Modular Synthesizer
Modular Synthesizer
The second spawn of the Berlin Modular project, Bazille is a large polyphonic modular system with digital (PD, FM based) oscillators, multimode filters and plenty of modulation options. With so much connectivity to explore, patching in Bazille should keep you fascinated for many years – it’s definitely a “geek machine”!
- modular, stereo, up to 16-voice polyphonic
- 4 digital oscillators based on phase distortion (PD) with FM and fractal resonance (FR)
- 4 self-oscillating multimode filters with up to 6 parallel outputs each
- 4 ADSR envelopes with Fall/Rise for the sustain stage, overall rate can be modulated
- 2 LFOs with 3 parallel outputs each, unipolar option
- 16-step morphing sequence per voice, with 8 snapshots and 4 output taps
- 2 mapping generators with up to 128 steps, comprehensive drawing tools, presets…
- maps can be used as oscillator waveforms
- 4 Multiplex modules for mixing signals, cross-fading, ring modulation, amplitude modulation etc.
- 4 effects: stereo delay, distortion (6 types), phaser (2 types), spring reverb
- 2x inverter, 2x rectifier, sample & hold, 2x twin lag generators, quantizer
- over 1700 factory presets
- NEW in v1.1.2: Support for Oddsound MTS-ESP
- NEW in v1.1.3: MPE Support
Sights and sounds
Screenshots
Demo Tracks
Videos
Kevin Schroeder.
’; $PLAYER_URL = ‘https://media.u-he.com/bazille/Bazille_by_KevinSchroeder_021014.mp3'; ?>Eternitysounds.’; $PLAYER_URL = ‘https://media.u-he.com/bazille/ES_BazilleMasterDemo.mp3'; ?>Ned Bouhalassa showcasing some of the factory presets. Additional drumloops.’; $PLAYER_URL = ‘https://media.u-he.com/bazille/NedFX_PetriDishRomance.mp3'; ?>Faber.’; $PLAYER_URL = ‘https://media.u-he.com/bazille/Faber_Bazilleum.mp3'; ?>A quick video demonstrating Bazille Bazille is a large modular system combining digital oscillators with analogue-style filters and modelled effects, with a flexibility that only modular patching can provide. After [ACE](/products/ace/), the second spawn of our ongoing Berlin Modular project, this one is a very different, much larger beast … Those in the know have been waiting for this since 2009.Read Urs’ own storyBerlin Modular --------------“About four years ago I started to work on a new synthesizer. The idea was to build a virtual modular system much like the first modular system I ever used in 1986—an old and hilariously out of tune Roland System 100M. I totally loved that thing. It stood in a room in my grammar school, and I spent hours and hours patching it up.
“Over the last couple of years I built a little modular synth based on Doepfer’s Eurorack modules. It has become a nice and inspiring hobby, but it’s also quite expensive and for me (as a software user) really difficult to work with. I’m used to being able to save patches, I’m used to having multiple instances of my synth, and I’m used to play chords. All these things are simply non-existant in an analogue modular system. On the other hand you have that tactile thing with the hands-on experience. Plugging cables, turning real knobs and all that is very rewarding compared to just pushing a mouse.
“Nevertheless, I have always kept the idea of a software modular system in the back of my mind. Recently some other ideas somehow nicely aligned with that concept, and the Berlin Modular project experienced a massive boost in pace!
“Of course the name Berlin Modular is meant to be reminiscent of the Berlin School of electronic music, and expecially of the bands and artists I listened to when I was a teenager. Those guys e.g. Tangerine Dream and Jean-Michel Jarre inspired me to make electronic music my hobby, and in the end they also inspired me to develop synthesizers. So what could be more obvious than dedicating a synth to their style?
“The idea is easily explained: Imagine you have a modular system in a rackmount enclosure with a couple of oscillators, a couple of filters and envelopes. Now imagine you have three or four of these systems with different types of modules. That’s the basic concept: Similar systems based on different modules. They are already nicely put together and ready to make some noise!
