What started as a hobbyist endeavor has evolved into a modern modular classic, with multiple versions released through different manufacturers. This is the story of the Fénix synthesizer as told by the people involved.
In 1997, three former employees of Dutch synth company Synton got together in their spare time to create the Fénix, a rather unique and self-contained modular synthesizer. With just 75 units released mostly to friends and acquaintances, it soon acquired the status of legend, and a re-release became inevitable. And then again. And again. And again! Like the fiery mythological bird it’s named after, the Fénix has been reborn numerous times, including iterations released by the original designers, via Dutch company This is Not Rocket Science, and most recently store and studio Patch Point.
This is the story of the Fénix and its many rebirths as told by the participants themselves. They are:
• Bert Vermeulen (designer)
• Stijn Haring-Kuipers (principal inventor at This Is Not Rocket Science)
• Priscilla Haring-Kuipers (general manager of This is Not Rocket Science)
• Darrin Wiener (founder of Patch Point)
• Sonic Boom (musician and longtime Fénix user).
For more on the technical aspects of the different Fénix synthesizers, please see Bert’s informative website.
Interviews have been edited for clarity and cohesion.
The original Fénix
The Fénix appeared in 1997, with no company name. This has not stopped people from erroneously attaching Synton to the name, though.
Bert Vermeulen: “There is no longer a synth company called Synton. Fénix is a product name without a brand name. I used the text on the bottom of the front panel of the Fénix, ‘Designed by the original 1973-1989 Synton team.’ Synton was the company where I worked. After Synton's bankruptcy in 1989, I still kept in touch with Felix Visser (Synton's boss) and Marc Paping (Synton's product specialist).
