Michigan Synth Works MSW-830: A Roland-style mono with 3 oscillators?!
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Michigan Synth Works MSW-830 · Source: Michigan Synth Works
Michigan Synth Works MSW-830 · Source: Michigan Synth Works
Michigan Synth Works MSW-830 has plenty of connectivity · Source: Michigan Synth Works
What could be better than a single-oscillator Roland mono? One with three VCOs! That’s the theory behind the Michigan Synth Works MSW-830 and man does it sound good.
Michigan Synth Works MSW-830
Sometimes synth announcements escape our attention, like with the Michigan Synth Works MSW-830, which hit the synthy corners of the internet back in the spring. We’re busy; it happens. Michigan Synth Works is very close to finishing the MSW-830 now and so showed it at the recent Knobcon 2024. I have to say, this thing looks and sounds pretty sweet.
Three-Oscillator Power
You may remember Michigan Synth Works’ MSW-810, which we talked about back in 2021. It was a single-oscillator tabletop monosynth based on the Roland DG CMU-810, a fairly obscure SH-101/MC-202-style synth. Michigan’s new machine is an expanded version of this with not one but three oscillators, hence the 830 in the name. If you liked the MSW-810, I think you’re going to love the MSW-830.
Sort of like a classic Roland with more options, each of the three AS3340 VCOs features a mixer to control the amount of each waveform, with all three having pulse (plus modulation), ramp sawtooth and triangle, plus a fourth that is either a sub oscillator, noise or external input, depending on the oscillator. Additionally, there’s oscillator sync and FM. There’s also a drive section with modulation. How cool is that?
Filter and Modulation
The AS3109 analog filter has four modes: 4-pole lowpass, 4-pole bandpass, 3-pole highpass and a phaser mode, which YouTuber Jorb rinses in the video below.
In terms of modulation, there are two analog ADSRs, a digital AD, and two LFOs, one analog and one digital. There’s an intriguing additional digital modulation source, with an envelope follower for the external in, low-frequency noise, chaos and more.
Connectivity
In terms of connectivity, the Michigan Synth Works MSW-830 will sport synth CV and gate in, modulation CV in, five-pin DIN MIDI in and out and USB MIDI in plus audio and headphone outs.
Price and Availability
The Michigan Synth Works MSW-830 looks to be a very well-apportioned monosynth. Based on the demos, it also sounds superb.
The synth is still not finished but should hopefully be available by the end of the year. The price being quoted is $800.
More Information
- Michigan Synth Works home page
- All about Michigan Synth Works
- All about Roland
- All about synthesizers
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2 responses to “Michigan Synth Works MSW-830: A Roland-style mono with 3 oscillators?!”
Now this is an interesting synth for an interesting price (if you love the Roland sound). Can’t wait!
Should be also available in black, blue or red.