SynthPlex 22: Shear Relic OB Inspired Poly Is Back!

FYI - No Audio for this one sadly - not ready.....
Some time back, we spoke to a young guy: Jacob Brashears (still in college) who was working on an Oberheim inspired analogue poly synth. At the time it was very inspiring and great to see some talent coming up. Then it went quiet. I mean a lot has happened since then right?
Jacob has finished school, now is working on bringing his vision to life. It's also acquired another couple of voices, so probably should be called the Relic 8 now..
Jacob has a pre-production prototype form and it's a lovely looking thing with a lot of really neat (and expensive looking) UI ideas.
Sadly we can't listen to it yet, as the semiconductor shortages have meant that they haven't been able to get it quite ready. The hardware is pretty much done, it's just now the software and auto calibration - which as we know is a non-trivial job in itself.
It's clear that he has been living and breathing this instrument for years and has really immersed himself in it's production. We really hope he can bring it to fruition in the planned timeframe which is going to be March 2023 for a limited production run. With more to come.
The shearelectronics.com website needs updating, but you can still email them if you are interested in this machine at relic at shearelectronics.com.

Thanks to gpu.audio/sonicstate
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[@gesslr]

I’m really pulling for this kid to succeed. His enthusiasm and perseverance are outstanding!

[@mcstando]

yeah, and his parents pockets are very deep lol

[@fburton8]

Okay, now we need a musical demo.

[@jasonb2089]

Very impressed by this young man and his vision. A unique interface that also appears to be logical and well thought out. Will be following the develop and can't wait to hear some audio!

[@PaulvanEgmond]

This is wild! I do hope Jacob Brashears will bring this concept to fruition without burning out. His enthusiasm is inspiring and he clearly has a lot of love for both the synthesizer tech and the associated lore.

[@adrianmccombe625]

I'd buy this just due to the creators enthusiasm. I really hope it works out for them. Best video I've seen for a new synth.

[@rfmusic804]

Right on Jacob. Wishing you all the success that you deserve!!

[@Pacman1ac]

That interface looks like it's taken from an 80s sci-fi movie...right down to the fonts! Beautiful thing.

[@billybartcody3591]

Tarantino's love child turned synth designer. This thing is absolutely wild, I really hope the sound lives up to that epic interface.

[@leetronix]

LoL

[@asynchronicity]

This seems literally true now that you mention it

[@LaymensLament]

Yeah this kids amazing

[@Maschinestorm]

Tarantino meets.. Ben Shapiro. change my mind.

[@JanPBtest]

Find the old NAMM videos which demo the previous version. Sounded great.

[@jordan_gentry]

This thing looks absurd but so freaking cool. Love it. Has Retrofuturistic vibes to me.

[@therosskonian2579]

Thank you for the video, happy to see this guy again. Love his enthusiasm and ideas. Can't wait to see more of his stuff out in the real world someday.

[@hayeye]

I wish this guy a lot of luck because he has great enthusiasm for what he makes.

[@WindsmuseStudio]

I love this guys passion, and deep in the OB rabbit hole.

[@TheDavidPoole]

That's a beautiful Beast of a synth. I really hope he does well, however I seriously doubt I'd be able to afford this beauty from the look of it. Truly gorgeous.

[@ben1210]

This is the apex of synthworld, one person's esoteric passion expressed without compromise. Couldn't love it more ❤️

[@SwanAudio]

Yes Jacob! Glad to see you again with this project...

[@willdatsun]

love the design and the chunky computer style buttons

[@Wagoo]

Superb to see Jacob back with the Relic :D

[@SPAZZOID100]

The form factor is totally it’s own thing, which is very cool. It would not be an Oberheim experience because of this. Great layout, but would have been great to hear it.

[@nonchai]

Finally someone with a new modern vision for user interfaces. original thinking coupled with a clear love for Oberheim and analogue sound ( although I'm a sim dude ). This persons "SHEAR" enthusiasm is to be lauded. Please cover this in depth on the podcast! this vid is a breath of fresh air. The only thing I'd add is the such a panel might just as well be used with a good ( GFORCE?) plugin behind it. Controllerism FTW!

