Sonicware has introduced CyDrums, a new portable and expressive wavetable drum synthesizer that combines the workflow and design of the Lofi-12 XT sampler.
With NAMM 2025 just 18 days away and the Buchla & Friends events following closely in 22 days, the season of new synthesizer announcements is upon us. Leading the charge is Sonicware’s CyDrums, the first major hardware synthesizer announcement of the year.
CyDrums is an 8-track drum synthesizer that mirrors the design and operational flow of the Lofi-12 XT sampler, promising an intuitive and familiar user experience. At its core is a dual wavetable engine designed for expressive performance. The synth responds to velocity and pressure modulation, enabling dynamic and evolving drum sounds.
The engine includes:
- 64 proprietary wavetables, each containing up to 256 single-cycle waveforms.
- Controls for start and end positions, playback directions, speed, and curves.
Sonicware’s chief developer, Dr. Yuendo, describes the CyDrums as capable of producing “4D drum sounds” that transform and react dynamically. It remains unclear whether users can load custom wavetables into the system.
The engine also features 22 sound structures, akin to FM synthesis algorithms, which blend dual wavetables with pulse and noise sources to create a variety of drum tones.
CyDrums comes loaded with 520 ready-to-use sound patches, ranging from classic drum machine tones to synth bass and FX, making it playable right out of the box.
For further sound customization, the synthesizer includes:
- Two insert multi-effects and master effects, such as chorus, delay, filters, wow & flutter, vinyl noise, crusher, and overdrive.
- Reverb for additional depth.
- Five distinct effect routing modes, allowing flexible track assignments via BUS routings.
The CyDrums boasts a powerful onboard sequencer with eight tracks, each capable of up to 128 steps and storage for 128 patterns per project. For creative flexibility, the synthesizer offers tools like:
- Randomization to generate unique variations.
- Probability settings for more dynamic patterns.
- VariSpeed and Snip Loop for performance enhancements.
Unlike Sonicware’s LIVEN series, CyDrums places its connections at the back, offering:
- TRS analog stereo output.
- Audio sync in/out.
- USB for audio and MIDI.
- 5-pin MIDI in/out sockets.
It also features a built-in speaker and can run on batteries or a power supply, emphasizing portability.
Sonicware CyDrums is available for pre-order at an introductory price of €469 (regular price €569) exclusively in the EU. Those outside the EU can contact Sonicware for purchase options.
While the full potential of its dual wavetables remains to be tested, CyDrums offers an exciting glimpse into innovative drum synthesis. The first in-depth videos and reviews are eagerly anticipated.
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