Quasimidi Sirius © 1998 Quasimidi Musikelektronik GmbH
The Quasimidi Sirius was a flagship keyboard groove synthesizer designed for live electronic music performance. It combined a sample-ROM based synthesis engine called DTE (Digital True Emulation) with extensive real-time control, sequencing, and performance features. It offered a multitimbral 7-part architecture, a pattern-based sequencer, a vocoder, and extensive hands-on controls with knobs, buttons, and faders. The Sirius was explicitly aimed at techno, trance, and rave production workflows, functioning as a hybrid between a synth, drum machine, and groovebox.
28-voice polyphony across 7 parts
7-part multitimbral structure (3 synth + 4 drum/percussion parts)
DTE synthesis engine (sample ROM + digital filtering / modulation system)
128 synth waveforms + 365 drum/percussion waveforms
49-key velocity-sensitive keyboard
16-part style sequencing system (patterns + songs)
The Sirius is essentially the keyboard evolution of the Rave-O-Lution 309 groovebox concept.
It includes one of the most hands-on control surfaces of any 1990s European synth, with dozens of real-time buttons.
The vocoder can use internal tracks as carrier/modulator, not just microphone input.
It is widely associated with German techno, trance, and early hard dance production scenes.
After Quasimidi folded (2000), the Sirius became a cult instrument with rising second-hand value.
Many modern producers describe it as: “a groovebox disguised as a keyboard”.