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Polyphonic Granular Synthesizer

  • Compact desktop design
  • 2 granulators and an additional oscillator
  • 4-voice polyphony
  • 2 multimode filters, 2 envelopes, 2 LFOs and a modulation sequencer
  • Controllable via MIDI for real-time sound manipulation
  • 6 effects: flanger, distortion, chorus, phaser (FX1), delay and reverb (FX2)
  • 2" touch screen
  • 2 encoders and 4 control buttons
  • Over 100 presets and WAV files (on the microSD card included)
  • Supports WAV import via microSD card
  • Power supply via USB-C
  • 1 MIDI in/out: 3.5 mm jack
  • 1 Clock In: 3.5 mm jack
  • 1 Line In/Out: 3.5 mm jack
  • 1 USB-C connection
  • 1 MicroSD card slot
  • Dimensions (W x D x H): Approx. 95 x 76 x 38 mm
  • Weight: 112 g
  • Incl. USB-C to USB-A cable, MIDI adapter, microSD card, quick-start guide
  • Available since February 2022
  • Item number 536616
  • Sales Unit 1 piece(s)
  • Design Desktop
  • Polyphony 4
  • Sound Generation Digital
  • MIDI interface 1x In, 1x Out
  • Storage Medium MicroSD
  • USB-port Yes
  • Effects Yes
  • Arpeggiator No
  • Number of Analog Outputs 2
  • Digital Output Yes
  • Display Yes
  • Optional Expansions N/A
  • Special Features Compact Desktop Design
444 €
All prices incl. VAT
In stock
1

A pocketful of lemondrops

The bright yellow 1010music Nanobox Lemondrop is probably one of the smallest desktop synthesizers out there. It's a 4-voice polyphonic synth that uses granular synthesis to create its sound. Unlike its sibling, the Nanobox Fireball – which is a wavetable synth – it can work with absolutely any kind of audio data stored as .wav files on the pre-installed SD card. Plus, it offers access to even more grain parameters for deeper, more detailed sound design. Creative musicians can sculpt their sound using the two multimode filters, two envelopes, and two LFOs. The Lemondrop also has a modulation sequencer to really breathe life into patches, samples, and textures, not to mention the six built-in effects. It's also not much larger than a pack of cards, so it is literally pocket-sized – giving anyone who makes music a powerful way of making new sounds at the next jam session.

1010music nanobox lemondrop, polyphonic granular synthesizer

Complex granular synthesis in a compact device

Operating the Nanobox Lemondrop could scarcely be simpler, thanks to the four buttons, two endless encoders, and the clear and compact 2" touchscreen. The display shows which preset is currently in use; to switch between them, just tap the preset's name and use the encoder to scroll through and pick a different one. In that same menu, presets can also be saved, deleted, or renamed. Tapping on the waveform display allows users to tweak the parameters for each one individually. The Nanobox Lemondrop's has three oscillators in total – two for granular synthesis and one that adds extra texture to the sound by blending in different waveforms as percentages. Alongside pitch, beat sync, density and level, there are also controls for grain size, window, jitter, and pan random – all of which combine to shape some genuinely complex sounds.

Intuitive synthesis

The Nanobox Lemondrop's a great choice for audio artists after a compact granular synth they can always have on hand for spontaneous jam sessions. It measures less than 10cm square, but packs a serious punch when it comes to sound – and it's so easy to load in new .wav files to keep things fresh. Compared to the Nanobox Fireball, there's even more parameters to play around with, so that finely tuned individual sound can be taken absolutely anywhere. Fortunately, the stripped-back interface makes for a really intuitive workflow: However, with the mini-TRS to MIDI adapter cable included as standard, the Lemondrop can also be hooked up to external gear, meaning it there's almost no end to the options available for sound shaping. Power is supplied via the USB-C cable it also ships with, keeping things nice and simple.

About 1010music

1010music was founded in Los Angeles in 2016 and focuses on digital solutions for musical applications. Prior to creating their own products, the developers at 1010music had all worked for renowned companies on large software projects such as Native Instrument's Traktor DJ. 1010Music’s creative modules – designed for Eurorack modular systems such as samplers, loopers, sequencers, synthesizers and effects – combine digital technology with analogue controls and are operated via multifunctional touch displays.

1010music Nanobox Lemondrop, rear view with prots

Seamless integration

Lined up neatly on the top edge of the Nanobox Lemondrop are all the ports needed to integrate it seamlessly into any setup. It accepts MIDI commands via the MIDI input, and that signal can be passed on to other gear via the MIDI output. The Lemondrop supports note on/off, mod wheel, sustain, pitch bend, mono and poly aftertouch, CC messages, and clock signals. There's also a clock input for syncing up with an external MIDI clock. This compact granular synth's internal tempo can be set by simply pressing the right-most button while in the main menu, which is also where users can adjust the pitch bend range and reset the oscillator. Because of its tiny size, the synth outputs stereo signals through two 3.5mm jacks. If it's going into a pro setup, a breakout cable (sold separately) will be a necessary accessory.

32 Customer ratings

4.5 / 5

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25 Reviews

a
Enourmous sounds in a tiny box
audible 12.02.2022
A great tool for timbrical experimentation. Lots of interesting textures out of the box, plus all the samples you might want to add. The ability to granulate live audio allows for some nifty tricks, such as making a mono audio signal both polyphonic and stereo. The small form factor may be a put-off for some people and a bonus for others. In my case it was meant to be part of a portable setup, so it's OK. The small box means audio and MIDI ins and outs are 3'5'' jacks, which is workable yet not that ideal. Having said that, the tiny screen it is very responsive and makes the most of the synth (and I have big clumsy fingers), which is totally usable standalone and in a live situation. Of course most parameters are midi-controllable anyway. Given the fatness of the sound, 4 voices of polyphony are enough. Easy to learn and control, and tons of inspirational sounds.
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N
Great synth but expected more at this price
Nononana 11.11.2022
The good: great sound, amazing possibilities, line in granulation, can be used as an effects processor for line in signal, portable, small footprint, cute

The bad: interface navigation is clumsy, switching presets requires 3 steps (4 if you want to get to the sequencer to trigger a note and hear the preset you selected), preset switching is not smooth, there is a glaring half second gap and the previous sound is interrupted abruptly, no usb midi, no bluetooth midi.

For the price, I would have expected usb midi and a smoother preset switching.
Hopefully the interface navigation can be improved in future firmware updates and usb midi added.

Conclusion: I love it, I’m keeping it, I use it everyday and it brings a smile to my face, but I don’t know if I can justify buying it again if it were stolen. Maybe if it were 80 to 100 euros cheaper?
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J
Fantastic creative tool
JohnHark 30.01.2023
Very compact but powerful. Intuitive workflow. You can turn any sound into a deep synth. Very ambiant, but with the right samples it can do almost anything. The editing is a bit limited but it does make the machine very easy to use, and by being creative you can still produce an infinity of sound if you use the internal recorder correctly. Minus one star, because the connectivity is a bit limited with the mini jacks.
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P
Outstanding granular synth
Phreekz 01.08.2024
I was looking for a way to get in to granular synthesis without costing too much and this seemed to tick all the boxes. The Lemondrop is very easy to navigate and the learning curve really isn't all that steep at all. Within about 10 minutes you can really start to use it well.

If you want to try out deep granular synthesis at a relatively low cost, don't look much further.
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