Ali Modular enters Eurorack marketplace with Esu’s Trifecta

video uploads by Ali Modular

Playlist:

1. Esu's Trifecta Feature Overview
2. Esu's Trifecta Sound Demo
3. Esu's Trifecta Sound Demo 2
4. Lets transform this Melody and Bass Line using Esu's Trifecta.

Also see: LiveStream Synth Explorations : Esu's Trifecta by Ali Modular

Press release follows:

Ali Modular enters Eurorack marketplace with Esu’s Trifecta available as powerful multi-effects module with Triple FX engine

WASHINGTON, DC, USA: deep joy-encouraging Eurorack module-maker Ali Modular is proud to announce availability of Esu’s Trifecta — readily representing its inaugural entry into the ever-expanding Eurorack marketplace as a powerful multi-effects module, albeit one which stands out from the sound of the crowd courtesy of an ability to run three different serial effects at the same time, thanks to the Triple FX engine driving its intuitive tools that unlock new ways to shape sound and manage the creative process — as of October 2…

As a powerful stereo multi-effects Eurorack module, Esu’s Trifecta is designed to be the ultimate tool for manipulating, shaping, and transforming sound, duly delivering creative possibilities for musicians, live performers, and sound designers alike — whether used as an all-round sound manipulator, end-of-chain effects processor, or sound design tool. Digging deeper, Esu’s Trifecta draws its essence from an orisha — orishas being divine spirits that play a key role in the Yoruba religion of West Africa and several religions of the African diaspora that derive from it — called Èṣù, the mischievous trickster and guardian of the crossroads, who works to promote balance, order, and harmony, ultimately, despite being known for bringing confusion and unpredictability. It is fair to say that this ethos is effectively embedded deeply into the module’s design. As a result, Esu’s Trifecta creates opportunities for unpredictable sonic exploration while providing the tools to mould sound into harmony and order. On the face of it, the module itself opens up limitless pathways for creativity and sound sculpting — just as Èṣù signifies infinite possibilities.

Putting its inspiration aside and getting down to focusing on its impressive features, Esu’s Trifecta’s appropriate appellation reflects the fact that there are three selectable effects per preset that can be combined and configured to create custom effects chains, while those effects can conveniently be reorganised and bypassed on the fly. Feature-wise, there is much more to Esu’s Trifecta, though, than might first meet the eye, as Ali Modular Senior Software Engineer Chris Roberts readily points out in an overview that is illuminating as it is succinct in its execution: “Esu’s Trifecta is a 16 HP Eurorack effects processor with three serial effects. It has a stereo IN and a stereo OUT, over 20 effects, eight CV inputs, a CLOCK input for tempo-synced effects, a DUCK input for side chain-style dynamics, 20 user presets, and we will be shipping a handful of presets with it as well. Each effect has up to eight parameters, which are split into four main parameters and four alternate parameters. The CV inputs can modulate one or more of the eight parameters in any of three slots, plus a couple of the global parameters. There’s a built-in envelope follower, which also can modulate those parameters.”

As a software development expert with almost 40 years of experience to his notable name, Chris Roberts’ contribution to the software side of Esu’s Trifecta is perfectly reflected in its home screen, effectively acting as a gateway drug to unlocking the module’s creativity, complimenting namesake company co-founder Jamar Ali’s hardware handling, itself beautifully blending thoughtful design with functional aesthetics to create a module that feels inspiring to use. Continues Chris Roberts: “The home screen has the preset in the upper left and a MAIN or ALT parameter indicator in the upper right. It lists the three effects. It has an input and an output meter on the bottom and a BPM meter in the lower right corner — if you’re using an external clock.”

That the software and hardware components making Esu’s Trifecta what it is work together in perfect harmony — working well within the physical confines of a 16 HP Eurorack module, moreover — is testament to the dynamic design duo’s complimentary skill sets. “You can select the active slot by using the up and down arrow keys, and there are two ways to select an effect,” explains Chris Roberts: “If you use the left and right arrows, you select an effect immediately; each time you select that effect it’s automatically loaded. If you want to select an effect but skip over the ones that you don’t want to have loaded while you’re loading it, you can hold SHIFT and the arrows, and you can see that the effects blink, showing you that we’re in what we call the deferred selection mode; let go of the SHIFT and your effect is now selected. If you want to bypass an effect, you can use SHIFT>EDIT and you’ll see a line going through the name, indicating that it is bypassed. You can toggle between the Main and Alt parameters using the ALT button. Also, there are two quick option features that you can use from this screen — Quick Settings and Quick Modulation Routing. You can edit any of the eight parameters for a given effect by turning the knobs while you’re on the home screen. That will bring up what we call the Single Knob View, which has the name of the parameter in the upper left; below that is the value of the parameter; below that is whether it’s the Main or Alt parameter; and below that is the name of the effect. If we don’t move a knob for two seconds, it goes back to the home screen. When the knob position doesn’t match the current parameter value, this is called Chase Mode. When you turn the knob to match the actual parameter value, it locks, and the value is now normal. On this screen there is a chase indicator and also the knob position, which is the long line. Pressing the EDIT button from the home screen will bring up the parameter screen, which allows us to see all four parameters for the given MAIN or ALT page that we’re looking at for that effect. We also see the names of the parameters under each of the knobs; if we press and hold the SHIFT key, we can see the values for all four of those as well…”

Time, though, to terminate that welcomed whistle-stop tour… to point out the far-reaching fact that Jamar Ali passionately and meticulously worked on the DSP (Digital Signal Processing) for all the effects at Esu’s Trifecta’s creative core. Clearly, then, the module packs a powerful punch, putting an extensive effects library — categories currently comprise delays (Delay Designer, Esu’s Ridim, Esu’s Tape, Ping Pong, Professor X Delay, and Reverse Delay); distortion and bit manipulation (CrushTone and Distortion); EQ and dynamics (4-Band EQ, Compressor, and Ducking); filters (Filter Sweeper and Ladder Filter); modulation (Auto Pan, Chorus, Flanger, Phaser, and RingMod); pitch effects (Pitch Shifter); and reverbs (Esu’s Shimmer, Esu’s Verb, Shimmer Storm, and Storm Verb), with more to be added via future firmware updates — into the hands of any Eurorack enthusiast looking to add a powerful multi-effects module to their setup. Should they just so happen to be looking for one which stands out from the sound of the crowd courtesy of an ability to run three different serial effects at the same time, thanks to the Triple FX engine driving its intuitive tools that unlock new ways to shape sound and manage the creative process, then all the better! But better still, deep joy is almost certainly guaranteed.

Esu’s Trifecta is shipping and available to order online directly via the Ali Modular website — where there is more in-depth information about the Eurorack module itself, including several scintillating demo videos from namesake company co-founder Jamar Ali (a.k.a. ‘Ali The Architect’) — for $450.00 USD from here: https://alimodular.com/ (EU and UK specialist stores should also be stocking some units, so no need, necessarily, for non-US customers to order online directly.)