At the 2015 NAMM Show, UK-based Abstract Data introduced five new Eurorack modules.
The new modules include:
- Octocontroller – an 8-output gate trigger LFO controller
- Shaping VCO – two-stage waveshaping oscillator
- 3x LIN VCA
- VC AHDSR/AHD – voltage controlled envelope generator
- 4:4 Mix Attenuator
Abstract Data’s Justin Owen calls his new ADE-32 Octocontroller his ‘most ambitious design to date’.
The Octocontroller is a collaboration with Paul Soulsby of Soulsby Synths (creator of the Atmegatron synthesizer). The module is designed to provide a complete, synchronized control system for triggering and modulation within the Eurorack environment – without needing a DAW.
“As anyone who uses their modular as a stand-alone instrument knows,” notes Owen, “simple things like trying to sync LFOs can sometimes get very complex. The ADE-32 aims to solve that.”
The new VC AHDSR/AHD module is also the result of a collaboration. Owen worked with Tom Wiltshire of Electric Druid on the new module.
The new modules double the Abstract Date module line.
New Abstract Data Eurorack Modules
Here’s a video overview of the new modules from Abstract Data’s Justin Owen:
Here are preliminary specs for the new modules:
- ADE-32 Octocontroller
- 14 HP
- 8 simultaneous, synced outputs
- Gates, LFOs Arps, S&H & more
- Timing, quantize & offset options
- Internal or External Clock
- ADE-40 Shaping VCO
- 8 HP
- Tri-Core VCO
- Sine, Triangle & Ramp waveforms
- 2 stage, PWM-style shaping on all waveforms
- FM & Sync inputs
- ADE-50 3x Linear VCA
- 4 HP
- 3 linear VCAs
- All-analog discrete OTA core
- ADE-51 VC AHDSR / AHD
- 10HP
- Fast, clean, digital envelope generator
- Switchable between linear & exponential
- Complete CV control
- Gate & Re-trigger / Trigger options
- Variable time control
- ADE-52 4:4 Mix/Attenuator
- 4:n / n:4 configuration
- Combined mixing and/or attenuation
The new modules are expected to be available in March of 2015. Official details on pricing and availability is to come via the Abstract Data site.
Video via Analogue Zone Showroom
The Octacontroller looks fascinating, but a little hard to figure out. Is it able to do clock divide & clock multiply? And can it do 8 channels of divide/multiply based on the 1 clock input? If so, that could be a completely killer module.
@Tara – yes, it will do both clock divide and multiply.
All 8 outputs can each be set to any division or multiple of the internal or external clock from down to 1/16th of a Bar up to 64 Bars long for each output – this can also be done in quantized or non-quantized steps.
Outputs can also be offset in time up to 1 Bar.
It’s not just clocks though – each output can be assigned as any of the following types: Gate/Trigger, LFO, Arpeggio or Rhythms – all locked to to whatever clock division or multiple you set for that output.
There are currently about 6 different Gate/Trigger types, about 10 different LFO types and we’re working on adding more as we develop the firmware.
We’re looking at a release date of April – around Musikmesse ’15.
Hope that info helps!
Justin @ Abstract Data
Justin
This module looks incredible!
So each of the 8 outputs can be a gate at ‘any’ multiple or division?
Does that include things like triplets or more complex multiples or divisions?
And will this really output eight Luis or eight arpeggios? How are the ARPs going to work?
You also mentioned that he’s well I’ll put rhythms. What does that mean? Is that like Euclidean rhythms or something like that?
Yes, each of the 8 outputs can be a Gate/Trigger or an LFO or an Arpeggio or one of the ‘rhythmic’ outputs we’re working on.
Each output can also be set to its own timing which is a division or a multiple of the internal or external clock – currently we have 12 different divisions: 1/16, 1/8, 1/4, 1/3, 1/2 of a Bar and 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 and 64 Bars long.
Yes, it can output 8x different LFOs or 8x arpeggios or any combination of the above output types – all at the same time and all at their own clock division/multiple.
Setting up an Arpeggio is the same as setting up LFO’s or Gates – select the arpeggio type, select the clock division, select any timing offset – done.
The Arpeggios and Rhythmic outputs are designed to add some basic musical building blocks on top of the Gates/Triggers and LFOs that are the basis of this module.
The Rhythms include a small collection of basic rhythmic patterns that you’ll hear in a lot of electronic music and we’re also working on a ‘Turing mode’ – which will put out pseudo-random, rhythmic loops which can then be re-triggered – a bit like the Turing Machine from Music Thing/Thonk.
There was some discussion about doing Euclidian Rhythms but we felt like the module lent itself better to psuedo-random, Turing-style rhythms and more ‘traditional’ building-block rhythms.
Thanks for your interest – I hope this answers your questions, there will be loads more info as we get closer to launch – but feel free to ask if you want any more info from me before then.
Justin @ Abstract Data
ADE-32 Octocontroller looks like the perfect expander for A-152 Voltage Addressed Switch
This looks brilliant.
My one concern is how this will sync to an external clock. I have a Pamela’s Workout which really does not sync accurately enough to incoming clock and I would really like to hook up, if not my DAW, then certainly my Elektron Rytm and A4.
Thanks @Max. Clock timing and quality – both internal generation and external sync – is really important to us. We’re working very hard to make sure this build counts and locks **Tight**
Cool. If it does I’m definitely in for one.