Cirko Hound

This one in via Dr. Georg Müller. Title link takes you to a 5.65M zip of mp3s. Image via Synrise. Details below via the web archive. I remember when this came out.

"Hound Synthesizer
Cirko Electronics is a Dutch company specialized in custom made hardware. In a two years span we developed a music synthesizer module from scratch called the "HOUND". It is a multitimbral analogue synthesizer module build in a 19" rack. There are three version available only differing in the number of voices (6-, 10-, or 16-voices). This is not a so called "virtual analogue" synthesizer, with the VCF's simulated by fast DSP chips. The "HOUND" combines digital oscillators with real analogue (V)oltage (C)ontrolled (F)ilters. This synthesizer sounds big. That's why we called it the "HOUND". It's a savage beast.

Main Aspects
The VCF is equipped with not only the well known "Cutoff Frequency" and "Resonance", but also has a controller named "Fatness". There is a mode called twin mode where the voices are grouped to make the synthesizer function as a stereo device. Easy to learn menu driven graphical user interface with only six pushbuttons and a rotary knob. The four available audio outputs satisfy the full 16 part multi-timbral properties.

Librarian
The "HOUND" is delivered with a free librarian software package (W95/W98 only). This will enable the user to store and rearrange Patches(sounds) and Multi(timbral) settings on the PC's harddisk.

HOUND Analog Synthesizer Module

Polyphonic digital/analog classic synthesizer build in a 19" rack 2U.
24 dB/octave real analog VCF with Resonance & Fatness.
8-voice stereo or 16-voice mono routed to 4 outputs.
Digital oscillators with FM & PWM.
10 MIDI controllers (7 continuous, 3 pedals) simultaneously available.
Polyphonic Portamento.
Sample & Hold
16 Part Multi Timbral.
98 continuous parameters & 37 switches to setup a Patch
Easy manipulation of patches via 6 pushbuttons & rotary controller.
Large LCD display supports the graphic presentation.

HOUND specifications
The HOUND synthesizer combines both digital and analog technology. The oscillator's are digital in order to guarantee a sound source with very stable frequencies. The VCF is really analog (not virtual), thus giving warmth to the sound. The HOUND is a plain synthesizer. There are no samples inside, and no effect processors are build in.

The HOUND is MIDI controlled (MIDI-IN, MIDI-OUT, MIDI-THRU) and 16 part multitimbral. A total of 10 MIDI- controllers (7 continuous, 3 pedals) can be used simultaneously. All multitimbral settings are stored in multi's with a total of 24 multi's. Also the multitimbral routing to the four outputs of the HOUND is stored in a multi.

Different sounds are stored in patches of which 120 patches can be stored. A sound can be modified by editing the according patch. With the help of the graphical display and a smooth turning rotary knob it is easy to make adjustments. While editing a patch the parameters are surveyable displayed. Four pushbuttons have given a strict function, and two pushbuttons are soft keys. The latter functions are showed on the display.

The 10 MIDI-controllers (7+3) and the MIDI-messages note/velocity/aftertouch/release-velocity can control each patch in a way free to the users mind. Almost 100 parameters are available to make this possible.

The HOUND can operate in sole mode using the maximum number of voices available or in twin mode. In twin mode the voices are grouped in pairs resulting in stereo performance. Of course the number of voices is then cut in half, but in return there is more in it.

As a users aid a MIDI tester is available. It shows MIDI messages on different MIDI channels and displays them distinguished by MIDI message type."