Morphor Echon 6: When Bucket-Brigade Delays Become Oscillators

For those who love instruments that challenge conventional synthesis, the Morphor Echon 6 arrives as something genuinely different. In an era where screens and menus dominate electronic music gear, this Belgian creation takes a refreshingly tactile approach - no display, no menus, just knobs and the sound of bucket-brigade delays doing things they weren't originally meant to do.

BBD Resonators Meet Polyphony

The Echon 6 claims a unique position as the world's first polyphonic synthesizer built around analogue BBD (Bucket-Brigade Delay) resonators. While BBD chips have long been used for chorus, flange, and delay effects, Morphor has repurposed them as the core sound-generating elements. Each of the six voices features its own discrete BBD delay-line resonator that tracks the keyboard, creating organic overtones and complex harmonic depth that feels more physical modeling than traditional synthesis.

The architecture follows Karplus-Strong synthesis principles - passing an impulse through a short delay with feedback to create sustained, resonant tones. What makes this implementation special is the fully analogue signal path combined with comprehensive modulation possibilities.

Exciter and Resonator

Sound generation in the Echon 6 begins with the exciter section, which blends traditional VCO waveforms (sine, triangle, ramp, square), external audio input, and analogue noise sources. An ADSR envelope with onset delay capability shapes these initial signals before they hit the resonator.

The resonator section is where the BBD magic happens. Each voice contains a pitched delay-feedback network with analogue low-pass filters in both the input and feedback paths. You get control over tone, texture, decay, polarity selection, panning, and wet/dry mix - enough parameters to sculpt everything from plucked string-like tones to otherworldly textures.

Modulation Matrix and Performance

The modulation system connects a 9×32 matrix linking envelope, LFOs, modwheel, velocity, polyphonic aftertouch, and key tracking to virtually any destination parameter. With 24 LFOs total (four per voice) offering uni/bipolar modes and MIDI sync options, the modulation possibilities run deep.

Voice grouping and unison modes enable layered, multi-timbral configurations across the six voices. The instrument offers 216 user presets and comprehensive MIDI control with SysEx support for deep integration into any setup.

Build and Connectivity

Housed in a rugged aluminium enclosure, the Echon 6 offers mounting flexibility - tabletop, 19-inch rack (4U), or VESA-compatible options. The one-knob-per-function design means everything is immediate and hands-on, a deliberate choice that puts sound exploration over menu diving.

Connectivity includes six independent stereo voice outputs plus main L/R and headphone outputs, allowing for extensive routing possibilities. MIDI comes via both DIN and USB-C connections, with the latter also handling power. An external audio input opens the door to processing external sources through those BBD resonators.

Availability

The Morphor Echon 6 is currently available for pre-order from various dealers including Perfect Circuit, Turnlab, Juno, and House of Sound. Shipping is scheduled to begin in Q1 2026.