Black Corporation Kijimi Analogue 8-Voice Polyphonic Synth

The unique architecture of KIJIMI features smoothly variable waveforms on each fully analog oscillator, a rich SSI2144 lowpass filter, and a wealth of deeply programmable modulators, making it one of the most powerful polyphonic analog synthesizers ever made.

KIJIMI features eight voices, each with two oscillators + one suboscillator, a lowpass filter, VCA, 6 envelopes, and 16 LFOs. A deeply programmable modulation matrix along with velocity and polyphonic aftertouch route these modulators into a variety of destinations to create anything from subtle movements in bass lines to complex, organically evolving soundscapes. Polyphonic aftertouch introduces another level of touch- controlled modulation independent to each voice, making KIJIMI a truly powerful performance tool.

Variable wave shaping of its analog oscillators is a feature unique to KIJIMI’s synthesizer design. Rather than selecting a single waveform KIJIMI offers a range of waveforms from Triangle through Saw to Pulse waves, passing smoothly through every shape in between. Using modulation sources to control the oscillator waveform brings a new dimension to the sound sculpting process. Each oscillator can be modulated independently, detuned in semitone intervals and synced to each other, VCO2 can even be used to FM VCO and filter, bringing rich harmonic content to the initial tone.

KIJIMI’s SSI2144-based lowpass filter is an updated version of a legendary design found in some of the most powerful analog synthesizers throughout history. Apart from being a gorgeous, rich lowpass filter for typical duties, a powerful feature found in the KIJIMI is the ability to FM the filter via VCO2, resulting in sounds ranging from atonal clangorous FX to aggressive vocal-sounding formants. The filter cutoff and resonance can be independently modulated, providing a filter section, which is far more complex than most analogue polyphonic synthesizers.

KIJIMI’s two envelopes are set up in typical ADSR mode by default, but a CYCLE button can be switched on to enter a cycling trapezoidal mode reminiscent of the function generator found in the EMS Synthi. In this mode, the 4 parameters are instead used to control Rise, Time On, Fall, and Time Off, resulting in a uniquely controllable cyclic function. Each envelope also features 3 switchable speed modes ranging from fast, medium, or slow.

By default, KIJIMI features two powerful LFOs – Each with many selectable waveforms, rate, and a dedicated A/D envelope for modulating its rate on each new trigger. This means that each LFO can have its speed modulated on each new note independently of any other modulators across the synthesizer.

The modulation matrix in KIJIMI is what makes this instrument truly special: 8 destinations for each LFO, and 4 destinations for ADSR2, each with its own button to switch between Unipolar (+/-) or Bipolar modulation. Furthermore, our newest firmware introduces the ability to assign different LFO settings (rate, waveform, EG and depth) to EACH individual destination. More information on this feature will be provided in detail in the upcoming firmware documentation. Below the Modulation Matrix are the performance modulators: Velocity and MPE- based polyphonic aftertouch which can be routed to 6 simultaneous destinations, each with its own bipolar level setting. With the ability to control filter, VCA, pitchbend, sub oscillator level, and 2 LFOs each modulating up to 8 destinations independently on each voice through your aftertouch performance, the expressive possibilities are truly limitless.

KIJIMI features full MIDI control and 10 preset banks with 128 slots including a Factory Bank and 9 user banks for storing and recalling settings.