Fred's Lab Manatee Spectral Synthesizer First Look (Production Unit) | SynthFest France 2024

At SynthFest France 2024, Frederic from Fred's Lab showcased the production unit of its new Manatee spectral Synthesizer. Manatee is about to be released.
The hardware is ready to go, only the last software bugs and the factory sounds still need to be finished. Shipping starts in a few weeks.
Fred's Lab Manatee is a 4-part 16-voice spectral Synthesizer with MPE support, 2 oscillators per voice, noise and ring modulator, a multimode filter, 2 meta envelopes, LFOs, built-in effects, and more.
Here is a first look at the production version of the Manatee spectral Synthesizer.
More information here: fredslab.net/en/manatee-modul...
INDEX:
00:00 Intro
00:26 Looking back at Superbooth 22
01:08 What's New Since Superbooth 22
02:45 Sound
04:57 Features
11:03 Sound
13:35 Hardware Look
14:57 Availability
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[@synthanatomy]

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[@lummsmusik3219]

What a beauty…. and what a beast in sound! Looks like great fun to play with. Can’t wait to receive my Manatee!! Thanks so much to Tom for this interview and show.

[@goldenmiamiau]

I respect and admire Fred a lot. A true Luthier. I proudly own several of his machines.

[@lummsmusik3219]

I also own the Buzzzy and the Töörö. All of them are multi timbral as well as the Manatee. Great unique machines.

[@marzacdev]

Thanks a lot ❤

[@ElectronisoundsAudio]

Looking forward to exploring this one! 👍👍

[@3tree]

Sounds terrific, best of luck with it!

[@berkut6313]

Go, Fred, Go for it !

[@LudOverdrive]

Pre-ordered after synthfest, can't wait to receive it, amazing sounds

[@synthanatomy]

great to hear :)

[@synthsamuraiproductions]

Awesome coverage of this event!! Thanks

[@synthanatomy]

thanks :)

[@jumpingman8160]

I totally forgot about this one.

[@synthsamuraiproductions]

@@jumpingman8160 sounds awesome whats price?

[@marzacdev]

​@@synthsamuraiproductionsabout 650€ in pre-order at the moment.

[@jumpingman8160]

​@@synthsamuraiproductions800 if I'm not mistaken

[@zap7759]

This is the best "style" of polysynth and it sounds great too, if I didn't have Nord Lead 4 this would be a priority. That spectrum comb thing or whatever towards the end is awesome.

[@roseutterback5755]

Fred’s lab is cool af I really like all there boxes everything they make has the vibe

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

Love what Fred is coming out with on new hardware synths in his Bonn lab!

[@marzacdev]

I also enjoy going out of the lab, once in a while 😅

[@codey1391]

I'm most impressed by Fred's live octave switching on the keystep

[@lummsmusik3219]

Yeah! Frédéric seems to be an exceptional cool live performer. I also heard he plays in a Jazz band. But not sure. I really would visit a concert with him live playing.

[@tehnik333]

what an amazing instrument, well done

[@Wagoo]

It's sounding great! Looking forward to my unit arriving

[@synthanatomy]

Hey Wagoo :) thanks for your input :)

[@Wagoo]

Thanks for the super coverage from Synthfest France, mate! :)

[@Keysounds0]

I want you to see me Fred, im here!

[@NOLNV1]

His machines always kill and I feel like this demo didn't fully do it justice, I followed it closely and I know it sounds fantastic! Hope more demos are to come

[@marzacdev]

Thanks for this. Highly appreciate 🙏

[@paulmint1775]

cool little box that is

[@marzacdev]

Thanks 😊

[@drbbenz]

Fantastic work Frederic!!! I can't wait to receive mine!!! I have to say I am used to old school screens so that's not an issue for me at all. I don't see the need of having a higher res oled one for a better functionality or making better sounds. As Frederic mentions on the demo at Fred's Lab KZbin channel, there might be the chance to replace it with an oled one if the owner wants it so in the future. I like very much to support small synth companies or one man companies in this case. It takes a lot of effort to produce projects like this. Congratulations Frederic!!! @marzacdev

[@kinnectar820]

LFO sequences is pretty cool, gets close to a VST "Function" type of modulator which I have always thought should be in more hardware synths. I think this synth is going to suffer from the low res screen, it would have been worth extra money to use a high res OLED for cleaner graphs, and better ability to visualize and control this complex functionality without having to jump between screens.

[@marzacdev]

The jumping can be annoying but this happens with machines not having one knob per function or multiple screens.

[@neuzethmusic131]

Nice synth! Really like that late 90s look as well. But I bought way too much gear in the last months...

[@lummsmusik3219]

It’s only a little tiny super unique powerful synth. Come one, why not?

[@Waldemar_la_Tendresse]

This unit, a Meris Mercury X and a silent planet for me, please.

[@christdolphin69]

much better interface

[@marzacdev]

compared to the first prototype?

[@ATTEXP]

want! but needs black OLED screen

[@luisbarrera5740]

Agreed

[@wphanoo]

Oled suxxx

[@LudOverdrive]

Check Freds 2h video, he did choose lcd display for easier replacement and because of oled burning issue

[@marzacdev]

​@@LudOverdrivethis and Manatee does not rely on much screen use thanks to controls layout.

[@659J]

very nice fred

[@michaeltwiz8477]

Is it multimbral

[@marzacdev]

4 parts & 16 voices max. So yes!!!

[@zoned7609]

Price?

[@synthanatomy]

retail 799€, but you can pre-order it on his website for 580.38€ + VAT

[@blakecasimir]

Fascinating sound to this one, and the presets + multis system works similar to how Novation did it on the Novas and KSs, i.e. the correct way. :D No USB is a good thing imho. No risk of noise.

[@marzacdev]

thanks a lot for the positive feedback! 😊

[@doordedeur]

Süüns anatomy... 😁

[@jonnyhead]

Looks nice but seriously this screen? Looks like the Waldorf from 17 years ago. I love synths but wonder if there are so many hardware synths around these days it's too much. No wonder we all have GAS.

[@warp9988]

I guess with boutique makers and the build quantities they are doing, they can't afford the additional engineering effort for a fancy display. Something more like a Korg Wavestate screen would have been nice.

[@marzacdev]

​@@warp9988this is correct!

[@voreshbo7031]

Looks expensive

[@marzacdev]

... but it isn't actually 😌