SuperKar+ Synthesis

Strymon’s new SuperKar+ is a Eurorack voice module that uses Karplus-Strong synthesis to create the sound of plucked or bowed strings, struck or blown pipes or tubes, or a suite of other sounds from percussive textures to legato melodies and chords with smart harmonies. This is Karplus-Strong synthesis at its most intuitive and captivating.

Karplus-Strong is a form of delay feedback synthesis, where every tone and texture is constantly in a state of varying tension. SuperKar+ is an engagingly responsive instrument, as tiny changes in attack/decay time and damping create an infinite variety of subtle or dramatic timbral shifts, and variable random per-note detuning can create lifelike realism.

With an interface that can be understood at a glance, the sheer amount of music you can create with a single SuperKar+ module borders on mind-blowing. It draws you in, allowing you to generate full-sounding arrangements with as much musical and timbral variation as you can imagine via CV connections. Powerful enough to be the centre of endless sonic exploration, SuperKar+ delivers all of this in a compact 12HP form factor.

The nature of Karplus-Strong synthesis means that you won’t need to dedicate VCAs or amplifier envelopes to SuperKar+. Independent attack, decay and damping are included for both the Solo and Chord voices, and the module also includes an internal mixer with independent output levels for both voices, as well as multiple stereo and mono audio output modes.

SuperKar+ is divided into two halves or voices: a Solo Voice and a Chord Voice, both of which can be played simultaneously and independently of each other if desired. Both voices can be triggered and pitched independently via control voltage, while the Solo Voice can also be controlled polyphonically via MIDI.

Independent timbre selections are available for both voices, and each voice has its own independent level control and can be routed through a separate audio output if desired.

Audio and video demos can be found here.