Ensoniq's FIZMO Now Shipping

EMU-ENSONIQ is excited to announce FIZMO, an entirely new, interactive, 61-key synthesizer from ENSONIQ. FIZMO is ENSONIQ's latest keyboard synth that is tailored toward the modern musician. FIZMO utilizes real-time transwave synthesis, a powerful synthesis engine capable of 48-voice polyphony, state-of-the-art 20-bit output converters, 24-bit on-board effects that are powered by ESP-2 (the same chip found in ENSONIQ's PARIS system), and a Flash OS that is user upgradeable via the internet or floppy disk. FIZMO is shipping in late October and has a suggested retail price of $1495.

Real-time transwave synthesis

ENSONIQ's sound design team created a new 4MB ROM specifically for FIZMO. ENSONIQ's Transwaves form the foundation of FIZMO's sound. Each transwave is a wavetable of sound data with a number of loops, called frames, rather than just one. Each frame has a slightly different harmonic structure and they're arranged sequentially so that the timbres progress naturally from one end to the other. FIZMO is capable of a wide variety of timbres-morphing bell tones, analog favorites, resonance sweeps, as well as unique, physically modeled timbres. FIZMO's presets consist of up to four sounds that may be layered, split across the keyboard, or addressed via MIDI on separate channels. FIZMO's synth engine is capable of 48-note polyphony and its state-of-the-art 20-bit output converters ensure crystal clear sound with a wide dynamic range and an extremely low-noise floor.

Real-time control interface

A real-time control interface is coupled with FIZMO's advanced wavetable synth engine to creating an entirely new, interactive playing experience. Every programming function has it's own dedicated knob or button. Five "FIZMO" tweak knobs provide real-time performance modulation to FIZMO sounds. Each knob controls all current sounds on the keyboard simultaneously and may address several controllers, allowing the player to make dramatic, instantaneous changes to a preset. In addition, all controls may be recorded in real time to an external sequencer. "FIZMO blends the best technical and musical qualities of a synthesizer. Anyone can get a groove happening on it in minutes!" says Joe Kramer, ENSONIQ product manager.

On-board effects

On-board 24-bit effects are powered by ENSONIQ's ESP-2, the same powerful chip found in ENSONIQ's PARIS Hard Disk Recording System. High-quality, global reverb with three adjustable busses is always available, and a separate insert effect may be used in a preset. FIZMO includes 41 legendary ENSONIQ insert effects algorithms and a microphone input is provided so that the coveted sounds of vintage Vocoders are accessible.

Arpeggiator

Players of all levels will enjoy interacting with the "Intelligent" Arpeggiator. ENSONIQ engineers carefully crafted the software and presets so that complex, musically useful patterns are instantly available. A "Tap Tempo" button is provided, making it easy to lock in to a live performance. Performers may also set the tempo manually or sync to MIDI clock.

Flash OS

Also new to FIZMO is a Flash operating system that is user upgradeable over MIDI. OS updates are delivered on disk or via the Internet in Standard MIDI File (SMF) format. Users simply load the file into any software program or hardware MIDI sequencer capable of SMF playback and "play the sequence" into FIZMO to perform the update.

Performance features

• Five FIZMO real-time control knobs
• Four dedicated Sound buttons allow convenient selection, layering and key range assignment of presets
• 17 dedicated Sound and Effect editing knobs
• All four zones can play local sounds or external MIDI sources.
• 48 dynamically assigned voices
• Dual layer voice architecture with the following parameters (per layer): Independent waveform selection, Volume, and Pan
• Four-pole dynamic digital low-pass resonant filters with key tracking (33 settings, including fractional scaling)
• Three envelope generators that can be modulated by velocity, key scaling, and response to release velocity
• 22 modulation sources, 8 modulation destinations
• One LFO (seven waveform choices can sync to Arpeggiator or external MIDI clock)
• Variable rate noise generator can sync to Arpeggiator or external MIDI Octave, semi-tone, and fine tuning
• Pitch tracking (33 settings, including fractional scaling)
• 45 ROM pitch tables (256 steps per semi-tone resolution)
• Glide mode, glide time
• Mono/poly playback
• Programmable pitch bend range
• Sustain on/off