RND synth

Manual

This manual is up to date for RND synth firmware version 1.3. Update here.

Features

8 synthesis engines: subtractive, fm, acid, noise, speech, karplus-strong, supersaw, additive


4 simultaneous instruments per patch, individually mixable


4 simultaneous euclidean sequences, playable over MIDI (see below)


20 scales


4-track audio output over usb-c (one track per instrument, pre-reverb)


4-channel MIDI in: play RND synth with keyboards or sequencers (usb-c + trs mini jack type a)


4-channel MIDI out: send 4 random sequences to other instruments (usb-c)


9 MIDI modes: see manual.


MIDI clock in (usb-c + trs mini jack)


analog sync in and out (2 ts mini jack)


stereo mix out (trs mini jack / post-reverb)


power 5V, 1A (usb-c)


4 294 967 296 sounds (random seeds)


more to come

Patch types

RND synth generates 3 types of patches :

  • looping sequences

  • jingles - sequences that play just once. you can still change their root note and scale and replay them with a midi “play” message (transport control).

  • drones - no midi sequence, just one midi note at the beginning, and then modulation.

Patch types apply to all 4 tracks of a patch.

Note that not all 4 tracks are always active. The number of active tracks per patch is random.

Connectivity

Midi modes (inputs)

midi channel 1 — global control

  • tonic note selection / global transpose - the chosen tonic note is kept when you press the button
  • master volume (midi cc 7)
  • reverb level of all tracks (midi cc 91)
  • scale selection (midi cc 9)
    • 0–6: major
    • 7–12: minor
    • 13–19: harmonic minor
    • 20–25: blues
    • 26–31: major pentatonic
    • 32–38: minor pentatonic
    • 39–44: dorian
    • 45–51: phrygian
    • 52–57: lydian
    • 58–63: mixolydian
    • 64–70: locrian
    • 71–76: whole tone
    • 77–83: double harmonic
    • 84–89: hungarian minor
    • 90–95: phrygian dominant
    • 96–102: hirajoshi
    • 103–108: in sen
    • 109–115: prometheus
    • 116–121: octatonic
    • 122–127: persian

midi channels 2 to 5 — play one track, let the others run

send notes to midi channel 2, 3, 4, or 5 to take over track 1, 2, 3, or 4 respectively.

the random sequence on that track stops, and you play it yourself — with a midi keyboard, a sequencer, or any midi source. the three other tracks keep playing their random sequences.

midi cc 7 controls the volume of the track you are playing.

midi cc 91 controls the level of reverb of the track you are playing.


midi channels 6 to 9 — play one track solo

send notes to midi channel 6, 7, 8, or 9 to play track 1, 2, 3, or 4, respectively, in solo mode.

the random sequences on all four tracks are stopped. only the track you are sending midi notes to is heard.

midi cc 7 controls the volume of the track you are playing.

midi cc 91 controls the level of reverb of the track you are playing.


use midi channels 6 to 9 at the same time to control all tracks! when you do, pressing the button will only change timbers.


a few notes:

  • not every patch uses all four tracks — some channels may be inactive depending on what RND synth generates.
  • each instrument responds to note, velocity, pitchbend, and aftertouch
  • each instrument can be polyphonic (4-voice), or not, randomly

Midi modes (outputs)

RND synth tracks 1 to 4 send their random midi sequences respectively to midi channel 1 to 4. you can route each midi channel with a midi router or DAW.

Note that patch type drone doesn’t generate midi sequences.

FAQ / set up + troubleshooting

Need help?

ask anything on the discord support forum, or send us an email at contact@cymaforma.com