{"product_id":"cherry-audio-crumar-ds-2-synthesizer","title":"CHERRY AUDIO CRUMAR DS-2 SYNTHESIZER","description":"\u003ch1 class=\"text-3xl font-bold md:text-5xl text-gray-50\"\u003eDigital Control, Analog Soul\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\n\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCherry Audio's \u003cstrong\u003eCrumar DS-2\u003c\/strong\u003e synthesizer faithfully replicates the unique digital\/analog sound of the ahead-of-its-time hardware synth from 1978. This latest collaboration with our friends at \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.crumar.it\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eCrumar Instruments\u003c\/a\u003e not only captures the distinctive tone and multitimbral capabilities of the original but also enhances them, offering an impressive combination of innovation and authenticity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/synthanatomy.com\/2026\/04\/cherry-audio-crumar-ds-2-review-and-sound-demo.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSynth Anatomy\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e says: \"It’s commendable and very welcome that Cherry Audio also creates emulations of synths that are weirder, odd and less famous... another great-sounding, characterful synthesizer that reflects both the original features and the sound design workflow, plus major refinements over the original Italian hardware from 1978.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe original Crumar DS-2 featured a monophonic synth engine paired with a 44-note fully polyphonic (paraphonic) companion section, creating a unique musical experience when utilized together. \"DS\" stood for \"Digital Synthesizer,\" and it was indeed an early hybrid synth with two Digitally-Controlled Oscillators (DCOs), and analog LFOs, VCFs, VCA, and EGs. But these weren't the same kind of DCOs we would become familiar with in later polyphonic synthesizers. To avoid the tuning problems of traditional analog synthesizers, Crumar employed a cutting-edge concept in the Synth section to create oscillators that wouldn’t drift. The resulting waveforms, however, were completely stair-stepped, producing a gritty tone and wild harmonics.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Poly section was paraphonic, with a single filter (with highpass and lowpass knobs) and its own VCA. It generated unique 'sawtooth' waveforms by combining divide-down square waves with resistors and high-pass filtering. The cutoff, resonance, and modulation settings of the Synth section also applied to the paraphonic poly filter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a result, the timbres produced by the DS-2 are distinct from both the smooth, polished sounds of most digital synthesizers and the warm, buttery tones associated with classic analog designs. Instead, the DS-2 has a jagged, harmonically edgy quality and a gritty character that sets it apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eArtists who used the Crumar DS-2 included a diverse array of performers, such as Cirrus, The Cardigans, Alan St. Jon (from the Billy Squier band), Tambourine Studio, Ernesto Ghezzi, Dr. Bill Rhodes, Giancarlo Toniutti, Ian Hunter\/Mick Ronson, Hainbach, Legowelt, Mahjongg, Jexus, and Sun Ra.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDS-2 is a true example of \"vintage digital\" technology, and it's been an exciting journey to revive it in software in collaboration with Crumar Instruments. We've significantly upgraded the DS-2 with a range of innovative features that firmly bring it into the 21st century. The monophonic Synth section has been expanded to include last\/high settings, as well as Unison and Multi voice options, offering voice cycling, panning, and tuning capabilities. It also boasts its own polyphonic functionality with 4-, 8-, or 16-voice options. Meanwhile, the Poly section supports full polyphony, accommodating up to 32 notes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor added versatility, DS-2 features a keyboard split mode in addition to the layered mode, allowing users to assign adjustable ranges for both splits and layers across the Synth and Poly tone generators. OSC 2 in the Synth section now includes a stair-stepped sine waveform option, and oscillator sync has been added for enhanced sound design possibilities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA third LFO has been introduced, offering ramp, sine, square, and staircase waveforms. Each LFO now includes discrete delay knobs, replacing the previous global delay knob, and features sync, retrigger, and one-shot capabilities. Reverse wave options are also available for LFOs 1 and 2. The LFO Mixer, which was previously hardwired to specific destinations, now offers six assignable destinations with 33 options each, providing unparalleled modulation flexibility.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe envelopes have been enhanced with an initial delay stage and velocity sensitivity, and now include looping functionality. Additionally, the Poly section now features VCA release control, making it better suited to powerful string-synth sonics. Touch control has been added with four slots and simple click-to-assign functionality, supporting both channel and polyphonic aftertouch with compatible MIDI controllers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe VCF has been upgraded to include both 12dB 2-pole and the original 24dB 4-pole options, along with polarity and key follow adjustments. Other enhancements include an assignable bend range, a mod wheel, and a dynamic arpeggiator that can be applied to either or both sections.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor effects, DS-2 provides three independent customizable effects chains: one for the Synth section, one for the Poly section, and a global layer. Each layer includes an individual effects modulator. Users can choose from 20 studio-quality effects that can be arranged, saved, and recalled within their effects chains. And producers can get started immediately with over 300 professionally designed presets in 14 categories for DS-2 that take full advantage of these features.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"I've been running Cherry Audio's DS-2 for a couple of days. I've been playing around with it, getting to know it, writing some music with it. And I thought it was amazing and brilliant.\" Cherry Audio has again collaborated with \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTim Shoebridge\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e to create a comprehensive introductory video for Crumar DS-2. This in-depth exploration highlights its key features, including the distinguishing stair-stepped oscillators of the Synth section, the Poly section, the new extensive modulation capabilities, envelope and looping options, and more.