How Cherry Audio recreated the sound of the world’s first commercial polysynth in software: “There may be fewer than six working Novachords on the planet”

We recently got the chance to sit down with the brains behind the magic at Cherry Audio, the one and only CTO, Dan Goldstein. We delved deep into how this innovative team managed to bring to life a plugin emulation of a super-rare proto-synth from the distant era of 1939.

So, picture this – a musical time machine that takes us back nearly a century to a time when the air was thick with creativity and innovation. This mind-blowing synth from 1939 was concocted by some genius inventor, and now, thanks to Cherry Audio’s wizardry, we get to experience its sonic legacy in the digital realm.

We wanted to know everything about this journey into the past, and Dan Goldstein was more than willing to spill the beans. As we sipped our coffee and eagerly listened, he painted us a vivid picture of the challenges and triumphs that came with resurrecting this musical relic into the 21st century.

“One of the most exhilarating aspects of this project was the sheer detective work involved,” Dan explained with a glint in his eye. “We had to comb through old archives, decipher obscure schematics, and really dive deep into the mind of the original creator to grasp the essence of this proto-synth.”

But, as with any creative endeavor, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Dan recounted the countless late nights of coding, the frustration of hitting dead ends, and the constant tweaking and fine-tuning to ensure that this plugin captured the true spirit of its analog ancestor.

“Imagine trying to resurrect a musical ghost from the past – it’s a delicate balance of honoring the original design while injecting modern innovations to make it accessible and relevant today,” Dan mused, his passion for the project palpable in his every word.

And the end result? Well, let’s just say that the team at Cherry Audio knocked it out of the park. The plugin emulation of the 1939 proto-synth is a mesmerizing blend of vintage charm and cutting-edge tech, offering musicians a unique tool to explore a sonic landscape that was once thought lost to time.

As Dan walked us through a demo of the plugin, we were transported to a bygone era of warm, analog tones and otherworldly textures. It was as if the spirit of the original inventor was guiding our fingers, coaxing out ethereal melodies and futuristic soundscapes with each twist of a virtual knob.

But beyond the technical wizardry and sonic marvels, there was a deeper significance to Cherry Audio’s endeavor. By breathing new life into this forgotten gem of musical history, they were not only honoring the past but also paving the way for future generations of musicians to explore, experiment, and create in ways never before imagined.

As our interview came to a close, Dan left us with a parting thought that lingered in the air like a haunting melody – “Music is a journey through time and space, and it’s up to us to keep pushing the boundaries, to keep exploring the unknown, and to keep the spirit of innovation alive in everything we do.”

And with that, we bid farewell to Cherry Audio and the unforgettable journey they had shared with us. As we stepped back into the bustling streets of the present day, we couldn’t help but feel a sense of gratitude for those who dare to dream, to create, and to bridge the gap between the past and the future with every note they play.