According to E.W. Fonken, "The universe is heptaverton based. Each verton within any heptaverton layer is the center of the universe." Ftec-Audio's new HV-Formant synthesizer is, like the universe according to Fonken, heptaverton based as well.

For some more background, E.W. Fonken is also the man behind Ftec-Audio, a project he started to pursue creative audio development. The heptaverton consists of seven equilateral hexagons -- one in the center that shares each of its sides with another hexagon, allowing for basically infinite expansion of the figure with respect to the pattern as well as expansion within and intertwined throughout hexagons as well.

For the purposes of audio, take the original figure of the seven equilateral hexagons. The center hexagon is the listener, and the six surrounding hexagons represent speakers. The end result, through the complexity of mathematics, is that at the listener's point, the audio product is "more than the sum of the six surrounding points (the sound production of the individual speakers)."

The HV-Format introduces the concept of "Heptaverton Surround" to the VSTi soft synth realm. Ftec-Audio HV-Formant is more than just a product -- it's a project that encourages its users to contribute to and expand upon the Heptaverton Surround Format that Fonken has been developing since 2004.

The synth itself is based on a DIY modular subtractive synth circa 1977 developed by C. Chapman. Since seeing the original synth in a magazine called Elektor, Fonken has built and deconstructed the synth he read about and channeled it for inspiration on HV-Formant.

Because of its foundation, the HV-Formant is also a modular subtractive synth as you build sound based on primary waveforms and remove harmonics via filters -- thus making it subtractive. A number of modules that can be interconnected to create sounds makes HV-Formant, you guessed it, modular.

HV Formant also includes a polyphonic sequencer / arpeggiator. Of course, aside from stereo operation, you can play around with the mysterious and supposedly omnipotent six-channel Heptaverton Surround mode.

Fast features:

• Stereo and HV-Surround play mode (Surround play mode only in plugin version with suitable host program and audio hardware)
• 100% modular design (no predefined or internal connections between modules) up to effect section
• Flexible Monophonic, Polyphonic and Unison voice selection
• Unique six oscillator concept with dynamic wave mixing and splitting
• Open filter architecture with multiple standard and exotic filter algorithms
• Multi curve envelopes with advanced velocity or modulation response
• Advanced open modulation architecture
• Easy internal or external color coded controller assignment, saved with each patch
• Monophonic and polyphonic portamento
• Key hold memory with key add and remove function
• Stereo or HV-surround pan, chorus and delay effects
• 64 cell polyphonic sequencer, arpeggiator
• Six independant pitch-trigger, gate and modulation strips
• Advanced syncing capabilities
• Frequency, pulse-wide and glide modulation
• Sequencer data stored with each patch
• Open architecture for flexible future expansions
• Online manual with small course on subtractive synthesis
• Online user forum
• Online user patch exchange

Let us not forget the modular aspect of the HV-Formant. Here's a list of the modules:

• Three advanced oscillators. (VCO1,VCO2,VCO3)
• Two tracking filters with multiple filter algorithms (e.g. lowpass, highpass, bandpass, peak and notch [VCF1, VCF2])
• Resonant filter module with 3 filter channels (RFM)
• Three envelope modules with multiple curve selection two ADSR, one DAR (delayed Attack, Release) (ENV1, ENV2, ENV3)
• Two Low frequency oscillators with a selection of 5 waves each (LFO1)
• Amplifier module (VCA)
• Two Mixer modules to combine modulation or sound signals (MIX1, MIX2)
• Sample and Hold module (S/H)
• Experimenal "Heptaverton Surround Panner" module to create realtime 3D moving sounds (HV PANNER)
• Experimental Heptaverton mixer module for positioning sounds in a surround environment -- also includes the chorus effect section and main volume setting (CHORUS, HV-MIXER)
• Advanced, six-channel, 64 note sequencer, arpeggiator, trance gate that can also be used for special low frequency modulation (SEQUENCER)
• Main module for global settings like mono, poly, unison play mode, MIDI controller assignments, note memory and global control parameters (VOICES, MEMORY, MIDI, CONTROLLERS)