Scaler Music has launched Carbon Electra 2, introducing a scale-aware synthesis engine alongside wavetable and waveterrain capabilities. The instrument combines harmonic control, key-aware sequencing, and expanded modulation features within a four-oscillator architecture.
The update centres on integrating musical theory directly into the synthesis process. Carbon Electra 2 is designed so that oscillators, filters, and the internal sequencer can respond to selected scales and chord information, allowing patches to remain aligned with a chosen key.
At the core of the instrument is a four-oscillator engine supporting both traditional wavetable synthesis and a waveterrain method. The waveterrain approach calculates a three-dimensional surface across which a two-dimensional harmonic curve moves and modulates. This process generates dynamically evolving oscillator waveforms. In addition to waveterrain content, the synthesizer includes classic wavetable options and analogue-style shapes. Oscillators also provide frequency modulation, hard sync, and unison modes.
A central feature of Carbon Electra 2 is Scale Lock. When activated and paired with a selected scale, the instrument adjusts oscillator tuning and certain filter behaviours according to scale degrees rather than semitones. This enables stacked intervals such as thirds and fifths to remain aligned with the musical key as different notes are played. The selected scale also informs note and chord data within the sequencer.
Filter 2 operates as a scale-aware filter. With Scale Lock engaged, its cutoff can emphasise notes within the chosen scale. Users can configure the filter to respond by Scale, Chord, or a defined Interval relationship. Additional parameters including Density, Focus, and Window allow further refinement. Filter 1 offers more traditional filter types as well as a morphing Vowel filter and includes a dedicated envelope amount control.
The integrated sequencer is key-aware and is intended to assist with creating harmonically coherent patterns. Working in Chord mode, users can sequence chords within the selected key, including inversions and parallel substitutions. Standard sequencer parameters are available alongside these harmonic functions. A dedicated modulation lane is included, offering per-step curve shaping that can be routed to synthesis or effects parameters.
Modulation resources in Carbon Electra 2 include:
- Three LFOs, which can self-modulate or be routed to one another
- Two envelopes assignable to synthesis and effects parameters
- A sequencer modulation lane with per-step curve control
These modulation sources can be applied to oscillator settings, filter parameters, and onboard effects, enabling animated changes over time.
Key functional areas of the instrument include:
- Scale-locked oscillators tuned by scale degrees
- Waveterrain and wavetable synthesis within a four-oscillator engine
- Key-aware note and chord sequencing
- Dual-filter section with scale-responsive filtering options
Carbon Electra 2 is available in VST3, AU, and AAX formats for macOS and Windows.
Carbon Electra 2 is available now at an introductory price of $79, rising to $99 after 13th July. Upgrade pricing for Carbon Electra 1 users is $39. Users are advised to upgrade through the same vendor from which they originally purchased Carbon Electra 1.
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