Due to a combination of disruptions caused by COVID and a semiconductor shortage, the synthesizer market, in particular, has been facing a lot of challenges. However, there has still been a few notable new releases, such as the Polybrute and Prophet-5 reissue, that made it onto the market this year. Also, despite increased production lead times for many components, there have been many successful synth-related Kickstarters recently. One of the most high-profile ones is, without a doubt, the Serum-inspired Eurorack Modular Wavetable Synth called The Centre, but there have been other success stories too. Check out the list below to see which projects have been getting the most attention on Kickstarter.

The Centre by 1V/Oct

Project Page: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1voct/the-centre-eurorack-modular-wavetable-synthesiser

The Centre is a hardware wavetable synthesizer in Eurorack modular format that promises to offer a physical version of the Serum VST experience. The Kickstarter launched on May 18, 2021, with a goal of $12,883, and within only sixteen minutes, it was fully backed. The Center's creator has also issued an update saying that all the components for the synth have been secured and that it won't be impacted by the component shortage that is plaguing the market.

Serum has long been the gold standard for many music producers, and while The Centre won't be a replacement for the VST, it aims to offer similar sounds in a hardware package. Since The Centre is a Wavetable Synthesizer, it can run multiple voices with complex oscillators. In addition, it will support the Wavetable file formats of Serum and Dune 2, so users will have access to thousands of presets.

Pledges range from about $310 to $928, and The Centre should be finding itself in the hands of backers by September of this year. At the time of writing this article, the Kickstarter is approaching $60, 000 from more than 100 backers, and there's still a few weeks left to go.

Anyma Phi

Project Page: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/aodyo-anyma-phi/anyma-phi-physical-modeling-synthesizer-by-aodyo/

The Anyma Phi is a physical modeling synthesizer by Aodyo. The Kickstarter launched in November of last year with a goal of €35,000 goal that was reached in less than three days. The Kickstarter eventually closed with a total of €67,650, thanks to almost 200 backers. Backers also unlocked the stretch goals of a built-in percussive playing surface for the Anyma Phi and a free patch librarian / advanced editor as well as extended memory.

Aodyo described the Anyma Phi as an affordable hybrid monophonic synthesizer that blends the classic ingredients of electronic music with physical modeling technology. This allows it to simulate acoustic sound sources in addition to resonating structures. It was designed to be compact, compatible with any MIDI controller, and can be used as a stand-alone effects processor. It offers up to three oscillators, up to five effects, and up to eight modulators. By March of 2021, the Aodyo moved on to the testing phase for the Anyma Phi as well as production. They did experience issues with acquiring a component, which pushed back shipping estimates to June of 2021.

Töörö

Project Page: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/tooro/tooro-hybrid-polyphonic-supersynth

Töörö is a 6-voice, 4-part synthesizer with 12bit oscillators, analog filters, and a digital multi-fx. The Kickstarter project launched in late October of 2020 and enjoyed a very positive reception. By November, the project was funded successfully with 120 backers pledging €42,499. By January of 2021, the printed circuit board assemblies were in production, and backers began receiving their synths by early May.

Töörö was designed to pack incredible synthesis capabilities, wavetables, FM, and a new analog filter into a compact, portable desktop case. It allows users to create custom wavetables using built-in waveforms and comes with 100 user presets. The front panel matrix will enable users to edit all the sound parameters, parts, and settings with ease. Not only is Töörö capable of fat, analog-style tones, and crisp digital soundscapes, pads, and tones. According to the developer, just Töörö, a sequencer and perhaps a drum machine should be enough to create a whole live performance in real-time.

IMPLEXUS

Project Page: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/majella-audio/majella-audio-implexus/

IMPLEXUS by Majella Audio was designed to combine West - and East-coast synthesis techniques into a single form factor. It features unique analog circuitry that uses waveshaping, folding and audio rate modulation to accomplish its immense sound range. You get waveshaping, wavefolding, bias, and audiorate (cross) modulations from the West-coast side of things. Still, it also embraces the East-coast style techniques of LFO's ADSR envelopes, sub-oscillators, basic VCO, and a controlled lowpass / hi-pass filter.

The Kickstarter project for IMPLEXUS launched in September of last year and was successfully funded by October thanks to 80 backers pledging €65,366. An update in April revealed that COVID-19 is causing a delay in potentiometers from their suppliers, which has shifted the expected shipping date for the IMPLEXUS units to July of 2021.