8 Voice Analogue Polyphonic Multitimbral Synth

Vulcan MK2 is an eight-voice polyphonic analogue synthesizer, a 16-voice dual-slot digital synthesizer and an expandable stereo effects system in a single 37HP Eurorack module.

Watch the Vulcan MK2 demo on YouTube

It is designed equally for CV/Gate sequencing, modular modulation and MIDI performance. MIDI provides deep polyphonic and multitimbral control, while the extensive CV, Gate and direct analogue modulation inputs make Vulcan a fully integrated Eurorack instrument rather than simply a polysynth placed inside a module.

Vulcan contains two complete synthesis systems.

The analogue engine remains genuinely analogue from oscillator to output, with no digital stage anywhere in its audio path. Alongside it are two independent eight-voice digital engine slots, providing up to 16 simultaneous digital voices in addition to the eight analogue voices.

The analogue and digital sections can be played independently, controlled from separate CV/Gate or MIDI sources, or layered together to form a single larger sound.

Combine the warmth and movement of a true analogue polysynth with precise FM attacks, wavetable textures, tuned noise, physical modelling, digital subs and complex evolving layers.

Eight Analogue Voices

Vulcan contains eight complete analogue synthesizer voices, each with an oscillator, sub oscillator, resonant filter and VCA.

Its analogue voice architecture can be reconfigured independently for each patch:

• 1 oscillator per voice — 8-note polyphony
• 2 oscillators per voice — 4-note polyphony
• 4 oscillators per voice — 2-note polyphony
• 8 oscillators per voice — monophonic unison

The same module can therefore operate as a wide eight-voice polysynth, a conventional dual-oscillator four-voice synth, a huge two-voice instrument or an eight-oscillator monophonic synthesizer.

Dedicated front-panel controls provide immediate access to oscillator level, sub level, pulse width, filter cutoff, resonance, master tuning, oscillator detuning and waveform selection.

Two Eight-Voice Digital Engine Slots

Vulcan includes two completely independent digital engine slots, with each slot capable of producing up to eight voices of polyphony.

Together, the two slots provide up to 16 simultaneous digital voices. Each slot can run its own synthesis engine, patch and voice settings, allowing two contrasting digital sounds to be layered, split or controlled independently.

Available synthesis engines include:

• Six-operator FM synthesis
• Wavetable synthesis
• Tuned-noise synthesis
• Modal synthesis
• Karplus–Strong physical modelling

The digital slots can be layered with each other, combined with the analogue voices or used as independent instruments.

For example, one slot can provide an eight-voice FM layer while the second produces an eight-voice wavetable texture. Both can then be combined with the eight-voice analogue engine to create a large composite sound.

Alternatively, each digital slot can be controlled separately using different MIDI channels, keyboard zones or CV/Gate sources.

Designed for CV/Gate and MIDI

Vulcan is not dependent on MIDI for its main functionality.

Its CV/Gate and modulation system is a fundamental part of the instrument and allows it to operate as a deeply integrated modular synthesizer.

Four dedicated pitch CV and Gate input pairs can directly control separate analogue voice groups. These can be used for polyphonic sequencing, multiple monophonic parts, layered voices or independent control from several Eurorack sequencers.

The CV/Gate inputs can operate alongside MIDI, allowing modular sequencing and keyboard control to be combined within the same patch.

Four additional modulation CV inputs connect directly to the analogue VCO, VCF and VCA circuitry. These provide immediate, zero-latency modulation without passing through a digital control stage, preserving the fully analogue behaviour of the voice path.

This allows envelopes, LFOs, random voltages, sequencers and other Eurorack modulation sources to interact directly with Vulcan’s analogue circuitry.

Three further assignable CV inputs can be routed through the modulation system to parameters across the analogue voices, digital engines and effects.

MIDI adds eight-voice polyphonic performance, velocity, pitch bend, MIDI CC control, Program Change, independent MIDI channels, keyboard zones and multitimbral operation, but it works alongside the modular control system rather than replacing it.

Optional Stereo Effects Expansion

Vulcan can be fitted with an optional dedicated stereo effects card.

The expansion provides its own effects-processing hardware rather than taking resources away from the main synthesis engines. The eight analogue voices, both eight-voice digital slots and the stereo effects can therefore operate simultaneously.

Effects are controlled from Vulcan’s interface and form part of the patch architecture. Effect settings are saved and recalled with each preset, allowing a complete sound—including analogue synthesis, both digital slots, modulation, layering and stereo processing—to be loaded instantly.

The module can be purchased with or without the effects board, and the expansion can be added later as the system grows.

True Polytimbral Operation

Vulcan can play several independent sounds simultaneously.

The analogue voices and two digital slots can be arranged as layers, splits or separate parts and controlled using:

• Dedicated CV/Gate inputs
• Separate MIDI channels
• Keyboard zones and splits
• Independent modular sequencers
• Combined CV/Gate and MIDI control

Each layer can store its own analogue configuration, digital engine settings, modulation assignments and effects parameters.

Modulation and Performance Control

Three assignable front-panel controls and three assignable CV inputs can be routed to individual destinations or macros.

This allows a single control or incoming voltage to alter several parameters at once, making it possible to create expressive performance controls, complex timbral changes and evolving modular patches.

Assignments are stored with each preset.

The analogue and digital engines also provide deep per-layer modulation systems with bipolar routing, LFOs, envelopes, random modulation and assignable sources.

Two freely assignable ADSR envelopes can be routed through the modulation matrix, alongside dedicated VCA and filter envelopes for immediate conventional synthesis control.

Automatic Analogue Calibration

Vulcan automatically measures and calibrates every analogue voice.

Full calibration maps the tuning of each voice across the keyboard, while Quick Tune rapidly compensates for temperature changes before a performance.

The Age control introduces controlled vintage-style tuning variation, ranging from subtle analogue movement to deliberately loose oscillator behaviour.

Main Features

• Eight complete analogue synthesizer voices
• Genuine 100% analogue signal path
• Two independent eight-voice digital engine slots
• Up to 16 simultaneous digital voices
• Up to 24 combined analogue and digital voices
• Six-operator FM synthesis
• Wavetable synthesis
• Tuned-noise synthesis
• Modal synthesis
• Karplus–Strong physical modelling
• Simultaneous analogue and dual-digital layering
• Configurable 8-, 4-, 2- or 1-voice analogue operation
• Up to eight analogue oscillators per note
• True polytimbral operation
• Four dedicated pitch CV and Gate input pairs
• Four direct analogue modulation inputs
• Three assignable modulation CV inputs
• Combined CV/Gate and MIDI operation
• Independent modular sequencer control
• MIDI channel and keyboard-zone assignment
• Three assignable front-panel controls
• Per-layer modulation matrices
• Patch save and recall
• Automatic analogue voice calibration
• Quick Tune temperature compensation
• Optional dedicated stereo effects expansion
• Effects settings stored with every preset
• OLED display with three dedicated encoders
• USB firmware updates
• 37HP Eurorack module

Power consumption with the effects expansion installed and the complete system operating at maximum load:

+12V: 520mA
−12V: 380mA

A well-regulated Eurorack power supply with adequate headroom is recommended.

Designed and made in England by Hampshire Electronics.

https://hampshireelectronics.co.uk/products/vulcan-mk-2-polyphonic-analogue-synth-for-eurorack