Neutral Labs today introduced Scrooge,  a “sequenced malfunction generator” that’s available as a 42 HP Eurorack module or as a standalone semi-modular desktop synth.

Here’s what they have to say about it:

“While you can convince it to deliver boomy kick drum sounds, clicky hi-hats or metallic snares, it would much rather be making glitchy artifacts, hollow crackles and horribly distorted growls.

It contains a sophisticated and performance-oriented step sequencer, with parameter locking and the possibility to control all steps across multiple tracks at once.

Its 5 distinct and fully analog voices are made up of special circuits that work without dedicated power supplies, scrounging power from the sequencer control signals instead, which gives them an organic and unstable quality. As a bonus, it means you won’t have to power the unit itself, if you sequence it from external gear.”

Neutral Labs Scrooge Video Demo:

Features:

• 5 distinct analog voices
• Device can work passively without a power supply, if sequenced from external gear
• Each voice can be routed to either of 2 main outputs (headphone compatible)
• Individual voice outputs
• Individual voice CV inputs that respond to audio signals
• 2 modulation tracks, individually routable to voices
• 2 modulation CV inputs
• Onboard step sequencer
• Parameter locking per step
• “Control all” mode (change parameters for several steps and tracks at once), great for interactive playing
• Arbitrary step length per track (up to 64 steps)
• Generative algorithm builds random variations on patterns (available while performing), or creates random patterns from scratch
• Pattern chaining (up to 32 patterns)
• Stores up to 128 patterns in 16 banks
• Microtiming
• CV slew limiter per track
• Can sequence external gear
• Sync output
• Sync and reset inputs
• MIDI input (TRS Type A)

Availability:

The Neutral Labs says that the Scrooge is available now, but pricing details are still to come at their site.