The Fizmo is a 48-voice synthesizer which uses 2nd-generation Transwave technology to create very organic sounds unlike any other synth available. Every programming function has its own dedicated knob or button, and there is a limited but useful 4-character LCD display. The Fizmo features an Arpeggiator and 24-bit VLSI effects with 41 algorithms, including a Vocoder and the ability to process incoming audio through the Vocoder and effects.

Transwave synthesis uses wavetables of sound data with layered variations in harmonic structures such that their timbres progress naturally from one end to the other. This allows for sounds to modulate over time, or by velocity, wheel, pressure, or any number of other options.

There are 2 oscillators available for each of the 4 presets allowing for 8 unique oscillators at the same time, not to mention individual LFO and Noise generators for each Osc. Another wonderful feature is the ability to stack up to four individual presets together into one sound and map them across the keyboard. This synth is very capable of some very complex sounds.

The built-in Arpeggiator has 118 presets which can be easily edited to your liking, and 26 real-time control/editing knobs make mutating your sound a pleasure. All controls may be recorded in real-time to an external sequencer.

The Fizmo Rack is 5U rack-mount version of the Fizmo with more patches. The Fizmo will appeal to anyone who creates electronic music, particularly those into techno, trance, ambient or industrial. Sound designers and film composers would also enjoy this synth. The evolving motion and rhythmic patterns of its sounds created by the Transwave technology set this synth apart from the others. The Fizmo has been used by Eat Static.

DLovas

November 7, 2011 @ 12:57 pm

this synth is capable of things that no other synth can do! I've created this facebook group for user's of the fiz to use as a resource - http://www.facebook.com/groups/Fizmo/ - however please place the fizmo yahoo group ahead of the facebook group! so many helpful people out there

Mob Boog

September 7, 2011 @ 6:05 am

Yeah Ensoniq's transwave synthesis is cool but this synth was slimmed down to reduce production cost unlike previous ensoniq's models.
The led display and the need of a computer in order to edit In-Depth parameters is huge drawback. Not to mention the voltage regulator timebomb...
It is an interesting synth but it gets too overhyped nowdays.

shayman

August 21, 2011 @ 8:39 am

one thing this isn't is an edsel, if it was sold today it would make a bundle, growling to beautiful, and morphing in between, I don't think the edsel wound up being worth more than it sold for. these go for $800 to $1500 now, I paid $600 never sell it. I'd sell my Dave Smith Poly evolver which neither does digital nor analog better than the best before I sold my fizmo. Put the fizmo with a solid analog synth, and then you have heaven.

shayman

August 21, 2011 @ 8:34 am

It was like having wavetable synthesis in your machine that was designed to try to do dirty analog, it just sounded mean, not analog(warm, just very harsh and mean, like it was going to bite you), and lush evolving wavetables, which are just beautifull. Ensoniq just coined the phrase transwave, literally meaning "change across the wave", it is different to wavetable synthesis in a way, at the time only the asr 10 let you actually edit the volume, pitch, and speed of change from one point in the wave to the next across more than a simple adsr.

shayman

August 21, 2011 @ 8:32 am

The fizmo itself was in no way trying to introduce a new type of synthesis. all transwave 2 meant was a more complicated waveform than what was used in some of their other gear, like the asr-10.

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