Frap Tools Magnolia Synthesizer Information, Specifications and Resources

Author: Andy Merrett / Data Driven

Overview

The Frap Tools Magnolia is a synthesizer released this year. It is aimed at musicians wanting to create and modify their own sounds.

The Magnolia has 61 synth/organ style full sized keys with touch sensitivity and aftertouch. It has eight notes of polyphony. It has a sustain/damper pedal.

The Magnolia uses Frap Tools's FM sound generation. Frequency Modulation is an iconic digital synthesis for metallic, bell-like, and evolving tones.

It has built-in MIDI capabilities. It has no built-in learning system. It has no built-in speakers which means you will have to connect it to external amplification and speakers in order to hear it. It runs from AC power.

Description

Magnolia is an eight-voice analog through-zero linear FM synthesizer. Besides the classic analog polysynth sounds, its design allows programming some less conventional timbres closer to a particular family of synthesizer modules known as “complex oscillators.”

With the Magnolia, it is thus possible to bring advanced synthesis techniques in the world of analog polysynths and retain their known advantages: polyphony, immediacy of use, powerful sound, and those little unpredictable details generally known as “analog warmth.”

Magnolia is a highly playable instrument thanks to its expressive Fatar keyboard with polyphonic aftertouch, and encourages sound exploration through its large and relaxing front panel.

Key Features

• 8-voice polyphony.
• All-analog signal path.
• Analog through-zero frequency modulation.
• 5-octave, velocity-sensitive keyboard with polyphonic aftertouch and adjustable curves.
• Bi-timbral programs with Morph, Dual, and Split capabilities.
• Two oscillators per voice: an “east coast” one with PWM and a “west coast” one with linear TZFM, wavefolder, and flip sync.
• Continuously variable wave form selector.
• 18 dB/oct high-pass and 24 dB/oct low-pass resonant filters with linear FM.
• Analog pre-filter saturation.
• Three loopable DAHDSR digital envelopes.
• Three digital LFOs with continuously variable wave forms.
• Per-part arpeggiator.
• Per-part 16-step sequencer.
• 200 memory slots for presets.
• Analog global distortion.
• Two global digital effect slots with choruses and delays.
• Hands-on modulation matrix with explicit visual cue.
• Velocity-off modulation source.
• “Polymove,” an expanded polyphonic randomization source.
• A Macro knob assignable to every parameter.
• 16 modulation sources.
• 38 modulation destinations.
• 64 modulation slots per part.
• Independent midi channels.

We made Magnolia because we wanted to offer our iconic modular analog sound in a more straightforward instrument that could play chords and other 12-note music right away.

Inside, we put all of our signature sound tools: analog triangle-core oscillators, thru-zero FM, wavefolders, analog distortion, and wild, resonant filter. It is a powerful instrument, capable of a wide gamut of sounds that range from soft, glass-like pads to earth-shattering distorted leads.

A hands-on modulation matrix allows you to connect 16 modulation sources to 32 modulation destinations by just pushing a button and twisting a knob.

We always designed from scratch every single circuit and Magnolia is no exception: it is an actual shrinked version of our popular Eurorack modules, without any stock ICs whatsoever!

Magnolia is meant to be played, and so it must offer you many ways to dynamically interact with your sounds.

There are many physical access points, like its expressive Fatar keyboard with polyphonic aftertouch, pitch and mod wheels, a Macro knob and a Morph knob, plus two expression pedal inputs

However, there is a total of 16 modulation sources and 38 modulation destinations, all equipped with an LED that tells whether that source or destination is active.

Three LFOs, three envelopes, and, most importantly, the Polymove: it is a refined random generator that creates a random control signal for every voice and every destination within that voice. If you’re in search for a quick way to animate your sounds, from subtle variations to complete chaos, look no further!

Most of us think about frequency modulation as carriers, operators, and weird formulas. While this is an accurate depiction of the most refined linear FM implementation, we must not forget that, at the end of the day, FM is just a an oscillator modulating another one at audio rate to create complex sounds.

That’s what you’ll find on Magnolia! Just two oscillators and a big, orange knob to tweak. It is a more raw and in-your-face way of doing FM, without precise ratios and indices, but we guarantee: it’s incredibly fun!

And what does “thru-zero” mean? It is a label that makes sense only when talking about analog oscillators, and it just says: hey, I’m an analog circuit, but I can do real FM!

