1U modules wishlist

Eurorack
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#639

I’m just here to join in on the chorus for a 1u quantizer

1 Like
#640

Finally had a chance to mess with a Music Easel over the weekend and the 5 step pulse sequencer section is hot stuff. Was really fun to use the switches to manipulate the seq (and was fun to have the quirky 5 steps).
Would be a blast to have a version of this in 1U.
Just incase you guys are working on a sort of “Clock Tools” (I think I saw some brainstorms about this some time ago) this could be a fun addition to connect to it on the back (expander style) or skip that and do just the obvious clock in.
Maybe a mode switch too that “holds” vs just pulses?
Cheers!

2 Likes
#641

There was some enthusiastic chatter today on a text thread with friends about how useful an XLR Mic/Instrument input 1U would be.
:sunglasses::peace_symbol:

#642

1U module idea: configurable logic

Panel layout is like the switched multiple + two jacks

switches have three positions, AND / OR / INHIBIT

each switch affects the input above it

two additional jacks: input (maybe?) and output

circuit description

For simplicity, start with two inputs connected - the unswitched input A and one switched input B

The switch under B controls the logic function:

  • AND will output high when A and B are both high
  • OR will output high when either/both of A and B are high
  • INHIBIT will output high when A is high and B is low

Generalizing this to multiple inputs can be done in lots of ways; here is one that seems like it would give ergonomic behavior when changing the settings in realtime.

  • AND all inputs set to AND together with the unswitched input
  • OR that with all the OR inputs
  • INHIBIT the result if any of the INHIBIT inputs are high

(or should OR go before AND? That would make switching an unused input to AND work like a manual mute :thinking: )

Inputs & outputs should do whatever trick is involved in making wired-OR work (for instance, the way the 0-Control does)

Nice to have: indicator lights on the jacks

Alternative ideas:

  • instead of a fixed input, have two outputs and make INHIBIT inputs switch which one is active; could be useful for routing drum triggers
  • partial outputs - only AND? etc
  • splittability, like Quadratt for when you need two smaller logic units
2 Likes
#643

Somewhat offtopic, but they’re Intellijel-format by default:

I can’t find any video demos, and their Facebook page was created on the 4th of May - but the panels look neat!

1 Like
#644

Interesting, based on the domain name registration, looks to be Qu-bit behind it, seeing a ton of overlap with the 2HP Modules. Looks to be a re-jigged form factor.

4 Likes
#645

@Danjel I’m really hoping that 1U precision adder gets released before I pull the trigger on my palette62 desert island, because it’s looking real nice and has received a lot of attention in this thread

1 Like
#646

Yes. 1U panning with ms/lr modes. Would it be possible to chain them as well, like some sort of passive mixer where you can send one a lr signal and the second a m/s signal and the normalled mix output?

#647

Yeah that’s what I was thinking. The Chain In/Out would work the same as Mixup & Stereo Mixer 1U so it would just be summed at unity.

2 Likes
#648

I had read that it was likely Qu-bit behind the Mosaic modules in another post somewhere. And I have long known that Qu-bit are also the makers of the 2hp brand of modules (of which I have many). But for some reason it did not click with me until you just said it that the Mosaic modules are likely just form-factor redesigns of existing 2hp modules. That makes a lot of sense. And it also relieves me of a fair bit of GAS as well, as I already know what to expect from at least half of the modules. Long story short, I no longer crave the drum modules, but expect the rest to be worthwhile.

The 1u quantize is the most intriguing for me. I haven’t tried the 2hp Tune, but it looks like the Mosaic 1u quantizer has enough additional features that it likely had a significant upgrade anyway.

I do wish they were offering silver panels though. White faceplates tend to look rather cheap when surrounded by proper aluminum-paneled neighbors. But the black panels are perfect for people looking to complete a full stealth 7u or palette.

#649

I was really excited until I saw the panels were that glossy, white PCB stuff NLC and 4ms use. I agree, it looks cheap to me too. It’s a shame, because the 2hp silver panels are top notch - up there with Intellijel.
Not to put too much emphasis on aesthetics over function, but there needs to be balance.

