Future Retro's Revolution synthesizer sports circular layout

While certainly not the most bizarre (nor elaborate) musical apparatus we've seen, Future Retro's intriguingly designed Revolution synthesizer still manages to stand out. Apparently, its creators firmly believe that "music is cyclic," and it's definitely practicing what it preaches on said device. The analog monophonic synthesizer is contained in a rugged aluminum chassis and is laid out in a way that makes "dividing a measure of music into equal parts" much easier -- visually, at least. 'Course, this bugger will put a $750 dent in your wallet, but it is shipping now for those simply enamored with the design.

[Via BornRich]

[electroglyph @ Feb 25th 2008 5:40AM]

For that much I could get a real synth.

[sentient.exe @ Feb 25th 2008 6:27AM]

A real synth? You obviously don't know about Future Retro then; this thing (as with all of their products) is an acid beast.

[Ray @ Feb 25th 2008 11:19AM]

Yes. If that thing is really analog but only costs $750 it must be the crappiest piece of crap that ever crapped.

[electroglyph @ Feb 26th 2008 12:55AM]

Alright, I stand corrected. This thing does kick ass. Pretty interesting synth. I assumed it was just some random fake analog with a silly design like that.

[Marc Mitchell @ Feb 25th 2008 6:30AM]

& it truly does sound as awful as it looks.. horrid.

[Will @ Feb 25th 2008 7:01AM]

Let the wookie win.

[w00t @ Feb 25th 2008 7:23AM]

It doesn't matter if music is cyclic, HID devices certainly should not be.

The controls need to be well placed and easy to find if you're going to be able to use them effectively in real time.

Those faders and buttons look really, really awkward.

[qwho @ Feb 25th 2008 8:15AM]

It looks like the fitting window in Eve-Online.

[Graham @ Feb 25th 2008 8:15AM]

So we are going to synthesize a revolution?
Viva la Revolution!

[Nick @ Feb 25th 2008 9:03AM]

This looks unusually familiar...

[James Lewin @ Feb 25th 2008 9:08AM]

The Revolution synth is about four years old. It's an evolution of the Future Retro 777 bassline synth, which itself was based on the classic Roland TB303.

It's designed by a guy named Jered Flickinger. He explains his Revolution synth design in an interview at Synthtopia from 2004.

[Matt @ Feb 25th 2008 10:27AM]

Engadget, you certainly are a little late on this one aren't you. The Revolution is several years old. And to those who are dissing it, at least listen to it before you do. It is designed to be a Roland TB-303 clone and does a fairly good job of emulating it. The Roland TB-303 is famous for all of those squelchy acid lines you hear in classic electronic music. Orbital is perhaps one of the most well known groups using the 303 with up to five in their arsenal.

[midiwall @ Feb 25th 2008 10:43AM]

As Matt and James and Sentient have said... This is VERY old news, but it's an awesome machine.

Kudos Jered!

[tb @ Feb 25th 2008 12:29PM]

almost 2 years since I have mine..a bit late maybe
and 750 is almost free for an analog that powerfull (and with a cool sequencer)