E352

Cloud Terrarium VCO

The Synthesis Technology E352 combines the latest 200MHz 32-bit ARM DSP with SynthTech's Cloud and Morphing algorithms found in the legendary E340 Cloud Generator and the E350 Morphing Terrarium.

If you want the black panel version of the E352, you can order it directly using the BUY NOW button.

Some important features:

  • User-defined wavetables loaded via microSD card
  • Color 240 x 320 TFT LCD display
  • Grayhill mil-spec optical encoder for data entry
  • 16-bit wavetables (versus 8-bit for the E350) for 5x lower noise & THD
  • Contains all 192 of the original E350 wavetables
  • LFO mode, variable Glitch Energy and other added features

VCO Architecture

The E352 has a single VCO, but 2 seperate audio outputs. The outputs are determined by the VCO Mode setting. They do not necessarily have to be the same pitch (Detuning Mode).

The VCO is based upon a unique implementation of wavetable synthesis using 256 fixed-sample-length tables of 16-bit values. Each bank in memory consists of 64 wavetables, in an 8x8 array (like a chessboard). Our proprietary DSP algorithms then allow either smooth or 'glitched' morphing between the wavetables in various ways. The E352 comes with 3 factory banks (192 total waves) and internal FLASH memory to hold 26 user-defined banks. This allows over 1,650 individual wavetables to be accessible. The free, cross-platform WaveEdit program is used to generate and import WAV files to user Banks.

Each VCO has 3 CV inputs (called Parameters or PARMs) which the VCO mode assigns to functions within that algorithm. In addition, there is a hard SYNC input, and the FM can be set to exponential or 3 ranges of TZFM (Thru-Zero FM).

Color LCD/Navigation

Everyone hates 'menu-diving', us included. That's why we focused on making the most 'shallow' menu system possible. Everything is just 1 or 2 clicks away. No endless screens and pages to remember. The encoder is a mil-spec Grayhill optical encoder with a 25yr typical life. And if it ever needs replacing, it's on a easy to access cable assembly.

The color LCD lets you customize the color scheme with 64 different colors to pick from.

There are several included 'visual aids' that can be displayed on the LCD:

  • Each of the VCO output waves/noise modes, updated 20FPS
  • Lissajous figures
  • Real-time FFT spectra of the audio output when in the 2-op FM mode
  • Graphical maps of the X and Y PARM CVs
  • Interesting 'Eye Candy' effects

User Wavetables and Patch Storage

You can load your own sets of wavetables using the uSD card interface. The uSD card is NOT REQUIRED to run the E352. It is also used for firmware updates. The free application WaveEdit is used to format the wave data and bank data into the proper format used inside the E352.

The E352 has internal non-volatile memory for storing both User wavetables/Banks and for Patches. A 'Patch' stores the menu settings. There are 8 Patches available, and a Patch can be quickly recalled for live performances.

VCO Modes

Although the E352 excels at smooth morphing between wavetables (first introduced in the E350 Morphing Terrarium in 2010), traditional VCO waves such as saws, pure sines, and filtered noise (using a 4-pole resonant lowpass ladder filter) can be selected. Thru-zero, linear FM (in 3 ranges) can be used on not just triangle waves (as in an analog VCO) but with ANY waveshape or any wavetable. Here are all the different modes.

  • Morphing - Use 3 CVs to select where in the 8x8 bank of wavetables the output is generated. This is the E350's mode.
  • Morph + Phase Shifting - used when mixing with another VCO (or driving laser galvos). Audio-rate modulation generates classic PM tones. Wavetable morphing plus a voltage-controlled phase shifter.
  • Morph + Wavefolder - can you wavefold a wavetable? Sure you can...now.
  • Cloud Generator - this is an improved E340 mode. Not just saws or sines, but can 'cloud' any wavetable. A 'cloud' is a set of detuned copies (the 'supersaw' effect)
  • Morphing Cloud Generator - combination of Cloud + Morph modes.
  • 2op FM - 2 operator Yamaha FM. Not limited to just sine waves, you can use wavetables as well.
  • Noise - 6 types of noise plus a resonant, Moog-style ladder filter
  • Sample Player - a 'lo-fi' sample player that treats the selected Bank as 1 giant WAV sample, with separate Start and Length points under voltage control.

NEW! Firmware V1.6b (Oct. 14, 2021)

The file is here.

Please refer to the Release Notes for additional features.

This replaces the prior V1.6, but is ONLY necessary if your E352 was built after Sept. 2021. The date of manufacture is written by the serial number on the rear.

Changes from V1.6 are as follows:

Bugfixes
  • Updates SPI FLASH read/write to allow different IC vendors to be used.

New Features:

There are no added features from prior version V1.6

Legacy Firmware V1.6 (June 12, 2021)

The file is here.

The User Manual has been updated updated. Please refer to the Release Notes for additional features.

This replaces the prior V1.5

Changes from V1.5 are as follows:

Bugfixes
  • Fixed a case where Noise outputs were uncorrelated.

New Features:

  • 16 Named patch locations (up from 8)
  • Morph + Chord mode
  • Morph + Blend Mode
  • Selectable HPF removes DC offsets in FM CV In
  • various UI improvements

Please read the Release Notes PDF file before reporting any bugs or other comments.

Installing new E352 Firmware

Please follow the directions below to upgarde tour E352 to this latest firmware. You will need a FAT32-formatted uSD card of 32GB OR LESS. Larger cards may fail to load the firmware! Use a card with 32GB of memory or less!

  • Download the ZIP file, and extract it to the root directory of the uSD card. Do not change the name of the file.
  • Turn the power off to the E352.
  • Insert the uSD card into the connector 'label side up'.
  • Press and hold the encoder knob (like a data entry). While pressing the knob down, turn the power on.
  • When the boot screen appears, release the encoder knob. The E352 will scan for the file on the uSD card.
  • Once the file is found, the menu will ask if you want to upgrade, rotate the encoder to YES and click the encoder.
  • The E352 will erase the old firmware and install the new version. Your saved patches and User Banks are ERASED.
  • After the install is verified, you will be prompted to click the encoder knob to launch the new firmware. The Version diplayed at the bottom of the main screen is V1.2
E352 Cloud Terrarium VCO
26hp