Mayer EMI MD850 Vibes “SynthStation”

The name SynthStation stands for a new concept: an all-in-one music production system that combines a synthesizer, drum machine, mixer, and sequencer. The addition of “Station” emphasizes that the Vibes MD850 is not just a synthesizer, but the centerpiece of an entire production and performance workflow.

With its 24 stereo voices, powerful XVA engine, fully featured audio mixer, enhanced clip launcher, comprehensive drum engine, and resonator oscillator, Vibes becomes the perfect instrument for sound designers and musicians.

FEATURES OF THE XVA-SOUND-ENGINE

• 24 freely available stereo voices
• 4 synth parts + 14 percussion instruments
• True stereophony – complete stereo audio signal path, from the oscillators via mixer, filter and effects sections to the output

Stereo structure per voice:

• 2 oscillators with 3 different models each

Algorithm oscillator

• 8 different waveforms (PD_SIN, VA_SWEEP, … and more)
• Morphing and modulation options

Wavetable oscillator 

• more than 50 selected wavetables
• Wavetables consisting of up to 256 single-cycle waveforms with 2048 samples per cycle (Serum format compatible)
• Spectral effects (spectral morphing, harmonic shift, … and more)
• up to 4x stereo unison

Resonator (physical modeling)

• 64 bands
• Attack/decay based exciter
• Various algorithms for defining the resonator band profiles

1 Sample/Noise oscillator

• Configurable loop modes and loop points
• Single or multi samples
• 2 stereo multimode filters with more than 10 different models

Sound shaping

• 4 ADSR envelopes
• 3 LFOs (MIDI synchronized, standard & custom waveforms)
• 1x waveform shaper with various algorithms
• Modulation matrix with 24 slots (25 source and 40 destination options)
• Oscillator mix and filter routing

Arpeggiator and step sequencer per synth par

Clip launcher

• 7 tracks (4 synth parts, drum track, 2 midi tracks for external instruments) with up to 8 clips per track
• Polyphonic MIDI sequencer with recording and quantization options
• Drum pattern and sequence editor 
• Support for external performance controllers (e.g. Launchpad, APKmini) via USB

Synth and live effect stacks 

• 4 stereo multi-effects stack (1x for each synth part) 
• 2 stereo live multi-effects stack in the audio mixer
• Reverb, Stereo Delay (midi-synchronized), Compressor, JChorus6, … and more

Digital audio mixer 

• 19 stereo input channels, 2 stereo output channels
• Bus, headphones and effect send 
• Balance, pan, limiter function

MIDI connectivity

• MIDI control, note on-off, pitch wheel, polyphonic aftertouch
• Transport send/receive 
• Clock send/receive

VibesConnect – Browser-Based User Interface

• Direct access to the Vibes MD850 via Wi-Fi or Ethernet – no extra software, drivers, or USB cables required
• Easily create, edit, and manage drum patterns and sequences on your computer or tablet
• Direct control of the sequencer/clip launcher – extremely practical, especially for live performances

Other features

• 14 GB internal memory available for presets, wavetables, samples, performances and MIDI sequences

 

HARDWARE FEATURES

User interface

• 5″ capacitive color touch screen (resolution 800×480 pixels) 
• 4 display-related and 1 main encoder
• 20 navigation and menu buttons
• One knob section (morphing of several parameters together)
• 3 synth-part related macro encoders (multicolored LED rings) 
• 3 filter-related encoders (multicolored LED rings for Filter CutOff, Resonance and Amount)

Inputs/Outputs:

• Power input 12VDC, 2.5A with power switch 
• 3x USB-A connection (max. 500mA)
• Ethernet (100Mbit)
• Connection for sustain pedal: 6.3 mm TR socket
• Connection for expression pedal: 6.3 mm TR socket
• DIN MIDI In/Thru/Out
• Stereo line-in: 6.3 mm TRS jack (24bit, 48KHz)
• Stereo line output: 6.3 mm TRS jack (24bit, 48KHz)
• Stereo headphone output: 6.3 mm TRS jack (24bit, 48KHz)
• 2.4/5GHz Wifi compatible

External appearance

• Size (W x D x H): 322mm x 174mm x 76mm
• Weight: 2kg
• Metal housing with walnut front and back
• 75mm x 75mm VESA mount

Package contents:

• Vibes MD850, 
• 6.3mm stereo to dual mono audio adapter cable
• Power supply 12VDC (with plugs for EU, UK, US, AUS)
• Quick start guide and safety instructions