Cyma Forma Alt: A Handcrafted Analog Soundscape Synthesizer from Paris

The Cyma Forma Alt represents a distinct approach to analog synthesis. Created by two Parisian designers both named Vincent, this handcrafted instrument emerged after three years of development and positions itself as a tool for sonic exploration rather than preset-driven performance.

What Makes Alt Different

At its core, the Alt is built around five digitally-controlled oscillators (DCOs) that can be independently panned and detuned. These oscillators support 14 different scales and can operate in either equal temperament or just intonation tuning systems. The shift from voltage-controlled oscillators to DCOs during development was deliberate—it ensures better tuning stability, which matters when you're working with complex generative patterns.

The instrument includes white noise and a built-in microphone input, expanding its sound palette beyond traditional synthesis. Two stereo filters cascade in series, inspired by the Korg MS-20, capable of low-pass, high-pass, and band-pass configurations with extreme resonance and self-oscillation capabilities. A powerful delay with feedback loop potential rounds out the effects section.

Generative Capabilities

What sets the Alt apart is its pin-matrix modulation system. Four modulation sources—two LFOs, a sample-and-hold function called Random, and an envelope follower dubbed Outline—can be routed to various destinations using physical pins. This approach makes modulation routing tactile and immediate, without requiring patch cables or diving into menus.

The instrument also responds to its environment through two built-in light sensors and the microphone. This allows the Alt to react to ambient conditions, creating spontaneous sound modulations based on what's happening around it. It's a feature that particularly suits ambient and generative music creation.

Design Philosophy

Cyma Forma's founders describe their instruments as "the most poetic, meaningful, magical objects there are." This philosophy shows in the Alt's interface: all sliders, no knobs, no screens, no menus. The slider-based layout facilitates immediate sonic feedback and what they call "sound sculpting, no friction."

The instrument doesn't store presets. This is intentional. The Alt is designed for live exploration and experimentation, where the journey matters more than recalling specific sounds. For some musicians, this is liberating. For others accustomed to preset workflows, it requires a different mindset.

Integration and Connectivity

Despite its boutique nature, the Alt connects with modern production tools. It supports both CV and MIDI standards (via DIN, TRS, and USB), integrating with Eurorack systems and DAWs. The MIDI implementation handles notes, velocity, aftertouch, and pitchbend across three different modes. Voice-splitting across keyboard keys is possible via USB MIDI.

The external input routing is versatile enough to transform the Alt into an effects processor for other instruments, adding another dimension to its capabilities.

Why the Investment

The Alt sits at around €1,075, which places it firmly in boutique territory. For this, you get a handcrafted instrument built in Paris, not mass-produced in a factory. Each unit includes a printed manual, 20 pins with a metal storage box, a power supply, and what amounts to a piece of musical equipment designed by people who view instrument-making as a form of inquiry rather than just commerce.

The first batch sold out through Kickstarter at €990. The next production run is expected in January 2025, available exclusively through Cyma Forma's webshop for the first year before expanding to retailers.

Is it worth the investment? That depends on your approach to music-making. If you're looking for a synthesizer with hundreds of presets and menu-driven sound design, the Alt isn't for you. But if you value instruments that encourage exploration, support generative processes, and offer a different way of interacting with sound, the Alt delivers something genuinely distinct.

The Alt is deliberately not for everyone. It's for musicians who appreciate the craft of instrument-making and who want tools that ask questions rather than simply provide answers. In a world of increasingly similar synthesizers, Cyma Forma has created something that stands apart—not through gimmicks, but through thoughtful design and a clear artistic vision.