So I start with VCOs each going to a filter those are set up in parallel without too much modulation. I find that the best way to do this is to set everything to what I would call ‘normal’ – although anything can be normal with synths, of course. The result? Lots of options! Really this, like many of Nyx 2’s functions – and indeed any synth, if you think about it – is all best explored in use so that’s where I’m heading now… and to that glorious reverb. Reading back, those might seem complicated, but really all it’s about is that you have four options in routing the oscillators through the filters and four combining the filters. In PAR (parallel) they are set to be independent of one another, but both in low pass. Here, you can choose to have the filters set to low pass (LP mode) and in series or in HP mode where both are in series and set as high pass in BP (bandpass) mode, one will be low and one will be high. The VCF options simply let you choose how the filters are set and interact with one another. VCA means the filters are bypassed with both VCOs going to the VCA. Half means they route to the second filter and Split, as you might expect, means that each VCO gets a filter each. ![]() You start off in VCF and Norm mode where both VCOs go to the first filter. Overall, though, you will be experimenting more and more in this section as it really does afford plenty of shaping ideas.Īlthough, having said that, the next part is pretty crucial to Nyx 2 (and indeed the original Nyx): the Routing section. What this means is a more constant sound – depending on many other factors, of course. Switch to LFO or Drone then they cycle around. The former means that whenever a MIDI note is played (or gate triggered) they start an envelope cycle determined by the Attack, Decay and Sustain sliders on each Modulator. The two Modulators I’ve mentioned, plus an Amp Modulator, function in a couple of ways as you switch between Envelope and LFO. Do also bear in mind that you have all those patches to modulate externally, so this is really only a glimpse of the capabilities so far. This was on the original Nyx – albeit named slightly differently – and really added a lot of character to the sound. Otherwise set both Modulators to control both filters, each one to control one filter each or just one Mod 1 to control filter 1. Nyx 2 comes with two Modulators to the right of this so it determines how they control the filters. The Mod Route section is another interesting one, again with one dial that really can make a difference. This sets the difference of the cutoff frequency between the dual filters – the manual suggests a normal position of 50% and in practice, this works, although a lot of routing options can change the results here. The Dual Filter has the usual Filter and Resonance dials, but the first of Nyx 2’s small controls that can make a big difference comes in the form of the Offset dial. You get +/- 12 semitone tuning with the middle position for transposing over three octaves. A couple of sync’able oscillators sit top left, selectable between saw and pulse (1) and saw and triangle (2). With that in mind, I’m half dreading and half looking forward to trying to explain it in as simple a way as possible. Although like the original, the genius comes in the design, where a quick flick here or nudge there can dramatically alter what your signal is doing and where it’s heading to or from. The architecture starts out looking simple, with few controls to go too crazy with. ![]() These allow Nyx 2 to modulate and be modulated, to send audio out and receive it from, well, just about anywhere and anything you care to, so there’s clearly a desire to see it as part of your larger modular collection. ![]() It comes festooned with lots more connections, not least that host of Eurorack patch points, some 30 ins and outs in total. Nyx 2 looks similar in terms of functionality to the original Nyx, but actually borrows more of the features and looks from Dreadbox’s Erebus 3, so really does now look like its sister synth. I guess it proved that you need to work hard for the best things in life… On the face of it It also had complicated routing that took a while (or a degree) to master, but when you got the machine doing its thing, then, boy, what a sound. That original Nyx was a stunning-sounding machine that, with a massive reverb, was also an ambient-producer’s delight. ![]() Its older machines include the Hades, Erebus and original Nyx – all names of Greek gods of the dead, darkness and the night respectively (you might see a theme here). Many of these, of course, make smaller units for the burgeoning modular market but there’s an increasing number of all-in-one synths and semi-modular machines out there, too and Dreadbox’s Nyx 2 fits well into the latter camp.ĭreadbox is a Greek company and makes striking-looking gear.
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