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.
At Superbooth 2023, Tiptop Audio has announced ART – a new patching system that they say “makes polyphonic patching effortless.”
The first thing ART does is establish a new signal standard in Eurorack systems, just like CV Gate and 1V/Oct.
ART is not just a new signal, but allows for development of previously impossible products that pass through traditional barriers and make Eurorack more capable.
ART modules are Eurorack modules and use Eurorack signal levels for oscillator audio and gate/cv controls, 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.
Here are the details on ART:
Signal flow:
Voice = can refer for example to a single filter in a poly filter module or a complete voice like VCO + VCF + EG + VCA patch.
Patch types:
Poly synth patch = patch with only Polytips. Patching with Polytips is like a higher level patching, you don’t patch one monophonic signal like you usually do in Eurorack, you patch blocks of voices.
Discrete polyphony patch = a polyphonic patch made from single modules, like multiple ATXs that goes into multiple filters and multiple vcas. Obviously it is very interesting to try and make each voice different from the other.
Multi-Voice patch = a patch of multiple mono voices.
Paraphonic patch = a polyphonic tone generation mix, like the MIX out on Vortex6 or multiple mono voices (ATX1) mixed together goes into a monophonic processing (VCF, VCA, EG, etc) path.
Module type:
Polyphonic module = module with poly tips jacks like OCTOPASS
Polyphonic module with discrete I/Os = like Vortex6 and HEAGAIN, having both Polytips and 3.5mm jacks in parallel.
Jacks:
Polyphonic jack = the Polytip jacks, these carry multiple audio signal in one cable
3.5mm jacks = the standard jacks used in Eurorack
An entire product line of ART based modules is in development at Tiptop Audio, featuring 9 new modules. Find out more on the Tiptop Audio website for more FAQs and more information.
