Pluto

Pluto comes along. The mini synthesizer from Modern Sounds delivers two voices, with sequencers, modulation and effects!

Pluto offers a very accessible patch environment for all who don’t want to think too much or are newly learning and therefore think all the more. Nothing works here without plugging in a cable – just like a “real” modular synthesizer. Pluto’s clean design makes that very easy though. The CV inputs have a white outline and the CV outputs have a black one. The entire upper row of pots , CV inputs and outputs is responsible for the modulations. Here we work with 5 pulse waves, which can be changed in their speed and width. There is clock division and random euclidean sequences, making the resulting rhythms very versatile.

Furthermore, there are two similar units that are responsible for controlling the two digital voices. The pink pots are for voice 1 and the blue ones for voice 2. Both voices have similar sound sources, followed by a lowpass gate-style VCA (level). The biggest difference between the two voices is in the sequencers. Both offer a 4-step sequence, with Voice 1 having touch-sensitive sensors to interact with the sequence. Voice 2 has a direction input, allowing the playback direction to be changed via gate/trigger.

The sound generation of both is digital and has three modes each. The respective Voice parameter changes the timbre of the voice. This is of course CV controllable and holds great possibilities. Both voices offer a classic and a wavetable mode in the first two settings. The classic mode sounds analog, with crossfadeable waveforms from sine, to triangle, to sawtooth. The wavetable mode has 32 sweepable wavetables and sounds smooth, organ-like to harsh and metallic. Both voices have a level CV input, which responds to the gates on the step input without a patched cable. The signals arriving here open the respective VCA, which sounds like classic LPGs (low-pass gates). These simultaneously reduce amplitude and harmonics, making them sound very organic.

The third voice mode of the two differs. Voice 1 listens to the audio input and Voice 2 offers a percussion mode. Voice 1 then also has an envelope follower, which works particularly well with drum machines.

In conjunction with the sequencer and sensors, Voice 1 has gate outputs, which allow for exciting interactions with Voice 2’s modulation inputs. Both sequencers can be trimmed to scales by the quantizer (gray pot), making it easy to move into “musical” zones. Lastly, both voices run through a combination of reverb and delay. Classic analog, or glitchy delay sounds to shimmering reverb tails can be dialed in here.

Additionally, Pluto has a rechargeable battery, CV outputs, sync in or out, and TRS MIDI in or out.

Pluto’s small size, portability and simplicity make it accessible and fun. Whether for beginners or experienced synthesizer collectors, Pluto is a ton of fun to play.

Features:

• Portable 2-voice synthesizer
• Patchable
• 2 sequencers
• Digital sound generation, with 4 modes and external audio input
• Digital delay and reverb
• 5 pulse waves with clock division and Euclidean sequences
• Small touch keyboard
• Quantizer
• MIDI input or output
• Sync input or output
• Rechargeable battery
• Input for external audio signals
• Includes USB cable and 5 patch cables