Product Description
UPDATE JAN/FEB 2024: Units are built and are shipping now!
Tom Carpenter is excited to introduce Maximus, an exciting new mega-polysynth with a design ethos truly from the dawn of analogue synths. It is more than a powerful analogue ‘workstation’ - it is also art, architecture, exquisite studio furniture.
Although we label this as a polysynth - it is so much more. We can’t think of a label to give this synth since its is so much more than that.
When you think of polysynth you think of flat synths with one set of controls that control all voices equally. By giving Maximus independent controls for every voice, you have more freedom to create unique styles of poly sounds impossible on traditional polysynths, whether they are hardware or software. You can dial up ‘traditional’ poly sounds (pads etc) or have something unimaginable different.
Because you can never dial up each voice completely identically, standard polys pads will sounds superbly vintage.
All the voice and modulation circuits are of course 100% analogue. We purposely steered away from digital, aside from of course the digital needed in MIDI and the mini-sequencers.
This synth is purely for those who want it just as it was in the 1970s - but new with parts still in production. For those who want a synth that could have been built in the 70s.
There are no gimmicks - this is pure synthesiser. A huge sound enclosed in a solid metal case wrapped in solid hardwood. 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.
Standard pad type poly sounds
Unusually Poly Sounds
Monophonic Synth Sounds
A mixture of Mono and Poly Sounds
Filmic / Epic ambience sounds
Rhythmic patterns, with a new sound on each key press.
Although Maximus can do traditional ‘pads’ it’s better suited to more unorthodox poly sounds. It excels also at unusual analogue loops and rhythms when it is played in cyclic mode. Have each voice set to a different type of sounds, and as you cycle through them you get very interesting patterns (melodic or otherwise).
Maximus does not have patch memory - just like the very first polysynths.
Every sound you create will be unique - the first of its kind ever to be produced. Your Maximus will never sound like anybody else’s. It will always be unique and yours.
VOICE - X8
2 VCO
1 Mixer
3 12dB filters
2 Full ADSR envelopes
1 16 step note/modulation loop sequencer
1 BBD style retro echo
1 Main out VCA
1 White Noise
1 Sub Osc
1 Portamento / Glide
1 VCO tune Vernier dial
Generous selection of cross modulation controls.
MASTER
1 VC LFO
1 LFO with delay
1 LFO
8 channel stereo mixer
2 Real spring reverbs
1 Master control knobs
1 Poly MIDI to CV converter
4 Key modes
2 MIDI Sync modes
1 Multiple
Generous modulation routing
MISC
Metal cabinet
Birch ply real wood
Healthy set of jack sockets for patching on all panels
OPTIONAL AS400 KEYBOARD
61 full length keys
Weighted
Velocity
Aftertouch with VCA for modulation
64 pad touch controller (can be split to 2x32)
Tom Carpenter is excited to introduce Maximus, an exciting new mega-polysynth with a design ethos truly from the dawn of analogue synths. It is more than a powerful analogue ‘workstation’ - it is also art, architecture, exquisite studio furniture.
Although we label this as a polysynth - it is so much more. We can’t think of a label to give this synth since its is so much more than that.
When you think of polysynth you think of flat synths with one set of controls that control all voices equally. By giving Maximus independent controls for every voice, you have more freedom to create unique styles of poly sounds impossible on traditional polysynths, whether they are hardware or software. You can dial up ‘traditional’ poly sounds (pads etc) or have something unimaginable different.
Because you can never dial up each voice completely identically, standard polys pads will sounds superbly vintage.
All the voice and modulation circuits are of course 100% analogue. We purposely steered away from digital, aside from of course the digital needed in MIDI and the mini-sequencers.
This synth is purely for those who want it just as it was in the 1970s - but new with parts still in production. For those who want a synth that could have been built in the 70s.
There are no gimmicks - this is pure synthesiser. A huge sound enclosed in a solid metal case wrapped in solid hardwood. 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.
Standard pad type poly sounds
Unusually Poly Sounds
Monophonic Synth Sounds
A mixture of Mono and Poly Sounds
Filmic / Epic ambience sounds
Rhythmic patterns, with a new sound on each key press.
Although Maximus can do traditional ‘pads’ it’s better suited to more unorthodox poly sounds. It excels also at unusual analogue loops and rhythms when it is played in cyclic mode. Have each voice set to a different type of sounds, and as you cycle through them you get very interesting patterns (melodic or otherwise).
Maximus does not have patch memory - just like the very first polysynths.
Every sound you create will be unique - the first of its kind ever to be produced. Your Maximus will never sound like anybody else’s. It will always be unique and yours.
VOICE - X8
2 VCO
1 Mixer
3 12dB filters
2 Full ADSR envelopes
1 16 step note/modulation loop sequencer
1 BBD style retro echo
1 Main out VCA
1 White Noise
1 Sub Osc
1 Portamento / Glide
1 VCO tune Vernier dial
Generous selection of cross modulation controls.
MASTER
1 VC LFO
1 LFO with delay
1 LFO
8 channel stereo mixer
2 Real spring reverbs
1 Master control knobs
1 Poly MIDI to CV converter
4 Key modes
2 MIDI Sync modes
1 Multiple
Generous modulation routing
MISC
Metal cabinet
Birch ply real wood
Healthy set of jack sockets for patching on all panels
OPTIONAL AS400 KEYBOARD
61 full length keys
Weighted
Velocity
Aftertouch with VCA for modulation
64 pad touch controller (can be split to 2x32)