THOR is a semi-modular synthesizer built around exchangeable components such as oscillators and filters, and a very comprehensive modulation matrix. This synthesizer is in development for a coming version of Reason 4. Below you can take sneak peak at THOR, see a video and listen to some sounds it makes. I think it will be an amazing machine to drive …
THOR preview video by Mr. James Bernard
This is a low quality video, but it’s the only one for now …
THOR audio demos:
Update
THOR features:
- six different oscillator types: analog (like is moogs, oberheims, prophets, arps, rolands etc), wave table (like in waldorf ppg, prophet vs, korg wavestation etc.), phase modulation (like in casio cz-101, vz-1), FM pair (like in Yamaha DX7, DX200 etc), multiosc (like Jupiter’s SuperSaw and others) and noise osc (these are the usual one, white and pink noise) , each with it’s own distinctive parameters;
- four unique filters: ladder filter (like the low-pass Moog filters), state variable filter (like the Oberheim filters), formant filters (mimics human voices and vowels) and comb filters (alter and destroy anything).
- six open filter and oscillator slots let you load up three different synth filters and three separate oscillators simultaneously;
- powerful modulation matrix gives you complete control over your signal flow;
- advanced and unique analog style step sequencer - use it as a modulation tool, trigger phrases from specific keys, create intense arpeggios, generate piercing percussion lines.
- it comes loaded with signature sounds from - Pascal Gabriel, Richard Barbieri, Richard Devine, Sonic Boom, Vengeance and more others.
I know the audio demos doesn’t do it justice, but as you can see from the gazillion of features THOR IS THE ULTIMATE SYNTH!
THOR screenshot
See more pictures from Propellerheads NAMM 2007 Booth.
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This is pretty amazing, too bad we have to wait for this in a future version of reason, oh btw I hope to God this Thor thing has a arpeggiator, but other than that it looks dope.
[quote post=”15″]btw I hope to god this THOR thing has a arpeggiator, but other than that it looks dope.[/quote]
…
Well, one thing’s for sure … it has an analog style sequencer. I’m curios what it will do when it’s combined it with Matrix
[quote post=”15″]oh btw I hope to god this Thor thing has a arpeggiator[/quote]
Yes, it does. According to the Propellerhead’s Vice President of Marketing and Technology, the 16-step sequencer is a true arpeggiator as well. It does notes as well as modulation duties, etc. At least that’s what he said on video at NAMM. For proof, check the video out at Harmony Central below.
http://www.harmony-central.com/theater/wnamm07.html
(lower right hand corner of page)
thanx dj day for that info this might be huge!!
Very nice sound, when will next version of Reason be released?
No one knows when, but we hope this year, maybe august, september or october … Thor looks so great that it’s worth the wait
I do agree
I can’t wait. Thor looks like the best synth the Props have turned out yet because of its semi-modular architecture and in-built step sequencer.
Must get practicing with that Matrix…
wow___i wanted now, sounds amazing!!!!!
I Hope there’s alot of sounds from the Moog
the thor looks heavy but i hope there are devices than just that
Yawn, that’s meant to be exciting? I’ve got freeware VSTs which will kick the crap out of that lame synth.
magnetik - how can you say that? You’ve not used it, only heard early sound examples and some bad-quality video-camera audio. At the very least you can reserve judgement. I’m sure it’ll be good, the Props always turn out high-quality stuff.
Are you kidding? Look at the interface, it’s absolutely awful. Semi-modular? Don’t make me laugh, it’s no more modular than Albino 3. And that step based arpeggiator? Talk about rewinding back to the 90s.
Anyone impressed by Thor obviously has no idea how far synths have progressed. If Propellerheads made a VST version of Thor they wouldn’t be able to sell it.
What’s wrong with the interface? Seems in keeping with the rest of Reason’s stylistic approach to me.
And it seems to me as semi-modular as it needs to be, since it is already part of Reason’s modular environment. Of course if Thor was a VST it would need to include more than it does, but as it is Reason already includes everything you need.
And the whole point of Reason itself is the retro hardware tweaky feel. So knobs and flashing buttons for the step sequencer seem entirely appropriate to me. Matrix already exists, remember.
What Reason does from start to finish is strike a balance between full modularity and user friendliness. Reaktor’s already been done and it’s confusing as hell. I trust the Props to deliver again, as they have before.
All I’m saying is that you’ve seen a picture and heard some early sound examples, and you’ve decided it’s crap. You’ve not played it, not seen or used any of the modules, and only seen bad-quality shakycam footage of it in use. As I said before, you can reserve judgment - it’s the sound that’s important.
Correct, it is in keeping with Reason’s stylistic approach and that’s the problem. Reason is becoming more and more dated. Propellerheads need to make some bold moves because they are catering to an ever shrinking market. Sequencers like Live, GarageBand and Sequel will dominate the low-end sequencer market and take away Props market share.
Honestly, watching Reason fans jump up and down about Thor is like watching retro authors getting excited about a new electronic typewriter after everyone else has moved on to laptops.
fair point. The DAW market is definitely saturated with offerings at all levels.
Rumour has it that this might be the last version of Reason. I find that believable.
No doubt they’ll be doing new things with Reason 4 too, though - like adding the Combinator in 3.0 That was a huge leap, an industry first if you will.
And to be honest all of Reason’s problems and limitations melt away when you get a Rewire host.
for those of you who want to criticize the props, you are entitled to your opinion, but proppellerheads have a sound design philosophy. they stick with what works, test propperly. and listen to their customers. something many companies don’t do. I reckon thor will be a hit. one thing is for sure, once users get their head around that beast, they will be making some cool sounds. the video doesn’t do justice to the product, and remember also that the footage you saw was a beta version. so rest assured the production release will be polished and ready to rock your socks off!!
I’ve updated the page with more audio demos from Thor and also new information on it’s great features … check them out!
Hey Magnetik, just curious what type of music do u make and what do u use?
I make various genres of dance from electro to hardcore and also some chillout and ambient stuff. I use mostly Logic followed by Live and Cubase. I have a registered copy of Reason but I don’t use it any more.
Do u have any hardware, I have an MPC 2500, and i use reason as a synth in combination with the mpc and rewire into sonar caz its user friendly like that
I had a fair bit of hardware, things like the Virus B and Supernova II. I sold it all though. Software is much more convenient and new plugins give excellent results. I have used rewire but I’d much rather use a synth like NI Massive than rewire Reason into Logic.
I got a chance to play with Massive round a mate’s the other day. It is totally amazing. The modulation is great, and I especially like the way the filters react to feedback and overdrive, analog-stylee. Also, the various distortions on the list, especially the bit crusher and sample&hold are a thing of beauty.
It’s going on the shopping list.
I like it. And this is coming from someone who, whilst not prejuidiced against software synths (I own many) only uses one - FM7. My set up is 99% hardware and of that about 50% is analogue. I feel that Thor makes a moderate step forward in creating the audio quality of a real analogue synthesizer - yep, I think it’s probably the best software ‘analogue’ synthesizer I’ve heard so far, and there are some good ones already IMO. I don’t fancy my chances in telling it apart from a real machine. But what’s really important about Thor I feel is the analogue machine-style interface and of course the very well done modulatioin matrix. In this I think it’s definitely on top at the moment. I predict that it will be*the* ‘analogue-to-digital-converter for a lot of people who haven’t gone that way just yet. It might do it for me, although I think I will always retain some hardware.