TL;DR: Schlappi Engineering teased “Forest” at Superbooth 2026 — a 16-voice polyphonic FM desktop synthesizer based on their Three Body Eurorack module. It’s still an early prototype (likely a 2027 release), but the 20-knob matrix layout and FPGA core already sound promising. Expect phase modulation, cross modulation, and a healthy dose of controlled chaos.
- 16-voice polyphonic FM synthesizer, derived from the Schlappi Engineering Three Body triple-oscillator FPGA module.
- Early prototype shows a 20-knob matrix interface with 19 LED-backlit buttons — a layout we hope survives to production.
- Features glimpsed include coarse/fine tuning, a filter, two ADSR envelopes, octave up/down, and likely phase & cross modulation.
- Still a very early prototype; name and specs may change. Release target is 2027, price TBA.
- Sound demo at Superbooth was brief but promising — think “Three Body on steroids with a keyboard.”
Reading time: 3 min
Want more synth news before your next coffee break? Join the Noxal newsletter — no spam, just gear worth knowing about.
Forest Emerges from the Underbrush
Superbooth 2026 was, as always, a glorious cacophony of blinking LEDs, patch cables, and people who haven’t slept since Tuesday. Amid the chaos, Schlappi Engineering quietly previewed a prototype that made us perk up — and not just because we’d had our fourth espresso of the morning. The unit, currently called “Forest,” is a 16-voice polyphonic FM synthesizer in a desktop format.
Now, polyphonic FM synths are not exactly rare — but they’re usually either digital VAs or complex rackmounts that require a PhD in operator ratios. Forest, from what little we saw, looks refreshingly direct. A matrix of 20 knobs and 19 buttons with LED indicators dominates the front panel. It’s the kind of layout that makes you want to twist everything at once. We at Noxal approve of any interface that prioritizes immediate tactile control over submenus.
Eric from Schlappi was characteristically tight-lipped, noting that everything is still in flux — including the name. But the brief sound demo he played was enough to suggest this isn’t just another FM box. There’s grit, movement, and a distinct personality that feels more like an instrument than a sound module.
The Three Body Connection
The heart of Forest is the same FPGA-based triple-oscillator engine found in Schlappi’s Three Body Eurorack module. If you’re not familiar, Three Body is a delightfully weird oscillator that can do phase modulation, logarithmic and exponential FM, cross modulation, and a bunch of other tricks that make standard DX-style FM sound like a polite suggestion.
While Schlappi hasn’t confirmed the exact feature set, we’d be shocked if Forest doesn’t inherit these capabilities. The prototype’s interface hints at coarse/fine tuning per oscillator, a filter section, and two ADSR envelopes — plus octave up/down buttons that suggest it’s built for performance, not just sound design. The left-side button cluster also hints at deeper modulation options we’ll have to wait to confirm.
I have a soft spot for FPGA-based synths. They offer the precision of digital with a certain unpredictability that analog purists pretend doesn’t exist. Three Body, in particular, has a knack for turning clean sine waves into snarling textures with a single knob turn. If Forest can scale that to 16 voices, it could be a beast — the kind that makes you stay up late patching instead of sleeping.
What We Know (and What We Don’t)
Let’s be honest: the information we have is thin. Eric explicitly said this is a very early prototype. The name “Forest” might change. The price is TBA. The release window is a vague “probably 2027.” That’s not much to go on, but it’s enough to get excited about — because Schlappi doesn’t tease things lightly.
What we do know: the prototype has 20 knobs arranged in a grid, each with an LED indicator for visual feedback. That’s a lot of knobs for an FM synth, which is exactly right. FM synthesis thrives on quick, simultaneous parameter changes, and a matrix like this invites exploration. There are also 19 buttons, likely for oscillator routing, modulation assignments, and patch recall. The filter section appears separate from the FM engine, which suggests a hybrid architecture — FM core with analog-style filtering, perhaps?
We also saw octave up/down, two ADSR envelopes, and what appear to be per-oscillator tuning controls. The demo focused on aggressive, evolving pads and percussive stabs — classic FM territory, but with a grittier edge than, say, a Yamaha Montage.
Market Context and Who This Is For
Forest enters a crowded field: polyphonic FM synths range from the Korg opsix (affordable, versatile, but digital) to the more esoteric offerings like the Modal Electronics COBALT8 or the Elektron Digitone. But none of those are FPGA-based, and none come from Schlappi Engineering, a brand known for pushing FM into chaotic, experimental territory.
Who is Forest for? It’s for the person who loves FM but finds most implementations too clean. It’s for the Eurorack user who wants a standalone box that doesn’t require a modular case. It’s for the studio producer who wants 16 voices of phase-modulated mayhem without needing to menu-dive. And yes, it’s for the collector who just wants something weird and wonderful to fill that empty spot on the desk next to the coffee mug.
At Noxal, we’re cautiously optimistic. If Schlappi can deliver on the promise of Three Body’s engine in a polyphonic, knob-per-function format, Forest could be one of the most exciting FM synths of the decade. But we’ve been burned by early prototypes before — so we’ll wait for the final product to pass judgment. In the meantime, we’ll be refreshing the Schlappi website every morning, coffee in hand.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the Schlappi Engineering Forest be released?
Eric from Schlappi indicated a tentative release in 2027. The unit shown at Superbooth 2026 is a very early prototype, so expect delays. We’ll update you as soon as there’s a firm date.
Will Forest be a Eurorack module or a standalone synth?
Forest is a desktop polyphonic synthesizer — it’s not a Eurorack module. It’s based on the Three Body Eurorack module, but comes in its own enclosure with a dedicated interface. No patching required (though we wouldn’t be surprised if it has CV inputs).
How many voices does Forest have, and is it truly polyphonic?
Forest is advertised as a 16-voice polyphonic FM synthesizer. That means you can play 16 notes simultaneously, each with its own FM engine. This is a significant step up from most FM synths, which often max out at 8 voices.
We’ll be watching Forest grow like a caffeine-fueled botanist — slowly, obsessively, and with occasional muttering about release dates. Now if you’ll excuse me, my third espresso needs a refill.