Today, Tiptop Audio announced that they’ve released the first set of ART-equipped modules, which feature a new patching system that they say “makes polyphonic patching effortless.”
ART establishes a new signal standard in Eurorack systems, just like CV Gate and 1V/Oct. ART modules are Eurorack modules and use Eurorack signal levels for oscillator audio and gate/cv controls, the same power connector, and are designed to blend into any Eurorack system. But they also include ‘Polytip’ connectors, which are connected using special Polytip patch cables.
Tiptop is starting with the release of the ATX1 Analog VCO, Vortex Digital OSC, Octopus USB/MIDI interface, ART V/OCT Quantizer, and Control Path dual analog envelopes plus VCA.
Official intro explains how ART-equipped modules work:
Here’s A deep dive into the world of the Octopus ART interface:
In addition to making the ART-equipped modules, Tiptop Audio plans to publish information for both DIYers and module makers on how to implement ART, including a free reference design that adds ART to Mutable Instruments Braids and Plaits.
The first batch of ART modules is available now, and Tiptop is also offering discounted bundles of ART modules. Details available on the Tiptop Audio website.
WMD founder William Mathewson let us know that the company is back in business, and some of its modules are available again.
The company shut down at the end of 2022. At the time, they were unable to reliably get the parts they needed to be able to introduce and manufacturer synth modules.
“I needed a little time to sort things out,” explains Mathewson. “I’ve restructured a lot of things in my life and have made more bandwidth for designing new musical tools. I’m excited to be making electronics and music as my artistic outlet again.”
Mathewson says that some of their ‘legacy gear’ is back in stock. Preorders are also now open for a final run of Synchrodyne Expands, and the last of the Synchrodyne modules is already available on the site.
“I hope to have announcements about new gear to help you create the music I love to hear you make,” he adds. “Until then, check out some of the new WMD merch, and if you’re in Denver, check out some of the events we are sponsoring.”
Transpanner 2 updates the original version with an intuitive polar pad interface and a redesigned processing engine. This free plugin uses “psychoacoustic wizardry” to pan any sound in 360 degrees and recreate immersive audio using a stereo monitor set-up.
Immersive audio is growing increasingly popular, and those of us without access to an immersive soundsystem need not miss out on its three-dimensional charms, thanks to technologies that mimic the experience of 3D sound using conventional stereo speakers and headphones.
A new free plugin from Artists in DSP promises to do just that. Transpanner 2 uses “psychoacoustic wizardry” based on transaural and ambiophonic processing to reproduce the effect of a three-dimensional speaker array using stereo monitors, allowing you to pan any signal in 360 degrees.
Open up Transpanner and you’ll be invited to calibrate the plugin to work with your monitors through a process described in the video above. Transpanner’s second iteration has a redesigned XY-pad interface based around a set of concentric circles they’ve dubbed the Polar Pad.
Moving the cursor around the pad’s centre allows you to determine the angle of the sound, while moving the cursor inward and outward from the centre adjusts the distance of the sound. Automate these parameters and you’ll be able to quickly and easily create a 3D effect that sounds as if your synth patch is swooping around your head.
Transpanner 2 is available now in VST3/AU formats. The plugin is donationware, so while its free, Artists in DSP is accepting donations in return for its download, if you’re feeling generous.
Visit Artists in DSP website to find out more and download Transpanner 2.