[@tommyg5095]

I personally love that his dream is coming to fruition. The concept is beautifully a piece of functional art. BEAUTIFUL AND BRILLIANT. I can't wait to hear this.

[@MXVDJ]

This thing looks so wild, and this guy has all the enthusiasm I want from my synth builders. It's a yes from me. Cant wait to hear this thing!

[@aqueous5099]

Look at the description to get the tldr, but this is a real fascinating concept. With the amount of care and thought put out into this, I’m glad it’s as original as it is inspired by Oberheim. I’m really interested in the future of this project, because you can tell the amount of passion the designer has for it. Best of luck Jacob. If nothing else, your ambition and vision should motivate us all,

[@tobywalsh3266]

Epic! What an inspiring person and a truly original approach to some of the most classic sounds.

[@Pacman1ac]

Man that kid never ceases to amaze me. Also, I want all of my gear to look like this!

[@tommyg5095]

Not just like this for looks sake, but the fact this is knob per functionality at its best. This is the best novel approach to keyboard functionality.

[@elissitdesign]

Wow what a beast. We need more innovative kids like this. What a nerd with a vision. Love it!

[@lyndseybrashears6803]

such an amazing product. so excited.

[@EMarSounds]

Looks like a sweet system, look forward to hearing its creativity.

[@tihinter]

I love the looks! can’t wait to hear it! I’m in love with this synth!

[@erikribeiro5772]

Like the design or not, I'm glad to see the kid back! I think it looks amazing, though user control over the color scheme would be nice. It would have been nice to hear, but for me it's really cool to see this young designer develop and learn. It seems like an interesting cross between an OB-X and an Xpander. I can't wait to hear it and again hope that he gets these into production. I can't imagine they will be cheap, but hopefully he's also learning how to make them cheaper through design and layout while not compromising the sound.

[@DurararaX2]

Synthplex 2022 rocked! Definitely attending next year!

[@pablobotelho9477]

happy to know that it goes up to eleven!

[@Creepysuitguy]

I love the passion here.

[@squeakyproductions]

Love this man! That's a machine and a half!!

[@NostalgicRuckus]

I think that speaker back there is an old Polk Audio M7 Series Monitor. My Dad had a pair of those. I just remember him blasting Steely Dan and The Ozark Mountain Daredevils through them. Dude was a hippy. Miss him.

[@Maschinestorm]

This kid gives me hope for future of music tech. I like the chonkiness of this device and the delivery of the presentation / cut of his jib. It has a quite utilitarian aesthetic, something from perhaps Aliens movie in the heli or gunhed.

[@UniQueWerkx]

That is really impressive! Hope it makes it to production!

[@davidgcrawford6695]

Beautiful. Someone is taking up the mantle of Roger Linn, Dave Smith, Craig Anderston and the other innovation legends.

[@badoedipus2551]

Man, Jacob is the guy to watch!

[@uirehuigedkahds]

I remember seeing this kid back in the day. It's amazing to see what he's accomplished, truly impressive. I really hope this project does well and I have high hopes for his future endeavors.

[@jazzcat007]

Incredible interface! Would love to see this come to market!

[@leetronix]

Will follow this with interest and see where it goes.

[@RayR]

I looks absolutely fantastic. I love the interface design and concept. We need to hear it though.

[@sunilsolanki]

This guy is so amazing!

[@annother3350]

Cocaines a helluva drug

[@RoguePotatoes]

the voice is THE voice

[@sonicstate]

@@annother3350 Sure is but its not at play here, Jacob is a one off and very enthusiastic about his machine (quite rightly)

[@CrusaderGeneral]

@@annother3350 or just not taking his Thorazine is enough..

[@annother3350]

@@sonicstate I take it all back

[@1980VINZ]

I love this guy, he’s a genius. And what about his GORGEOUS creation……… I want it. Period I trust him 1000%.

[@Siete7Black]

Glad to see this guy again with the Relic. Good luck!

[@adammann9371]

First few minutes of watching this and I haven't even finished what a well thought out synth very smart guy

[@instantnoodle80]

Agree it’s disappointing not to hear it but if you check out the videos of the relic 6 - it sounds insane. Things price is gonna be in orbit though I reckon

[@gladlawson61]

I hope it lives up to the hype. It is impressive as is

[@nagchumpalot]

Ok sure looks great he's very enthusiastic and obviously studied his selling techniques but we just need to use our ears and get a proper listen before salivating to much.. I do hope it sounds fantastic! and if it does I wish him great success.

