The Dave Smith Tetra is a desktop analogue synthesizer capable of delivering a classic analogue sound. Similar in look and design to the DSI Mopho, the Tetra differs by having four voices instead of one voice giving it multitimbral capabilities. Another notable difference is that the Tetra is supported by USB, a first on such a device. There are generous amounts of attractive synth function which allow you to create rich and warm bass sounds with the Tetra and it uses the same basic sound architecture (based on digitally controlled analogue oscillators) as the renowned Dave Smith Prophet.
The Tetra has 4 banks of 128 programmes combining Prophet ’08 factory programmes with Mopho and new programmes. Like the Prophet ’08, each programme has two layers (essentially two patches) designed to give you the flexibility to create stacked sounds or keyboard splits. There are four assignable parameter controls and a selection of buttons for the most commonly used parameters. All of the parameters can be operated via the front panel and the Tetra works as a standalone device. The ‘Push It’ button triggers notes and sequencers without the need for a MIDI controller also enabling the Tetra to work as a standalone device. Output audio is available in mono, stereo or per voice as each voice has a separate output. Communication with MIDI is via standard MIDI in and out jacks or USB. A headphone socket is also included.
The Dave Smith Tetra is also expandable and can be chained with up to three other Tetras for a total of sixteen voices. Additionally the Prophet’s control panel maps directly to almost all the Tetra parameters so can be used as a programmer and control surface.
The Dave Smith Instruments TETRA Main features Include:
- Multitimbral four-voice analog synthesizer
- 100% analog signal path
- Two oscillators per voice (sawtooth, triangle, saw/triangle, square with variable pulse width) with hard sync
- White noise generator
- One classic Curtis low-pass filter (switchable 2- or 4-pole) per voice, self-oscillating in 4-pole mode
- Analog VCAs
- Three envelope generators (ADSR plus delay) per voice
- Four LFOs per voice
- Two sub-octave generators (one octave down and two octaves down) per voice
- Feedback loop per voice with programmable level and gain
- Four assignable performance controls per program
- Gated 16 x 4 step sequencer (one sequence per program)
- Arpeggiator
- Fully programmable (free downloadable software editor for Mac OS and Windows)
- 512 programs organized into four banks of 128; 128 combos
- I/O: USB 2.0 (type B receptacle), MIDI In, MIDI Out/Thru, Poly Chain Out, Audio Outs 1/Left, 2/Right, 3, and 4 (1/4" unbalanced), 1/4" Headphone Out
- 7.9" L x 5" W x 2.7" H (20.07 cm x 12.7 cm x 6.86 cm)
- 1.8 lb. (0.81 kg)
Dave Smith Instruments Tetra Polyphonic Synthesizer Module (code 66469)
4 Voice Analog Polyphonic Synthesizer Module
£514.80 (inc vat)