The Portabella MKIII is Pin Electronics' modern take on the legendary EMS Synthi A, a synth that defined experimental electronic music in the 1970s and remains one of the most capable sound design instruments ever created. Rather than a direct clone, this is a thoughtfully reimagined version that respects the original's architecture while incorporating refinements and modern conveniences.
The synthesis engine centers on three voltage-controlled oscillators covering everything from subsonic LFO rates (0.016Hz) up to audio frequencies (12KHz on oscillators 1 and 2, 700KHz on the third), each with selectable waveforms and matrix-controlled modulation. A dedicated filter/oscillator module handles low-pass filtering with switchable slopes (18dB or 24dB) and can function as a sine wave generator itself, spanning 20Hz to 20KHz. The envelope generator offers attack times from 2ms to 1 second and decay from 2.7ms to 18 seconds, with an inverter switch for creative modulation. A noise generator, ring modulator, sample-and-hold module, and spring reverb round out the core sound-shaping toolkit. The heart of the system is the 20x20 Ghielmetti matrix—a patch bay where you physically insert pins to route modulation and audio signals, making patch creation tactile and immediate. A two-axis joystick provides real-time XY control, while MIDI and CV/gate interfaces allow integration with modern gear. The whole system fits into a portable suitcase with a removable lid, weighing just 2.8kg and measuring 37x27x12cm closed.
Community response has been consistently enthusiastic, with users praising how closely it captures the sonic character of the original Synthi while appreciating the build quality and modern conveniences like MIDI support. The paraphonic architecture and matrix-based workflow appeal equally to sound designers exploring deep synthesis and musicians looking for an instrument that rewards experimentation and hands-on control.
