Tiptop Audio Officially Releases ART Line of Eurorack Modules

via Tiptop Audio

"Today, we are celebrating the release of the first set of ART-equipped modules, marking the first time this technology is ready for purchase. We are 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.

On our website, we have dedicated the ART landing page as the knowledge base HQ for ART. There, you will find plenty of educational videos, module video manuals, and uploaded video playlists of music filmed during beta testing. ART is simple to use and easy to understand, and with those videos, we made sure all aspects and potential misinformation have been addressed. Additionally, more information is in the process of being added in the coming days for both DIY enthusiasts and module makers on how to implement ART, including a free reference design that adds ART to Mutable Instruments Braids and Plaits.

The creative process of making music on a modular synthesizer is a unique tactile and aural experience. With ART modules, we are entering the territory of tunable instruments and polyphonic multi-timbral compositions but with the sound design power and immediate interface of a modular synthesizer. The initial release focuses on the mono VCOs that you can use to build voices quickly or combine for discrete polyphony. Very soon, we will extend the lineup with the fully polyphonic ART modules and the release of the Polytip patch cable."

Individual modules below. Systems:

Pictured Top: The Analog Bundle S1 $945 Save 33%

Middle: The Analog Bundle S2 $999 Save 33%

Bottom: Vortex 6, Octostages Poly Envelope, Octapass Poly Filter, Octagain


ART Demo Videos

ART Beta Testing recordings


ART Essentials


ART modules video manuals


Demo patches, tips for sound design

ATX1

A classic all analog saw VCO core with 3 switchable modes, ART, 1V/Oct, LFO and is recommended as the basic building block for ART systems. It is designed for patching analog polyphonic synths from discrete modules or multi-mono patches in ART mode. When using ART the ATX1 takes care of the tuning including accounting for temperature changes. In 1V/Oct mode the ATX1 runs as a standard old school modular VCO. LFO mode drops the frequency range and is great for patching vibrato to other ATX1s among other things. The ATX1 outputs variable waveshapes with manual or CV control. Classic FM, PWM and hard sync are provided. A dedicated Gate Out in ART mode manages the voice envelopes or any modulation synced to that voice. We consider the ATX1 the best sounding analog VCO we ever created.

VORTEX

An ART wavetable dual oscillator mono voice source that can be used to build polyphonic patches and multi voice patches. It generates its harmonically rich sound using two 80s vintage D/A converters to feed your filters and effect processors. VORTEX comes loaded with dozens of wavetables, plus additional user wavetables can be loaded from the front panel SD card. A detune knob controls the second VCO and adds effects from deep phasing to a sub octave. The position knob and CV input selects waves in the tables and vibrato from LFOs to create FM. Like other ART sound generators a dedicated Gate output manages the voice envelope or any modulation synced to that voice. VORTEX is a great companion to the analog ATX1 and a must for digital synthesist enthusiasts.

OCTOPUS

Is a powerhouse ART controller that takes MIDI in via the USB or DIN connector and outputs 8 ART channels with 8 velocity CV plus 8 drum triggers. Together with the ART oscillators the OCTOPUS provide unprecedented simplicity connecting the modular to your computer sequencers, hardware midi sequencers and keyboards. Each ART channel can play polyphonic notes, monophonic notes or create multi-channel polyphony using an internal voice manager. All together OCTOPUS can play more voices and notes from a single controller than ever was possible in modular. Using ART high speed control signals OCTOPUS can maintain low jitter for tight timing. OCTOPUS is our first ART controller with more to follow, please select between Octopus or ART V/Oct Quantizer to get started with ART. Please note, OCTOPUS is not a 1V/Oct midi to CV and should not be confused as one.

ART V/OCT QUANTIZER

A classic all analog saw VCO core with 3 switchable modes, ART, 1V/Oct, LFO and is recommended as the basic building block for ART systems. It is designed for patching analog polyphonic synths from discrete modules or multi-mono patches in ART mode. When using ART the ATX1 takes care of the tuning including accounting for temperature changes. In 1V/Oct mode the ATX1 runs as a standard old school modular VCO. LFO mode drops the frequency range and is great for patching vibrato to other ATX1s among other things. The ATX1 outputs variable waveshapes with manual or CV control. Classic FM, PWM and hard sync are provided. A dedicated Gate Out in ART mode manages the voice envelopes or any modulation synced to that voice. We consider the ATX1 the best sounding analog VCO we ever created.

CONTROL PATH

Is an all in one voice dynamics module that helps build full voices quickly. It contains two analog envelopes with velocity cv, and one VCA. In a typical voice patch the left envelope will control a filter and the right envelope will be the voice VCA. Velocity control is provided for each envelope and delay front panel trimmers are used to compensate for any miss match between incoming gate signal and velocity CV timings. Envelope cv outs are 0-5V, Velocity cv ins are 0-5V.