RAGNARÖK
Manual
Page 3
Introduction
RAGNARÖK... what it is, and what it isn't
RAGNARÖK is a software reincarnation for Microsoft Windows (VST) and Apple macOS
(VST/AU) of an existing, custom-built (and therefore one of a kind) hardware analog
synthesizer.
RAGNARÖK is NOT the next big thing in digital synthesis, nor is it a faithfully
modeledequivalent of a real hardware analog synthesizer. The RAGNARÖK-synthesizer
is basically a standard architecture VA-synthesizer, consisting of an oscillator section
running into a dynamically controlled filter that is followed by an envelope-controlled
amplifier or output section. It has some additional sound-shaping options by means of
an overdrive on the filter output and an additional 7-band static filter (also known as a
Graphic EQ).
Where RAGNARÖK shines is in it's combination of 3 stacked and (slightly) detuned
oscillators with a divide-down array that replicates these 3 oscillators over four
octaves. This means it can do 3 (slightly) detuned oscillators AND 4 octave-tuned
oscillators AT THE SAME TIME, the equivalent of 12 oscillators on one voice. The
oscillators offer square and pulse waves simultaneously, so even those can be mixed
up. In addition to this there is yet another array of square wave oscillators available
that are tuned to an interval (default set at a fifth).
Although the original RAGNARÖK was purely monophonic, modern software
technology has made it possible to have a polyphonic version now. This adds
tremendously to the usefulness of the instrument.
History
The hardware version of RAGNARÖK was build in the early eighties (by Hans Peter),
and solely aimed at using on stage. Hence the 'performance/lead' designation on the
plugin instrument. In those days, Moog-sounds where still in high demand, and the
more oscillators you could stack for a solo-sound, the better it was. A DIY synthesizer
kit, called the Chorosynth, played into this idea by delivering the combined stacked
and octaved oscillators into a pretty cheap package. However, to keep the price low,
there was only an amplitude envelope and no filters whatsoever. It also had no real
keyboard but used a stylus on an etched circuit board. The first incarnation of the
RAGNARÖK synth was merely the Chorosynth with a bolt-on real keyboard.
After about two years use on stage, the first version was rebuild into a new case, and
augmented with several modules from the Elektor Formant Modular synthesizer. It got
a very complete multi-pole filter section, real envelope-generators and several other
goodies that where available as DIY-kits. Although the Formant Modular was, well…
modular, in the RAGNARÖK synthesizer everything was hard-wired for stage use.
After several years the synthesizer was decommissioned and replaced with a Teisco
110F (another beautiful instrument). The hardware RAGNARÖK is still in Hans Peter's
possession, but (sadly) no longer in working order.
