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This is one of two new tabletop synth boxes out this month from analogue purists Vermona. Mono Lancet is a two-oscillator mono synth with basic architecture, adding one filter, one ADSR envelope and one LFO to the equation.

The unit sits on the desktop and is about the size of a typical paperback book. It has a bit of a retro look to it, with its cream star-shaped knobs and two-tone brown metal chassis. It tilts forward slightly, making the three rows of knobs easy to read and all the more tweakable.

The unit is primarily triggered via MIDI and supplies both MIDI In and Thru ports on the rear. Also round the back is the audio out on a quarter-inch jack and a mysterious 25-pin D-Sub socket labelled 'extension'. Over on the left is where you plug in the 12V power supply, and next to that is a promising little button labelled 'Overkill'

"You can count on a nice creamy tone, buzzing acid lines, squeaks and gurgling sound effects."

When we first spotted the Overkill switch, we were eagerly anticipating some kind of nice overdrive stage or peak limiter to further warm the signal. Alas, reading the manual reveals that it's nothing so exciting; in fact, it's actually just the equivalent of a power on/off or standby switch, though Vermona are keen to point out in the manual that it is 'no power switch'.

Something must have got lost in translation, but always remember to unplug synths when they're not in use.

Lancet layout

The top row of controls is used for VCO 1 and 2 and its various modulation options. Each oscillator has a three-position switch to choose from Pulse and Saw waves, plus one extra option - either a triangle for Osc 1 or noise for Osc 2.

Both have three-position octave switches with Osc 2 sitting one octave higher. It also offers independent de-tuning by up to seven semi-tones in either direction. The pitch of both oscillators is modulated together, and sources include the LFO and the envelope - which provides positive and negative modulation.

The Glide knob adjusts the speed, and when the knob's at zero, glide is off. There is a second Glide Legato mode available (this only slides the overlapped notes) and this can be switched on or off via MIDI CC 89. This is achieved by sending the designated MIDI CC number below 64 for off and above 64 for on.

In fact, Vermona have previously used this method of transmitting MIDI CC messages to switch various functions on and off when there is no switch on the front panel.

Hello oscillator

Mono Lancet's mix control blends the two oscillators - it's worth pointing out that the volume stays even around the centre position then gently slopes off in each direction, leaving one or the other at max loudness. Since the oscillators are always being fed into the filter at a constant volume, there's no way to overdrive the filter on the way in.

Another limitation from not having a dedicated oscillator volume control is that, even when the filter resonance is set to self-oscillate, you can always hear the background tone.

The next row of knobs is for the VCF and the VCA. The three-position switch selects between the EG, a gate or always on. You can also use the Trig button or the mysterious SEQ button.

Not a lot is explained in the manual about how to use what you would imagine is a sequencer - other than that, if you press it, it plays a seemingly random repeated sequence. So apparently, this isn't so much a programmable feature as a little utility to check for sound when there's no keyboard handy.

The final bits of the puzzle, namely the LFO with S&H and ADSR, are located at the bottom, along with master tuning. The LFO features Square, Triangle and S&H shapes, and speeds range from the super-low 0.05Hz up to 250Hz for some cool buzzing, FM-style tones.