“A while ago I demonstrated a prototype of the first system within Berlin Modular. I call it Bazille, which is German for bacterium. It has become quite a crazy fellow! Bazille combines 4-oscillator FM-synthesis and Phase Distortion with the depth and flexibility of modular patching …”
Features
Mapping generators ------------------Ultraflexible modules ---------------------Bazille is highly unusual for a modular synth.
Although the filters are traditional analogue models, the oscillators are unashamedly digital: They combine the two technologies that made digital synthesis affordable (and analogue synths suddenly unfashionable) in the 1980s – FM (frequency modulation, more correctly ‘phase modulation’) and PD (phase distortion).
In Bazille, each oscillator panel has five distinct sections: Pitch, Phase / FM, Phase Distortion, Fractal Resonance, and the Outputs, each with a modulation input.
Since the 4 main oscillators have a frequency range which starts at zero Hertz, they can be used as synchronized or unsynchronized LFOs or also adopt custom shapes thanks to Bazille’s mapping generators. The oscillators are also capable of all kinds of FM sounds by plugging an audio-frequency source into the phase modulation input.
One of the most interesting features included in Bazille’s powerful oscillators is an unusual process we call Fractalize (fractal resonance). This can be used to create very bold sounds from tame waveforms, with a similar result to the classic cutting sound of the sync effect.
2 of Bazille’s oscillatorsThe pair of Mapping Generators can be used for a variety of purposes: To reshape modulation sources, to define per-MIDI-note offsets or to step through values e.g. for round-robin effects … There are 4 modes available, and both generators can have maps with up to 128 steps. They are very flexible, allowing custom shapes thanks to the drawing tools and presets accessible with a right-click of the mouse.
Mapping generatorsMultiplex ---------The little multiple" modules you can find in most analogue modular systems are simple mix/split devices. As Bazille’s output sockets can accommodate several cables, the humble multiple underwent a serious redesign, emerging as something so flexible that we had to rename it Multiplex. The 4 units are very “general-purpose”: They can be used as signal mixers, cross faders, ring modulators, amplitude modulators, and more …
Multiplex sectionModulation sequencer --------------------The onboard modulation sequencer lets you set up much more complex movements than are available with a regular LFO. It can be divided into 2, 3 or 4 sections, two of which can also be used as a per-voice note sequencers (steps can trigger envelopes). Also present is a modulatable Rotate control, which lets you morph between up to 8 different sequences.
Modulation sequencerAlternative skin ----------------Would you prefer all controls on a single page?
Bazille ships with a larger but more compact skin called GearPorn which dramatically alters the user experience. Ideal for Bazille experts, the skin of choice for ambitious novices.
To enable the skin, just right-click on Bazille’s interface and select it from the menu.
December 20102010 – Editor’s ChoiceComputer Music
January 20152014 – Sonic Joy Award Audionewsroom
July 2014Sehr Gut Amazona
“… a brilliant production tool, and its broad array of features give it extraordinary flexibility and obvious longevity.”November 2015
“… we can’t recommend Bazille strongly enough.”January 2017
“Bazille is a unique and extremely powerful synth …”October 2014
“… a very nicely designed machine with a lot of possibilities that you won’t find put together like this anywhere else.”November 2014
A lot of possibilities SoundBytes
“Anyone dreaming of a new virtual workhorse with extensive modulation capabilities should be happy waking up to Bazille.”November 2014
Digital modular beast Ask.Audio
“Bazille is a very deep and complex system capable of a lot of diversity in sounds …”November 2014
Crazy possibilities Gearjunkies
“It’s hard to conceive of anything that this synth can’t do.”March 2015
It will draw you in Electronic Musician
Bundle options
Everything Bundle
All our plug-ins in one bundle
999 €
All Synths Bundle
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599 €
Ursome! Bundle
Value of individual products: 426 €
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