Future Sound Systems FSS Cric Electronic Music Synthesizer Greyscale Limited Edition Modular Desktop Synthesizer

FSS is proud to present Cric Greyscale - a new edition of our fully analogue matrix-patchable sound synthesiser. Given the demand of the Brunel edition, we decided it was only right to continue to offer an alternative to the original Cric’s bright and bombastic hues. The Greyscale aesthetic takes cues from classic American synthesisers of the 1970s, coupled with a new colourway of Mirrl-clad HIMACS, to produce a completely achromatic finish. Four red LEDs, one per CFG, is the only hint of colour here, as even the matrix pins supplied follow a black, white and grey colour scheme.

Talking synthesis, Cric Greyscale is still the no-compromise analogue playground that those in the know have come to love. Three super-stable SSI2131-based VCOs can be used independently, or in our Recombination configuration to achieve harmonically rich, evolving timbres. The filter section presents a flexible state-mixable 18dB/octave analogue filter, based around the SSI2164, coupled with a wave-folder. A stand-alone VCA gives further flexibility to the nine VCAs already present in the filter and DNA oscillator. Four Cyclical Function Generators afford plenty of modulation capabilities when routed through the 768-point active pin matrix. Four inputs and four outputs allow for routing external equipment to and from Cric, allowing for modular-esque treatment of your favourite outboard, guitar pedals, etc. There’s even a microphone pre-amp on the first input channel.

As always, each Cric Greyscale unit is hand-assembled and -tested at Future Sound Systems HQ in Bristol to ensure sonic joy straight out of the box. Rock on!