AlphaSyntauri

Back in the early 1980s, this system pioneered computer-driven synthesis two decades before soft synths hit the scene, plugging straight into an Apple II for waveform drawing with a light pen.

At its core, 16 digital 8-bit oscillators power 8-voice stereo polyphony and 8-part multitimbrality, with each voice using two oscillators—one for standard ADSR envelopes, the other for percussive PFSF shapes that mimic hammer strikes or breathy attacks. Waveforms pull from 256-byte tables in the Apple II's RAM, generated via DMA at a high 32kHz sampling rate for solid frequency response up to 15.6kHz; you define them additively by tweaking 16 overtones or freehand drawing on-screen. The 61-key velocity-sensitive keyboard feeds real-time control through alphaPlus software, offering 10 presets per bank, keyboard splits, pitch bend, and visual key feedback like glowing bars on your monitor—though zipper noise creeps in on sweeps. No onboard filters mean a raw, clinical digital tone, but clever crossfades simulate them by morphing harmonics to sines.

Vintage enthusiasts dig its lo-fi edge for aggressive leads, organs, and pads that echo early Ensoniq vibes, praising the creative waveform editing despite the harsh sound and quirky sequencing that fights tight sync. It's a charming relic that rewards tinkering.