Sinfonian ACL Review: All Hail the ACL Sinfonian
Analog gear presents many challenges in the studio. One of the small issues I had with working with modular synths was how to lock the various oscillators with a chord progression when sequencing.
Enter the Sinfonian ACL, a completely unique harmonizing module. The ACL Sinfonian employs three quantizers for playing four-note chords, arpeggios, and complex progression sequences. Think of the quantizers as ‘snap-to-grid’ devices for pitch. I can control all three oscillators from one easily understandable interface, and all remain in key automatically, even when you modulate or sequence those key changes.
The Sinfonian ACL is designed by Mathias Kettner, a jazz saxophonist for 30 years. He has the same passion modular synthesis, having started a few years ago and encountered the same problem. Not one to sit idle when faced with a challenge, Mathias designed the Sinfonian and took the idea to ACL (Audiophile Circuits League). Naturally, the team at ACL was blown away by the concept and put this incredible device into production.
How does the Sinfonian ACL work?
Here are the basics, as the sophisticated bits would take up pages.
As I explained earlier, the Sinfonian ACL features three quantizer channels, giving direct access to harmonic scale notes via dedicated buttons. These buttons activate the Root, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th, 13th for each of the three channels. Essentially, the channel then pushes any incoming pitch data to the nearest note that fits the current chosen scale – whether delivered from a sequencer, from live play on a piano-style keyboard or strip, or even a more random modulator, such as an LFO.
Next, we have a chord section that supplies four pitched outputs. This section allows you to quickly find the chord you’re looking for, or perform exciting live progressions using dedicated knobs for pitch and spread. Then there are buttons for selecting the notes, chord inversions, and optional slew.
Sinfonian ACL Review: What I Love About It
What I love about the Sinfonian ACL is that it is intuitive to use. Its simplicity is fantastic for those without classical training, as it demystifies complex chord structures. You can simply push buttons, knowing that everything can remain in key.
Finally, the arpeggiator section features eight different patterns – Up, Down, Up/Down, Down/Up, Baroque, Octaves, and Brownian, Random – with dedicated knobs for pitch and range (+/- one five octaves), and an array of buttons for selecting the scale notes and pattern selection.
That’s a LOT of control.
Sinfonian ACL in Action: “Sugarfoot” by Afterlife
Having studied the blurb and demos, I ordered one, and on the day it arrived, I had it playing 4 of the parts to “Sugarfoot,” which was released last Friday.
The Sinfonian ACL is brilliant to edit with on the fly, even when using all kinds of modulation sources, without getting in the way of the creative process by being over technical or clunky to use. Most importantly of all, when I’m in the middle of recording a track and the timing is rock solid.
Conclusion: Sinfonian ACL Review
Designed musicians for musicians.
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One Love,
Steve (Afterlife)