Frap Tools Expands Beyond Eurorack With Magnolia Synthesizer
Frap Tools has announced that Magnolia, its first standalone keyboard instrument, is now shipping worldwide. Known for its Eurorack modules and 500-series compressors, the Italian manufacturer is moving into the polyphonic synthesizer space with an 8-voice, bi-timbral analog design that blends modular synthesis techniques with the structure of a traditional polysynth.
Magnolia was first shown publicly in pre-production form at Superbooth in Berlin and later at Buchla & Friends in Los Angeles. The final production model is positioned as a performance-focused instrument that can handle conventional analog tones while also producing more experimental timbres associated with complex oscillator systems.
About Frap Tools (www.frap.tools)
Modular Concepts in a Polyphonic Format
At the core of Magnolia’s architecture are two oscillators per voice that combine different synthesis traditions. One oscillator follows a more conventional analog design with pulse-width modulation, while the second uses linear thru-zero frequency modulation, wavefolding, and flip sync. This allows users to create harmonically rich FM-based tones without relying on digital operator structures or preset ratios.
Thru-zero FM enables modulation through positive and negative frequency ranges, which produces more stable harmonic relationships when modulated at audio rate. In practice, this makes FM-style sounds easier to tune and more usable in chordal playing compared to standard analog FM implementations.
The synth is designed to cover a wide range of material, from straightforward polyphonic textures to more animated and unstable patches inspired by modular systems.
Performance and Modulation Design
Magnolia features a 61-key FATAR keyboard with velocity and polyphonic aftertouch, emphasizing playability rather than menu-driven programming. Physical controls include pitch and modulation wheels, a macro knob assignable to any parameter, and a morph knob that transitions between two complete sound states.
The modulation system includes 16 sources and 38 destinations, with LED indicators showing active routings. Three LFOs and three envelopes are paired with a function called Polymove, which generates independent random modulation signals for each voice and destination. This allows patches to evolve with subtle variation or move into more unpredictable territory without requiring external modulation sources.
Two expression pedal inputs expand real-time control for performance and studio use.
Analog Signal Path and Sound Character
The signal path remains fully analog, including triangle-core oscillators, wavefolders, distortion stages, and a resonant filter. Rather than emulating classic polysynth circuits, Magnolia borrows directly from Frap Tools’ modular designs, effectively translating its Eurorack sound into a self-contained instrument.
According to the company, every circuit was designed specifically for this synth rather than adapted from off-the-shelf components. The result is an instrument intended to feel closer to a modular system in behavior while retaining the immediacy of a keyboard-based polysynth.
Availability and Positioning
Magnolia is available now through Frap Tools’ global dealer network with a listed price of €4,199 including VAT. Distribution is handled worldwide by Alex4 Distribution.
With Magnolia, Frap Tools enters the high-end keyboard synth category for the first time, aiming to offer a bridge between modular sound design and polyphonic performance without relying on digital FM engines or menu-heavy interfaces.
