News flash: Pioneer DJs new TORAIZ AS-1 monophonic analogue synthesizer has just been announced!

Pioneer TORAIZ AS-1 monophonic analogue synthesizer

News flash: Pioneer DJs latest product release is in the form of a monophonic analogue synthesizer, the TORAIZ AS-1.  The synth has been created in conjunction with Dave Smith Instruments Prophet-6 synthesizer and is perfect for both music production and live performance DJs.

The AS-1 boasts a hard-wearing chassis, an OLED display to show parameter information and the unit can easily be connected to a PC, Mac or alternative external MIDI device with USB-B port and MIDI inputs/outputs.

One of the main focus points for the new synth is its pure analogue sound which originates from Dave Smith Instruments Prophet-6.  The new Pioneer synthesizer includes 2 voltage controlled oscillators (VCOs), 2 voltage controlled filters (VCFs), 2-pole resonant high-pass filter and 4-pole resonant low-pass filter.

Notably, the FXs in the AS-1 synth have also derived from the Prophet-6 synthesizer in the form of the dual effects engine where you can add one/two effects to create definition.  FX1 includes distortion, bucket brigade delay and ring modulation whist FX2 looks after High/Low resonance phaser, chorus and maestro phaser.

The units layout and structure is sensible, and unexpectedly features a keyboard and scale mode, 64-step sequencer, slider and arpeggiator.  The keyboard is in a touchpad style and the scale mode allows you to modify the notes that are pre-assigned to the existing keys (21 scales to choose from).  Record patterns and alter the key using the 64-step sequencer. Use the slider to control the pitch of 2 oscillators simultaneously, change the amount of FX and have the ability to modify seven parameters.  Finally, why not use the arpeggiator to repeat a chord pattern or change the notes in play at the time by semitones or octaves.

One final feature worth a mention is the Toraiz analogue synth comes with 495 preset programs at your disposal in addition to being able to save up to 495 of your own creations in the 5 dedicated user banks.  Thirteen programs can be assigned as ‘Quick Programs’ to the keys on the keyboard and can be instantaneously recalled.  In addition to the VCOs and VCFs the synth also has one Voltage Controlled Amplifier (VCA), two Envelope Generators (EGs) and one Low Frequency Oscillator (LFO).

Overall, the new monophonic analogue synth from Pioneer appears to keep ahead of the game with this flexible, programmable, technology advanced and easy to use synthesizer for use by old and new producers.  The Toraiz AS-1 is available to purchase from March with a price tag of £479.

Please see the product information page for further, more in-depth, information.