforms. The first five waveforms - sine, triangle, sawtooth, square and PWM - are good-sounding, classic VA waveforms. The other 500 cover a sound spectrum that is difficult to put into words. The PWM variant and the digital waveforms can be modulated in pulse width with any modulation source, and two of the digital waveforms can also be superimposed. The Frequency and Freq Mod buttons can be used to define the exact pitches and FM ratios together with their modulation sources. The six small buttons under the bend and mixer joysticks always rotate through their function 1-2-3-4 so that you are always on the same oscillator/modulator when switching to a different menu page. This is a pretty clever solution, as it allows you to set all the parameters one after the other on "2" or change the waveforms from 1-4 in quick succession.
Audio mixer for gamers
All audio sources flow together in the Vector mixer. Firstly, of course, there are the four oscillators, which are each fed directly or modulated in level by their own envelope or LFO. The same applies to the noise generator, which produces white and pink noise. Both can be fed into the mixer with and without level modulation via an envelope. Install the four ring modulators. The level cannot be additionally modulated, but they cover the oscillator combinations 1+2, 2+3, 3+4 and 4+1. This is a great solution, because in most cases it is not necessary to rearrange oscillators and have the desired sources in the ring modulator. If you want to program a rather simple sound, you can simply leave 2-3 of the mixer inputs free.
The filter Eldorado
The filter in the Vectra is a real treat! With 18 variants, all of which are analog(!), no other synthesizer can hold a candle to the Vectra. Basically, lowpass, bandpass, Highpass and notch are represented in various dB strengths. Some go lower, others are more resonant and then there are the VCS variants. The latter activate a function that can be found on synthesizers from the British cult brand EMS, in which rapidly changing modulation signals are smoothed out. In terms of sound, the filter moves between old Roland synths, a little EMS flair and a little 'Moogian' resonance behavior. Of course, the filter can also be extensively modulated. The main parameters Cutoff and resonance are set using a joystick.
Morphing envelopes
An impressive six envelopes are at work in the Vectra. All of them are identical, only their primary assignment (oscillator 1-4, filter, VCA) is different. Basically, they are ADSR envelopes with a selection of different basic shapes, an upstream delay phase as well as hold and repeat parameters. Each of these seven parameters has a working range between 0ms and 14.7 seconds. This allows the Vectra to achieve extremely fast, percussive and unusually long, ambient progressions. The highlight of the envelopes is the ability to morph. There is a second menu page for this, which is largely similar to the main page. On this page, you can set which parameters of the respective envelope should deviate and with which modulation source (e.g. velocity, aftertouch, joystick X/Y etc.) the Morphing should be triggered.
LFOs in the wave pool
The five LFOs are mainly assigned to the four oscillators and the filter. The term LFO is actually an understatement, as their frequency range of over ten octaves extends far into the audio range. Nevertheless, they are "only" intended for modulation purposes. They use the same 505 waveforms as the oscillators, but without the option of layering two waveforms. Each LFO can be coupled separately with the keytracking and can also be modulated by another modulation source (e.g. velocity, aftertouch, envelope, joystick X/Y etc.). What are the benefits? In addition to common vibrato effects and WobWob filter modulation, these LFOs turn the Vectra into an FM monster that hardly any other synthesizer, with the exception of modular systems with matching equipment, is able to achieve.
Groove in a grid
A sophisticated sequencer and a good-sounding synthesizer have always been a guarantee for years of enjoyment when creating soundscapes with Future Retro. A pattern in the Vectra can be up to 16 steps long and contains the parameters Pitch, Velocity and Rest for each step. The parameters can be programmed individually or you can use the randomizer, which reconstructs a value and/or the entire pattern. As an alternative to the sequencer, you can use the arpeggiator; different running directions, time signatures and tone scales can be applied to both functions. A total of 999 patterns can be saved, which can be freely linked to the sounds.
Future Retro Vectra Synthesizer Sound Demo Part 2
Future Retro Vectra Synthesizer Sound Demo Part 4
Future Retro Vectra Synthesizer Things with Strings
Future Retro Vectra Analog Drums
Deckhead - First track using Future Retro "Vectra" Synthesizer!
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