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Average Price: $949
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$149
$350+
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Description
Unleash your creative potential with the PHENOL - Patchable Analog Synthesizer, an innovative electronic instrument by Kilpatrick Audio. Designed to capture the essence of classic modular synthesis, PHENOL delivers a compact, user-friendly experience that invites both seasoned musicians and curious newcomers to explore the vast universe of sound. This synthesizer encapsulates the grandeur of traditional modular systems into a sleek, affordable package without compromising on the rich, immersive sound that analog synthesis is renowned for.
Whether you're on the go or setting up your dream studio, PHENOL's compatibility with modular systems through banana connectors and standardized voltages offers seamless integration into any setup. Its patchable nature encourages hands-on experimentation, allowing you to craft unique soundscapes and rhythmic patterns with ease. Perfect for live performances or studio sessions, PHENOL is more than just an instrument; it's a gateway to boundless sonic exploration.
Embrace the allure of analog with a synthesizer that fits into any musician's collection, offering a robust and versatile platform to express your musical imagination.
Key Features:
- Compact and portable design
- Patchable interface for creative experimentation
- Compatible with Kilpatrick Format and other modular systems
- Standardized voltages for seamless integration
- Ideal for both beginners and experienced musicians
- Hands-on control of sound and rhythm creation
- Affordable entry point into the world of modular synthesis
Product specs
| Brand | Kilpatrick Audio |
| Model | Phenol |
| Finish | Silver |
| Year | 2010s |
| Made In | Canada |
| Categories | Analog Synths, Desktop Synths |
| Analog / Digital | Analog |
| MIDI I/O | USB MIDI |
| Polyphony | 2 Voices |
FAQs
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Is the PHENOL synthesizer compatible with other modular systems?
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Yes, the PHENOL uses a banana patch system with color-coded jacks and voltages compatible with Kilpatrick Format and other modular systems, allowing for flexible integration with various setups.
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What types of sounds can I create with the PHENOL synthesizer's VCOs?
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The PHENOL features two analog VCOs with triangle, ramp, and pulse outputs, enabling a wide range of sound creation from smooth, rounded tones to sharp, edgy timbres.
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Does the PHENOL synthesizer include a MIDI interface?
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Yes, the PHENOL has an internal MIDI to CV converter with both DIN and USB MIDI interfaces, allowing seamless connection to a PC or Mac for expanded control options.
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What are the main features of the PHENOL's filters?
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The PHENOL includes two analog filters with low pass and band pass modes, offering versatile sound shaping capabilities for sculpting your audio output.
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Can I use external audio sources with the PHENOL synthesizer?
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Yes, the PHENOL has two external audio inputs that buffer and amplify line-level signals, allowing you to process drum machines or other audio sources through the system.
Videos
KilpatrickAudio
PHENOL Modular Synth
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about PHENOL - Patchable Analog Synthesizer.
Comparisons
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The Phenol is compared with synths like KARP Odyssey, Sub Phatty, OP-1, suggesting it holds its own in terms of uniqueness.
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The Phenol is compared to a Buchla Easel, appealing to those interested in West Coast modular styles without the high cost of a Buchla.
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Users mention the Phenol’s unique character compared to the more popular Pittsburgh Modular SV-1, noting the Phenol as having more distinct personality.
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Value and pricing
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Despite its unique features, the Phenol is noted for seeming more expensive than its actual price, attributed to its distinctive quirkiness and design.
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Price comparisons highlight variability: $1,046 CAD ($772 USD) at Saved by Technology, $849 USD at Perfect Circuit Audio, influencing perceived value.
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Features and functionality
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The Phenol is highlighted as an excellent introduction to full-modular patching, offering a self-contained experience that contrasts with semi-modular systems like the 0-Coast.
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The Phenol's banana jacks allow for stacking, facilitating complex patching setups not typically achievable with standard 3.5mm jacks.
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The Phenol uses banana cables, but it can be cross-patched with line-cables by creating cables with a banana plug on one side and a normal plug on the other.
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The divider section can be used creatively as a suboscillator, expanding sonic possibilities beyond the default dual oscillator setup.
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The delay on the Phenol has been described as noisy, but in a way that some users find not terrible, adding a unique character to the sound.
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The oscillators and filters are described as "clinical" and functional, with a rawness similar to Serge synths, but they may lack the warmth found in other synths like the MS-20.
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Use cases and applications
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The Phenol is favored for creating "bleeps and bloops" and soundscapes, with stepped envelopes considered particularly effective for these sounds.
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The Phenol is considered a great learning tool for modular patching due to its dual oscillator, filter, and envelope setup, mirroring Serge patch programming.
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User experience
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Owners report that the Phenol is visually striking, enhancing the experience by being pleasing to look at during use.
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Owners appreciate the unique patching experience with banana jacks, finding it adds fun and a distinct sonic character, notably gnarly and industrial.
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Users report that while the Phenol is feature-packed and well-designed, its individual components may not be as engaging as other synths like the MS-20.
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Software and compatibility
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For extensive audio or CV patching with other gear, using a format jumbler like Low-Gain Audio's UTL1/2 is recommended to establish a common ground.
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The Phenol tracks 1v/oct, making it compatible with Eurorack gear, but requires establishing a common ground due to the lack of grounding in banana cables.
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Critic Reviews
4.5 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 2 Ratings
Artist usage
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