WORLD OF MUSIC ; PORTABLE KEYBOARD - Latest Portable Music Keyboards, Synthesizers and Music News

Grayscale has introduced Helix, their latest Eurorack module, and a sort of spiritual successor to the Mutable Instruments Plaits.

The Grayscale Helix is described as an ‘advanced macro oscillator’. It’s essentially a redesign of Plaits, with more hardware and software features.

New features include: pitch quantization, parameter randomization, and an internal modulation bus.

All 24 algorithms from the final Plaits v1.2 firmware are included, and a new algorithm, the Lo-Fi Oscillator, combines a Buchla-inspired waveshaper with bit rate and sample rate reduction, adding intentional aliasing effects and harmonic distortion. The LED matrix displays all 25 algorithms simultaneously, avoiding the need to switch banks.

The pitch quantizer provides 35 scales, covering both familiar musical territory and obscure microtonal experimentation. Parameter randomization allows all DSP parameters to be randomized whenever a trigger is received. The degree of randomization can be limited and biased for each individual parameter, providing results that range from subtle organic variations to glitchy digital chaos.

Dedicated knobs for the LPG/VCA level and envelope decay time open up new creative possibilities by providing direct access to these previously hidden parameters. The envelope time can be externally modulated and the envelope is now accessible as a modulation source through the new ENV (envelope) and EOD (end of decay) outputs.

The modulation bus, accessed through the CTRL input, allows the internal envelope to be replaced by an arbitrary external control signal. The external modulator is routed to all seven CV inputs simultaneously and may be independently shaped for each parameter using the dedicated attenuators. Because the ENV output remains accessible on the front panel, the internal envelope can still be cross-patched to one or more parameters.

Grayscale Helix Advanced Macro Oscillator Intro Video:

Grayscale Helix Audio Demos:

Helix vs Plaits:

Attribute                                                         Helix                  Plaits

Width                                                               18 hp                  12 hp

DSP Algorithms                                                25                        24

Display                                                            LED Matrix          8 LEDs

Inputs                                                                10                        8

Outputs                                                               4                        2

Amplitude and Envelope Decay Knobs               Yes                     No

Envelope Decay CV Input                                   Yes                     No

Envelope and EOD Outputs                                Yes                     No

Modulation Bus (CTRL Input)                             Yes                     No

Pitch Quantizer                                                  Yes                    No

Parameter Randomization                                  Yes                    No

+12V current draw                                            70 mA             50 mA

-12V current draw                                             11 mA               5 mA

The Grayscale Helix is available now for $399.

Flipspark has introduced Flipspark Elements, a new card game for the music studio that’s designed to give you high-level creative prompts, across the four suits of Elements, Instruments, Patterns, and Effects.

Flipspark Elements consists of 66 poker-sized cards with 16 cards per suit – Element, Instrument, Pattern, and Creative Effects. By drawing and connecting cards, you can create custom prompts for inspiring your music or taking it in a different direction.

The official Flipspark Elements intro video:

Flipspark Elements is available now in digital format starting at $9.

Larix-Elektro has introduced Time, a new trig-to-gate converter module for Eurorack systems.

The Time module is a sort of ‘Swiss Army Knife’ of Time management for GATE signals, including:

• Trigger to Gate converter
• Clock generator
• Trigger delay
• Ramp generator
• Connector for the Shift-R module, to add Clock Division option.

Features:

• Input
• Gate Output
• Start Output (trigger at the start, useful to retrig an envelope)
• End Output (trigger at the end of the gate, useful to use the module as a trig delay, or to launch “Something” at the end of the gate)
• CV Input for the duration of the gate.
• RST Input, to for the gate to zero.
• Push buttons for the input and the RST
• Loop mode: use the module as a clock generator.
• 0 to 8V ramp, Following the duration of the gate.
• Optional connector to add the RITOURNELLE Shift-R: adding 8 gate outputs, works like clock divider.
• Duration: 40ms to 3sec. (approx.)

Here’s the official Larix-Elektro Time intro video:

The Larix-Elektro Time module is available now for €110.