Olydian Photosynthesis Solar-Powered Generative Wavetable Synth – What?!
3,8 / 5,0 | 
The Olydian Photosynthesis is a cute wavetable synth with a generative sequencer and a built-in solar panel. You know you want one.
Olydian Photosynthesis
So I thought I was done with work for the day and was sitting down to zone out with some YouTube when I saw this funky-looking synth in the thumbnail for Sanjay C’s roundup of the Synth & Pedal Expo 2024. That synth was the Olydian Photosynthesis, a brand new instrument from brand new New York City boutique manufacturer Olydian.
This synth has a number of striking things about it, which I’ll get to in course, but the main thing is that it’s solar-powered! It sits inside a cherry hardwood case whose lid features solar panels. Once charged, the battery can run for a generous 10 hours. If it’s a cloudy day you can also charge it traditionally via USB-C or a wall wart.
“Beautiful, Nostalgic Wavetable Synthesis”
The Photosynthesis uses wavetable synthesis that designer Kyle Fakhoury describes as beautiful and nostalgic, with 128 tones plus drums. You can hear it in action in the video below and it really does have a nice sound.
The site doesn’t say anything about other synthesis controls like filter or modulation but it does mention effects: reverb, delay, and chorus.
What about that cute color screen? I want to know what that’s for.
Generative Sequencer and Arpeggiator
The big focus of Photosynthesis seems to be the 32-step sequencer. It has BPM and swing controls, an Eraser function for adding rests, and harmony generation for counterpoint and melodic movement. The site mentions that the sequencer is generative and “can be controlled very precisely, or let loose to create new and unexpected results.”
There’s also an arpeggiator plus MIDI out to use the sequencer to control external gear. No MIDI in though. That’s a shame.
Tonal Touch Keyboard
You may have noticed the keyboard. Kyle describes this as a tonal touch keyboard aka a capacitive keyboard. You can play it in any key and there are 16 different musical scales possible.
Olydian Photosynthesis: Price and Availability
The Olydian Photosynthesis looks very interesting indeed. I’m excited to learn more about it.
The Photosynthesis will be available soon at a price of $799. See the site for more information and how to order.
More Information
- Olydian Photosynthesis product page
- All about synthesizers
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5 responses to “Olydian Photosynthesis Solar-Powered Generative Wavetable Synth – What?!”
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And for the excellent price of $799 – clearly aimed at a ‘special’ segment of society (no talent ambient YouTube idiots with pot plants) much like the recent Teenage Engineering release..
🌱 😁 I AM IN !!! 😁 🌱
No YouTube ambient ‘producer’ has pot plants anymore – it’s strictly cacti 🌵 these days.
Pot plants are SO last year.
Personally £800 is too cheap for me. If it was £1500+ I’d consider it, but at this price it may fall into the hands of too many others, thus reducing the ‘cool’ factor.
I got me a QMMG though so I’m good for a fortnight.
As I scrolled, I found myself guessing $99-$199. When I saw $799, then I knew it was just more delusional pricing. Folks, you can get a Minifreak or Hydrasynth Explorer for less. Yes, I know they are not solar and portable, but please, even the demo showed for practicality you need a controller anyway. Joe
I’ve just ordered two 😁
One for my inside rig (18u monster case) and one for my portable beach case 🏖
The I spend the hipper I get (and chipper too 😺).
Boyfriend doesn’t like it so much tho 😮
This would be very interesting to use in my research to see what happens in nature when music is produced by photons energizing a synth .to see if Sasquatch has an actual preference in pitch melody and if the sound is generated by sunlight. I can’t wait to test this in the field 👽✌️