AY3 MKII

AY3 MKII turns classic AY tone into a surprisingly musical performance polysynth: six voices, wide stereo animation, onboard sequencing, arpeggiation, AYMID song playback and remixing, and immediate matrix-based control.

Dual-chip AY engine

Two AY-3 chips give AY3 MKII a dual-chip stereo architecture with three voices per channel. It can run as a six-voice polyphonic synth, an ultra-fat six-voice unison instrument with dedicated detune, or a quick chord machine with six built-in chords for instant voice splitting.

The engine includes glide for smooth portamento, note-follow options for noise and envelope generators, logarithmic and linear envelope shaping, and linked or independent editing of noise and envelope parameters across both chips.

Clock modes and pitch compatibility

AY3 MKII supports three clock modes: Atari ST, ZX Spectrum on Rev. B boards, and Legacy. Legacy mode keeps compatibility with older devices at 2 MHz; it is not the ZX Spectrum pitch reference commonly used in home-computer music. Use ZX Spectrum mode on Rev. B boards when that pitch behavior is required.

Playback, sequencing, and remix

The 16-step sequencer can sequence gates, pitch, and noise, while four pitch-modulation/LFO modes and four arpeggiator modes add movement. AYMID protocol support lets AY3 MKII receive and play AY song data via Ay_Emul, with real-time remix functions for transforming incoming song data on the fly.

Dual synchronised timers drive a precise, width-spreading stereo output, giving song playback and live patches a wider, more animated image than a single-chip design.

Performance and control

The 5x6 mode matrix keeps the panel compact while giving direct access to volume, pitch, noise level, envelope assignments, arpeggiator modes, sequencer routing, and more. Five high-quality pots, one endless push encoder, 40 subtle white LEDs, sustain pedal support, improved voice allocation, and full MIDI CC control keep the instrument playable rather than menu-bound.

Sound engine highlights

• Dual-chip stereo architecture with three voices per channel
• Six-voice polyphony plus six-voice unison with dedicated detune
• Six built-in chords, glide mode, and improved voice allocation
• Atari ST, ZX Spectrum Rev. B, and Legacy 2 MHz clock modes
• Note-follow options for noise and envelope generators
• Logarithmic and linear envelope shaping across the full range
• Linked or independent editing of noise and envelope parameters across both chips
• Unique memory system for storing custom sound data
• 32 Creator sound presets included and flashable

Sequencing, playback, and modulation

• 16-step sequencer for gates, pitch, and noise
• Four pitch-modulation/LFO modes and four arpeggiator modes
• AYMID protocol support for receiving and playing AY song data via Ay_Emul
• Real-time remix functions to transform incoming song data
• Precise stereo spread from dual synchronised timers

Memory, controls, and connectivity

• 64-preset memory arranged as eight banks of eight presets
• Five high-quality pots plus one endless encoder with push function
• Intuitive 5x6 mode matrix with 40 subtle white LEDs
• Full MIDI CC control of all knobs and features
• MIDI input with channel selection on TRS Type A
• Sustain pedal support and AYMID song-data reception
• Black anodized brushed-aluminum case with a clean, durable design