UDO Audio Super 6 Digital-Analog Hybrid Desktop Synthesizer

The desktop Super 6 offers flexible and immediate control, gorgeous analog sound, and top-notch build quality of the Super 6, but in a more compact package. The durable chassis is all metal and includes ergonomic features such as VESA-mount compliance, robust flip-up feet, and an optional 7 RU rack ear accessory (not included). You can even polychain two Super 6 desktop synths together for a massive 24-voice synthesizer.

In Binaural mode, the Super 6 features a true-stereo signal path in which the instrument’s twelve voices are twinned to form six stereo super voices. Consequently, the left and right channels—and each of the player’s ears—are assigned their own complete synthesizer voice. 

Parameters for both channels of each super voice may be independently controlled, facilitating the player to create rich and unique stereo images. The effect ranges from subtle to extreme stereo movement, creating an enhanced sense of spatial positioning relative to conventional monaural signal chains panned at their output.

The Super 6 delivers enormous flexibility at the player’s fingertips through simple controls and a carefully designed front panel. Going deeper, there is an intuitive and immediate modulation system based around the performance area switches. For those who want to go further, every panel control can be targeted for modulation, all simultaneously and all with unique amounts.

The oscillators in the Super 6 are digital chips based on FPGA architectures. DDS 1 (oscillator 1) utilizes a centroid oscillator with six sister oscillators that can be dephased in the stereo field, essentially providing seven free-running oscillators. DDS 2 (oscillator 2) sports a single oscillator core, and both oscillators can be coarsely detuned from 64 to 2′. 

• DDS 1: six waveforms (sine, sawtooth, square, triangle, and noise) as well as 32 user-downloadable alternative waveforms
• DDS 2: six waveforms including sine, sawtooth, square, triangle, and pulse-width modulation
• Coarse tuning between 64 and 2′ for DDS 1 and 32 and 2′ for DDS 2
• Fine tuning over a range of 10 semitones up and down for DDS 2
• X-Fade mode crossfades the two oscillators over two octaves from a single keyboard split point
• Hard-sync support
• DDS 2 can double as an LFO or a fixed square wave suboscillator
• DDS 2 can also process external audio signals via the stereo 1/4″ audio input

The SSI2144 reprises the SSM2044 of legacy chipmaker Solid State Micro Technology, which many believe to be the best-sounding analog synthesis filter IC ever produced. Based on Dave Rossum’s patented classic improved ladder topology, the SSI2144 allows rich tonal characteristics that showcase the very best attributes of subtractive synthesis. 

• Real analog VCF with 4-pole / 24 dB per octave low-pass filter
• Resonance control and two levels of overdrive
• Extra fixed-frequency high-pass filter set before the LPF, with on/off selection
• Creates a band-pass filter when linked with the LPF
• Selectable keyboard tracking modes with filter autotune for accurate tracking
• Analog VCA with selectable fixed or variable envelope modulation
• Dynamics control for selectable velocity sensitivity

The Super 6 includes two assignable, programmable LFOs that greatly enhance your sound creation possibilities. LFO 1 is freely assignable, with low- and high-frequency modes, and it can be used as a standard LFO, a third oscillator, a drone, or for audio-rate modulations. 

It also features controls for delay, delay with left/right phase offset, as well as a selection of run modes (free running, reset, and one-shot) and syncing modes (arpeggiator/sequencer or external clock). LFO 2 sports rate and delay controls, selectable trigger modes, and dedicated controls for rate, pitch, and VCF/VCA modulation.

• LFO 1 Waveforms: triangle, reverse sawtooth, sample and hold, square, and any waveform selection for Oscillator 1
• LFO 2 Waveforms: sine, reverse sawtooth, sample and hold, square, sawtooth, and sample and glide

The envelopes are the final stage of your sound creation, and the envelopes loaded onto the Super 6 are designed to create a wide range of sounds, from mostly static classical tones to dynamic, moving soundscapes. ENV 1 sports an invertable AHDSR (attack, hold, decay, sustain, release) design, which is fully mappable through the mod matrix. 

A looping mode with selectable keytracking allows ENV 1 to be used as an LFO or FM source. ENV 2 features a traditional ADSR design with multiple destinations.

Create epic grooves and patterns with the powerful onboard sequencer and arpeggiator section. The arp features five MIDI-syncable modes with a smart-hold option, while the 64-step sequencer sports programmable step, slide, accent, rest, and sequence length tracks. Clock parameters feature easily adjusted division and swing settings per layer. And you can store up to 16 patterns total.

Super 6 includes plenty of connections to support any workflow. With true-stereo output, audio in processing, and support for a diversity of pedals, you should have no problem integrating this feature-rich synth into your audio setup, whether live or in the studio. 

• One stereo pair of 1/4″ outputs for true-stereo, binaural audio output (summed as mono when binaural is off)
• A 1/4″ stereo input for processing external audio through the second oscillator
• A powerful headphone output with dedicated volume control
• Two pedal inputs: expression and sustain
• 5-pin DIN MIDI input, output, and thru connectors
• USB-B for MIDI, waveform swapping, and firmware updates

While the desktop module omits the Fatar keyboard of its sister version, you still get plenty of support for sophisticated control via external MIDI controllers. With the right control hardware, the Super 6 Desktop will accept polyphonic aftertouch, pitch bend, and expression, as well as adjustable velocity sensitivity. Most importantly, the Super 6 supports MPE MIDI information, so you can use your expressive gesture-controlled MPE interface and map the input to any of your synth parameters.