Frap Tools Magnolia 8-Voice Analog Through-Zero FM Synth Now Shipping

Frap Tools' Magnolia is now shipping, bringing complex modular-style synthesis into a playable, polyphonic instrument. The Italian maker designed Magnolia to translate its modular voice architecture into an eight-voice analog through-zero linear FM polysynth with a five-octave Fatar keyboard and polyphonic aftertouch, aiming to make complex timbres immediately playable.

Founder and product designer Simone Fabbri framed the project as a move from modules to keys. Fabbri said, "Well, we made Magnolia because we wanted to offer our iconic modular analogue sound in a more straightforward instrument that could play chords and other 12-note music right away." Frap Tools' marketing adds the promise, "An analog FM synth that is actually fun to play!" and highlights "analog warmth" and a "large and relaxing front panel."

At its core Magnolia packs eight voices, each with two analog triangle-core oscillators. Sources describe one oscillator as an "east coast" type with PWM and the other as a "west coast" style with linear through-zero FM, wavefolder, and flip sync. The signal path is reported as fully analog, with an 18 dB/octave high-pass filter and a 24 dB/octave resonant low-pass filter with linear FM and analog pre-filter saturation. SonicState summarized the design as including "analogue triangle-core oscillators, thru-zero FM, wavefolders, analogue distortion, and a wild, resonant filter," and positioned the engine to cover sounds from "soft, glass-like pads to earth-shattering distorted leads."

Performance and hands-on control are central. Magnolia offers a hands-on modulation matrix and an expressive Fatar keyboard with velocity-sensitive, adjustable curves and polyphonic aftertouch. Community-sourced specifications list three loopable DAHDSR envelopes, three digital LFOs with continuously variable waveforms, per-part arpeggiator and 16-step sequencer, bi-timbral programs with Morph, Dual and Split modes, 200 memory slots, and utilities such as "Polymove" polyphonic randomization and a Macro knob. Modulation metrics vary in reports: SonicState quoted a matrix that connects "16 modulation sources to 32 modulation destinations by just pushing a button and twisting a knob," while a Reddit feature list reports "16 modulation sources, 38 modulation destinations, 64 modulation slots per part."

Pricing and distribution details conflict between outlets. One report lists a first-batch price of €3,995, while SonicState lists an MSRP of €4,199.00 including VAT and names Alex4 Distribution for worldwide distribution. Confirm price and VAT treatment with Frap Tools or sanctioned resellers before purchase.

Magnolia was previewed at Superbooth 2025 in pre-production form, where units reportedly lacked final analog distortion and digital effects and still needed UI and voicing tweaks. Those items are described as part of the production finish-up. For players chasing GAS or a route from modular rigs to a single keyboard, Magnolia promises a compact way to access thru-zero FM, wavefolding and complex-oscillator flavors with polyphonic immediacy. Verify final modulation counts, effects inclusion and retail pricing with Frap Tools or Alex4 Distribution as units reach customers and firmware and hardware details settle.