MARS Polyphonic Tube Synthesizer

Eternal Engine MARS

Replete with tubes and out of this world, the MARS Polyphonic Tube Synthesizer from Eternal Engine is a four-voice desktop synthesizer that brings the rich sound of tube circuits to modern musical workflows. The first polyphonic synth to be based entirely around vacuum tubes, MARS delivers the analog magic of their Apparatus monosynth expanded to four polyphonic voices. Four oscillators based on the powerful R-2R DAC TDA1387 chip offer a luxuriously warm sound quality, while the fully tube-based audio signal path ensures decadent drive bursting at the seams with raw analog tone. From in-your-face FM melodies to acidic bass and lush pads, MARS is sure to take your sound into the stratosphere.

In addition to the multimode oscillator quartet which serves as the sonic foundation for designing sounds in MARS, a resonant tube filter helps sculpt signals into new shapes, with self-oscillation at the ready for squelching filter movement and resonant feedback tones alike. The primary VCA in the audio path is designed as a tube opto compressor, handling not only volume control but also offering a gentle squeeze that makes every sound pop through a mix. When needed, an onboard triode asymmetric overdrive is available, electrifying your tones with hot tube saturation. Two HADSR envelopes, a synchronizable LFO, and four channels of CV inputs and a Gate input round out the modulation options in MARS, complete with a four-channel modulation matrix for complex patch design.

In its compact, 5U rack unit format, MARS is built like an absolute tank, with plenty of bells and whistles that help catch eyes in the studio. Even the display is rich with tube quality, featuring an indicator display based on Nixie lamps for the ultimate vintage vibe. In addition to its connections for integration with modular synths, MARS features 5-Pin and USB MIDI connectivity, enabling seamless integration with DAW workflows using a dedicated plug-in with full software control. An external audio input is also available, enabling every sound in your studio to taste a bit of MARS' tube-centric sweetening. Whether you're looking for a perfect blend of analog richness with digital control or just want to blast off into space-grade tube sounds, MARS from Eternal Engine is sure to be a final frontier for analog lovers worldwide.

MARS Features

• Polyphonic four-voice desktop synthesizer with fully tube-based audio path
• 4x oscillators with multiple modes:
  • Basic: classic waveforms with sine, triangle, sawtooth, and fixed pulse width waves
  • Pulse: dedicated PWM oscillator mode
  • Ensemble: thick detuned ensemble voice with noise, high pass, and low pass filters
• Voltage controlled Tube Filter with self-oscillating resonance at high settings
• VCA based on tube opto compression designs
• Triode asymmetric overdrive
• 2x HADSR envelope generators with retriggers
• LFO with clock synchronization and multiple waveforms
• Sample & Hold and Noise generator with configurable high pass and low pass filters
• 4-channel modulation matrix
• Mono, duo, and 4-voice polyphonic modes
• Automatic and continuous portamento modes
• 4x channels of CV input and gate input
• 5-Pin DIN and USB MIDI input and output
• Full software control integration with dedicated plug-in
• Rugged all metal enclosure in 5U 19" rack format
• Nixie lamp based indicator display
• Includes spare set of tubes