Future Sound Systems Cric Is a 3-VCO Analog Synth With a Massive Pin Matrix
4,6 / 5,0 | 
Live out your Synthi-style fantasies with the Future Sound Systems Cric, a forward-thinking take on subtractive synthesis with a drool-worthy 24 x 32 pin matrix.
Future Sound Systems Cric
Who knew that 2024 was going to be the year of the pin matrix? First Analogue Solutions announces its ARP 2500-looking TC-5000 and now we’ve got the Future Sound Systems Cric, a modern tabletop analog subtractive synth with a big ol’ pin matrix and a whole lot of interesting synthesis parameters. You sank my battleship!
Not a Clone
Before we get into the nitty gritty of this exciting-looking synthesizer, we should point out that it is decidedly not an EMS VCS3 or Synthi clone.
“It is not a clone or derivative of a pre-existing musical instrument,” says FFR on the product page, “nor is it simply our Eurorack modules cased up in a box.”
That second point is also important as while the Cric does feature circuitry from its existing modules it is a new instrument, in some cases with different chips than the original Eurorack modules.
Oscillators and Filter
The Future Sound Systems Cric has some unique and intriguing synthesis parameters. First up is the three-VCO oscillator section, which is based on the company’s Recombination Engine module, which employs a novel wave-splicing technique. It includes three SSI2131-based analog VCOs in a master/positive-slave/negative-slave arrangement.
I’ll let FFR explain it: “The Scissor section can be used as a master oscillator which, in the Recombination technique, is used to switch between the Positive and Negative DNA oscillators dependent on the positive or negative state of the Scissor square wave.”
The filter is unique as well, with an SSI2164-based 18dB/octave state-mixable analog VCF with wavefolding. This is inspired by the Timbral Sculptor module.
As for VCAs, the Future Sound Systems Cric has a clutch of SSI2164-based ones, present in DNA oscillators, filter section, and as a standalone VCA.
You Can Pin and Matrix Me Like a Butterfly
In terms of modulation, the Cric also does things a little differently than your usual synth. It sports sample and hold plus four cyclical function generators offering AD and ASD envelope configurations, cycle mode, and slope and pulse sources. These can also function as audible VCOs.
And then of course there’s that gloriously big pin matrix. It features 24 sources and 32 destinations allowing for splitting and summing of all signals.
Connectivity
The Future Sound Systems Cric is well-endowed when it comes to the old ins and outs.
“Four inputs and outputs allow for audio processing,” the site says, “external CV control, feedback routing, and more – there’s even a microphone pre-amp on input 1.”
Price and Availability
The Future Sound Systems Cric looks like a whole lot of fun and based on the audio demos, it’s capable of a lot of delicious things.
Future Sound Systems plans to release the Cric on November 7 with a projected price of £2499.
More Information
- Future Sound Systems Cric home page
- All about Future Sound Systems
- All about synthesizers
- All about modular
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