Specifications

• Architecture: Polyphonic, Bi-timbral Analog Synthesizer
• Sound path: In-house developed full analog voices
• Polyphony: 8 voices
• Effects: Stereo analog distortion. In parallel digital stereo effects.
• Keybed: 61 keys Fatar keybed with velocity and polyphonic Aftertouch
• Controllers: Pitch Wheel, Mod Wheel, Macro Knob, Hold Button, Sustain Pedal input, 2x Expression Pedal input.
• Panel Controls: 33 knobs, 15 sliders, 50 buttons
• Connections: Stereo Headphones Output, Main Output Left & Right, USBC, Sustain, MIDI In/Out/Thrum 2x Expression Pedal Input
• Modulations: 16 sources, 38 destinations, 64 slots per part (with 2 parts per program)
• Monophonic Modulators: Pitch & Mod Wheels, Expression Pedal 1 & 2, Macro Knob
• Polyphonic Modulators: Tracking, Velocity On & Off, Polymove, Aftertouch, 3x LFOs, 3x 6-stages Envelopes
• Size: ~ 990 × 380 × 110 mm (knobs & feet included)
• Weight: ~ 15kg

FAQ

What year was the Frap Tools Magnolia launched?

This instrument was launched in 2026

What models did other manufacturers release in 2026?

• Behringer JN-80
• Casio PX-S1100CB
• Casio PX-S1100MB
• Donner Eastar KIDO V-10 32 key
• Donner Eastar KIDO V-10 44 key
• Korg Liano LIVE!
• Kurzweil SP8
• Modal Electronics ELEMENT One
• Nord Electro 7 61
• Nord Electro 7 73
• Nord Electro 7 HP
• Roland FP-40
• Roland GO:KEYS 3 Minion
• Roland Kiyola KF-20
• Roland Kiyola KF-25
• Studiologic Numa X Piano GTSE
• Studiologic SL73
• Studiologic SL88
• Studiologic SL88 GT
• Yamaha PSR-E483
• Yamaha PSR-E583
• Yamaha PSR-SX620
• Yamaha PSR-SX720+
• Yamaha YDP-146
• Yamaha YDP-166
• Yamaha YDP-S36
• Yamaha YDP-S56

What other synths were released at a similar time?

• Arturia AstroLab 37
• Arturia AstroLab 61
• Arturia AstroLab 88
• Arturia MatrixBrute Noir
• Arturia MiniFreak Stellar
• Arturia PolyBrute 12
• Arturia PolyBrute Noir
• Behringer Deepmind 12X
• Behringer Deepmind 6X
• Behringer JN-80
• Behringer MS-1 MK-II-GY
• Behringer MS-1 MK-II-RD
• Behringer MS-5
• Behringer WAVE
• Ketron Fusion
• Korg KingKORG NEO
• Korg microKORG2
• Korg microKORG2 MBK
• Korg microKORG2 MWH
• Korg multi/poly
• Korg opsix mk ii
• Kurzweil K2061
• Kurzweil K2088
• Medeli AKX10S
• Modal Electronics ELEMENT One
• Nord Electro 7 61
• Nord Electro 7 73
• Nord Electro 7 HP
• Nord Piano 5 73
• Nord Piano 5 88
• Nord Piano 6 73-key
• Nord Piano 6 88-key
• Roland FANTOM 6 EX
• Roland FANTOM 7 EX
• Roland FANTOM 8 EX
• Roland JUNO-D6
• Roland JUNO-D7
• Roland JUNO-D8
• Roland JUPITER-Xm
• Roland V-STAGE 76
• Roland V-STAGE 88
• Roland XPS-10X
• Roland XPS-60
• Sequential Fourm
• Studiologic Numa Compact SE
• Studiologic Numa Compact X SE
• Studiologic Numa X Piano GTSE
• Yamaha MODX M6
• Yamaha MODX M7
• Yamaha MODX M8
• Yamaha PSR-SX620
• Yamaha PSR-SX720
• Yamaha PSR-SX720+
• Yamaha PSR-SX920

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Purchase Links

Buy the Frap Tools Magnolia on Reverb

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More Info

• Manufacturer Product Page: https://frap.tools/magnolia/
• Article Page: https://pianoandsynth.com/magnolia-analog-fm-synth-launches/