Elmyra - a DIY drone synthesizer inspired by the Lyra-8

Thanks @OscillatorSink for this demo drone of the new v2.2 features:

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I realize they are different beasts, but can anyone offer some comparisons and contrasts between the Lyra-8 and Elmyra 2 in terms of tonal qualities.

What I’ve heard so far in videos on the Elmyra 2 is towards aggressive / gritty tones, perhaps consistent w/the digital oscillators.

I’ve heard some of that in Lyra-8 videos, but also lots of warm droney stuff too from the Lyra-8. Does the Elmyra 2 get into the same ambient territory as the Lyra-8?

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I think most of the Elmyra 2 content right now is leaning towards gritty because the instrument kind of gravitates towards that unless controlled. E.g. there’s a master saturation setting that’s quite harsh in the default config, but it’s easily changeable to something more mellow. The filter can be dialled down etc.

The Lyra, on the other hand, sounds very organic out of the box. You can get it to sound more aggressive by using the delay feedback, changing the oscillator shapes or using FM (although FM is often kind of hit or miss). I can get equally lost in either synth, but I guess you could say the distribution of sweet spots is very different, as is the amount of sonic territory covered.

In any case, some evidence as to the Elmyra’s capability for softer tones:

That’s just my 2 cents as a happy user of both instruments, but I do realise I may be somewhat biased, so I hope some other Elmyra owners will chime in. :wink:

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There’s a certain unruliness to the Lyra (even when you dial out the cross-modulation, there still seems to be a little leaking through; I believe by design). This contributes quite a lot to its character.

The Elmyra can also get some unexpected interactions between voices, due to how the voices saturate when mixed (something that can be configured as a setting).

The Elmyra can certainly be gritty/harsh, but the filter can help tame it (something that the Lyra doesn’t possess; I often run mine through external effects/filters to help corral it, because it can also get gritty). But it’s definitely possible to get softer tones from the Elmyra.

Avoid the bite! It can produce some wonderful, broken sounds, but it is rather aggressive and unsubtle about it.

Both are helped reach ambient heights with external effects (e.g. reverb).

Although not in the purview… I think the Elmyra is a much stronger live instrument, because replicating Lyra settings can be very difficult and adjusting parameters can lead to unexpected, cascading effects. Again, that’s part of its charm and design, but the Lyra has a bit of the ā€œnever the same river twiceā€ kind of thing to it.

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This one just came out, showing a different side of Elmyra 2:

That part where he’s playing it via keyboard sounds super sweet.

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Some very tasteful drones using Elmyra 2 with the Make Noise Strega:

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Elmyra 2 user Marijn built a nice custom case for his module, using Dutch chestnut wood and an old Make Noise module as back panel:

More info on his website.

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Here’s another take on the Elmyra 2 (OS 2.2) - what a nice synth!

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Front panel controls explained by Ed from Elk Elektronik:

If you’re in AUS or NZ, you can get the DIY kit or assembled version from him.

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Detailed tutorial by Dexba:

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And they keep coming. Some very interesting patches from Tom Churchill:

Don’t miss the dub chords at 16:20 and the gnarly sequence at 21:10 (wait for the drones to set in).

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Meditative drones using Elmyra 2, Cascadia and Sealegs, by Jon Gee:

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A white/mahogany version is available from today, March 14. :slight_smile:

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Wow, looks gorgeous :heart_eyes:
So after the black beast there is also a white angel now

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Thanks!

I’d never call it that though, don’t want to get sued. And to be fair, version 2 is now so different from the Lyra-8, I don’t even want to imply a similarity.

(For the record, I love both, and using them together is just the best. And now I have a white Elmyra to go with my white Lyra.) :wink:

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Yeah, sure. I hope this did not come across wrong. Of course it’s an instrument in its own right. Any idea when shops will have the white one in stock?

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Not at all, no offence taken, and of course it’s very clear that it’s inspired by the Lyra. :slight_smile:

Actually, they already should, since the launch is today, but sometimes things are a bit slow. For the assembled version, Signal Sounds and Triangle Core Rocks already have it up, and Perfect Circuit should very soon. For the DIY version, Modular Addict and Thonk have it, and Exploding Shed do as well, it should be displayed there by tomorrow.

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I’m a fan of the Elmyra 2. Its chromatic pitch mode, easy four-track sequencing, and filter types just make it a lot of fun to explore. It feels like a really complete package for exploring melodic ideas, and with a stereo reverb, it’s a blast.

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rarely do I watch a demo then immediately price check the gear used. well played, hosking.

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