Oddment ODD-1 Build Update & Demos

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Demos

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Playlist:
1. ODD-1 Overview: Playheads

For a long time now we have tried to live by the words of the great Michael Bolton from the movie Office Space, "why should I change when he's the one who sucks?" But language evolves, and unfortunately, the word “grok” has taken on associations that are problematic. Oddment has evolved too. Starting from one quirky product idea, in 3 years we have grown and are now ready for manufacturing and fulfillment of this product, with ambition to make it the first among many. So with much consternation, we have decided to drop the name groc. When we thought about a new name, we thought that what we have is a little unusual, perhaps a little outside the norm...you might even call it, the ODD-1. This is the first in a series of videos to show all of the ODD-1's functions in more detail. In this one we show off half of the encoders that control the granular synthesis engine - the PLAYHEADS function. Here you can control the level, starting point, tuning (aka pitch adjustment) and playback speed for up to 4 different granular playheads. The auxiliary functions available on the touch screen introduce random variability in different ways.

2. ODD-1 Overview: Grains

This is the second in a series of videos to show all of the ODD-1's functions in more detail. In this one we show off the second half of encoders that control the granular synthesis engine - the GRAINS function. Here you can control the size, spacing, left-right placement, and grain window shape. Each control also has a related function, introducing grain size variability, spacing jitter, binaural scatter, and a front-back bias for the window shape. The auxiliary functions available on the touch screen control a bandpass filter that can be randomized per grain and adjust whether grain size is regulated in the source sample or in the output signal, which can have a big impact on sound characteristics.

3. ODD-1 Overview: 03 Envelopes & Time Path

This is the third in a series of videos to show all of the ODD-1's functions in more detail. In this one we show off the ENVELOPES function. Here you can control the note amplitude envelope and timing, access 3 envelopes that can be used as modulation sources, and use our unique TIME PATH feature to dynamically adapt the playback speed.

4. ODD-1 Overview 04: Sample

This is the fourth in a series of videos to show all of the ODD-1's functions in more detail. In this one we show off the SAMPLE function. Here you can choose a sample from the factory library or user-uploaded samples, control the playback mode and the section available for granulation, play and hold notes, set loop points and interact with pitch, tempo and channel information of the sample. We also show the auto pitch and tempo alignment features.

5. ODD-1 Overview 05: LFOs, Macros, Patching

This is the fifth in a series of videos to show all of the ODD-1's functions in more detail. In this one we show off the LFOs, Macros and how to create modulation connections. There are 4 LFOs, 3 Envelopes, 4 Macros (assignable knobs), 4 Control inputs and MIDI information that can all act as modulation sources. Any parameter on the device is a parameter destination. Unlimited connections are made by holding down a destination parameter and then pressing or twisting a modulation source.

6. ODD-1 Overview 06: Filters, Saturation, Echoes

This is the sixth in a series of videos to show all of the ODD-1's functions in more detail. In this one we show off the Filters, Saturation and Echoes modules. Two filters and two saturation modules per voice, both with multiple types of processing and modulatable parameters, allow for transformation beyond the granular engine. Two echoes sections with filtering and distortion in the feedback loop and fully modulatable parameters make ODD1 worthwhile just as a modular effects rack!

7. ODD-1 Overview: 07 Layers

This is the seventh in a series of videos to show all of the ODD-1's functions in more detail. In this one we show the dual Layer functionality. Essentially the entire system is duplicated so the ODD-1 is like having a dual modular systems, each with a polyphonic granular engine feeding two filters and two non-linear processors per voice, with 3 envelopes, 1 time path, 4 LFOs, 4 Macros and a independent modulation matrix per layer. In these examples we also remind that granular can easily do subtractive-style synthesis when using a basic waveform as the source sample.

8. ODD-1 Overview 08: Reverb & System

The final video in our eight-part series on the ODD-1's functions focuses on the upper-left row where we have global volume, system-level reverb and can work with banks of patches.

The reverb is a classic matrix-style parametric reverb. Think of it like a whole set of interacting delay units with slowly modulating delay times. Ok now that you have that in mind, that's it, that's what it is. It sounds sweet.

If two layers of modulating, granular goodness with a fantastic reverb on top wasn't enough, how do banks of patches to store every twist and connection sound?

And from their newsletter:

What’s in a name?

For a while now we have tried to live by the words of the great Michael Bolton from the movie Office Space, "why should I change when he's the one who sucks?"

But language evolves, and unfortunately, the word “grok” has taken on associations that are problematic.

Oddment has evolved too. Starting from one quirky product idea, we have grown in three years and are now ready for manufacturing and fulfillment of this product, with ambition to make it the first among many. And with much consternation, we have decided to drop the name groc.

When we thought about a new name, we thought that what we have is a little unusual, perhaps a little outside the norm...you might even call it, the ODD-1.

And we plan to keep that off-beat attitude. We hope that brightly-colored friends, ODD-2 and ODD-3, will be along to join ODD-1 after not too long.

Build Updates

We have a lot of exciting progress to report since the last time I wrote. Hop over to our YouTube channel to check out a build update video and some in-depth functionality demos.

We debugged and fixed several problems with the circuit board including the power-up, line input and output, and noise on the control signal inputs.

We got several bids from contract manufacturers in the U.S. and around the world and selected Soldered, based in the E.U. They came highly recommended, and we think their experience will be a huge asset as we go into production.

We worked with Martyna Alexander to tweak the graphic design of the front and back panel. We are thrilled with the updates, including our new company and product logos.

We have first iterations of our custom firmware, enabling full functionality of the device and full USB connectivity to a host computer.

We have completed first versions of the software that include all audio, MIDI and system functionality we intend to support for the release. After many months of playing and testing we re-organized a few functions to expand both the number of concurrent grain “playheads”, and to support banks of patches intended for convenient switching and management in live performance.

What’s Next?

As I shared in the build update video, we should be getting the next round of test circuit boards in November. If everything checks out, we’ll be ready to move into the production of our first batch. We expect it to take up to 4-5 months from when we start production to when we’ll be shipping units out to customers. Currently, our Oddment magic 8 ball says we’ll start production in January and start shipping around May.

We know that for those who ordered in 2024 this has been a much longer wait than we anticipated. We owe you a big thanks for sticking with us! We hope you will find it to be worth the wait when you finally experience the modulating magic of the ODD-1.

Beta Batch
One of the main reasons that a company like ours fails is that they can never bring their first product to market. As a tiny company with big ambitions, it is easy to either wait too long trying to perfect every detail, or move too fast and fail to meet customer expectations.

To strike a balance, we have decided to keep our first batch small so that we can work closely with this first group of customers and try to ensure they have a great experience.

Because our capacity to complete extensive beta testing has been limited, we plan to offer this first batch at a substantial discount ($795 + tax + shipping) relative to the anticipated retail price of future batches (est. $995 through retailers later in 2026).

In addition to the $200 discount over future MSRP, anyone participating in this batch will receive

Monthly firmware updates
Private access to bug tracking and message boards
A chance to help shape factory presets
Early access to ODD-1V (Mac/Windows plug-in)
Our undying love and devotion
Pre-Orders, Imminent
Once we are confident in the production timeline, we will put up a full pre-order for the $795 beta batch on our website.

We imagine keeping this beta batch to about 100 units. Anyone that has already put down a deposit will be guaranteed access and the deposit will be applied to the purchase price.

You can make a deposit to get on the fulfillment list here: https://www.oddment-audio.com/shop/p/...