Feedback Fight! Umbra Takes on Dark Matter

video upload by Metamyther

"In this video we compare Isobar’s Umbra, a powerful stereo feedback accumulator, with Bastl’s Dark Matter, the cult-favorite feedback and distortion module, to see how each shapes sound in a Eurorack system. This head-to-head demo explores their strengths and differences. This comparison will help you decide which feedback module is right for your setup."

Discover the POWER of Feedback with Isobar's Umbra

video upload by Metamyther

"Discover Umbra, the cutting-edge stereo feedback accumulator designed for adventurous sound designers, new from Isobar. With its unique approach to feedback through a send and return effect loop, Umbra opens up massive sonic possibilities, delivering everything from subtle textures to chaotic walls of sound."

00:00 - Intro
01:20 - Vhikk X Example
04:46 - Drum Example
06:49 - Saturation
07:35 - Multigrain
08:17 - Cursus Melody

"Umbra is a dual channel feedback processor with three discrete transistor core VCA pairs. Route any eurorack-level effects, compressors or filters through its send/return paths to create feedback loops ranging from subtle textured echoes to howling walls of sound. The input level VCA is positioned before the feedback circuit, allowing time based sounds to fade naturally when the VCA is closed. A soft clipping stage after all feedback keeps levels controlled while adding nonlinearities and character. The left-right channel normalling allows for both mono-to-stereo or true stereo operation.

Features:
- Discrete transistor core VCAs for input gain (L and R), VCA pair for return gain, and VCA pair for feedback amount.
- Switchable between stereo operation and serial mono operation, where the output of the left channel enters the input on the right channel, doubling up on feedback and processing, indicated by the color of the LEDs. Orange L and R channels = Stereo operation, Orange L channel, Blue R channel = Serial operation
- Asymmetric diode soft clipping distortion at output.
Level LEDs for input level and return level, to keep feedback, drive and gain under control.

Uses:
- Adding a filter, filter bank, delay, reverb, waveshaper, or any other effect into the feedback loop.
- Heavy soft clipping distortion.
- No input feedback mixing.
- 3 stage VCA with distortion"

BII Electronics Iris 1 - 8 Step Probabilistic Gate Sequencer

This is the first post to feature BII Electronics as well as the panel designer, Isobar Industries.

Their first module is the Iris 1, an 8 Step Probabilistic Gate Sequencer, designed and programmed by Ben Davis.

Details follow:

"The first of a series of 4HP sequencers from BII Elecrronics.

8 step gate sequencer
clock and reset input
mute button
3 way switches for setting probability
Position 1 : off
Position 2 : variable
Position 3 : on
Knob for setting variable probability
Clock/reset chaining between modules

Designed and programmed by Ben Davis
Panel designed by Isobar Industries"