The Future of Hardware Synthesizer Control
Surface32 is a groundbreaking, multitimbral and multi workflow control surface ecosystem that completely removes the friction between tactile hardware sound design and modern digital workflows. By seamlessly fusing a premium physical controller with a suite of synchronized software clients, Surface32 brings total bidirectional editing to the electronic musician’s studio.
HARDWARE MANUFACTURERS & PARTNERS
A Market-Ready Ecosystem Seeking a Manufacturing Partner
At this stage, Surface32 is a fully built, highly functional prototype. The heavy lifting of the software ecosystem—including the AUv3 plugin, the WebMIDI application, the macOS standalone app, and the core hardware firmware—is completely developed and functioning flawlessly.
We are actively seeking an established hardware manufacturer to collaborate on bringing this revolutionary product to the global electronic music market.
The Proposed Partnership Model
We believe in a synergy of expertise.
- Your Role: You bring your industry knowledge in hardware design to optimize the BOM, manufacture, distribute, and support the physical Surface32 hardware. You capture the hardware sales revenue.
- Our Role: Backed by 40+ years of sound design experience and 15+ years of dedicated synthesizer editor development, we will continue to develop, QA, and maintain the firmware and software suite. We retain the software IP and generate revenue through the licensing of premium “Instrument Definitions” directly to the end-user.
This model creates a continuously evolving hardware platform with a rich, ever-expanding software ecosystem from day one.
MUSICIAN’S EXPERIENCE
Surface32 Prototype
Surface32 is the system’s brain. Featuring 36 continuous rotary encoders paired with 36 dedicated OLED screens, it holds up to 16 complete hardware synthesizer parameter sets (Instrument Definitions) in its memory at any given time. It bidirectionally updates your synthesizers and your software clients’ screens instantly, allowing you to work exactly how you want.
Whether you are on stage or deep in a studio mix, Surface32 adapts to your workflow:
Studio DAW Production
- Load the Surface32 AUv3 Plugin on multiple tracks to access up to 16 instruments concurrently.
- Record and play back jitter-free automation while the physical OLEDs and UI faders animate in perfect sync.
- Total Recall: Saving your Logic Pro (.logicx) project automatically saves the exact state of every connected hardware synthesizer. When you reload your project, your entire studio snaps back to exactly where you left it.
- Patch Generator: Use our colorful radar-plotting UI to capture two patches and algorithmically morph them into an entirely new, creative sound.
Hybrid DAW Production
The ultimate bridge between digital and analog. Put your DAW track into Latch or Touch mode and grab the physical knobs on the Surface32. Your tactile performance is recorded flawlessly into the DAW’s automation lanes in real-time, giving you hands-on expression with complete digital editability.
DAW-less Performance & Studio Integration
No computer? No problem. Surface32 functions as a powerful standalone brain for your hardware rig.
- Performance Mode: Access a curated subset of up to 32 vital parameters on a single page for live tweaking.
- Easily jump between Synthesizers, Programs, and Multi-modes using the dedicated Scene encoder, and record your live movements directly into an MPC or external sequencer via standard MIDI CC, NRPN, or SYSEX.
Deep Dive Sound Design
For intricate programming, launch the WebMIDI App from any browser. View up to 128 parameters simultaneously.
- Smart Compare: On Surface32, press the Scene encoder to instantly view the differences between your current edits and the saved patch across all OLEDs.
- SD Card Archival: On Surface32 or the WebMIDI App, hit ‘Write’ to send the patch to your synth and automatically backup an auto-named SYSEX file to the Surface32’s onboard SD Card.
Fast Sound Design
Need a starting canvas immediately? Open the lightning-fast standalone macOS app. Hit the “Get Buffer” macro to instantly recall your synthesizer’s state, use the faders for rapid GUI tweaking, and click “Get Buffer” again to request a duplicate to your DAW, MPC, or SYSEX Librarian.
CORE TECHNOLOGY & EXPANDING THE ECOSYSTEM
The Communication Engine
Surface32 operates on a dual-tier communication network. It talks to your hardware synthesizers using pure MIDI CC, NRPN, or SYSEX, while simultaneously communicating with the software clients using high-speed NRPN and SYSEX.
- If you turn a knob on the hardware, the software fader moves.
- If you move a software fader, the hardware OLED updates. All with zero feedback loops.
Expanding the Library (The Community Loan Program)
Surface32 already supports 2 fully functional Instrument Definitions, and we currently hold a library of 15 bidirectional synthesizer editors ready to be transposed.
Because we believe the only way to build a truly bug-free, professional profile is with hands-on validation, we offer a Community Loan Program. If you have a synthesizer that isn’t supported yet, you can loan us your hardware for a short development phase. In exchange for your help, you will receive a permanent, free license for that specific Instrument Definition.
Technical Specifications
Displays & Controls:
- 36x 1.3″ White-on-Black OLED Displays
- 36x Push-Button Continuous Rotary Encoders
- 12x Dedicated Buttons for Instrument Navigation & Synthesizer Control
- 3x Dedicated Buttons for Menu Navigation
I/O & Connectivity:
- MIDI DIN In
- MIDI DIN Out
- USB MIDI
Storage & Power:
- SD Card Slot (for automated SYSEX patch backup)
- DC Power In
- Dedicated On/Off Switch
Let’s Build the Future of Synthesizer Control
Our mission is to bring the ultimate synthesizer patch editing solution to the market. This level of hardware, firmware, and software integration simply does not exist yet.
If you are a hardware manufacturer interested in an innovative collaboration, or an enthusiast with a question, we want to hear from you.
CONTACT US / DROP US A NOTE HERE
U.S. Patent Pending (App. No. 63/995,083)