Superbooth 25: Adamsynths Warthog is a new modular Eurorack Synthesizer with total recall capabilities and DAW integration.
In 2023, I reported on the new Hungarian company Adamsynths (AS Synthesizers) and its Primus modules. They stand out with a unique soft-wired concept. Behind closed doors, however, the developers were working on another, larger, more exciting project. The result is innovative and ready to showcase at Superbooth 25.
Adamsynths Warthog is a Eurorack-compatible analog modular Synthesizer with total recall and DAW integration. Say goodbye to patch photos, notes, etc. The first hardware modular synth with presets is here.
Adamsynths Warthog
Like the Primus modules, founder Adam Miski created and designed the Warthog modules and system with its team.
According to the developers, the first idea for the Adamsynths Warthog was born in 2014, with actual design work starting in 2018. By 2021, their team was complete, and from that point on, they moved steadily toward the goal.
At first glance, it looks like an ordinary Eurorack modular Synthesizer like those we’ve known for years. But it’s no ordinary one.
Unlike traditional Eurorack synths, Warthog can save all the positions of the potentiometers, switches, modes, snapshots, hidden parameters, and patch cables. A dream come true for many modular synth users: You can finally save patches forever.
Hybrid Concept
The unique, hybrid module design makes all this possible. Imagine the whole thing in two layers. The first uses analog sound generating circuits, giving you the analog sound we all love.
Each module also has an array of analog potentiometers, push buttons, and jack sockets, giving musicians the same familiar experience as traditional modular synths. But that’s not all the tweakability. The second layer, the digital part, makes many possibilities.
On one side, it adds a hidden parameter menu to the modules, which allows access to more advanced functions. On the other, it hosts the technology that unlocks this unique digital control.
The heart, however, of the Adamsynths Warthog is the Central Unit module, which bundles all the modules and performs the various tasks, including total recall of the parameters, MIDI interface, and more.
The central unit is like Big Brother in your modular system, aware of everything that happens in the instrument and takes care of the supervising and controlling tasks. This integration goes deep.
For example, you can save independent snapshots in the patches. Once you’ve done this, you can morph them into each other and create and recall real-time variations within one patch.
The developers want to take this idea one step further soon. Warthog users can share their setups, patches, and sequences. The aim is to build a community that shares patches to get it started.
Modules
With all this modern digital power, the sound remains analog. Warthog is an analog modular Synthesizer with East and West Coast-style synthesis ideas. It consists of
- three multi-wave analog oscillators with a sub-oscillator, PWM, sync, and FM
- two multimode VCF and VCA combos with built-in signal mixing
- a matrix,
- a central unit,
- a modulation tool with sync LFO,
- two dual voltage-controlled envelopes,
- a mixer,
- a unique mood wheels module for tweaking multiple parameters at the same time or even morphing snapshots.
I can delve deeper into the modules once I know more feature details about them. An important note is that the Warthog is entirely compatible with all the standard modular synthesizers. It’s not a special format. You can combine it with your existing setup.
It uses the same V/OCT standard, knows PPQN sync, or TTL level GATE, TRIG and SYNC signals. The patch cables also use the same signals as on any other Eurorack synth.
The Adamsynth Warthog system includes a newly designed case with integrated I/O: stereo outputs, headphone out, AUX send and return channels, USB, 5-pin MIDI interface, Ethernet, and two expansion ports for future additions.
The developers also say:
For the first 50 customers who purchase a Warthog we give a lifetime guaranteed free software upgrade access. But yes of course, all the firmware upgrades for all the modules will be available in the future for every customer of ours.
Adamsynths Warthog First Impression
At first glance, it seems like a very exciting, innovative concept for a modular Synthesizer that blends the best of the analog and digital worlds. The system has many advantages over a Doepfer system or something similar.
However, there are also disadvantages, including that you’re stuck in their system, and other modules won’t benefit from the clever technology. It remains to be seen how harmoniously everything is coordinated and how well it works. It will be a huge deal for the modular world if it works as promised. We’ll see the system in action at Superbooth 25.
Adamsynths Warthog price and availability are TBA.
More information here: Adamsynths
