Erica Synths launches Fusion Series System 2 with new modules

Erica Synths has expanded its vacuum-tubed equipped Fusion Series with three new Eurorack modules: Fusion VCF3, Fusion VCA-Waveshaper-Ringmodulator and Fusion Modulator. The Fusion System II is available to purchase now with three to six days shipping.

Uniquely built with vacuum tube modules, Erica Synths’ Fusion System II is a modular synthesiser comprised of five different analogue modules. The brand says it’s capable of “creating sounds of unprecedented pressure, unconventional modulations and creativity”. The 104HP Eurorack system has 63 patch points, all using analogue signals and CV paths. Fusion System II’s modules include:

• Two Fusion VCO2
• Fusion VCF3
• Fusion Modulator
• Fusion VCA-Waveshaper-Ringmodulator
• Fusion Delay/Flanger/Vintage Ensemble

Also included is a 104HP One Row Skiff case (with or without a lid) and 20 patch cables. The VCO2 and Fusion Delay modules have been around for a little while, so what else is new to the Fusion System II collection?

Fusion VCF3

The Fusion VCF3 is an analogue, 24db/octave low-pass filter that employs a vacuum-tube and vactrol circuit to offer distinct, soft filtering. To provide greater versatility, it’s equipped with an independent audio mixer, and buffered multiple for splitting audio and CV signals, while also offering some deep tools for designing advanced modulation patterns.

Because of the module’s use of the light-dependent vactrol, it’s subject to the lag that the optocoupler is known to have. As such, the module doesn’t support audio rate modulation, as its maximum modulation frequency sits at 10Hz.

Fusion VCA-Waveshaper-Ringmodulator

Although the name of this module doesn’t quite roll off the tongue, this module is capable of some serious modulation. It can operate as a regular VCA, but “most of the power of the module is in its advanced modulation capability”, Erica Synths says. The fully analogue module features two CVs that can be applied to different stages of the VCA simultaneously. The built-in ring modulator, manual VCA bias control and manual overdrive open up some heavy sound design options here.

Fusion Modulator

Erica Synths’ Fusion Modulator is a versatile modulation source of all-analogue design. It’s broken down into blocks: two looping envelope generators – inspired by the functionality of the EMS Synthi – with simultaneous unipolar (0V to10V) and bipolar (-5V to +5V) outputs, VCA with offset control, a noise generator, as well as a sample-and-hold circuit with an internal and external clock source.

On its website, Erica Synths suggested an approach to using the Fusion Modulator for drone-type music:

“Set looping envelope generators to high frequencies and have two sub bass sound sources, use VCA to control the amplitude of the envelope signal, modulate the decay time by random voltages from S&H circuit and get ever evolving sonic awesomeness!”

The complete Fusion System II is available for purchase on the Erica Synths website at €1,950 without case lid and €2,030 with a case lid.

The Fusion VCF3 (€330), Fusion VCA-Waveshaper-Ringmodulator (€290) and Fusion Modulator (€310) modules can also be purchased independently.

Learn more about the series at ericasynths.lv

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