The Manatee Synthesizer | Real time sound design and making a full track

[@FredsLab]

Many thanks to Espen for recording this beautiful demo of the Manatee! I think it demonstrates well how quick one can create his own presets and go ahead writing cool music following his inspiration. Yesterday, I released Firmware 1.05 which provides full MPE support and enhance the operating system performance so you get reliably between 14 to 16 voices of polyphony. Regarding the "VST in the box" remarks : this synthesizer runs on custom hardware powered by two classic 16-bit fixed-point DSPs, commonly used in the industry in advanced power supply designs or motor control circuitry. The audio engine is mostly coded assembly, it took me about 2 years to write, felt like I was 16 again 😄

[@TronDawg]

Love this:) that Voice around 1:40! So good. Every sound is solid. Thank you

[@TuppenceHapeny]

Had my Manatee 1 month. Love it, and it's unique in several ways. Took a while to get my head around. You can even edit the harmonics, like a Kawai K5.

[@marzacdev]

More oscillator models will come for the sub-oscillator in future updates.

[@TuppenceHapeny]

@@marzacdev Where did you find this information, or is it your wish list for the Manatee? Are you one on the developers for Fred's Lab?

[@marzacdev]

@@TuppenceHapeny I am Fred's Lab.

[@awkuser8087]

Beautiful! Really great sounds! :)

[@JohnHallberg-v4o]

Lovely sounds warm analog. Back to the 80,s😊

[@rthyhmmemory11]

Espen, those videos are the best! Love it!

[@rogerge6899]

Great demo track, thank you Espen!

[@marzacdev]

Firmware 1.06 is released, with full MPE support and enhanced performance (more voices for the same preset configuration). Cheers!!!

[@synthsamuraiproductions]

Man this synth sounds damnnn sweet.

[@FredsLab]

thank you

[@lummsmusik3219]

Manatee is an amazing machine. With the four multitimbral parts and quick accessible spectral synthesis configuration you can do great live performances. But maybe this is not a synth for beginners 🙂

[@TwinCitiesOxygen]

Manatee-hee-ers unite!

[@arakaneuman]

Or synthlovers.

[@lardosian]

Never heard 909 Techno vibes coming from Espen before!!

[@FredsLab]

We all need more of this! 😉

[@cortical1]

Very nice.

[@krudler406]

i could tell from the display that was a Rocktron under there 🔥

[@AB_RetroSynth]

That sounds great!

[@FredsLab]

Thank you ❤

[@RegebroRepairs]

Everything sounds good with a PCM70 on it. 😉This seems cool, though.

[@danm3570]

some kind of alternate universe virus maybe

[@fakshen1973]

It sounds like a higher fidelity K5.

[@timothydahlin5321]

When is the Turbo version being released?😂.

[@FredsLab]

You mean with 64 voices and a keybed? 🤭

[@oO5Dynasty]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@isc4915]

🍿

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

At first exposure, it looks (and sounds) like a hybrid of Elektron and Clavia models. That was probably not what the designers had in mind, but it’s a nice outcome. What would be great is if Sequential (Circuits) produced similar tabletop editions of Take 5 and TEO-5 (or Thomas Elroy Oberheim Five as I choose to call it) in the future.

[@FredsLab]

It was initially designed as a modern Nord Lead 2 but I lost myself along the way 🤪

[@mr-iz8cx]

​@FredsLab that's interesting. Could you expand on that for me? I've been considering a Nord. Cheers

[@System-1541]

Look out, it's a scam!!! Lol! I'm just messing with you. I think this is a good example of what a digital hardware synth can be.

[@marzacdev]

Thank you, it's 3 years intense work behind.

[@jeremydbjbjbjb]

A scammy vst-in-a-box. But Espen got it for free, so he'll make a snarkless video, right? Actually, I supported this on Kickstarter and love it.

[@gautrstafr]

my first thought when I saw this video

[@rhkavli]

As long as it sounds good and tick your boxes, who cares.

[@marzacdev]

As you know it already, Manatee is faaaar from being a VST 😅 Completely different tech.

[@jeremydbjbjbjb]

@@marzacdev yeah, I was oversimplifying because Espen apparently doesn't know the difference.

[@theshillpill6937]

Everything is a scam. The markup on clothing and textiles is astounding. Don’t get me started on baby clothes

[@jtrace-444]

🪄✨💫 🍺

[@BeepsAndBeats]

Ah I love the ol “keyboard sold separately” synths

[@FredsLab]

You can couple it with a "sound engine" sold separately controller ☺

[@larsbergen6126]

So as I own a K3r and a MW II, I don't have GAS yet.... 😜

[@exhumus]

Getting some great sounds out of this scam

[@kierenmoore3236]

It seems the Manatee gets Espen’s ‘Not-a-SCAM!’ Seal of Endorsement 🏅 What did it cost you?!

[@arakaneuman]

Just another glorified VST in a box.....

[@manfredalbrecht648]

... a very good Box!

[@FredsLab]

Completely different technology though 😉

[@arakaneuman]

@@FredsLab ok, but the sound is nothing special. I can think of dozens of newer synths that sound better.

[@arakaneuman]

@@jocee2257 Who doesnt love the end theme of Blade runner? But in that genre I think Jean Michel Jarre is the one true master.

[@SlaserX]

It's not doing anything you can't do with free Vsts. Hard pass

[@falangistavaleroso9689]

Sounds as a plug in, not of my taste.

[@synthfellow]

Sounds nice but I'm sorry to say I'm not really impressed .. my firts impression is it's got no personality. No edge .. I might be wrong since I haven't seen or heard it IRL 😜

[@TwinCitiesOxygen]

I have it it’s awesome, and it’s built like a tank. Sounds great, also fun to use.

[@synthfellow]

@@TwinCitiesOxygenI believe I need to try it before I knock it. Perhaps I was a bit quick on the trigger here.

[@marzacdev]

​@@synthfellowhave a look at the other videos on KZbin, you'll hear the machine has a personality 😉

[@synthfellow]

@@marzacdev 👍😀

[@gz625]

Hi. Can it produce modern sounds? Like blade runner/dune soundtracks as example?

[@marzacdev]

The Manatee engine is quite flexible, you can make it sound bright or dark, crystal clear or muddy and you have all the preset EQuing section to polish the result. So basically, it's up to you!