Gotham Pentaholic

PENTAHOLIC
SKETCH PAD SYNTH

The first digital emulation of the rare Gleeman Pentaphonic.
Analog-modeling of the specific character of the original hardware.
Authentic five-voice architecture and modulation routing.
A stable, modern interface built natively for Apple Silicon.
Anti-Paralysis by Design.
Welcome to Paradise

The Sound

The original Pentaphonic was known for its "rubbery" filters and a distinct grit that sits somewhere between a Prophet-5 and a Rhodes Chroma.

Pentaholic recreates the internal signal path of those five voices. This mathematical approach allows for the same thick, harmonically rich pads and aggressive leads that made the original a cult classic.

Voices 5-Voice Polyphony
Oscillators 3 DCOs
8 Waveforms
Filter CEM 3320 Modeled
24dB LPF
Classic Dark Synthesizer Interface
Anti-Paralysis By Design

The Sketchpad Sequencer

Most modern sequencers are micro-managers that ask you to draw every velocity curve and nudge every MIDI note. Pentaholic’s Sketchpad is designed for the initial spark. It is a streamlined, volatile sequencer meant for capturing ideas before they disappear.

Constraints as a Creative Catalyst: The Sketchpad intentionally limits your options to the essentials: pitch, gate, and basic modulation. By removing the infinite possibilities of a DAW piano roll, it forces you to focus on the rhythm and melody rather than the production. It is a tool specifically built to combat producer paralysis and get you moving.

Capacity 300-Note Polyphony
Capture Real-Time Recording
Priority Dynamic Voice Stealing
During Play-Over
Clear Illuminated Synthesizer Interface
Complete Breakdown

Workflow & Specifications

SYS.ABSTRACT // GLEEMAN.1982.EMU

While the sound is vintage, the workflow is not. We implemented several quality-of-life features to ensure the plugin stays out of your way during the creative process.

[01] Human-Scale Workflow

Instant Reset All knobs and switches return to default state with a Right-Click.
Precision Edit High-resolution fine-tuning via Option + Click-Drag or Option + Scroll.
UI Versatility Clicking the "Pentaholic" logo instantly toggles between the classic hardware layout and the modern streamlined view.
MIDI Learn Clicking the "GOTHAM" badge activates a global MIDI learn overlay for instant hardware mapping.

[02] Technical Details

Architecture 5-voice polyphony with authentic modulation scaling.
Platforms macOS and iOS (Apple Silicon native). Available as an AUv3 plugin and Standalone application.
Documentation A full technical manual is accessible directly within the plugin's settings menu—no internet connection required.

[03] Why We Built This

At Gotham Paradise, we believe tools should be powerful but never precious. This project started from a deep appreciation for the "sketchpad synthesizer" workflow. We believe there is immense value in intrinsic creativity—capturing the initial spark before the infinite choices of a modern DAW get in the way. By focusing on the math behind the oscillators and the specific behavior of the filters, we built Pentaholic to bring that immediate, tactile process to your studio.