Some Good Things Take a While

For the last few weeks I have worked on a module which I wanted to release years ago. Some of you may remember the time when we had the “Sunrise” page on our website which listed the upcoming modules in their various stages of development. Well today I checked the internet archive and saw to my horror that this module was promised to be released 4 years ago! Clearly I underestimated the technical challenges, and the feature creep and then the chip shortage … In fact I’ve developed multiple prototypes for this module because of various things not working the way I wanted and then a chip not being available anymore. However I’m getting really close now and I hope to show off this module at the upcoming Superbooth together with a few other surprises. 

Without further ado …

Introducing SAMPLYR

This module is the super charged version of the sample player module I started developing in 2018. This super compact 1U module can play one sample at a time which can be loaded from a bank of samples from a micro SD card. The samples are organised in 10 folders with 10 samples each for a total of 100 samples. Once a sample has been selected it can be played via the trigger/gate input and the pitch controlled via 1v/oct input. Samples can be of any length as they are streamed directly from the SD card and are stored as 8 bit resolution WAV files.

The OLED display will show you the waveform of the sample and makes it easy to select the start, end and loop points. There are a few CV inputs which will be variably assignable to different parameters, like sample select, sample start/end and loop start/length. 
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It is planned to be shipped not only as the bare module, but with a nice factory sample library which will also include samples of a well known sound designer, created exclusively for the SAMPLYR module.

This module will be demoed at Superbooth and hopefully be available for sale shortly after.

Finally, the CIRRUS CLASSIC and RAINS are being shipped!

Although we had released these Mutable Instruments clones of Clouds and Rings already in December last year, it took until now that we are finally able to ship them, ahem… A major delay was caused by the fact that the production at our Chinese PCB factory was planned before the Chinese new year festival (where most companies are closed for several weeks), but due to certain communication misunderstandings, the production could start only after the holiday season. Additionally we had to implement a few refinements which we only noticed after receiving the boards and which we had to solve via manual soldering. But all this is history now, and we are shipping all the open orders containing these gems now! These modules are sooo awesome - you will not regret the waiting time!

​Music from the Community

@williamrobin - The moving hand begins to write … for better or worse - This experimental track is kicking us off into the March edition of user contributed music on the forum. It’s the first post by this user and shows how the AE modular can be used creatively to break the bounds of conventional music. 
https://forum.aemodular.com/thread/2529/moving-hand-begins-write-worse

​@funbun - A Few Steps More - Who would have thought that the AE modular could be used to intonate this piece of one of the greatest masters of Jazz of all time. This patch is inspired by John Coltrane’s “Giant Steps” and it shows what can be done with the limited tools available in this rack … a truly great achievement!
https://forum.aemodular.com/thread/2532/steps-more-gaint-modular 

​@mathias - Different Angles - This ambient patch uses different LFOs which are mixed together for providing movement. Check out the patch diagram below for inspiration.
https://forum.aemodular.com/thread/2543/different-angles

​@dmoney2000 - Maximum Pretense - A zesty ambient acid patch with some beautiful visuals in the background.

@pt3r - Voiceless Drop - metallic clangs and clongs in a very groovy pattern. Check it out:
https://forum.aemodular.com/thread/2548/voiceless-drop 

@martynaudio - Megalithic Transport Network Part 2 - This is the much anticipated second part of this very atmospheric work. Check it out for the drones and rhythms.
https://martynstonehouse.bandcamp.com/album/megalithic-transport-network-phase-2 

@thomblane - Biodata Sonification Live Performance - Thom performed live at the exhibition “Natural Connection” in Munich. This is a great set which you can listen to while contemplating how to incorporate plants and other living organisms (other than the human player) into a modular synth performance.
https://forum.aemodular.com/thread/2566/kunstraum-der-munich-live-performance 

@maydonpoliris - Heartbreak at 140 - A monthly newsletter wouldn’t be complete without at least one track by the master of experimental banger grooves! This shows off the power of the MM Divider when combined with the new Heartbeat module.

​Other News

Patch Challenge #28 - Minimalism - This challenges you to use the least number of modules for making a track. This is a great challenge especially for those who have “huge” systems with dozens of modules. Take it back to basics … or experiment. A few people have responded with great results. Check it out:
https://forum.aemodular.com/thread/2556/patch-challenge-28-minimalism 

Patch and Recipe Book - What started as a single thread has now been promoted to a sub board where anyone can post patch ideas and recipes. There are already a few great ideas but we are always looking for more!
https://forum.aemodular.com/board/30/patch-recipe-book 

DIY

EuroPi for AE Modular - Check out this new module which is based on the EuroPi by Allen Synthesis and converted successfully to the AE format by @ampersand. This thread has all the information:
https://forum.aemodular.com/thread/2537/europi-ae-modular

Smart Encoders - At the last Zoom Meetup @mikmo talked about these nifty I2C encoders which come with a little board and make it super easy to hook into any Arduino based project.
https://forum.aemodular.com/thread/2560/smart-easy-use-encoder 

Controller Box - @mikmo has been working on this project for a while with the goal to have a case just for hosting a few manual controllers for his AE system. Currently it contains a ribbon cable and two joysticks. Check out the forum post for more info and arduino code:
https://forum.aemodular.com/thread/2533/diy-controller-box-ae-synth 

Events and Meetups

AE Modular Online Meetup

We had another very enjoyable meetup in March where we discussed what everyone is currently working on with their AE system and any cool patch ideas.

While there seems to be a core group of people joining the meetup every month, we are always happy to welcome new people, even if they just want to hang out and listen! The only condition is that you have to be a member of the AE Modular Forum to access the Zoom details which change every month and are advertised closer to the date.

Superbooth 2023

We are busy preparing for the upcoming Superbooth and hope to see many of you there in person. We will be joined at the booth by Carsten who is the Forum @admin aka The 5th Volt and John aka @namke who is the most prolific creator of 3rd party modules under his bran Wonkystuff.  

Tickets are sold here: ​ www.superbooth.com/en/tickets.html