Melbourne Instruments Delia

• Motorized controls for all parameters enable editing, preset changes and morphing without parameter jumps
• 6 Voice polyphony
• 49-Keys keyboard with velocity sensitivity and aftertouch
• Pitch and modulation wheel
• Bi-Timbral (Split, Layer, Stack) with 12-Note Mode
• 4 Digital oscillators per voice
• 2 Analogue Modelling Oscillators, Wavetable Oscillator, Noise Feedback, Ring Modulation and external source
• Analogue low-pass ladder filter (12 dB/24 dB) per voice
• Virtual analogue high-pass filter
• Filter link mode and 3-stage analogue overdrive
• 3 LFOs with variable waveforms (sine, triangle, square, sawtooth, ramp, random)
• 3 ADSR envelopes
• Modulation matrix with 20 sources and 40 destinations
• Stereo VCA
• 2 Stereo effect processors (reverb, delay, chorus)
• Polyphonic step sequencer, arpeggiator and phrase looper
• More than 400 preset sounds

Melbourne Instruments Delia

Motorized Morphing Polyphonic Synthesiser

49 Key Velocity & Aftertouch Sensitive

DELIA is a bi-timbral polysynth inspired by the motorized control panel and voice architecture of the original Melbourne Instruments’ NINA.

Delia introduces a 49-key velocity and aftertouch sensitive keyboard, new multi-mode analog filters, high pass & low pass resonance control, 3-stage overdrive and endless modulation possibilities.

Analog soul with a computerized brain

Using a combination of true analog filters and virtual analog modelling, DELIA retains the vital sound of massively overdriveable analog ladder filters, while using a digital front end to run modelled VCOs, wavetables, high pass filters and more. The powerful combination of analog plus digital is harnessed by Delia’s unique 12 note mode, using 12 complete oscillator banks into the 6 filters, limiting note stealing without compromising the sound, and fully unleashing Delia’s bi-timbral operation.

Discrete Multi-mode Filters

DELIA’s true analog low pass filter is the heart and soul of the sound engine — warm, full and sweet or fearfully aggressive. It is complemented with a high-pass modelled ladder filter which can be linked for bandpass and notch operation. With 12 and 24dB slopes and separate high/low pass resonance control there is huge scope when shaping sounds.

Analog LP + Digital HP Filters

DELIA’s filter is Multi-mode with 3 ways to configure. The High Pass and Low Pass cut-off frequencies are separately controlled with two knobs, so overall operation can be High Pass, Low Pass or Bandpass. The assignable HP and LP resonance control offers flexibility to shape new sounds such as vocal-style formants. Delia’s ‘LINK’ function locks the distance between the High Pass and Low Pass knobs, setting a constant width Bandpass for both manual control and sweeps using the VCF envelope or other Modulation Matrix controls.

DELIA’s filters have an analog and a digital section per voice. The analog filter is the classic discrete transistor ladder filter offering a choice of 24dB or 12dB per octave operation. Prior to this filter is an analog variable overdrive circuit that can push the filter from normal operation to complete distorted collapse of the transistor ladder, adding richness, aggression and body to your sound. 

The HP filter is a digital transistor-level mathematical model of a 24dB ladder filter, based on the gold-standard Ebers-Moll transistor equations. This gives an almost perfect match to the response of the analog circuit, including the overdrive response, resonance and natural filter frequency variations.

Total Recall. It’s not a dream!

The motorized journey doesn’t end at Patch Recall and Morph.

Delia’s ‘MOD MODE’ automates the Modulation Matrix setup. As you move between the 20 MOD sources, every knob changes position to display the active modulation amount. There’s no need to tweak the panel every time you switch sources or destinations, no matter how many modulations or slots are active.

You can make your ideas a reality in a matter of seconds, literally shaping a sound as fast as you can think it. INIT - MOD - LFO TO WIDTH - PITCH TO CUTOFF - AFTERTOUCH TO MORPH - MODWHEEL TO EFFECTS - MORE RESONANCE ... SNAP!

Delia gives you a sound design workflow that truly flows, combining the flexibility of a soft synth with the tactile experience of a hardware synth.

Morph every parameter, then Mod it! 

DELIA’s A/B Morph function lets you explore and sweep through timbres like no other. The A/B Morph sound is an actively calculated change in parameters between the A and B patches including the entire modulation matrix. This provides the ability to instantly create a new preset based on the Morph position that is neither the A or B patch, but instead a totally new sound. Morph is also a ‘MOD destination’, giving you even more creative control via Aftertouch, Mod Wheel and Expression.

