In a groundbreaking collaboration, Erica Synths and Richie Hawtin have announced their new product, Bullfrog, an educational electronic music instrument designed to inspire both budding musicians and seasoned professionals. This instrument invites individuals to dive deep into electronic music, blending the thrill of music production with a comprehensive learning journey.
Bullfrog is set to be released on 10th August 2023 through ericasynths.lv and select global electronic music retailers.
Bullfrog stands out as a classical subtractive synthesizer, composed of distinct modules for sound generation and modification such as VCO, NOISE GENERATOR, VCF, VCA/DELAY, as well as control and modulation signal modules like ENVELOPE GENERATORS and SAMPLE & HOLD. Unique to Bullfrog is the requirement for patching – using Eurorack patch cables to connect the modules or inserting voice cards to establish specific internal connections and add extra functions like sampler/looper, sequencer, and groovebox. This hands-on approach offers an unparalleled understanding of a subtractive synthesizer’s functionality and sound design principles.
Richie Hawtin, renowned electronic musician and Bullfrog co-creator emphasized the synthesizer’s profound significance as a creative tool. Reflecting on his journey into electronic music, Hawtin notes that playful experimentation with a synthesizer “often unlocks a new sense of creative purpose.” Bullfrog embodies these memories and concepts, providing a fun and accessible learning path into basic sound synthesis while fostering a love for electronically produced sounds.
Headquartered in Riga, Latvia, Erica Synths is a leader in electronic musical instruments and modular synthesizers. Since its establishment in 2014, Erica Synths has created unique Eurorack modules and tools that deliver excellent sound quality, versatility, and intuitive user interfaces. Their innovative designs are highly regarded by professionals and enthusiasts, making them a trusted name in the electronic music community. This new product, Bullfrog, designed in collaboration with Richie Hawtin, continues this legacy of innovation, providing a groundbreaking tool for learning and creating electronic music.
Will Vance is a professional music producer who has been involved in the industry for the better part of a decade and has been the managing editor at Magnetic Magazine since mid-2022. In that time period, he has published thousands of articles on music production, industry think pieces and educational articles about the music industry. Over the last decade as a professional music producer, Will Vance has also ran multiple successful and highly respected record labels in the industry, including Where The Heart Is Records as well as having launched a new label with a focus on community through Magnetic Magazine. When not running these labels or producing his own music, Vance is likely writing for other top industry sites like Waves or the Hyperbits Masterclass or working on his upcoming book on mindfulness in music production. On the rare chance he's not thinking about music production, he's probably running a game of Dungeons and Dragons with his friends which he has been the dungeon master for for many years.
