From Germany, the home of Techno, comes a synth module with more wobbly noises than you can shake a stick at! Rob Green takes a rollercoaster ride down the digital corridors of the Quasimidi Quasar...

OK so it's another 16-part multitimbral synth module. Or is it? A repertoire of 1000 on-board sounds and drumkits is getting to be pretty standard. The difference is, these ones haven't been bought off the shelf.

Because lurking within the circuitry of Quasimidi's new Quasar synth is a secret weapon. Codenamed M.A.S.S., or Multi-Algorithm-Sound-Synthesis, its mission is to simulate vintage analogue technology without the aid of an oscillator.

M.A.S.S. incorporates many of the different synthesis techniques from the last decade or more, including Pulse Code Modulation, Frequency Modulation and Additive Synthesis. Basically, when one of the 1000 samples is selected from the bank, it's automatically processed via these functions giving some of the strangest, most imaginative effects I have ever heard coming out of a mere box. Not all the parameters are changeable, but if they were, the Quasar would be almost impossible to work with.

Like other synth modules, it has 16 parts, the 10th being the drum-part, and all can be used simultaneously. There's 64 note polyphony and the Quasar is also GM compatible.

Aside from this, the Quasar offers 2 independent digital effects processors, and a diverse range of treatments from panning to modulation effects such as vocoder. They can all can be easily edited on the 2 x 40-character display. Another interesting addition is the arpeggiator, which, when you hold down chords, plays a sequence of each single note either randomly, or with a choice of up or down scales. The arpeggiator has parameters similar to a gate, and can give sounds a percussive dimension.

Aesthetics

At first glance the Quasar looks modern, user-friendly, and exciting. The facade is tough and seems durable, but I found the knobs and controls a little plasticky. It's nice to finally see a product of this kind with a name, rather than a load of numbers. It gives the machine an identity which is in keeping with its innovative features.

The backpanel reveals that the Quasar has six outputs (always nice to see) and the 16 parts can be assigned to the four separate outs, or just spread across the stereo outs.

Another commendable feature is the clearly-visible character display screen. Although not incredibly large, its lettering is large and bold, and is infinitely better than the bog-standard LCDs of many other modules.

On the whole, the buttons were straight-forward and easy to use. Most of the Quasar's numerous functions are accessible from single buttons, which is preferable to the convoluted parameter-access systems in use by certain manufacturers. Call me lazy, but I would rather tap 1 or 2 buttons, than flip through endless abbreviated function titles on a dodgy little display screen.

Different sounds can be selected immediately via the numbered buttons on the left hand side of the front panel, by simply keying in the number of the sound you want. Alternatively, you can use the up and down number selectors - in case you want to flick through individual sounds in one group - and a bank select button, which you hold down to key in the bank you want (1 to 5).

Building blocks

"An almost unlimited amount of techno sounds can be created inside the Quasar, but you don't have to be Robocop to edit them!"

The sounds that particularly stand out are those with velocity frequency controls, that is, the harder you press the keys on the mother keyboard, the more 'wah' (or other effect) you get. This can be easily controlled on a sequencer to great effect, almost as if you were tweaking an SH 101 or TB 303.
The Quasar boasts an impressive array of single sounds (more than 1000). On top of the normal sounds you would expect from a Roland or equivalent sound module, there are many more weird analogue sounds. There are some you'll undoubtedly recognise from old rave tracks, plus all the vocal stabs like "Ohh" and the unforgettable, "Yeah", now sounding a bit tired (a bit 2 Unlimited actually!). But overall it's a good, balanced and modern selection.
Indeed, the Quasar can produce these time-tested bass sounds but is equally as impressive on smooth, ambient-sounding poly pads and sweeps that could send even the hardest of spirits off on a transcendental journey...

It also has a comprehensive range of drum sounds including standard set, jazz set, brush set, orchestra, vocal set, TR909, house, analogue and rock set. All of these can be changed via the drum edit button using level, pitch, pan, FX1 level and FX2 level.

As well as the 1000 single sounds, there are 200 performance layer sounds in ROM and 100 editable ones in RAM. Performance layer sounds consist of a combination of anything up to 4 of the above-mentioned single sounds, which can be altered by 4 knobs situated underneath the character display. With this, the effects and the arpeggiator, the noises available are only limited by your imagination (as the manufacturers so often tell us).

As well as the wide range of sounds available inside the unit, optional ROM and RAM boards are now on sale, providing up to 256 new single sounds and 100 new performance layer sounds.

The Quasar we've been testing has the extra ROM board fitted and, I have to say that it does a hell of a lot to enhance the machine's sound capabilities, 'though even without it the Quasar is timbrally very impressive.

Editing

An almost unlimited amount of techno sounds can be created inside the Quasar, but, as I discovered, you don't have to be Robocop to edit them.

The editing section is really quite self-explanatory. Drum sounds can be changed by pressing - yes, you guessed it - the 'drums' button. When activated, the drum editing parameters will show up on the display screen, which is very clear and easy-to-read. To move through the editing pages, you simply turn the big dial, while parameters are altered by turning one of the 4 knobs underneath the display. These are situated right next to their assigned parameters on the screen.

The 2 effects processors, FX1 and FX2, can be changed in exactly the same way. The task of FX1 is room simulation, reverb and delay and it has 22 different effect types. FX2 mainly covers modulation effects and has 29 types including chorus, phasers, rotaries, panning, delays, wah-wah, distortion and vocoder.

"When you consider the not inconsiderable cost of buying a 'classic' analogue synth plus a TR808, the Quasar represents incredibly good value-for-money."

The 'comm' edit button controls system parameters like master channel, tune and chromatic transpose, MIDI mode, master velocity curve, single output assignment, and MIDI filters.

The part button can be used to edit the parameters relating to all the single sounds such as pan, envelope, tuning, volume, velocity curves and effects. Parts can easily be selected with increment/decrement buttons.
The arpeggiator edit function can alter resolution, speed (in bpm), note duration and gate-time from staccato to legato, synchronisation (internal or external), up or down, and so on.
To store any changes you have made, you can press the 'write' button which can also copy parts and contains all the MIDI-dump functions.

Verdict

The Quasar is pretty versatile for any kind of MIDI composer or band, but it's as an ambient/dub/dance sound source that it really cuts the mustard.

Of the Quasar's large and comprehensive range of sounds, the stars of the show have to be the analogue basses and pads. The bass response on these sounds is nothing less than excellent, and I certainly couldn't tell much difference (if any) between the real analogue sounds of a 303 or Jupiter 6, and those of the Quasar (watch those bass cones!).

The 'dancy' drum sounds are also a plus, with a lovely range of booming kicks, 'tinny' hi-hats and 'tight' snare drums, and all those classic analogue dance drum sounds.

When you consider the immense cost of buying an original analogue synth, plus a real 808 drum machine, the Quasar is incredibly good value-for-money. This machine is the kind of complete dance package we've been waiting a long time for. It's been thoughtfully conceived and designed, and includes many of the sounds and effects that you would expect to hear in modern, authentic House or Techno.

It can be slightly fiddly at times, but on the whole, the Quasar is an exciting, user-friendly, well balanced synth module. A great dance tool, and a must for any budding Liam Howlett!

The essentials...

Price inc VAT: £995

More from: Key Audio, (Contact Details)

Flip on this month's RE:MIX CD, and hear for yourself the unique sound of Quasimidi's Quasar synth.

The selection of sounds on our demo (remember: The Mix tests equipment on your behalf, and we don't just regurgitate the manufacturers' own demos) shows the versatility of the Quasar, and its suitability to music where sounds that are a little bit different are an important ingredient.

- Quasar demo