[@Wagoo]

you can listen to the old Relic-6 prototype in the meantime, I doubt it sounds any worse now - it's basically an OB-X under the hood

[@nagchumpalot]

@@Wagoo ok thanks I will.

[@acoustic61]

I like mini bars!

[@chrismurphy9750]

love it and love the passion!

[@djjuno106]

Looks brilliant

[@keppj0nes]

Glad to see him back. I think he was in school continuing his education! Support him when you can.

[@JalexWROK]

Cool man and very impressive interface. Thnx!

[@merlinoner]

Looks like a SciFi movie of the eighties.

[@kvmoore1]

This is a beautiful synth with a very nice interface. However, I don't think I will be able to afford this at $6500. Honestly if this was available right now and I could afford it, I would definitely buy it. I thought about selling a TR808 to buy an OB-X8. Perhaps this would be a nice alternative, although it will cost a little more...okay...a LOT more. I'd just have to save a little more to afford it. With that said, I'm really impressed with this young guy, his vast knowledge, and his passion for building synthesizers. He truly is amazing and took rhe concept of a classic Oberheim synthesizer and made it highly advanced and innovative by designing it with a modern interface and implementing advanced features. Hopefully, I will actually be able to hear what it sounds like someday. I hope this synth becomes a very successful product once it is finally released and starts to ship. BTW, I remember this guy several years ago when he was really young and unveiled a similar prototype synth and always wondered what happened to him and the synth he developed. I was very proud of him and now I'm so glad to see him back again with again with something even bigger!!!

[@chandeleerjet5637]

Looks cool. One of the coolest interfaces I e seen in an instrument.

[@tB3o3tR9o9]

sounds great^^

[@mynameistechno]

One of the best presenters i ever encountered

[@jacobbrashears]

thank you

[@Cyberpunk9000]

To repeat and expand on someone else’s comment - I truly hope this guy can scale his company. His enthusiasm reminds me of a young Dave Smith. I would buy this synth in a heartbeat. We have found a new synth messiah! If he doesn’t get an opportunity to run his business, sequential should hire him quick sharp

[@Riktenstein]

It would have great to hear it.

[@rrrobart9]

I love the look and the interface functionality. I want it just based on how it looks. Still waiting to hear it…

[@robertsyrett1992]

What a fun interface!

[@cyb3rk3v]

Just had a listen to his earlier 6 voice version and if it sounds as good as that, this is going to be a very unique instrument for people that can afford it. I don’t see how this won’t retail for $8k or more and tbh I’d probably take this over Moog One based on his enthusiasm and apparent knowledge alone.

[@stevenSouthpole562]

He a winner for those nervously delivered superlatives. 😃

[@Zinfidel1]

Oh I remember this. Almost looks like some type of video mixer but that's a good thing. Probably fun to interact with. Aesthetically, it stands out. Musically? TBD.

[@derekfernandez7701]

I love the interface so much! Beautiful design! (the light reminds me of Kit from Knight Rider)

[@WAGSU2BE]

Looks cool

[@seeyouintheeighties]

I love it and it’s big

[@troublesomecorsair]

WHAT?! He's back!

[@fburton8]

Logarithmic scale... w00t! 😍

[@thedonal]

Looks like the bridge of the original Battlestar Galactica! Fitting for a synth of that era. This looks insanely boutique and expensive to realise. I hope he's really successful with it, but feel that it might only have very niche appeal. I do like the idea of taking a classic sound and putting it in a different interface and also something that is very stylised. More synths should look like sci-fi movie props.

[@HiLoMusic]

Play the damn thing

[@fiddlestickzmuzik]

DAMN... that is something else.. love his enthusiasm.

[@Judasz696]

Does it have patches?

[@SabcatPrinting]

“I think 4 envelopes is more than anybody needs..” reminds me of Bill Gates 640k quote. But hats off to this guy.. he seems to be a pioneer. I hope I’m around in twenty years to see what he’s making.

