Hartmann 20 - Un Sledge ... hammer !!!

Axel Hartmann is the main man when it comes to synthesizer design - he's behind many of the panels and form of recent releases. We talked to him a while back about synthesizer design.

His new project is "20" a custom designed Waldorf/ Sledge based synthesizer (see our review) but with a complete hardware redesign to include pure aluminium shell milled from a single block, Fatar black keybed, SPL Supra Op-Amp audio technology, custom wavetable set from the Hartmann Neuron and the Waldorf, custom aluminium knobs and wheels, custom acrylic-glass switches - its a special piece of hardware.

Only 40 will be made - 20 black and 20 white. Axel has just updated his Facebook page with a shot of the synth - but featuring a regular keybed - the final models will have the black only TP-8 Fatar keybed.

On track for shipping at the end of the month, now deep breath, its going to sell direct from Hartmann at €20,000 - yes you did read that right. I guess Aluminium is a pricey commodity..