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mx-auto prose max-w-none dark:prose-light prose-blue\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCrumar DS-2 Features\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBased on the 1978 Crumar DS-2 that featured a monophonic DCO synth engine paired with a 44-note fully polyphonic (paraphonic) companion section, two LFOs, 24dB 4-pole VCF, two ADSR EGs, and a hardwired five part LFO mixer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eImproved Synth section: monophonic mode with last\/high settings, Unison, and Multi voice options (including voice cycling, panning, and tuning). Polyphonic capabilities with 4, 8, or 16 voice options.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eImproved Poly section: now fully polyphonic, accommodating up to 32 notes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition to the layered mode, there is a keyboard split mode for the Synth and Poly tone generators, featuring adjustable ranges for both splits and layers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo oscillators based on the digitally-controlled oscillators of the original, with stair-stepped waveforms for sawtooth, triangle, square and pulse waveforms. OSC 2 in the Synth section now includes a matching stair-stepped sine waveform option.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOscillator sync added.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn third LFO has been added to the original two, offering ramp, triangle, sine, square, sample \u0026amp; hold, and staircase waveform options.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLFOs have been enhanced with discrete delay knobs for each, replacing the previous global delay knob.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLFOs now include sync, retrigger, and one-shot capabilities, along with reverse wave options for LFOs 1 and 2.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe LFO Mixer, which was hardwired to OSC 1, OSC 2, VCF, VCA, and Pulse Width in the original, now features six assignable destinations with 33 options each.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn initial delay stage and velocity have been added to the envelopes (DADSR), and looped envelopes are now available. Polarity added to VCF EG.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVCA release control is included for the Poly section.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTouch control offers four slots with a simple click-to-assign functionality, allowing control by channel or polyphonic aftertouch with compatible controllers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe VCF now provides both 12dB 2-pole and original 24dB 4-pole options, with polarity and key follow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAssignable bend range for pitch and the addition of a dedicated mod wheel control.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDynamic arpeggiator for either or both sections, with four pattern modes – Arp, Leap, Order, Random – with swing, chance, and feel to add degrees of randomness to arpeggiated patterns.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThree independent customizable effects chains, one each for the Synth and Poly sections, plus a global layer, with an individual effects modulator for each layer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e20 studio-quality effects that can be arranged, saved, and recalled within their effects chains, which are interchangeable with recent Cherry Audio synthesizers:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBBD Flanger, Compressor, Digital Delay, Digital Reverb, Distortion \u0026amp; EQ, Dual Delay, Dual Ensemble, Dual Phaser, Envelope Filter, Flanger \u0026amp; Chorus, Galactic Reverb, Lo-Fi, Lushverb, Ring Modulator, Seven Band EQ, Spring Reverb, and Tape Echo. New in Mercury-8 are DCO Chorus, Panner, and Pulser.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMini UI effects control tray for on\/off, solo, bipolar modulator amount slider, and dry\/wet mix for each effect. Global FX on\/off, level, and stereo expand\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStandalone virtual instrument and plug-in versions included\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUser-adjustable oversampling control\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eComplete MIDI control and DAW automation for all controls, with easy-to-use MIDI learn and mapping (Preset and Global)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCherry Audio's popular Focus zoom-in feature, as well as standard UI zoom and resize via drag\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eComplete documentation available directly online from the instrument or in downloadable PDF format\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlso available, exclusively from Cherry Audio: the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/store.cherryaudio.com\/presets\/deep-space-for-ds-2\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDeep Space for Crumar DS-2 Preset Pack\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e is a set of 100 additional presets created by James Dyson. Deep Space explores tranquil, hypnotic soundscapes across 11 categories, utilizing DS-2's advanced modulation routing, expressive performance features, layers and splits, the arpeggiator, and studio-quality integrated effects.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"my-4\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"aspect-w-16 aspect-h-9\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCrumar DS-2\u003c\/strong\u003e is available in AU, VST, VST3, AAX, and standalone formats, and a free 30-day demo is available.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mx-auto prose max-w-none dark:prose-light prose-blue\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003emacOS Requirements: 10.13 or above. macOS 13 Ventura supported. 64-bit required. Native Apple M1 or greater processor support, including Ultra. 3.4 GHz Quad-Core or M1 CPU with 8GB of RAM is recommended. Hard disk space: 150 MB\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWindows Requirements: Windows 7 or above (including Windows 11), 64-bit required. Quad-core computer with 8GB of RAM is recommended. Hard disk space: 150 MB\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn internet connection is required for product activation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ciframe width=\"1390\" height=\"542\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/kNYKDhszzSg\" title=\"Cherry Audio | Deep Space for Crumar DS-2 Preset Pack by James Dyson\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e","brand":"CHERRY AUDIO","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45886473699501,"sku":null,"price":59.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0606\/3449\/7197\/files\/ds-2-ui-02.jpg?v=1775323876","url":"https:\/\/www.detroitmodular.com\/products\/cherry-audio-crumar-ds-2-synthesizer","provider":"Detroit Modular","version":"1.0","type":"link"}