Rama Synthesizer

“the Ramans do everything in threes.” - Arthur C. Clarke

It’s time for a rendezvous with RAMA, PinkNoise Studio’s new para/polyphonic synthesizer.

RAMA is a classic synth on steroids. The heart of RAMA is a vintage synthesizer from the 80s. This is the Korg Poly-800, which has some unusual features:

• oscillators (DCO) build the waveform from variations of 4 simple pulse waves

• Paraphony: polyphonic sounds with a single filter

• six stage envelope generator

But these are only the starting points, RAMA has many other features that make this instrument a powerful synthesizer that can hold its own in any music style.

Trademark disclaimer: all product names used are trademarks of their respective owners, and in no way constitutes an association or affiliation with PinkNoise Studio or Reason Studios.

Additional features:

• 3 oscillators with dual filters

• 3 oscillator types: P-800 osc mode, wave or sampler

• 33 waveforms from famous synthesizers (when P-800 mode is off)

• 3 user wave slots to use your own samples

• 3 rearrangeable fx units with 12 fx types

• flexible routing

• synth & fx modulation matrix

• XY control pad using macros or performance controllers

• mix pad for real-time mixing of 3 oscillators

• versatile arpeggiator and step sequencer

• 5 play modes: poly, mono, chord, arp, seq

RAMA has different levels of complexity, depending on your needs. Using the grouped global controls it can be simple like an axe, eg. if you want to create a simple bass. But once you separate them, RAMA can be as complex as an airbus cockpit: it’s up to you.

Version history

RAMA version 1.3.0

• sequencer/arp patterns can now work in legato mode

• the seq editor has been completely rewritten, other small improvements

• minor bug fixes in fx mod layer handling

• new rhythmic patches

RAMA version 1.2.1

• improved Gate/Note CV outputs in Arp/Seq play modes

• the Gate/Note CV outputs now also work in Poly / Mono / Chord modes. Gate & Note CVs are processed according to the given play mode (e.g. mono, chord, hold, etc).

• new CV outputs: Mod Wheel, Aftertouch, Pitch Bend.

• new function in chord mode: Strum. It adds a strumming effect to the first played key. Use the Xfade knob to set the delay between the notes of the chord.

• new samples from Roland D-50: Calliope, Chatedral, Fantasia, Pizzagogo, PWM Sweep, Saw Sweep

• new patches

RAMA version 1.2.0

New features:

• user sample: on the Osc panel, when the P-800 mode is inactive, you can select among 3 user wave slots. It’s a very simple sampler, but can be refreshing and expands RAMA’s capabilities.

• CV/Gate outs for the Seq/Arp on the back panel

• unipolar LFO: LFOs are bipolar modulators by default. You can now set them to unipolar as well.

• higher resolution for the synth mod matrix mod amount: you can set the mod amount with decimal precision (this is particularly useful for pitch modulation).

• The EG panel utility (small triangle) has changed to a drop-down menu. The previous graphic “dragging copy” version is also available with shift or alt-click.

• new patches

• sample collection for the sampler

Bugfixes & improvements:

• some patterns may have been skipped when you played in Arp mode at low velocity, fixed.

• the note handling of the sustain pedal was incorrect in mono & chord mode, fixed.

• some minor optimizations under the hood

RAMA version 1.1.1

• new function in the seq/arp panel: ratchet! Usage: Shift-click on the GATE field of the actual pattern increases the ratchet number (no, 2,3,4), alt-shift decreases it.

• new modulation source: Macro 3 (just because there must be three of everything in RAMA :D)

• new shortcut for performance select arrow (near the mod wheel, where the default view is Aftertouch): if you click on it, you got a dropdown menu… now if you shift-click the arrow, it jumps to the next view (Breath, Expression. etc.), alt-shift: previous view.

• small fixes and performance improvements

RAMA version 1.1.0

Initial release