Sequential’s most affordable synthesizer ever, Fourm is an all-analog poly with a newly designed polyphonic aftertouch-equipped keyboard and Pro-One vibes.
Sequential Fourm
Funny, just a few days ago, I wrote a piece on the best traditional-style analog synths. And now Sequential drops one that would have fit perfectly: Fourm, a four-voice analog poly with integrated polyphonic aftertouch. It’s also brain-jarringly affordable!
Sequential Fourm · Source: Sequential
“We’re so excited to bring this innovative all-analog keyboard into the world,” said David Gibbons, Sequential CEO. “At a price-point that most people expect to pay for a monophonic synth, we think this product will invite legions of musicians who have longed for the magic of polyphonic analog sounds to start their journey of discovery with Sequential.”
Four Voices of Prophet Goodness
In 1981, Sequential Circuits borrowed some circuitry from its Prophet-5 and released the Pro-One, a no-nonsense monophonic bass and lead synth that became almost as popular as its big brother. Sequential has clearly taken a page from the Pro-One playbook, borrowing again from the Prophet-5 but this time making it polyphonic.
Sequential Fourm · Source: Sequential
The Fourm offers four voices of all-analog subtractive synthesis, with two oscillators, each with saw and square modes, the latter of which can do pulse width modulation, with sync on oscillator A and an extra triangle selection on oscillator B. The mixer includes a feedback circuit, plus noise generation, while the 4-pole lowpass filter (with bass resonance compensation, no less) is giving Prophet-5 vibes.
“The result is unmistakable Sequential warmth and punch,” said Sequential.
Modulation Madness
The Fourm has a number of modulation parameters that are worth mentioning. There’s a front-panel modulation matrix inspired by the Pro-One, with button presses and color-coded indicators taking the place of menu diving. It’s got two ADSR envelopes, one for the amp and the other for the filter, with envelope curves modeled after the 1978 original. The LFO features saw, reverse saw, triangle, square, and sample and hold modes, and can be synced to clock. Interestingly, you can select more than one wave shape at the same time. This function continues on the oscillators, with oscillator B having two LFO modes as well.
Sequential Fourm · Source: Sequential
Other features include 128 presets, unison, glide, an arpeggiator, and a sequencer with glide per step.
Polyphonic Aftertouch, Please
While the Pro-One was extremely popular, its clunky keyboard was not a highlight. That is most definitely not the case with the Fourm. The 37-key polyphonic aftertouch keyboard is a special Sequential creation. Called Taktiv, the company designed the slim-keys poly AT keybed from the ground up to work in concert with Fourm’s analog synthesis engine.
Sequential Fourm · Source: Sequential
“Wowww holy smokes: this thing sounds and feels amazing,” said Bryn Bliska, keyboards for Chappell Roan, Maggie Rogers, and Jacob Collier. “The polyphonic aftertouch is seriously so fun… Sequential nailed it.”
In terms of connectivity, the synth is fairly simple, with mono output, a headphone out, five-pin DIN MIDI in, out, and through, USB, and a foot switch/expression pedal port.
Price and Availability
Sequential Fourm is available now from Thomann* for €949.
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More Information
Sequential Fourm product page
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