KIJIMI MK2

Instead of fixed waveforms, KIJIMI’s voltage-controlled oscillators can morph continuously through waveform types. Sine, triangle, sawtooth, and variable pulse waves are smoothly variable, with pulse width as you turn to the far right. It’s a scheme that provides unique, independent timbral over each of the eight voices.

Each of KIJIMI ’s 8 voices features 2 analog oscillators each with a square sub-bass oscillator, for buttery timbres with extensive sound design options. The sub-oscillator produces an octave lower than the combined VCO1 and VCO2 outputs, meaning you can tune two sub-pitches. Hard sync is available in VCO sync and VCO1->2 and 2->1 configurations for maximum flexibility.  There’s also a noise source for adding bite and percussion components. A rich lowpass filter is built around the legendary 2140 chip and the ability to frequency-modulate it via VCO2, creates a full range of sounds from metallic and aggressive to subtle. Both filter cutoff and resonance are available as modulation destinations.

Two ADSR envelopes come with independent rate multipliers, keyboard control of attack rate, and versatile routing. Engage the CYCLE button for a cycling trapezoidal mode, similar to that on vintage instruments like the EMS Synthi. Few polysynths offer this level of detailed control, let alone with front-panel controls—no menu diving needed.

Modulation possibilities set the KIJIMI apart from other polysynths. Two LFOs can be routed independently to up to eight destinations, directly on front-panel buttons, controlling frequency and waveform modulation, sub-oscillator amount, filter cutoff and frequency, and amplitude modulation. Each LFO includes multiple waveform options (sine, triangle, saw, ramp, square, random) and separate attack and decay knobs in addition to rate. ADSR2 sports four independent destinations, also via front-panel push buttons and knobs. Even velocity and aftertouch get their own dedicated control section for applying velocity or aftertouch to each parameter (LFO rate, waveform morph, sub, pitch bend, and VCA). Dedicated knobs let you apply your aftertouch and poly-aftertouch, to taste, right where you want it. You’ll rarely use the menus, and when you do, it’ll only be to unlock even more advanced functionality (like multiple LFO features!). KIJIMI  is a rare case of fusing straightforward one-control-per-feature design with unrestricted possibilities.