PL2

small but almighty
(sort of)

  • 2 Oscillators
  • 7 Waveforms
  • 32 Presets
  • 32 Userpresets
  • Square Wave Synthesis
  • Digital Filter (LPF, BPF, HPF)
  • Analog Filter (LPF)
  • Pulse Width Modulation
  • MIDI clock synced LFO


PL2 mini synthesizers



Reviews

Ask AudioHarmony CentralKeyboard MagAudiofanzineAttack MagazineeMusicianSonicscoopmusicradarAudio SpotlightSOSSonicstate




Amazonade:bugBuenasIdeasBeatSynthopiaBonedoSüddeutsche ZeitungKeysOhrpostMusotalkStarwax



πλ² (black) and πλ² Leukos (white)

The PL2 is an analog synthesizer module with a digital (125kHz, state variable) multimode filter, offering unique saturation. That filter's followed by a second analog lowpass filter. It comes in two versions:

The original black PL2 is MIDI powered via its MIDI input. It works with almost any MIDI equipped keyboard or MIDI interface. The built-in micro USB connector doesn't contain USB functionality, but can be used for additional power when needed. Here's a list of MIDI devices reported to be compatible:
Frequently updated compatibility list

Soundwise identical, the white PL2 Leukos USB only works with computers or iPads® (USB camera connection kit required).

Instead of a MIDI Input, πλ² Leukos features a perfect MIDI output, so you can connect an additonal MIDI synth (e.g. a black PL2).





Ploytec PL2 (MIDI In) vs. PL2 Leukos (USB MIDI In)




PL2 modular view



Using the πλ² mini synthesizer

PL2 mini synth editor

The PL2 gets entirely controlled via MIDI. Here's a list of the MIDI Control messages the PL2 understands:

MIDI Control messages

In order to make life easier, there's some software editors:

Editor for Windows (updated September 2019)

Editor for Mac (updated September 2019)

Editor for Linux

Editor for iPad®

PL2 iPad® Editor



The sound of the πλ²


The πλ² song Lazy Sunday from Raziel Ambientmusic is created using only the PL2!

"πλ² sounds and drums" means all sounds are from the PL2, including drum sounds.


πλ² manual and firmware versions

Click here to download the English πλ² manualGerman πλ² manual

The PL2 synthesizer was first released with firmware V1.5. The V2.0 update supplements drum mode and more waveforms, V2.1 enhances the filter resolution and allows to map MIDI controllers. Here's the V2.1 release notes. The most recent V2.5 firmware released at Superbooth17 facilitates polyphonic setups and adds a fantastic cowbell.

At Summer NAMM 2014 the PL2 finally learned to talk, here's the release notes for πλ² PL02.56 alternative firmware emulating the legendary SP0256-AL2 chip. Superbooth16 brought the "re50.n80r" firmware, replacing the "Resonance" controller by a "Resonator" one.

For exchanging firmware, please use the software editors above.



Markus explains the PL2


The πλ² Youtube Channel


πλ² and Ploytec related videos


International πλ² distribution

Distributors: Europe / UK: Comline, Japan: Dirigent, Switzerland: Omsound, USA / Canada: Eleven Dimensions Media - List of US Resellers



Get a πλ² from Ploytec directly

      Purchase the πλ² Synthesizer from Ploytec





The πλ² sound module in 360°


360° Image from Images 360