Melbourne Instruments made an official announcement at the 2022 NAMM Show that they will be launching a Kickstarter for a brand new synth called NINA. It is a 12-voice analog polysynth with motorized control. According to Melbourn Instruments, Nina will combine classic analog synths' tactical and sonic qualities with modern functionality, patch recall, and automation. 

In terms of features, NINA has a motorized recallable and automatable control panel using long-lasting zero wear encoders that has the feel and precision of analog pots. It also has variable shape triangle oscillators and is able to continuously morph wave-shapes between triangle and sawtooth to find new timbres. In addition, NINA has a four-pole transistor ladder VCR with modulatable resonance, massive voice-level filter overdrive, digital wavetable oscillators, and sampling capabilities. Other highlights include a deep modulation matrix, patch morphing for complex, expressive effects, stereo infinite panning effects with four-quadrant DCAs, and onboard digital effects. Last but not least, NINA has hackable open-source software control powered by Raspberry Pi 4.

NINA has no shortage of connectivity options as it delivers four assignable combo audio + CV inputs, including 1 Mic. It can also directly connect to class-compliant USB MIDI controllers or be attached as an audio device for direct automation and integration with a DAW. Also included are standard DIN MIDI In/OUT/THRU, four assignable line outputs, and a headphone output. 

For more information, check out the video below and visit the official Melbourne Instruments website (https://www.melbourneinstruments.com/). Anyone interested in a notification when the Kickstarter for NINA goes live can join the Melbourne Instruments mailing list on their website.