Phrase Looping & Sequencing

DELIA’s built in Sequencer offers two modes of operation.

In Step Sequencer mode, DELIA allows bi-timbral operation up to 16 steps with control of note-values, step count, hold and MIDI assignment.

DELIA’s Phrase Looper can loop & layer up to 2000 notes, with no additional time or overdub limits. Just like in Step Mode, bi-timbral operation allows you to control two layers independently, and with DELIA’s A/B Morph, you have four timbres at your fingertips.

Craft ideas using simple keyboard splits, or lose yourself in evolving stacked layers and sweeping morphs across vastly different sounds.

Building on innovation

DELIA inherits many of the acclaimed features of NINA, including 4-Quadrant Analog VCAs, Patch Morphing, Digital Effects and Digital Wavetable Oscillator. Adding to these features are the inclusion of Sequencer Phrase Looping and Overdubbing, and the ability to assign your favorite effects parameter to the Effects Macro control.

Under the hood Delia is a beast! Virtual Analog Oscillators model Nina’s discrete circuitry but add cross-modulation, and Delia’s 20 MOD sources and 40+ MOD destinations with unlimited slots gives sound designers an almost endless spectrum of sounds. Two digital effects processors paired with classic effects presets and the option to run in series or parallel offers creative freedom. And with the ability to save more than 16,000 presets, inspiration and artistry will never be limited by available memory or slots.

SPECIFICATIONS

VOICE ARCHITECTURE

• True Analog Filters and stereo VCAs
• 4 Oscillators per voice:
  VA Modelled VCOs, Wavetable, Noise/XOR/Aux
• 6 Analog voice circuits with 12-note mode that retains 4 oscillators/voice.
• Unlimited Modulation Matrix - 20 sources x 40 destinations
• 3 x LFOs with variable shapes: Sine, Triangle, Square, Ramp up, Ramp down, Random)
• 3 x Envelopes: VCA, VCF, AUX

CONTROL PANEL AUTOMATION 

• Instant Preset Recall - every knob moves to position
• Interactive Morphing with parameter isolation
• Interactive Mod Matrix setup
• Instant Layer Recall - panel changes to active patch
• Multi LFO, Envelope and Filter Settings Recall
• Effects Level and Macro Parameter Recall
• Instant ‘INIT’ control panel reset

INTERACTIVE MULTI-MODE FILTERS

• Analog Low Pass Ladder Filter
• 3-stage Analog Overdrive
• Virtual Analog High Pass Ladder Filter
• Separate High Pass and Low Pass Resonance control
• HP/LP filter ‘LINK’ mode for Band Pass/Notch control
• Selectable 12dB and 24dB slope for LP Filter

EFFECTS

• 2 x Effects Processors with parallel or series configuration
• Stereo Digital Effects: Delay, Chorus, Reverb with classic Preset Algorithms

MODULATION

• Extensive modulation matrix. 20 sources to 40 destinations. No bus count limitation.
• Morphable modulation settings.
• Quick to edit MOD mode. Select a source and dial in amounts instantly on control panel.
• All MOD amounts are through zero (bipolar)
• MORPH is a available as a Modulation destination

PATCH MORPHING

• Morph between A and B patches to create new timbres.
• Morph the entire patch including Modulation Matrix.

BI-TIMBRAL LAYERS

• 2 layers for 4 Timbres when combined with A/B Morph
• Controllable via MIDI channel and note ranges
• User selectable number of assigned voices per layer
• Optional linked note ranges across layers for quick keyboard splits & layering

STEP SEQUENCER and PHRASE LOOPER

• 16-step Programmable Polyphonic Sequencer
• Phrase Looper with overdub/layering
• Sequences and loops are saved with presets and recallable

CONNECTIVITY

Audio Out

• 2 assignable line level outputs.
• Stereo main outputs with effects.
• Headphone output.

Audio In

• 2 TRS Balanced Line or CV Inputs.
• CV +/-10V max. Analog gain and offset trim.

Device connection

• 2 x USB-A host ports
• 1 x USB-C device for DAW connection

MIDI

• In / Out / Through C

Weight: 8.7kg (19.1lb)
Dimensions (length x width x depth): 810mm x 320mm x 140mm.
Metal construction.