Percussa Updates SSP Eurorack Module w/ 3D Graphics, Plugin SDK, Scanning Oscillator & More

via Percussa

PERCUSSA UPDATES SSP EURORACK MODULE SOFTWARE, ADDING 3D GRAPHICS, NEW PLUGIN SDK, SCANNING OSCILLATOR MODULE AND MORE

May 2nd, 2022 (Los Angeles, CA) Percussa, makers of the Super Signal Processor (SSP) Eurorack module, are set to return to the SUPERBOOTH show in Berlin, May 12-14 2022, since the COVID-19 pandemic started, and are presenting a major software update for the Percussa SSP.

Percussa has been working on a software update for the SSP since its last participation in the show in 2019, featuring a complete graphics rewrite, leveraging the previously unused GPU processor on the SSP, for accelerated 2D and 3D graphics. Additionally, the SSP's plugin SDK has been updated to enable plugin developers to use the GPU as well for 2D or 3D graphics via OpenGL(ES).

Graphics acceleration on the SSP and GPU support in the plugin SDK were stretch goals which were not reached during the succesfully funded Percussa SSP kickstarter campaign back in 2017. With this update, users will receive the features planned in these stretch goals, and the benefits of accelerated graphics and increased DSP power.

In addition to increased DSP power, audio processing optimizations, and accelerated graphics, the update features countless bug fixes and improved memory management, and comes with a new "3D wave scanning" oscillator, developed by Percussa, featuring GPU powered raytraced 3D graphics.

Since the last SUPERBOOTH show, Percussa has released several incremental updates and fixes for the SSP software, enabling 24-channel USB audio support, improving MIDI MPE support as well as improvements to the step sequencer, sampler and direct to disk recorder.

In addition to the new software update, open source developer and SSP power user @thetechnobear (Mark Harris) is releasing over 10 new plugins for the Percussa SSP, and will be demoing these daily at the Percussa SSP table at the SUPERBOOTH show. Mark has also started contributing recently to the main SSP application software, in addition to his plugin contributions, which include countless modules such as a performance mixer, matrix switchers and mixers, sample and hold modules, utility modules, and ports of open source modules such as Clouds, Rings and Plaits. More information about @thetechnobear's work can be found at https://forum.percussa.com/t/thetechnobears-vsts-development/941/. Including @thetechnobear's plugins, the SSP now offers more than 50 modules in total.

The new software update is currently in BETA with the release version to be made publicly available by the end of June. The update will be available via the Percussa forum at https://forum.percussa.com/. Percussa has also opened up pre-orders for the next production batch of SSPs. The SSP can be ordered via your favourite eurorack dealer, or on Percussa's website at https://www.percussa.com

Percussa Super Signal Processor (SSP) Now on Kickstarter

Percussa's Super Signal Processor (SSP) eurorack module is now on Kickstarter here. If you haven't been following progress on the module, be sure to see the Percussa label for previous posts including demos with the prototype. The label does bring up everything featuring Percussa in reverse chronological order, so just scroll down to find them.

The following is the official press release:

"(August 4th, 2017, Los Angeles, CA) Today at 8am los angeles time our kickstarter project, the Percussa Super Signal Processor (SSP) Eurorack module, is going live.

It's the result of interaction with the eurorack community since we launced the Percussa Engine and Synthor System 8 at the Winter NAMM 2017 show in Anaheim, CA.

The SSP is very similar to the Percussa Engine, the synthesis platform we showed at the NAMM show, but comes with additional input and output connectors, featuring eurorack-compatible voltages, and will fit in a 60HP wide space in a eurorack system.

Among features of the SSP that are important to note, are a quad core ARM Cortex A17 processor @ 1.8GHz, one of the fastest ARM processors available, offering over 20,000 DMIPS of computing power (typical eurorack modules use cortex M4 or M7 processors which stay under 500 DMIPS), and high end ADC and DAC chips by AKM, supporting sample rates up to 192kHz and 32-bit resolution.



The SSP will feature 8 outputs and 16 inputs, and will support running multiple software DSP modules in parallel on multiple cores. The SSP comes with the same features of the Percussa Engine, featuring its rule-based patching system, preset storage and recall, and DSP modules such as:

Wavetable Oscillator with true 3D morphing (XYZ) and cloud features
Sampler with Layering features
LFO with multiple waveforms (sine, saw, square, triangle)
Variable Frequency Noise
DC generator
Enveloped Generator with Exponential A and DR
Waveshaper
Comb Filter
State Variable Filter
Step Sequencer
Important to note is that the Percussa SSP will support loading your own software DSP modules, which can be programmed in the C++ language. The SSP comes with the same wide-screen IPS display of 1600x480 pixels as the Percussa Engine and will feature an optimized user interface and workflow for eurorack users. The buttons and encoders will be located around the display for increased usability.

