August 2018 - New MULTIFX Module and other Updates

August was again a busy month here at tangible waves! I’m still working very hard on getting all the orders out of the door while improving the production process and also designing and testing new modules. I’m very grateful for the patience and kind words of those who are now waiting some time to get their AE Modular system.

NEW Module available - MULTIFX

It is with great pleasure that I announce the availability of the MultiFX module. It is based on the Spin FV-1 chip, which is also being used in many very successful Eurorack effects modules. The module comes with 7 factory effects and 8 that are custom programmed. In total there are 15 effects, each of which can be modulated with 3 parameters and these can in turn be changed via the knobs or CV. In addition you can change the resolution to high or low (for some dirty, glitchy sounds) and add in an analog feedback.

The Tuesday Night Machines has prepared a very thorough demo:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TW_Qw_0zdlM

And this video shows the MultiFX module being used in a Shimmer Jam:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hx3ViAZ29iU

You can order it from the tangible waves shop at
https://www.tangiblewaves.com/store/p51/MULTIFX.html

Updates from the Forum

Our new forum opened at the end of July and while only 6 weeks old it is already buzzing with activity. We have over  42 members who have written and contributed to 180 posts. As usual there are a few members who are more active than others, but over time I hope that more and more people will post their ideas, creations and tips so that the community as a whole can learn and grow.

Here are some highlights from the forum so far:
We posted our first Content Spotlight in late July and it was well received. It featured Felix aka The Tuesday Night Machines. Check it out at the link below: http://forum.aemodular.com/thread/15/content-spotlight-july-felix-nightmachines
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1. We then had the first instalment of Q&A with Robert, where I’m answering questions that are coming up in all different channels and which I can’t usually go into too much depth to answer because I’m quite busy right now: http://forum.aemodular.com/thread/23/robert-august-2018
2. The second Content Spotlight featured Mark aka The Technobear and it is about his love of connecting Software and Hardware with DIY boards and the AE Modular: http://forum.aemodular.com/thread/33/content-spotlight-august-2018-thetechnobear
3. There is a good discussion about how to hook up other small footprint synths to the AE Modular at this sub forum: http://forum.aemodular.com/board/10/patchwire-synths
4. There are many 5V experimental boards out there and how to connect them to AE Modular is discussed in the DIY sub forum: http://forum.aemodular.com/board/8/diy-building
5. And some people are now getting bold and showing off their patches at the Music & Performances sub forum: http://forum.aemodular.com/board/5/ae-music-performances

Also, if you have questions about any of the tangible wave products, please post them to the tangible waves sub forum: http://forum.aemodular.com/board/4/tangible-waves

New and Improved Modules coming soon

Even with a busy month with so many orders to fulfil, I’m also spending time designing, testing and perfecting existing and redesigned modules.

• The NOISE module got an additional, third output that spits out a crackling sound, something like crackling vinyl, geiger counter etc. This is already in production.
• The 2VCA module will be improved so that can be switched between DC and audio mode; this avoids popping on audio signals with very short attack times. It will replace the current one in a few weeks.
• The ENV module will be replaced in a few weeks by a dual version (2ENV) with some additional features: The mode can be switched between gate and trigger; the envelope can be looped, so it can act also as an LFO with variable rise/fall time, the attack/decay time can be stretched by an external CV, and the envelope can be triggered by a button on the module. And all this is two times on a 1-unit-wide module!

I know that most of you want more features in the AE system as this forum thread shows: http://forum.aemodular.com/thread/8/future-module-list

Designing and building all of these modules would take quite a long time, so I’m thinking about how to enable others to design and sell modules for the AE Modular format. Please stay tuned for updates on this.

You can always check the Sunrise Page on this website for updates on new modules as they progress through the stages from design to production ready.

What’s going on behind the scenes

Besides the “big” news like new modules, there are several improvements to other parts of the AE Modular system that are in progress or already done:

• XL-Case: I was not really satisfied with my first design; at the moment a new approach is developing a way where the regular 1-row or 2-row rack allows to be extended by a second (or third) one by simply attaching hinge arms at the sides. (These will be mdified versions of the currently available cases.)  So an existing case can be used further on and moving all modules to a new case is avoided. This might increase the price for the (improved) standard cases by a few euros but I think it’s worth it.
• Improvements to the patching system: To improve the reliability of the patch connections, the sockets on the modules will be replaced by a higher-grade type; also the patch wires come in an improved version.