Texas-based boutique instruments firm Merkaba Electronics has announced the String Armonica mkII, the latest iteration of its quirky-looking electromagnetic synth.

At its core, the String Armonica mkII reimagines musical synthesis by using 12 chromatically tuned strings — instead of electronic waveforms — as its sound source. Each string harmonically resonates through a custom-built internal synthesizer, enabling users to play a range of four octaves using a MIDI keyboard.

All strings can sound simultaneously in full polyphony as well. The result is a rich, acoustic-electric blend, unlike any conventional synthesizer or purely acoustic instrument.

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Sporting somewhat of a sushi-boat-meets-guitar aesthetic, the updated mkII features several key upgrades, including adjustable string height with redesigned bridges and custom-polished steel pickup plates for improved tone and performance.

It also adds four new built-in modes: Staccato Mode, for sharper, more defined sounds; Harp Sweeping Function, for seamless sweeping across strings using the pitch wheel; Arpeggiator, which offers five patterns for dynamic, rhythmic sequences; and Envelope Mode, which allows notes to automatically fade in with adjustable timing.

Each string on the mkII is equipped with an individual pickup and summed to a stereo output, creating an immersive experience. Players can also control sustain using the included felt damper, enabling both infinitely sustained and staccato notes.

Additional expressive controls include an external expression pedal for nuanced dynamics and an onboard tremolo system operated via the MIDI keyboard’s mod wheel.

“The String Armonica has a unique timbre, reminiscent of the Glass Armonica, which is how we stumbled upon the name,” says Merkaba Electronics. “It can sound like a variety of instruments including a celesta, a reed organ, or singing bowls. We believe it will be a great tool for composers to add a new layer of high harmonic richness to their compositions.”
Priced at $1,599.99, each unit also comes shipped with a custom hard shell case for safe transport.

Check out a demo of the String Armonica mkII below.

Learn more at Sound Stone.

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