Gs Music E7 Review

GS Song e7: What’s it?

GS Song says e7 is the primary polyphonic analogue synth ever created in Argentina and if that’s the case, it’s slightly a debut. 

The synth packs in so much for its asking worth together with seven notes of polyphony which will also be delivered without delay or over a four-part multitimbral engine. And in addition to its trendy design and contours, it boasts a person sound whilst nonetheless reminiscent of probably the most perfect synths ever launched. It’s like GS Song had “perfect of” written on that planning stage, along “make it clean to make use of”.

e7 under no circumstances seems like a primary try at a polysynth. It’s rather well constructed, to be had in 4 colors, appears extremely cool and, extra importantly, feels welcoming. That is in large part right down to its emphasis on one management consistent with operation so its 40+ huge dials do the necessary tweaking with a unmarried Shift button opening the door to the remaining.

GS Song e7: Efficiency and verdict

e7 is a vintage subtractive analogue synth with one or two curveballs, so that you get a sexy same old oscillator, filter out, amplifier and modulation setup however some quirky and no longer so quirky extras and easy-to-use choices take the synth to the following degree.

There are two similar oscillators consistent with voice that generate triangular, tri-saw, and sawtooth waveforms – with each and every related to a variable pulse width generator – plus a sub-oscillator for each and every and noise. The filter out is a low-pass VCF with a 24dB/Oct slope. There are 5 choices right here to modulate the filter out frequency which we’ll come to in a while, even supposing the Speed EG is price highlighting now because it modulates the frequency in line with speed – the tougher you hit, the extra drama you get. A devoted Keyboard Monitoring dial – a large function in e7’s personality, as we’ll uncover – may also be set to resolve how the frequency adjustments relying at the be aware you play. 

Keyboard Monitoring may be a function within the Amplifier part, the place it determines quantity degree as you play up or down. Strangely, you additionally get two Stereo controls right here to resolve no longer simplest the unfold of all seven voices however their motion around the stereo area.

Primary modulation comes by means of 3 LFOs and a few envelope turbines. The LFOs have devoted switches for deciding on one from 5 waveshapes for each and every – triangle, ramp up, ramp down, sq. or noise/pattern & hang – plus a Fee dial. 

The modulation setup is a bit of complicated till you realise that e7’s (virtually) one-control-per-action ethos just about dictates the whole lot. For each oscillators, this implies two devoted controls for each and every to management pitch modulation by means of LFO 1 and a pair of. Press Shift and also you modulate pitch by means of LFO 3 and EG1. The filter out and amplifier sections have identical controls to modulate the frequency and amplitude through all 3 LFOs and EG1. You additionally get to modulate the heartbeat width of each and every oscillator with EG1 and LFO1 by means of two devoted controls subsequent to each and every oscillator. And we must additionally point out that aftertouch and the mod wheel will also be carried out to LFO3 by means of a devoted management (and Shift) and each will also be carried out to filter out frequency. That’s a complete of 7 assets straight away obtainable to modulate the filter out frequency, so you’ll be able to already see that there’s numerous dynamic attainable right here. 

The envelopes have a few fascinating additions. Each and every includes a Speed Mod choice at the assault and liberate dials (by means of Shift), which can be utilized to set how briskly the envelope operates for both or each, relying at the be aware speed. Play a be aware tougher, and no longer simplest will a be aware play louder, however it’ll are available and/or die away sooner; play it softer and the envelope reaches its most and minimal positions slower. Great contact. And related to that is the power so as to add (right here it’s once more) Keyboard Monitoring to the envelope so it transits at other speeds relying on the place you play at the keyboard – slower on the backside, sooner on the best. Either one of those additions are extra for efficiency and taking part in however neat touches nevertheless. 

In the end, LFOs 1 and a pair of have six modes. There’s Monophonic, which is the usual operation the place the LFO applies to all voices in segment. Polyphonic performs the modulation on each and every be aware at a quite other frequency for extra complicated sounds. Keyboard Monitoring – right here it’s once more – alters the LFO fee as you play up or down the keyboard. The closing sync choices (Keyboard and Clock) lock the LFOs to a detected bpm clock sign or helps to keep them in time as a couple of keys are performed. 

Simple now

If that every one turns out in depth and in all probability a bit of complicated, it’s the former however no longer the latter. Due to that one dial (plus Shift) consistent with operation, all of it turns into intuitive, briefly. And the central display screen actually comes into its personal – and during the e7 operation – to make the synth a pleasure to make use of. To start with, we concept it used to be extra of an afterthought, a display screen thrown right into a classically styled synth to present it some trendy sensibilities, however it’s greater than that. It’s tiny, evidently, however manages to throw you an terrible lot of data like a waveshape graphic, fee or pitch price, the extent of 5 assets modulating the frequency, or perhaps a graphic of that frequency. It imparts far more than its measurement suggests and is a smart design in a tiny house. 

