E-RM Erfindungsbüro has introduced the Multiclock – a sync box that offers 4 precise, low-jitter output channels, derived from DAW Audio Clock, MIDI or DIN sync.
All channels are separately shiftable and swingable in realtime to compensate start lag and adjust groove.
Here’s what they have to say about it:
Professional Sync
The multiclock solves your sync issues in the studio and on stage once and for all.
Synchronisation of the multiclock to a DAW relies on a sample accurate audio clock stream, which in consequence guarantees absolutely tight clock signals with ±1 sample of jitter.
Moreover, you can use it as a standalone generator or hook it up to follow other MIDI, DIN or analog master clocks.
SHIFT & SHUFFLE
To compensate for any time lag of connected gear, you can shift each output channel individually and in realtime back and forth relative to the master clock.The shift range is completely configurable and has a maximum of ±400ms, the resolution is 20µs.If you have set your machines up to be on the spot, start playing with shuffle. Again, individually for each channel and in realtime.
MIDI, DIN, MODULAR & LFO
Each channel can be set to either emit MIDI Clock, DIN sync (sync24) or analog clock.
Analog clock signals are configurable in polarity, start/reset behaviour and feature a flexible clock divider. An analog LFO is available with various waveforms and a range of 0-5V.
If you got them configured, channel settings can always be named and saved as a preset for later recall. Just in case you have a lot of gear.
USB Add-On
If you want, you can have your multiclock with an extra class-compliant USB Midi Add-On.
This enables you to send any MIDI commands from a DAW to your connected slaves while syncing to audio clock.
There is one virtual MIDI output for each channel and all commands are priority-merged with the accurate clock.
multiclock is available for 449 EUR (classic) / 519 EUR (USB version).
Brilliant idea, obscene price..
SND ACME-4 €850 4 midi outs no midi input no analog clock out.
Syncgen-2 pro €635 plus €469 sync-shift. No midi input only one midi shift.
Expert sleepers USAMO €140 only one midi output no midi input no shift.
Multiclock does alost everything ACME-4 (except quick global shifts) does, has midi input with clock priority (or usb for a bit more), analog clock out for half the price).
Would have been a winner if it did the following IMHO – something i have always wanted in my minds eye is quite similar to this.
Master clock midi in with –
1. Separate channels out each with tempo sync midi delay with +/- note feedback and number of note repeats (with crescendo and decrescendo repeat options)
2. Midi harmonize functions for 4 part midi harmony from a single note input.
3. Clock shift, shuffle and swing per out
4. Master clock tempo division for 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% actual tempo + 200% and 400% time stretch. So for example a base tempo of 100 BPM could output say 50BPM, 200BPM and 25BPM clock from separate outs at the same time for driving other sequencing devices at musically useful tempo divisible intervals.
Great Idea though and having swingable clock alone is a huge bonus.
MIDI note repeat, MIDI harmonize and tempo divisions do not belong in a sync box. Those belong anywhere but a sync box.
The goal of a sync box is to provide rock-solid synchronization between different systems, and it can’t do that if you have that box running a bunch of other types of functions.
Also, the idea of syncing multiple MIDI clocks together at different tempos is a trainwreck waiting to happen. Learn how to use whole notes and 32nd notes, or learn how to do more complex gate syncing with analog gates. MIDI wasn’t designed to handle multiple simultaneous tempos effectively.
Seriously – how is dividing or multiplying a master clock going to sound like a train wreck it was something Yamaha RS7000’s could do years ago across multiple midi channels without everything sounding a mess.
You are not running different midi clocks together at multiple tempos but a master clock with mathematically accurate divisors of the master tempo. In Yamah QY speak it was ‘midi time stretch’ and damn useful a lot of the time.
I know how quavers, crotchets, semi quavers, whole notes and the like work and why not tie a clocking device to complex manipulating of midi delay clocks / triggers and or other midi processing effects.
There are perfectly viable times when you may want to double time or half clock two passages of music keeping the respective notation for each tempo subdivision.
Equally as valid as wanting proper polyrhythmic sequencing and polymetric modes of working from devices that don’t require cv or gate.
Something like I suggested above could work well with two or three older drum machines that have limited input step resolution limitations and the like.
Guess I will just stick to Numerology as a midi effect in Logic X and live with the shitty midi jitter unless I get an extra sync locking device.
Some stuff are coming on the next update….
“SysEx Pass Thru and Midi Merger for the DIN Midi in is ready and We also build in a clock divider for all channel types”
This looks like a good alternative to the ACME-4, a lot cheaper too. I’m still using my emagic amt8 and a kenton pro solo mkII without any issues but I’m very interested in adding shuffle to a few of the old x0x boxes. Does anyone know if a din-sync to din-sync shufflebox exists? I don’t need to convert the signal from midi.
i’d buy it instantly if it had the mungo Sync feature (http://mungo.com.au/syncZ.html). handles the problem all hardware seqs need to be stopped and started at some point in time (loading samples, jitter, etc.). maybe doable somehow (a “resync channel” button function)
divider/multiplier would be very cool. i dig midi live effects such as playing patterns half time for a while. can also be interesting for getting more out of a synths arpeggio or delay.
I bought one with the USB option. It seems to be expensive for a sync box, but this is the best 519€ I spend for my studio since a long time. I have now a reliable midiclock, can let live 9 play for hours without any issues, hardware sequencer and arp are now tight with any drumrack/loopsample/vst in Ableton.
Same here..
Kinda weird they only know start with reviews and promotion,
I own this thing for almost a month.
Anyway, this thing is great, I have a completely hybrid setup of analog synths and midi sequencers in and out of Ableton.
Everything is running in perfect sync, the swing works great and using the shift to pull things before or after the beat is also super useful.
Also equally important, customer service is amazing! I wanted to be able to send sysx to my synths without the need to switch to a different midi box and they will already implementing it in the coming firmware update!
I highly recommend this box, might seem a bit pricey (even thou compared to other boxes that’s a fair price), but will solve any sync issues plus extra super useful features.