Pulsar Modular – Zorba v1.0.7 for WiN

The Legacy of the Pulsar P900

The first patch is Juno. The second is Jupiter. And the third is something the first two could only dream of.

Zorba arose from a simple question

What would a synthesizer sound like if it retained the warmth and soul of classic analog devices, but wasn’t constrained by their original architecture? Juno, Jupiter, Prophet, and Moog all made bold compromises in oscillator count, modulation paths, and envelope settings. These limitations shaped their character, and that character has defined the sound of countless albums over the decades.

Modern software synthesizers offer hundreds of parameters and unlimited routing options. But Zorba doesn’t aim to compete. Its goal is to excel in sound quality and achieve the depth that comes with having an instrument’s own unique voice.

The signal path is inspired by the analog heritage of the Pulsar Modular P900. Both filters use the same State Variable 904-F design. The noise generator operates independently, with its own high- and low-pass filters, allowing transients, BBD-style chorus, and organ clicks to be superimposed on the fundamental tone without altering it.

The end result is an instrument that’s ready to use right out of the box. Load a preset and start playing. Use the modulation matrix and experiment with routing.

Welcome to the world of Zorba!

Three voices

Two variable main and one dedicated auxiliary. VCO1 and VCO2 share a common modifier button that continuously switches between sawtooth, square, triangle, and sine modes. VCO3 is a completely independent auxiliary oscillator, operating one octave below the main pair, with its own tuning, gain, and filter settings.

Two Filters, Four Modes

904-F State Variable. Four-Zone Singing. Two independent filters based on the 904-F state variable design. Low-pass, band-pass, high-pass, and notch filters, each with a resonance curve that passes through purity, self-oscillation, transformer saturation, and the black hole revival zone.

174 routes

A mod matrix that connects virtually everything. Ten sources reach 38 unique targets in the synthesizer. Each route has its own depth. Multiple sources can share a target and combine. There are no restrictions on the number of game slots, no installation fees to get started, and by default, Zorba’s music plays when you press a key.

Key Features

• Sound Engine: Functions as a monophonic, 4- and 8-voice polyphonic synthesizer.
• Sound Generators: Features 2 analog VCOs, 1 Sub Oscillator, and 1 Noise Oscillator with dedicated LPF and HPF filters.
• Modulation: Features dual LFOs, three envelope generators (EGs) for VCA and VCF, and a comprehensive modulation matrix. 
• Ring Modulation: Available via a dedicated VCO or an external side-chain input.
• Built-in Effects: Includes a compact version of Lunar Lander’s signature BBD delay and plate reverb.