Analogue Solutions Colossus Quartz

What is Colossus Quartz?

Tom Carpenter is excited to introduce Colossus Quartz, an exciting new range of add-on synth expanders, part of the Colossus range.

Colossus Quartz is the Colossus Slim split into quarters. This allows you to build the whole system one quarter at a time, spreading the cost, or, to just have single sections to use as expanders along side your existing modular synthesisers.

Several benefits:

It enables you to buy one quarter at a time, so you can spread the cost eventually building up a complete Colossus System.

They can be used as expanders for Colossus.

And they can be used as expanders and used with other modular set-ups (Eurorack, 5U, etc).

Each quarter has a specific range of general features :-

AS250-VCO: This has a bank of 12 vernier VCOs, plus 2 Noise Generators, Random Voltage, Sample and Hold, Matrix Panel.

AS250-Mod: This features 4 VCAs, 4 Envelopes, 2 LFOs, LCD Dual Channel Oscilloscope (can be upgraded to single channel CRT), Touch Keyboard / Sequencer.

AS250-VCF: This has 8 Filters (4x SEM type, 4x Moog type), 8 VCAs, 2 real Spring Reverbs, 2 Ring Mods, 2 Slew Generators, Matrix Panel.

AS250-Seq: This features a 64 step analogue sequencer, 4 Moving Coil Meters, Stereo Mixer, 2 Joysticks, 2 Multiples, 2 Sub-mixers.

All systems feature a full set of 3.5mm jack sockets for patching.

All the voice and modulation circuits are of course 100% analogue. We purposely steered away from digital, it doesn’t even have MIDI or USB (there are plenty of MIDI converter boxes out there should you need that facility). There are of course digital elements to the sequencer control – that is unavoidable – even classic analogue sequencers like the ARP sequencer used digital logic chips. In fact the EMS Synthi 100 features a digital sequencer.

Colossus is large scale, featuring large knobs that control metal shaft potentiometers. VCOs have multi-turn verniers. The two enormous pin matrix panels dominate the panels – these are incredibly expensive Swiss made broadcast quality signal routers.

There are two spring reverbs, touch keyboard, step sequencer, moving coil meters, joysticks and so much more. An immense expanse of jack sockets for additional patching within or without the system.

There are no gimmicks – this is pure synthesiser. A huge sound enclosed in a solid metal case wrapped in wood. No expense has been spared to bring this incredible machine to life.

Synthesisers like this only come around once in a decade, or possibly a generation.