Ikaron Modular Synth for PC Updated

Ikaron PCI Card

Ikaron 2 Screen Shot (Click for a close-up)

Ikaron 2 is a DSP-based expansion card for the PC featuring a dedicated modular synthesizer including individual analog I/O and MIDI. The sound generation covers virtual analog, FM, sampling, wavetables, and some forms of physical modeling. A wavetable editor allows conversion of samples and constructing arbitrary harmonic spectra for additive synthesis. A sample editor is included for quick integration of natural timbres into the sound generation.

The new graphical user interface looks considerably more professional than the predecessor's and sports additional features like a global mixer and performance setups. The control elements have become larger and optimized, too. Regarding the modules, there are some new ones: a virtual analog vocoder, a model of the legendary 4-pole ladder lowpass filter, a 3x32 step sequencer, an universal waveshaper, and the option to include external audio in the synthesis chain. The latter allows you to use Ikaron 2 as an effects unit if desired. There are also more factory programs, multiple card support, and PC loading below 1% with a CPU of 800 MHz up.

Ikaron 2 relies on the same hardware as its predecessor and runs under Windows 98/2000/XP. An upgrade (beta version) is provided for free on the manufacturer's website. The price has also decreased significantly. It is shipped by the Swiss manufacturer Frei Audiotechnik for 595 Euros (excl. VAT).