Happy New Year 2024

First of all, I wish all of you, our customers and the AE Modular community a very happy, healthy and successful new year! Here at tangible waves we are looking forward to doing our part of providing you with new and improved products which we hope will inspire you to be creative and make the music you want.

While we had a few major products released last year, the CIRRUS Classic, RAINS and most importantly the SAMPLYR, I think that the most exciting product wasn't actually a module, but the new Quickswap Case. This incredible versatile new case system was designed by Toms aka Kyaa and is produced here at tangible waves in partnership. The fact that this case makes it so easy to swap modules in and out will change how people use modular synths fundamentally and I think that by adopting this new case, people will move towards smaller systems which they configure on the fly for each musical occasion. 

Another big development of which we will definitely hear and see more of this year is the new modular MIDI system which was initially created by John Tuffen aka Wonkystuff and which you can already experiment with by using his first batch of modules mb/1, mco/1 and the like. However tangible waves has come to an agreement with John and we will produce a joint standards document so that all manufacturers can create modules which can listen and talk MIDI via patch cable. This standards document is also supported by Sean, a computer science professor who is currently working with us on preparing this standard for submission to the Sound and Music Computing conference (SMC 2024) and thereby giving this incredible academic rigour. Watch this space, there are a number of very powerful and exciting new modules in the design and prototyping stages already.

We are also very much looking forward to the first official SupAEbooth where tangible waves and the major 3rd party manufacturers Kyaa, Wonkystuff, Keurslagerkurt and M4vrick will share one large stand at Superbooth 24 and present a variety of AE Modular which hasn't been seen before at this venue.

New Products

​DRUMKIT 010 R2

​This is a new and improved version of the lofi drumkit module with better sound quality and, most importantly, without the "high-pitched noise" which some have experienced with the old version.

Customers who have issues with the high pitch noise on their existing previous version module can contact us for receiving a 20% discount on this new version!

You can purchase it now in our shop.

uBASE-QS 2

This is the counterpart of the uBASE module for the new Quickswap case! Due to the quite different mechanical design, the uBASE module cannot be mounted in the Quickswap case; but of course you want to use micro modules also in the new case! The uBASE-QS 2 allows exactly this; it can carry up to four micro modules, and additionally it has sockets to access all bus signals like CV, gate, MIDI control/start/stop/clock plus +5V and ground. The uBASE-QS can be plugged into the Quickswap case like all modules, screwless.

​You can purchase it now in our shop.

Third Party Products

Pikocore (beta) by Fauxcyrillic

This flew a bit under the radar as it's really a concept beta, but it's a promising concept of trying to adapt the standalone unit which was designed by infinitedigits. It will take a Raspberry Pi Pico filled with wav files and allows you to jump around and play different positions of the current file. It's chaotic and weird and wonderful. Check it out in the online shops:
https://lectronz.com/products/pikocore-beta 
https://www.tindie.com/products/fauxcyrillic/pikocore-beta/

And the discussion on the forum:
https://forum.aemodular.com/thread/2899/soon-ish-pikocore

TELEX by Fauxcyrillic

This is an upcoming module which is a sort of clone of the Monome Teletype module. It allows you to connect a USB computer keyboard for live coding! Check out the discussion on the forum:
https://forum.aemodular.com/thread/2909/telex-monome-clone

Upcoming Products

The following products are currently focused in development  and will be released soon.

MIDI2CV - This module transforms MIDI signals to multichannel CV. It can handle MIDI over 3.5mm minijack socket as well as USB MIDI and also data of the new modular MIDI standard. It has 8 CV outputs, 4 gate outputs, MIDI realtime info (start/stop/clock) and via a menu, the configuration can be defined freely, like single monophonic channels, 4-voice polyphony, free controller-to-CV  assignment etc. An optional extender module adds another 8 CV and 8 gate/trigger outputs.

IMDI MAIN - This module, developed in partnership with Wonkystuff, is an extended version of the mb/1 and provides extended functionality for receiving MIDI via 3.5mm socket and via USB-C socket, then distributing it to other MIDI capable modules in the AE system via regular patch wires.

2LFO R2 - This is an updated version of the dual LFO which is completely redesigned for easier and more consistent production. It will also offer a switch for a super slooooow mode.

PAN/XFADE - as the name implies, a module for managing panning and crossfades. Depending on the selected mode, it can either pan one input signal to two (stereo) outputs, or crossfade between two input signals into one output. Of course with CV control, and for audio and CV signals!

GRAINS R2 - This updated version will be a departure from its Eurorack roots and offer more inputs, outputs and LEDs for showing three digital outputs. This is based on suggestions by Sean Luke, who has recently released dozens of new firmwares for the existing GRAINS module. But it still remains 100% compatible with the original GRAINS, so all currently existing patches will still work on the GRAINS R2!

​News and Music from the Community

Modular MIDI, a submission of advanced uses of MIDI in a modular synthesiser environment. This paper is currently being worked on by Sean Luke, John Tuffen and Mathias Brüssel and will form the academic basis of the new AE Modular standard for MIDI modules. A draft version and introductory white paper are available for discussion on the forum. Your input is very welcome!
https://forum.aemodular.com/thread/3026/soliciting-feedback-paper-modular-midi

The RSKT AE Modular Video Library

No less than 4 new videos have been released this month on RSKT's mission to upload a tutorial for every single module in his growing AE Modular system. Please check them out as you will likely find interesting and new uses of even the "boring" bread and butter modules like VCAs and even the attenuators. But the real treat is the multitude of great sounding patches which RSKT uses to show off each module's features.

Time Slips by Running In
This beautiful track is just perfect to gently guide us into the new year.

Ambient drones from Orchid's Void

While George aka Orchid's Void usually combines many synths for his tracks, this one is made exclusively with the AE system going into a reverb pedal. Check it out!

Universal Degradation by Solipsistnation

This fully AE arranged track is almost "old school" in that it is all AE without external synths or effects. It's a great showcase of the system and the various third party modules.
https://forum.aemodular.com/thread/3023/universal-degradation

Anti f:Orm vol. 10 - Track by pt3r
This compilation of interesting soundscapes features one track by our master of ambience, check it out and consider buying it!
https://godhatesgodrecords2.bandcamp.com/album/anti-f-orm-vol-10

Cold's Creep by Black Warrior Lures

It's winter in half the world and this album celebrates the cold, the snow but also the hope for spring. This album feels a bit different to Damon's other albums with being more ambient, but the sounds are just as intriguing as ever. Check it out and please consider buying it!
https://blackwarriorlures.bandcamp.com/album/colds-creep

Patch Challenge #31 - Bring the beat back

Here are a few contenders for this drum oriented patch challenge. You can still submit your own tracks here: 
https://forum.aemodular.com/thread/3004/patch-challenge-bring-beat-back

DIY

Hedgehog 2XOR Module

This is a beautiful breadboard module of a dual XOR circuit. We'd love to hear some sounds!
https://forum.aemodular.com/thread/3038/riccio-hedgehog-module-triangle-polyramp

​LED Strip Module
This is a very funky lightshow connected straight to what's happening in your AE Modular. Check it out in the video above. You will find more info and discussion about this on the forum:
https://forum.aemodular.com/thread/1810/led-strip-module 

​AE Modular Online Meeting

Last year we discussed that we could meet on a different day than Saturday. So please vote which day other than Saturday you would be able to meet!

https://forum.aemodular.com/thread/3037/which-day-modular-online-meetup