ST4 Hybrid Synthesizer/Tracker

The ST4 is a unique device that combines a powerful hybrid analog/digital synthesizer with a 16-bit style tracker music machine. It has digital oscillators backed up with sampling for versatility, with analogue VCF’s and VCA’s for character. It’s packed with features, yet these are almost all usable hands-on with dedicated knobs and buttons. It’s usable stand-alone for live gigs but also mountable in a standard 19″ rack, and fully MIDI controllable.

The layout of the controls is fully linear: the entire signal path from oscillator (left) up to VCA mastering (right) is laid out horizontally for each channel.

As mentioned it’s loaded with features like the sampler, built-in mic, and the bit crusher. It has its own stereo mixer. Most of these controls are completely duplicated per channel, allowing instant access, and powerful live experimentation. Think: running your MIDI sequencer and tweaking the channel’s LFO influence and VCO, VCF, and VCA envelopes live. Or even, use the on-board tracker for this!

All hard- and software design and engineering done by Tasty Chips Electronics. Original concept by STU, a Swiss-based musician who possesses a wealth of chip and synthesizer music experience. Casing silkscreens were designed by Nuey San Waldman.

ST4 Audio Demo’s

Massimo Clike jamming on the ST4

Massimo Clike jamming on the ST4 – 2

ST4 features demonstrated in a musical way (filter, bitcrusher, sample-driven beats):

ST4 demos @ soundcloud

STU jamming on the ST4 breadboard:

ST4 tracker jam

ST4 used in conjunction with MPC.

The ST4 project was successfully funded on Kickstarter in February 2016. It was sold for a short time, but ultimately we dropped it in favor of our newer sample based products like the GR-1 and the ECR.

ST4 Specifications

  • 4 Stereo voices
  • Analog multi-mode VCF per channel including voltage controlled resonance.
  • 4 Stereo VCA’s
  • 2 LFO’s per channel with:
    • Saw, square, sine, noise and sample modes
    • Direct LFO modulation matrix: 4 channels x VCO, VCA, VCF
    • 0.2 Hz .. 1000 Hz, in 3 “gears”
    • Note Sync
    • LFO1->LFO2 cross modulation
    • Noise can use frequency (for S&H alike effects)
  • Looping ADSR envelope for VCO, VCA, VCF per channel
  • MIDI IN: Monophonic on ch1..4 and polyphonic on ch5
  • MIDI OUT ch1..4 (via tracker)
  • 8 bit Sampler and built-in microphone:
    • 8 samples (of 64 kB max each)
    • configurable start, loop start, and end
    • tuning
    • wav import/export
  • Digital oscillators: saw, square, sine, noise, sample
  • Built-in bitcrusher
  • 128 instruments (MIDI patches):
    • VCO, VCA, VCF env settings incl looping
    • VCF mode
    • LFO settings and mod matrix
    • oscillator mode
    • sample mapping
    • bitcrusher parameters
  • Direct control of voice pair detuning
  • 3.2″ high color TFT display
  • On-board multi-channel sequencer “16 bit tracker style”, in conjunction with USB keyboard:
    • 4 channels
    • 16 steps, panning & volume definable per step
    • 1024 positions
    • powerful editor with many block functions
    • independent glide per channel
    • double speed, half speed commands
    • polyrhythm support, tap tempo, bpm display
  • Versatile casing usable as desktop or 19″ rackmount.
  • Interfaces:
    • 4x 6.35mm channel outputs
    • 2x 6.35mm master outputs (stereo)
    • 1x 3.5mm line input (for sampler)
    • DIN-5 MIDI IN, OUT, THRU
    • USB A (for USB keyboard)
    • USB B Programming/debugging interface
    • SD card, for sample and song I/O
    • 3.5mm stereo headphone
    • 2.1mm DC power (9V – 18V range, external PSU included)
  • Dimensions: 482.6 mm (19″) * 222.25 mm (5U) * 92 mm
  • Weight: 3.3 kg