At SynthFest France, held April 17-19, 2026, Pylobolus is introducing the Alkove 12-Voice Binaural Hybrid Synthesizer.
The Alkove is a stereo multitimbral hybrid synthesizer, that combines analog VCA dynamics, formant and subtractive synthesis with real-time DSP.
What makes Alkove unique is that it lets you go beyond designing patches and lets you design your synth’s architecture. The instrument lets you build the synth architecture from the ground up on your computer, defining oscillators, selecting and combining filters, organizing signal paths, shaping stereo space, phase relationships, and depth.
As you make your architecture changes, each modification is instantly reflected on Alkove. What is created is not just a preset, but a purpose-built instrument — with its own structure, its own behavior, and a carefully defined set of parameters available for live interaction.
Alkove provides a set of building blocks for creating your synth designs:
- Sound sources combine traditional subtractive synthesis with classic and formant-based oscillators (VOSIM), letting you create both familiar and unconventional timbres. The instrument is built around an integral stereo architecture, where space, phase, and depth are part of the synthesis process itself.
- Filters are not fixed structures, but polymorphic elements (Ladder, SEM, SVF, Comb) that can be combined and interconnected to create evolving signal paths.
- Dynamics are shaped by three DADSR envelopes per voice. Attack and release stages respond to velocity, allowing articulation to adapt naturally to performance. One envelope is directly tied to the stereo analog VCA of each voice, reinforcing dynamic response and control at the core of the sound.
- Modulation extends beyond simple movement. A flexible routing system allows parameters to interact freely, while both global and per-voice LFOs can be phase-shifted and distributed across the stereo field, shaping motion and spatial perception.
- MPE support enables per-note control, extending the instrument’s expressive capabilities.
- The instrument can be structured into up to three independent parts — layered or split — each with its own voice allocation and role within the mix.
- Two synchronized arpeggiators introduce rhythmic and harmonic complexity, interacting with the sound architecture in real time.
- A dedicated mixing stage and a modern effects engine complete the system.
Audio demos are available at the Pylobolus site.
Details on pricing and availability are to be announced.
Stop calling it binaural. Udo started this stupidity and now everyone is using it wrongly as a term for stereo signal path. This is becoming a ridiculous marketing ploy.
Binaural just means using two ears. It doesn’t mean recording, 3D sound, or locating objects. It’s a general term, like binaural beats, not always about spatial audio. It just means both ears are involved, it’s not only for binaural recording.
With that said, this synth promises the ability to “phase shift and distribute LFOs across the field, letting you create spatial effects”
Something you might have understood if you’d looked beyond the website a bit.
I agree, hype garbage deserves to shunned.
That’s an AI generated image
It’s beyond vapor-ware !! ?
Why even print this?
100%
Christ, the stupidity! I saw this in the flesh! Both iterations. And the man behind this has forgotten more about synthesis than most of your lot could ever possibly learn!
This is not AI!
No one said the device doesn’t exist – But this photo is AI manipulated and that’s a fact.
Why don’t you go over the Synthanatomy where this are better photos of this from the Synthfrst France and then apologise without sh*tting all over self genius.
Nope, just (heavily) upscaled, perhaps esrgan. That’s why those fonts anomalies.
What’s with the binaural mention, does it have a 3D panner that’s placing the voices in some sort of virtual space, and how does that work without headphones? Is it using HRTF or what’s going on?
And how will the online store for chord packs work, which is what I assume the button nearest the camera, which is labeled “Mart C” opens.
From some other website:
“Alkove is the ability to phase-shift and distribute the LFOs across the field, allowing you to achieve a very unique spatial, binaural effect”
Looks a little like a synthesizer designed by Homer Simpson, although the specs make it feel extra creamy..
thats a lot of vape screens. I see those screens dying 1 by 1.
They’ve thought of that. You can see the button, next to “detune” is marked “life” which prevents the displays from dying.
?
its pretty insulting how obviously AI that image is.
its like they didnt even double check anything
AI or not AI, this is our future I’m afraid…
Where is “Kyle Reese” when you need him… Lol
It’s a bunch of AI gibberish all over it!!!