NAMM 2017: Pioneer DJ and Dave Smith have announced the Toraiz AS-1 monophonic analogue synth

NAMM 2017: Pioneer DJ and Dave Smith Instruments took their first collaborative steps together on the Toraiz SP-16 sampler, which featured a DSI analogue filter. Now the two companies have come up with the Toraiz AS-1, a monophonic analogue synth that's based on the analogue circuitry found in Dave Smith's Prophet-6.

This offers a pair of voltage-controlled oscillators, two voltage-controlled filters, and two envelope generators. There's also a voltage-controlled amplifier and an LFO. Control is via a touchpad-style keyboard and slider, and there's a scale mode and an arpeggiator. Grooves can be sequenced over 64 steps, though if you want to create more complex patterns you can hook the AS-1 up to the aforementioned SP-16.

The Toraiz AS-1 comes with 495 presets and 495 user programs while the Dual FX engine features seven effects. Six of these come directly from the Prophet-6, and there's also a brand-new digital distortion.

In keeping with Pioneer's DJ heritage, it looks like there's a strong emphasis on performance and tweaking here. The control set certainly looks intuitive, and there's a bright OLED display.

Expect to see the Toraiz AS-1 in March priced at EURO 549. Find out more on the Pioneer DJ website.

Pioneer DJ Toraiz AS-1 features

  • True analog sound from Dave Smith Instruments' Prophet-6
  • Two voltage-controlled oscillators
  • Two voltage-controlled filters
  • Two envelope generators
  • Voltage-controlled amplifier and low-frequency oscillator
  • Full programmability with 495 presets, 495 user programs and Quick Program
  • Dual FX engine with seven FX (six from the Dave Smith Instruments Prophet-6 synth)
  • Touchpad-style keyboard and slider
  • Scale Mode
  • Arpeggiator
  • 64-step sequencer with Sequence Lock
  • Bright OLED display
  • Easy connection to a PC/Mac or an external MIDI device
  • Robust metal chassis
Ben Rogerson

I’m the Deputy Editor of MusicRadar, having worked on the site since its launch in 2007. I previously spent eight years working on our sister magazine, Computer Music. I’ve been playing the piano, gigging in bands and failing to finish tracks at home for more than 30 years, 24 of which I’ve also spent writing about music and the ever-changing technology used to make it.