Percussa founder Bert Schiettecatte shared this sneak preview of the granular processor on the upcoming Super Signal Processor Eurorack module.
The Percussa Super Signal Processor (SSP) Eurorack Module is a Eurorack module based around a powerful quad-core ARM Cortex A17 processor, running an optimized Linux kernel & custom DSP software, and professional audio I/O drivers.
Production of the module is being funded via a Kickstarter project, which is fully funded. The module is available to backers through Sept 3rd, for US $1,500.
Sounds great and looks like it has a lot of interesting possibilities but im so confused. Is this eurorack or desktop with patch capabilities? So many different photos and knobs with unlabeled buttons. They are definitely on the right track but I’d just go for the Granular synthesis, 3 knobs, some buttons and that screen. Once you start reading a feature list and you have to google search a feature, you know your out of its league. But your in synthtopia’s league since you cant make a simple audio interface without someone expecting it to have midi and a baseball cap rim bender included or “no sale”.
Eurorack, though it looks nice in that desktop case. That looks like a development setup where the UI isn’t a part of the module yet. It’s been covered here before with some rendered images and a full feature list: https://www.synthtopia.com/content/2017/08/05/percussa-launches-super-signal-processor-eurorack-module/ There are a couple more links in the “related” area under the article.
I totally agree with you, it does seem like it suffers from feature creep. And some serious menu diving. Still pretty cool, will be interesting to see some full demos someday. Good to see it moving forward.
More than Braids?
That thing is menucity and completely digital, but it sounds good, and it does so much, that I use it all the time.
This is the first real demo I’ve seen of it. My statement is based on it having 4 rotary encoders and 18 buttons with no labels on any of them (function is based on what screen you’re in) and a feature list that pretty much makes it a self-contained synth: a 3D morphing wavetable oscillator with spread, a sampler, a 64 step sequencer, filter and envelope generators, MIDI, LFOs, etc, etc. At least they put a nice big screen on it.
In my limited experience with MI Braids it had a bit of menu diving but it wasn’t too bad (disclaimer: I’ve lived with many “painting the Sistine chapel through a mailslot” 1990’s synths). Deciphering some of the screens was something I needed the manual around for, but that’s probably more my lack of experience with it. Got some amazing sounds out of it, a really nice piece of hardware, and what will surely be a classic.
I guess the big (debatable) point is that most people get into Eurorack to have the hands-on tactile experience of working with different modules to create. I don’t see Braids taking away from that at all, despite the menus. Percussa seems like it might be a bit over the top with so much functionality in one module. I’m sure many will enjoy it though, it does sound good.
It’s a cool module with a lot going on and I could definitely see myself enjoying it. However, I’d prefer to have it as a desktop synth with modulation points. Yes, I could build a desktop enclose but by the time I add that cost to the already high $1500 for the module, the price point gets a little crazy and risky. Hopefully it makes it to user’s hands with everything working great.
put a ribbon controller on there that would make it actually playable