[@danieldemayo6209]

I was playing cyber punk a few weeks ago and made sure to look at the synths in some of the clubs. This almost looks like one lol

[@sCealt]

legend

[@javiceres]

Sweet!

[@rekindle]

I hope this sells enough so this company can keep going and design more synths.... it looks awesome - it should be chrome though, wasn't the earlier version of it chrome?

[@en5001]

I HAVE a question why did you not play the damn instrument!!!

[@saftpackerl]

Great design. I want an Xpander. And I want this, if it sounds good. The Encoders seem to be very sturdy and responsive, but maybe a tad too big? He keeps accidentally touching the neighbouring encoders and pulling their readout up.

[@HatredPrime]

I would take this over oberheim, this is more interesting synth.

[@automationtraveler]

Best of luck

[@brittscott4673]

Let's hear it and let the sound speak for itself.

[@kevinsturges6957]

I want to hear it!

[@jaywood5831]

It physically reminds me of the oberheim expander. Maybe that could be the next synth on the cards

[@sauce_aux]

He’s back!!!!!!!

[@MisticDW]

Menu diving should have been left behind in the 90's

[@asynchronicity]

Awesome, Jacob! Is there any way to implement a round robin mode where each voice can be a distinct patch and they are rotated through with each key press?

[@jacobbrashears]

Sure. It would fill up 8 addresses in patch memory, say 700-707. You could do it with bitimbral layering as well. Lower layer would use 700A-703A, Upper layer would use 704B-707B. Any ideas for a name we could give for this mode?

[@asynchronicity]

@@jacobbrashears “Round robin” is the most common term for this. I’ve seen terms like “alternate assign” (old Yamaha FM synths like TX-802 and TX-81Z) and “wave cycle” (Yamaha Motif). Thanks so much for considering this feature and best of luck with all of your projects!

[@asynchronicity]

Also- I think the OB Xpander had a sort of round robin mode called “rotate”….?

[@jacobbrashears]

Okay but I'm always confused by the term "round robin". Since it always rotates thru the voices, whenever you're in polyphonic mode (i.e. not monophonic). So the difference is really "octotimbral vs bitimbral." We already have a "ones" register to instantly jump between 8 consecutive programs. We could call it "octopatch" mode (OPM). Or "octopus" mode (OPM), hahaha. I think I like "octopus mode" more.

[@asynchronicity]

@@jacobbrashears Yeah, the behavior of the OB Eight Voice is what I’m talking about, where each voice cycles sequentially and each can be programmed completely uniquely if desired. For example if you keep hitting the note C3, with each press it will trigger each voice in succession, making for beautifully kaleidoscopic textures if each voice is programmed differently, tuned to a different pitch or octave, etc

[@GayorgVonTrapp]

Does it make a sound?

[@GMan269]

Very interesting product, it looks vaguely like the Matrix. This young man certainly has gone most all the way down the rabbit hole in design, with careful consideration to components. I can't understand the marketing strategy and substantial expenditure of bringing an incomplete design that makes no audible sound to Synthplex, NAMM, whatever. There's no ROI. Until it makes sound and is in production so that an attendee can go out and order one, it's just vaporware. And those of us who have been around for a few years, have seen a lot of products vaporize. I hope he has some good angel financial backing, VC, whatever. I'd like to see the product when it's ready and know the MSRP. Production costs area moving target and he clearly doesn't know what he needs to charge for it. And I'd like to hear what all these mod sources sound like.

[@GizzyDillespee]

4:02 yes let's talk about the mini-bar. From where does it dispense the 🍸?

[@jacobbrashears]

For those who can't find the website: it's shearelectronics.com. If you're interested, follow us at instagram.com/shearelectronics!

[@spherical5815]

He's definitely selling it!

[@6195ryan]

Thing looks awesome, I hope they would consider a keyboard version. Of course we have to hear it first.

[@dooda1193]

wow no sound so keen

[@christdolphin69]

this guy rules

[@JunkSoap]

Looks great ! Can't wait to hear what it's capable of... Any idea of how much it's gonna cost ?

[@Wagoo]

Probably $6500+ given the price of components right now - it's mentioned in the video near the end

[@zenigame0123]

👍👍👍