IK promises “next-gen analogue for all” with the paraphonic Uno Synth Pro

> IK Multimedia took their first step into the analogue synth world with the monophonic Uno Synth, and now the brand are striding confidently onwards with the new paraphonic

Uno Synth Pro and Uno Synth Pro Desktop, which offers “nextgeneration analogue for everyone”.

Again made with the help of Italian boutique synth maker Soundmachines, these synths expand on the original Uno by offering more of everything: oscillators, filters, sequencer memory, presets, connectivity and programmability.

The Synth Pro has a 37-note Fatar keyboard and pitch/mod wheels, while the Synth Pro Desktop has capacitance-sensing keys and pitch/ mod touchstrips. The sound engines for each model are the same.

The synths have three analogue oscillators, each offering continuously variable waveshape and pulse width modulation. You can hard-sync the oscs, and there’s an FM, ring mod and white noise oscillator.

The original Uno Synth had a 2-pole OTA multimode filter, but the

Pro versions go further by adding a new SSI 2/4-pole low-pass filter with self-oscillation into the mix. You can use the two filters in series or parallel and with invertible phase, giving you a total of 24 possible filter modes.

Modulation options include two ADSR envelopes dedicated to filter and amplitude. These can modulate everything from osc pitch and waveshape to LFO speed or other env stages. Speaking of LFOs, there are two, while a 16-slot modulation matrix is on hand for routing.

The Uno Synth Pros have four effect blocks – the analogue overdrive circuit from the original Uno is joined by digital modulation, delay and reverb blocks. You can route external signals through these effects, too.

Uno’s original touch buttons have been replaced by rubber ones, and there are LED-backlit indicators and an LED display. There are 256 presets, while the 64-step sequencer also supports realtime recording, and has more than 80 automatable parameters. There’s also a 10-mode arp and new Chord mode to make use of the paraphonic sound engine.

Finally, connectivity includes two balanced stereo outputs, headphone out, USB and 5-pin MIDI I/O and CV/ Gate. There’s an audio input, and the option to daisy-chain units, too. Despite its ‘budget’ feel, we liked the original Uno Synth, and we’re keen to see if they can justify their Pro monikers and price. The Uno Synth Pro and Desktop should be out by the end of spring priced at €650/€400.