1 Like
#650

Another 1U idea: I2C bus extender.

On the front panel, a single RJ45 jack (Ethercon would be nice, but they might be too wide)

On the back:

  • a PCA9615 differential I2C buffer + pull-ups
  • a 2x3 I2C header
  • two three-pin headers, as used by the XY IO

The PCA9615 transmits bidirectional I2C signals over two differential pairs - handy for long runs between cases etc. That takes four of the eight conductors in a standard Cat5 cable.

The XY headers are connected to the other four conductors; they could bridge anything from stereo audio signals to TRS MIDI between cases.

3 Likes
#651

I know somebody was asking about 2hp 1U options, and I thought of a great one: a module with an internal gyroscope/accelerometer/orientation sensor and two or three outputs. If there’s panel space there could also be a sensitivity knob.

I’d love to be able to tilt around something like a palette and have that expressed as cv.

2 Likes
#652

That sensor would be in my case :slight_smile:

If memory serves from upthread, (separately from the 2hp topic) human input devices are a category being eyed for new Intellijel 1u modules.

There was some question however, about whether a couple of jacks can fit in 2hp x 1u, - despite it being possible with 3u. But if the 2hp module talks to the X Y 1u instead, you might be able to fit a switch for 2 levels of sensitivity, or to switch modes from two axes to one.

1 Like
#653

Perhaps one of those lovely useful led-button things like what you see on a quadrax?

1 Like
#654

My initial thoughts on such a module:

  1. Cool. Cool cool cool;
  2. Two jacks fit in each 2HP of a 1U module; if you want 3 axes with an output for each, or any controls at all, the module would have to be at least 4HP;
  3. Maybe a uni/bipolar switch, or even bipolar/half-wave/full-wave rectification switch would be good;
  4. It might need a way to set the “zero” position of the gyroscope;
  5. While perhaps not as interesting as tilting a palette, it might be better to have the gyroscope or whatever be an external Bluetooth device. It would allow anyone to use it, not just small case people, and your movements wouldn’t be limited by the power cable, output cables, etc. But that might be veering too close to Genki Wave Ring territory.
1 Like
#655

Ok, so what about a module that provides power, and has an interface (a few button-lights or knobs), that connects to the xy+ for ins/outs. Then it can be connected to expanders/accessories (one or two contact mics, a gyroscope/accelerometer, etc.). Think similar to the way a springray connects with its tanks.

I think we could fit at least one if not two light-buttons—can someone please tell me the official name for those?—along with a sensitivity knob onto the panel, with no need to worry about jack space. The UI and learning curve might be a little difficult, but this would be a set it and forget it type module, with the only really often-used control potentially being the sensitivity knob.

Front panel mockup:

2hp buttonlights
2hp buttonlights120×525 27.7 KB

#656

As far as UI goes, my idea was to have one button change which channel you’re dealing with (which would be indicated by the lights), and then the other button to assign a functionality for that mode (ie short press would change modes, and long press would switch between passive and phantom powered contact mics or enter calibration mode for the accelerometer). I think the module would time out after a while and just enter the mode where it visualizes the outputs (tap any button to wake it up).

I can’t think of any other accessories that would go with this at the moment, but I can imagine it wouldn’t be too hard to make a tap clock/lfo with nothing connected (or a mode that ignores the attachments). Maybe there could be alternate firmware or open firmware for whatever the “open” mode behaves like.

I don’t know how much of this is possible with the space constraints (it would have to be a quite deep module, relatively speaking for 1U), but that was just my idea for a cool multifunction module.

#657

If you have a look at Steppy 1U, you’ll see that in the 1U space 2HP is only enough for 2 jacks or 2 of those LED Switch Buttons. Unfortunately you wouldn’t be able to fit a pair of buttons with a trimmer. Also, from my understanding the digital control for this would need some space and would make it very expensive for a small module.

2HP modules are probably best kept analog and very simple.

#658

Each of those buttons requires ~8mm of horizontal space on the PCB, so the vertical space required is at least as much. The trimmer requires ~13mm of vertical space. There is only 22.5mm of space between the rails.

Also, if the module is unusable without another module, it isn’t really a 2HP module anymore.