NAMM 2017: Pioneer and Dave Smith have announced the TORAIZ AS-1.

Pioneer DJ and Dave Smith have collaborated to create the TORAIZ AS-1, an analogue synth designed for both music production and live performance…

Following on from the launch of the TORAIZ SP-16 live sampler last August this marks the second musical instrument in the TORAIZ series, which promises to bring a host of creative possibilities to both the studio and stage.

Here’s what Pioneer has to say about it.

The TORAIZ AS-1 is driven by a fully programmable, true analog synthesis engine based on the discrete analog circuitry in Dave Smith Instruments’ Prophet-6 synthesizer. It produces powerful analog audio and features intuitive controls that let you create your own personalised sound. You can use the touchpad-style keyboard and slider to manipulate sounds during performances and it’s easy to control the seven on-board effects, which – with the addition of a brand-new digital distortion – come from the Prophet-6 synth.

You can connect the TORAIZ AS-1 synth to the TORAIZ SP-16 live sampler via MIDI and use the sampler’s sophisticated sequencer to create even more complex patterns with the sounds you’ve created in the synthesizer.

The TORAIZ AS-1 will be available from March 2017 at an SRP of €549 including VAT and you can find out further information from Pioneer’s site here.

Key Features 

• True analog sound from Dave Smith Instruments’ Prophet-6
• Two voltage-controlled oscillators
• Two voltage-controlled filters
• Two envelope generators
• Voltage-controlled amplifier and low-frequency oscillator
• Full programmability with 495 presets, 495 user programs and Quick Program
• Dual FX engine with seven FX (six from the Dave Smith Instruments Prophet-6 synth)
• Touchpad-style keyboard and slider
• Scale Mode
• Arpeggiator
• 64-step sequencer with Sequence Lock
• Bright OLED display
• Easy connection to a PC/Mac or an external MIDI device
• Robust metal chassis

Watch the video below for an introduction to TORAIZ AS-1.