Metasonix

Metasonix

Unclaimed

Metasonix is an audio equipment manufacturer based in Lakeport, California, founded by Eric Barbour in 1998. The company designs synthesizers, effects, and amplifiers built around atypical vintage vacuum tubes — often industrial, military, or television tubes that were never intended for audio use. The resulting instruments are known for being aggressive, unpredictable, and sonically extreme, o...

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Metasonix is an audio equipment manufacturer based in Lakeport, California, founded by Eric Barbour in 1998. The company designs synthesizers, effects, and amplifiers built around atypical vintage vacuum tubes — often industrial, military, or television tubes that were never intended for audio use. The resulting instruments are known for being aggressive, unpredictable, and sonically extreme, occupying a niche far removed from the polished sound of mainstream analog gear.

The catalog includes Eurorack modules such as the RK2 XS-VCA, RK3 Ringer/Shaper, RK4 Filter/VCO, RK6 Resonant Lowpass Filter, RK7 VCO, and RK8 Filterwall, alongside standalone instruments like the S-1000 Wretch Machine semi-modular synthesizer, the D-2000 vacuum tube drum machine, and the T1 three-oscillator tube synthesizer in a wood case. Earlier products such as the TM-7 Scrotum Smasher distortion preamp, TX-1 Agonizer, TX-2 Butt Probe, and the G-1000 guitar amplifier helped establish the company's reputation for provocative naming and uncompromising tube-based design.

Metasonix gear is generally high-priced, power-hungry, and oriented toward experimental, noise, and industrial musicians rather than conventional players. Eric Barbour, who also writes about tube technology, is regarded within the modular synthesis community as an authority on repurposing obscure tubes for musical use, and the brand has built a cult following among modular and Eurorack enthusiasts seeking sounds that other manufacturers can't or won't produce.

Metasonix has 17 products cataloged on Equipboard, including Modular Synthesizers, Fuzz Effects Pedals, and Distortion Effects Pedals. Their gear is featured by 19 artists, with the strongest followings in Electronic, Rock, and Pop. Notable users include Trent Reznor, Mick Gordon, and Deadmau5.

Artists Who Use Metasonix

Trent Reznor uses 7 Metasonix products

Trent Reznor

Singer, Guitarist · Nine Inch Nails

Mick Gordon uses 4 Metasonix products

Mick Gordon

Guitarist, Composer

Deadmau5 uses 2 Metasonix products

Deadmau5

Music Producer · BSOD

cEvin Key uses 2 Metasonix products

cEvin Key

Drummer, Keyboardist · Skinny Puppy

James "Munky" Shaffer uses 1 Metasonix product

James "Munky" Shaffer

Guitarist · Korn

Justin Vernon uses 1 Metasonix product

Justin Vernon

Singer, Guitarist · Bon Iver

Joe Hahn uses 1 Metasonix product

Joe Hahn

Music Producer, DJ · Linkin Park

The Chemical Brothers uses 1 Metasonix product

The Chemical Brothers

Music Producer · The Chemical Brothers

Jim Adkins uses 1 Metasonix product

Jim Adkins

Singer, Guitarist · Jimmy Eat World

Alessandro Cortini uses 1 Metasonix product

Alessandro Cortini

Keyboardist, Music Producer · Nine Inch Nails

Max Cooper uses 1 Metasonix product

Max Cooper

Music Producer

Andrew Huang uses 1 Metasonix product

Andrew Huang

Singer, Guitarist · First Of October

Alec Empire uses 1 Metasonix product

Alec Empire

Music Producer · Atari Teenage Riot

Hainbach uses 1 Metasonix product

Hainbach

Music Producer

Pretty Lights uses 1 Metasonix product

Pretty Lights

Bassist, Music Producer

Tzusing uses 1 Metasonix product

Tzusing

Music Producer, DJ

Nordvargr uses 1 Metasonix product

Nordvargr

Music Producer

MOODY GOOD uses 1 Metasonix product

MOODY GOOD

Music Producer · 16-BIT

Emika uses 1 Metasonix product

Emika

Music Producer

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