Aurora Synthesizer by Mohamad Montazeri is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2021 A' Design Award in Bronze in Musikinstrumentendesign Competition Category.

BronzeMusikinstrument· 2021

Aurora Synthesizer

by Mohamad Montazeri

Client: Arena Design Academy

A' Design Award in Bronze Winner in Musikinstrument Category

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Verified Award Winner

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View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Aurora Synthesizer

Aurora ist ein Synthesizer, der einen grünen Laserstrahl zur Steuerung von Klangeffekten und Filtern nutzt. Der Laser ersetzt die Touchpads und Schieberegler, die bei vielen vergleichbaren Instrumenten zum Einsatz kommen. Der Spieler unterbricht den Strahl mit der Hand, und die sich verändernde Strahllänge passt die Frequenz des gewählten Klangs an. Ein Multi-Touch-Display zeigt Einstellungen und Status an und stellt eine virtuelle Klaviatur zum Spielen bereit. Drehregler, Schieberegler und Tasten steuern die Bereiche Oszillator, Filter, Verstärker und Modulation. Das Gehäuse besteht aus im Spritzgussverfahren gefertigtem ABS-Kunststoff.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award in Bronze

Aurora Synthesizer ist Gewinner des A' Design Award in Bronze, einer hochprestigeträchtigen Anerkennung für herausragende Designs, die sich durch Kreativität, Einfallsreichtum und Scharfsinn auszeichnen. Bronze-Gewinner sind reichlich geschickte und auffallend kreative Artefakte, die die große Erfahrung, Fantasie und Findigkeit ihrer Designer belegen. Von Aurora Synthesizer wird erwartet, dass es ein hochgeschätztes, bewundertes und geliebtes Objekt ist, das bemerkenswert professionell und innovativ ist. Dieses mit dem A' Design Award in Bronze prämierte Design verkörpert bewährte Verfahren in Kunst, Wissenschaft, Design und Technologie und ist hervorragend in seiner Liebe zum Detail. Aurora Synthesizer befriedigt Bedürfnisse auf großartige Weise, berührt Wünsche, bezaubert Gefühle und spricht die Neugier an.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: In this synthesizer, a laser is used to control the effects and filters. In fact, this creative method has replaced touchpads and sliders to control sound effects. In addition to increasing the ease of use and speeding up the composer's action, this laser is attractive and has a visual beauty for audience and composer during a performance. An enjoyable and different experience while performing or composing. Aurora also has a touch screen for easier settings and status display for the composer.
Dimensions & Packaging: Dimensions: 380 x 340 x 48 mm
Weight: 2.7 kg

TECHNICAL PROPERTIES:
EFFECTS: Bit Crash, Fuzz, DIST, Pitch Shifter, PHASER, FLANGER, Tempo sync, Panning Delay, DELAY, LOW BOOST, Reverb, Knobs: Control 1, Control 2

OSC SECTION:
Oscillator Waveform: SAW, SQUARE, PULSE/PWM, TRIANGLE, SINE, NOISE, SUPER SAW
Knobs: PITCH, DETUNE, Envelope
Sliders: Pulse Width, Pulse Width Modulation,
Envelope: Slider: Attack, Decay

AMP:
Knob: Level
Envelope: Slider: Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release

FILTER SECTION:
Filter Type: LPF, HPF, BPF, PKG (-12 dB/-24 dB)
Knobs: CUTOFF, KEY FOLLOW, RESONANCE, ENVELOPE
Envelope: Slider: Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release

LFO SECTION:
LFO Shapes: TRIANGLE, SINE, SAW, SQUARE, Sample
Knobs: PITCH, FILTER, AMP, FADE TIME, RATE

OTHER:
OUTPUT SECTION: Knob: Volume
EXIT IN SECTION: Knob: Level, Buttons: ON, TYPE
LASER SECTION: Buttons: Laser 1, Laser 2, Shift
TONS SECTIONS: Buttons: Tone (1-6), Switch, Tone Copy
Phrase Recorder: User: 8, Number of Track: 1
Sound Generator Section
Display: Touchscreen LCD

PORTS:
Micro SD Reader
USB: USB A-Type, USB B-Type, USB C-Type,
MIDI: Thru, Out, In
OUTPUTS: R port, L/Mono port
INPUTS: R port, L/Mono port
MIX IN, Sync
Tags: Aurora, Synthesizer, Synth, Musical Instrument, Electronic music, Electronic Instrument, musical user interface, electronic musical instrument,
Production Technology: The body of the product is made of ABS plastic by injection molding method. The laser is produced by a generator. The laser is directed to the beam for the composer to access. The length of the laser beam is set with the frequency of each sound by a processor, and as the length is reduced by the composer's hand, the frequency of the sound set with it also changes. The screen is multi-touch and allows you to play the digital keyboard.
Design Challenge: The main challenge is to upgrade the product to increase the quality of composing more easily and quickly. Using laser technology and instantaneous processing of its length for use in the product. Setting laser beam with sound indicators to control effects and sound filters for sound generation and electronic composition.
Research: Most of the research part of this project is about matching a set of quantitative data with another set of continuous quantitative data. The process that helps to use the laser and match the quantitative characteristics of the sound with the length of the laser beam.
Inspiration: Aurora is a synthesizer. This synthesizer uses a green laser to control effects and sound filters. This green light is reminiscent of the bright rays of the aurora borealis in the dark of the night. The name of this product is derived from this natural phenomenon. Aurora is an innovation in the world of electronic music that can create a different experience for a composer while performing.
Project Duration: Project duration was about 24 months: 2019/2021
Operation Flow: Aurora is an electronic musical instrument that, like all synthesizers, generates audio signals. But the way it works is more attractive. At the head of the Aurora, there is a laser beam that is automatically set with the sound of the section. You can change the type of sound by placing your hand in the path of the laser light and interrupting the path and increasing or decreasing the length of this laser beam. By pressing the laser buttons 1 or 2, you can copy the type of effect or filter you want to control by the laser. The shift button also allows this to be done instantly. On the other part of the Aurora, there are knobs, sliders and buttons of oscillators, effects, filters, AMP, LFO and other adjustment buttons for tuning and composing. Some settings are also available digitally by touching the touchscreen. The screen is multi-touch so you can easily and professionally use the virtual keyboard displayed on it.
Image Credits: Image #1 : Creator Mohamad Montazeri, Aurora, 2021.
Image #2 : Creator Mohamad Montazeri, Aurora, 2021.
Image #3 : Creator Mohamad Montazeri, Aurora, 2021.
Image #4 : Creator Mohamad Montazeri, Aurora, 2021.
Image #5 : Creator Mohamad Montazeri, Aurora, 2021.