Now not simplest is the display screen bodily central in e7, it’s central to all the clean operation. Whenever you get your head round the truth that there’s actually just one layer of menus to dive into, you take into account that e7 could be very a lot a WYSIWYG synth – the most productive kind, then. And prefer the most productive synths, it provides lots to do, however really easy routes in which to do it, so whilst the modulation is beneficiant, e7 will inspire you to get in there and create some superb sounds alongside the way in which. Despite the fact that anyone has performed that for you…

The handbook suggests simply 56 presets are to be had with a just right 512 overall places wherein to retailer extra, however we’ve two banks of 56 and 64 respectively in our take a look at system. Preliminary worries that this e7 is ready pads simplest, or simply focussing on a ’70s and ’80s vibe are quickly pushed aside. There are many dreamy pads, with numerous motion because the keyboard monitoring comes into its personal as you play, however there’s a just right cross-section of different presets to stretch the analogue engine, thru organs, basses (together with 303-style), a number of dance leads and extra recent synth wave and pa basses and leads. With all of the ones places spare, regardless that, e7 is encouraging programming, and with the direct controls and abundant, quick modulation, you’ll be doing simply that. 

Multitimbral mode

Coming into e7’s multi-mode allows you to play as much as 4 other sounds (portions) without delay. You’re successfully sharing the seven notes of polyphony at your disposal between those, so it’s no longer such as you’re multiplying the synth through 4. However you’ll be able to get fascinating setups like a break up keyboard with one sound on the backside, any other on the best; or mixtures of very other sounds; and even other sounds triggering on other MIDI channels. There aren’t many presets on display to demo this – a paltry 8 – so it’s left to you to experiment. It is a little hit-and-miss as you’re all at once required to step thru a couple of menus to arrange key levels, MIDI channels, replica presets to portions, and so forth. 

It’s cleverly applied, given the display screen measurement and complexity of your movements, but in addition taking you out of the very comfy zone you’ve been in in other places with e7’s one-control-per-function operation. Then again, it’s a pleasant addition, particularly for acting, regardless that we’re no longer certain we’d have e7 arrange and induced through other MIDI channels in an old-school virtual sound module manner as its seven voices will briefly be stretched.

The associated fee is true?

e7 is a superb-sounding analogue synth with some pretty extras and a willing worth that set it neatly except for – and above – different analogue polysynths. The multitimbral mode is only one additional function that is helping it carve a relatively distinctive trail, however actually it’s the sound, operation and execution that experience us maximum excited. The modulation options don’t seem to be as in depth as on some analogue polys however the necessary factor is that they’re proper there in entrance of you, tough that you simply use them to create much more sounds than the various on be offering. And that you’re going to, as a result of this is among the maximum inviting and intuitive synths in the market.

e7 isn’t with out barriers regardless that. We’d have beloved some extras which might don’t have any doubt impacted the fee – higher results could be just right – however it’s that worth and the sonic personality that still make e7 such a stupendous proposition. 

However speaking of the fee, that is the place it would get difficult. At $1600, e7 is a scouse borrow and we’d don’t have any hesitation recommending it. Get it now… if you’ll be able to. The issue is that as it’s made in Argentina, you are going to most definitely have so as to add import accountability (until you reside in Argentina, clearly) and this will also be up to an eye-watering 22%!

On this case you may well be purchasing out of your native distributor so that you don’t get hit with any sudden prices, so in the United Kingdom, for instance, you need to purchase direct from KMR or Juno Information which nudges the fee as much as £1600. Even at this worth regardless that, you’d be arduous pressed to seek out anything else with this sonic personality and versatility even for this greater outlay. How a lot are the ones flights to Argentina once more? 

MusicRadar verdict: Nice analogue polysynth with vintage options and its personal character. Beautiful additions and clean operation put it on the best of its vary.

GS Song e7: Fingers-on demos

GS Song

Matt Johnson Jamiroquai

Miles Away

GS Song e7: Specs

• KEY FEATURES: 7-part polyphonic analogue synth, 4-part multitimbral; 2 oscillators (3 waveshapes plus pulse width), 24dB/Oct Low-pass filter out, 3 LFOs, 2 envelopes; lengthen and refrain results; 640 preset areas (512 unmarried + 128 multitimbral). 
• CONNECTIONS: MIDI in/out/through, 2 audio out plus headphone (6.3mm), audio in (6.3mm), CV inputs (pitch, cutoff, amp acquire), USB, PSU.
• DIMENSIONS: 520 x 190 x 108mm. 
• WEIGHT: 4.5kg.
• CONTACT: GS Song