Black Corporation KIJIMI Mk2 8-Voice Polyphonic Desktop Analog Synthesizer

The Black Corporation KIJIMI MK2 is crafted to be one of the most powerful polysynths ever built, all behind intuitive front-panel controls, from its continuous timbral variation to its exhaustive modulation matrix. The Black Corporation original features planetary-sized analog sound, inspired by the best of rare and classic synths, but unique to our own parallel galaxy.

CONTINUOUS ANALOG TIMBRAL CONTROL

Instead of fixed waveforms, KIJIMI’s voltage-controlled oscillators can morph continuously through waveform types. Sine, triangle, sawtooth, and variable pulse waves are smoothly variable, with pulse width as you turn to the far right. It’s a scheme that provides unique, independent timbral over each of the eight voices.

DEEP 8-VOICE ARCHITECTURE

Each of KIJIMI ’s 8 voices features 2 analog oscillators each with a square sub-bass oscillator, for buttery timbres with extensive sound design options. The sub-oscillator produces an octave lower than the combined VCO1 and VCO2 outputs, meaning you can tune two sub-pitches. Hard sync is available in VCO sync and VCO1->2 and 2->1 configurations for maximum flexibility. There’s also a noise source for adding bite and percussion components. A rich lowpass filter is built around the legendary 2140 chip and the ability to frequency-modulate it via VCO2, creates a full range of sounds from metallic and aggressive to subtle. Both filter cutoff and resonance are available as modulation destinations.

UNIQUE ENVELOPE FUNCTIONALITY WITH DEDICATED CONTROLS

Two ADSR envelopes come with independent rate multipliers, keyboard control of attack rate, and versatile routing. Engage the CYCLE button for a cycling trapezoidal mode, similar to that on vintage instruments like the EMS Synthi. Few polysynths offer this level of detailed control, let alone with front-panel controls—no menu diving needed.

ENDLESS MODULATION PROGRAMMABILITY

Modulation possibilities set the KIJIMI apart from other polysynths. Two LFOs can be routed independently to up to eight destinations, directly on front-panel buttons, controlling frequency and waveform modulation, sub-oscillator amount, filter cutoff and frequency, and amplitude modulation. Each LFO includes multiple waveform options (sine, triangle, saw, ramp, square, random) and separate attack and decay knobs in addition to rate. ADSR2 sports four independent destinations, also via front-panel push buttons and knobs. Even velocity and aftertouch get their own dedicated control section for applying velocity or aftertouch to each parameter (LFO rate, waveform morph, sub, pitch bend, and VCA). Dedicated knobs let you apply your aftertouch and poly-aftertouch, to taste, right where you want it. You’ll rarely use the menus, and when you do, it’ll only be to unlock even more advanced functionality (like multiple LFO features!). KIJIMI is a rare case of fusing straightforward one-control-per-feature design with unrestricted possibilities.

FULL MIDI AND EXPRESSIVE CONTROL, TUNING SUPPORT

Combine all the elements, and KIJIMI is an instrument that’s playable like no other. Each note you play separately triggers modulation, independently on each voice, with full control via aftertouch. Add in full MIDI control, complete MIDI polyphonic expression (MPE) support, advanced tuning capabilities (including microtuning via SCALA and 128 memory locations for tuning settings), and velocity polyphonic aftertouch, each with up to six more destinations with its own bipolar settings. KIJIMI finally brings a synthesizer architecture that can unlock the possibilities of your expressive controller of choice.

UPDATED PACKAGE

The MK2 version of KIJIMI includes all the acclaimed sonic power and character of its predecessor, in an improved package. Updated firmware now includes the ability to assign different LFO settings (rate, waveform, envelope, and depth) to each individual destination. In addition to 128 factory and 1152 user presets, we’ve included user banks by Mathew Jonson, Richard Devine, and Paul Schilling. All this comes in a compact, 2.71kg/5.97 lb device with wood panels attached (or the option of metal rack ears instead). DIN MIDI and isolated USB are onboard.