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Erica Synths Bullfrog

Item: SYN0008792-000

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With the Bullfrog, Erica Synths presents a fully analog desktop synthesizer with an explicit educational mission. All product info

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Product information - Erica Synths Bullfrog

Learning Synthesizer

analog synthesizer
monophonic
oscillator with waveshaping
noise generator
Mixer
lowpass filter
VCA
Delay effect
2 loopable A/R envelopes
Sample & Hold with Pulser
Divider
Loudspeaker
Slot for voice cards
USB-C input
MIDI In
Audio Out
CV/Gate In
Headphone Out
incl. 10 patch cables, 10 Patch templates, 3 ready-made voice cards, 3 DIY voice cards, power supply unit

Richie Hawtin with his Bullfrog

With the Bullfrog, Erica Synths presents a fully analog desktop synthesizer with an explicit educational mission. The instrument with the large, colorful knobs is the result of a collaboration between Erica Synths and techno legend Richie Hawtin. Whether you're an adult learning about audio synthesis for the first time, or you're looking to introduce the next generation to the world of synthesizers after years and decades of experience, Bullfrog is made for just that, and for those with more experience, it's a cool synthesizer that you can coax a wide range of sounds out of with little effort. Nothing comes out of the Bullfrog just like that, it wants to be patched or at least equipped with a voice card. The synthesizer accepts notes from the outside world via USB-C, MIDI and CV/Gate, the instrument makes itself audible via the built-in speaker, the audio output and the headphone jack. A comprehensive user manual was created for the Bullfrog to accompany the learning process. Helpful are also the 10 included patch templates, which inform about sound settings by just putting them on.

The sound generation in detail

The heart of the Bullfrog is the analog oscillator with a precise Tracking of over eight octaves and waveshaping waveforms. Sine goes through a transformation all the way to shark loops, and square is modulatable in pulse width. The two waveforms of the oscillator can be tapped in the mixer and can be replaced by another signal at the inputs. In the mixer you also get access to the level of the noise generator, at the mix output all three signals run together. If you stick exactly to subtractive synthesis, the resonant Lowpass filter is the next element in the signal path. Two control voltage inputs, one of them with attenuator, bring life into the patch. The audio path is completed by the VCA with adjustable Offset and the fixed delay effect. Connoisseurs can already guess what sounds the Bullfrog is capable of.

Three modulation sources for varied sounds

Two identically constructed attack/release envelopes are used to modulate all CV inputs. Thankfully, the envelope parameters can be modulated separately via CV. Additionally, a switchable loop mode is integrated, which turns the envelope into an LFO. Waveform and speed of the LFO in this case is also set with Attack and Release. The sockets EG1/2 Out carry the positive voltage curve of the envelopes, bipolar voltages are applied to BP, with these the full potential of the Loop-Mode is exploited. Strictly speaking we are dealing with two simple function generators. The sample & hold circuit is primarily there to generate random stepped voltages. In the Bullfrog this happens in time with the pulser or based on played notes as "gated S&H". Not to be left unmentioned is the divider, which becomes a sub-oscillator with four subordinate octaves at the square wave output of the oscillator or allows very experimental patches when it is clocked by the pulser of the S&H and connects the divider taps with the two envelopes.

The Nintendo principle

A slot for expansion cards was rare in the history of synthesizers; Buchla Music Easel, Studio Electronics ATC and Avalon Bassline might be among the few representatives of this guild. The Bullfrog comes with three voicecards that are configurable by themselves and three more with a special function. The Sequencer-Cardcontains a simple 5-step sequencer with muteable steps, the clock source is switchable and the final step length is selectable. The Acid-Card transforms the synth into a sound monster close to the TB-303. The sampler/looper card comes with a few seconds of recording time and the ability to manipulate speed. A ring modulator and an integrated microphone for capturing ambient sounds are also part of the equipment of this voice card.