HiKeys—1977
graphic_eq
PRE-ORDER / $499
+ 00.00° / LAT-1977
REF: CEM3340-VCO // STEREO
HK-SPEC // ANALOG SYNTHESIS WORKSTATION — EDITION 1977

HiKeys—1977

Experience seamless control and effortless navigation with our synth keyboard. Engineered with tactile low-profile switches, continuous detented optical knobs, and discrete analog circuitry.

16 LOW-PROFILE TACTILE KEYS · 4 CNC ROTARY ENCODERS · 4" CAPACITIVE DISPLAY · CEM3340 VCO
HARDWARE UNIT 01 // MATTE ANODIZED OBSIDIAN
DIM: 284 × 112 × 18 MM · WT: 520G
HiKeys-1977 analog synthesizer keyboard unit in dark studio illumination
SECTION 02 // HARDWARE MODULES

Engineered Touch & Physics

Milled from an extruded block of aerospace 6061-T6 aluminum. Tactile feedback calibrated according to Braun and Rams ergonomics.

MODULE 01 · CHASSIS 520 GRAMS

Aluminum body sculpted with precision - sleek lightweight yet durable body.

Machined through 5-axis CNC passes from a solid billet of aerospace aluminum, bead-blasted with microscopic glass spheres, and finished with a custom matte obsidian anodization layer. Zero flex, razor-edge 0.2mm chamfers, and counter-sunk flush torx fasteners.

6061-T6 AEROSPACE ALLOY
18 MM PROFILE THICKNESS
ZERO BARS SEAMLESS INTEGRATION
MODULE 02 · ROTARY ENCODERS

Programmable knobs - experience control at your fingertips, tactile expression.

4× knurled solid aluminum optical encoders featuring detented mechanical clicks, backlit by warm 1970s amber halo LEDs that dynamically illustrate cutoff frequency, resonance, LFO speed, and modulation depth.

CUTOFF
RES
LFO RT
ENV AMT
MODULE 03 · OPTICAL VIEWPORT 60 FPS REALTIME

Integrated display - 4 inches capacitive TFT touchscreen, 480x480 resolution.

High-refresh rate display delivering analog oscilloscope waveform traces, real-time FFT spectrum visuals, preset management, and custom micro-tuning matrixes. Zero glare polarized mineral glass lens.

OSC 1: SAWTOOTH VCF: 1.42 kHz
PEAK: -0.2 dBFS HARMONICS: RICH
MODULE 04 · TACTILE SWITCHES 16 KEYS · POLY-AFTERTOUCH

Dynamic keys - 16-key F-scale low-profile keyboard with responsive analog envelope.

Sculpted two-tone convex & concave circular keycaps reminiscent of iconic scientific instruments. Ultra-low 1.8mm travel mechanical switches with custom silicone dampening pads and calibrated polyphonic pressure sensitivity.

F
F#
G
G#
A
A#
B
C
C#
D
D#
E
F
MODULE 05 · ANALOG ENGINE & ACOUSTICS CEM3340 ARCHITECTURE

Audio specs & OTA filter - 3340 voltage controlled oscillator, 4-pole OTA filter, built-in speakers with passive radiator.

The legendary Curtis CEM3340 VCO circuit brings authentic warm pitch drift, sync stability, and massive sub-octaves. Paired with a four-pole 24dB/octave operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) ladder filter for creamy self-oscillation and screaming resonant sweeps.

Dual high-efficiency neodymium micro-monitors coupled with an aluminum dual-opposing passive radiator deliver full-range acoustic presence down to 58 Hz without external monitors.

VCO CHIP
CEM3340 Analog
Saw, Square/PWM, Triangle
VCF TOPOLOGY
24 dB / Octave
4-Pole Cascaded OTA
ACOUSTIC OUTPUT
Dual Neodymium
Tuned Passive Radiator
DYNAMIC RANGE
124 dBA SNR
Audiophile Studio Class
SECTION 03 // SIGNAL TOPOLOGY

Pure Discrete Signal Path

No digital simulation in the primary voice path. From oscillator core to output jack, signals remain 100% continuous analog voltage.

SCHEMATIC: SIGNAL-FLOW-REV2.4 SYSTEM CLOCK: 48.000 kHz SYNC
STAGE 01

Discrete VCO

CEM3340 Curtis core. Continuous waveform crossfade.

FREQ: 27.5 Hz – 4.1 kHz
STAGE 02

4-Pole OTA Filter

24dB/oct resonant lowpass with self-oscillation & key tracking.

CUTOFF: 10 Hz – 22 kHz
STAGE 03

Analog VCA

Fast exponential analog envelope generator for punchy transients.

ATTACK: 0.8ms – 10s
STAGE 04

Stereo Output

Balanced 3.5mm I/O + internal neodymium acoustic drivers.

LEVEL: +4 dBu BAL
MODULATION MATRIX: 1× MULTI-WAVE LFO (TRI/SQR/S&H) · 2× DADSR ENVELOPES
CALIBRATION STANDARD: 1.000 VOLT / OCTAVE
SECTION 04 // LEDGER SPECIFICATION

Full Engineering Ledger

Manufactured in strict adherence to DIN 45500 audiophile standards and Rams functionalist principles.

MODEL IDENTIFIER HiKeys—1977 Rev B
SIGNAL ARCHITECTURE True Discrete Analog Voice
OSCILLATOR HARDWARE Curtis CEM3340 Precision VCO
FILTER TOPOLOGY 4-Pole 24dB OTA Low-Pass Ladder
KEYBOARD MATRIX 16 Mechanical Keys / Poly-Aftertouch
ENCODERS 4× Optical Detented / Halo Amber LED
INTEGRATED DISPLAY 4.0" Capacitive TFT (480 × 480 @ 60Hz)
AUDIO INPUT / OUTPUT 3.5mm Stereo Line In / Out (Balanced)
HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER Dedicated 3.5mm / 250mW @ 32Ω
SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO 124 dBA Dynamic Range (A-Weighted)
BATTERY & POWER 4000mAh Li-Po (16h Playtime / USB-C PD)
CHASSIS & FINISH CNC 6061-T6 Aluminum / Matte Anodized
PHYSICAL DIMENSIONS 284 × 112 × 18 mm
CHASSIS MASS 520 grams (1.14 lbs)
CONNECTIVITY STANDARDS USB-C Audio/MIDI, BLE MIDI 5.2, Sync In/Out
REGULATORY APPROVAL CE, FCC Part 15, RoHS Compliant
ALLOCATION PROTOCOL

Pre-Order Batch 01

MSRP / ALLOCATION TIER
$499 USD
BATCH AVAILABILITY 1,977 NUMBERED UNITS
NEXT AVAILABLE SERIAL #0412 / 1977
ESTIMATED DISPATCH Q3 2024 / WORLDWIDE
* Includes numbered aluminum certification badge, custom braided USB-C silicone cable, quick-start tactile reference card, and 2-year manufacturer chassis guarantee.