In terms of connectivity, the SSP will offer USB host and device ports for connecting a laptop for direct digital audio recording, or a USB MIDI class device for controlling the SSP. Storage wise the SSP will run of a microSD card, and a 16GB professional grade card is included in the main kickstarter pledges for the product. The SSP comes with 2GB of internal RAM which is especially useful for loading large WAV files.

One of the interesting features of the SSP is that it offers the same sampling features as the Percussa Engine, allowing you to record audio direct to SD card as WAV files, and then immediately use those WAV files as wavetables for the wavetable oscillator and sampler modules, without having to load them into software on a computer first. Everything can be done directly on the eurorack module.

In terms of pledges, the kickstarter offers normal production units, special pledges for early birds, customization options and special low serial number editions, as well as an interesting Godfather and Godmother pledge (only one of each), wich allows you to donate 5 Percussa SSP modules to 5 schools of your choice, giving students access to this powerful eurorack module.

More information about the Percussa SSP can be found here https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/percussa/percussa-super-signal-processor-eurorack-module"

New Percussa SSP Eurorack Module Demo Video & Update

via the Percussa SSP Kickstarter:

Stretch Goal Survey Results, Multitrack Recorder + Preset GUI Update, and First Shipments

Hi everyone,

It's time again for an update! We got the module voting results, we got a new cool video for you showing how we extended the recorder to 16 inputs / 8 outputs, we got news on some important usability improvements of the preset menu system and we have news on the production and shipment of the first SSPs!

** Stretch Goal Survey Results **

Thanks everyone for participating in the SSP stretch goal module voting! Here are the results:

CLICK FOR MORE »

Percussa SSP Eurorack Module Adds Multichannel Streaming

Percussa SSP Eurorack Module Part 5 Livestream (COME PATCH WITH ME 15) Published on Jul 24, 2019 MATTHS

via Percussa (screenshots below):

"This time, Matt will give viewers and exclusive tour of a very special software update for the SSP, to be released by Percussa the same day. The update allows the SSP to stream up to 24 channels of audio, CV, trigger, gate and other signals via class compliant USB audio, to and from Mac and Windows computers, at sample rates up to 192kHz.

With this software update from Percussa, the SSP can function as a multichannel USB audio/cv/trigger/gate interface, with 16 physical inputs and 8 physical outputs, DC coupled, while simultaneously being able to run modular synthesis patches and record multichannel audio samples to disk. In his live stream, Matt will be exploring the use of Ableton Live’s new CV Tools and how these can be used in conjunction with the SSP module"

Video description:
"I am back again for Part 5 - looking at the #Percussa #SSP #eurorack module. This time - a very special update which allows the Percussa SSP to stream audio, CV, trigger, gate and other signals via class compliant USB audio, to and from the SSP, using the following channel combinations and sample rates :

24ch @ 48k
16ch @ 96k
8ch @ 192k

This basically allows the SSP to function as a multichannel USB audio/cv/trigger/gate interface, with 16 physical inputs and 8 physical outputs, DC coupled.

I will be exploring the use of Ableton Live’s new CV Tools and how these can be used in conjunction with the SSP module.

The SSP is Possibly the most comprehensive workhorse in the eurorack modular world. The module provides many possibilities from sampling, granular processing, polyphonic and monophonic playback, effects and much much more. This is part five of a series of videos in which I break down the module and what it can do."

MATTHS Percussa SSP Eurorack Module Livestreams

New Percussa mSSP (Mini SSP) to Launch on Kickstarter, Friday Nov 23

New module based on the Super Signal Processor coming from Percussa.

"(Los Angeles, CA) This coming Friday November 23rd, our second kickstarter project, the Percussa micro Super Signal Processor (mSSP) Eurorack module, is going live at 8am Los Angeles time.

It's the result of interaction with the eurorack community since we launced the Percussa Engine and Synthor System 8 at the Winter NAMM 2017 show in Anaheim, CA.

The mSSP is the smaller, lower cost but equally powerful version of the successful Percussa SSP eurorack module which was funded on Kickstarter in September 2017 and which was delivered in June 2018.

The mSSP comes with the same quad-core ARM cortex A17 processor @ 1.8GHz as the SSP, one of the fastest ARM processors available, and high end AKM audio converters offering 8 in / 4 out @192kHz 32-bit.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Percussa to Show SSP at Superbooth 2018

The Percussa Super Signal Processor is coming to Superbooth18!

"Los Angeles, CA (USA) April 15, 2018 - Percussa is proud to announce and show its Super Signal Processor (SSP), a 16 in/8 out @192kHz/32bit Eurorack DSP module at Superbooth 2018, May 3-5 in Berlin, Germany.

The Percussa SSP was designed for and together with the eurorack community, then was funded succesfully on kickstarter.com in less than 12 hours, and will now be shown for the first time in public at SB 2018.

Some of the Percussa SSP's impressive features:

Quad core A17 @ 1.8GHz ARM DSP power with 2GB RAM
1600x480 full colour widescreen IPS display
All 16 ins and 8 outs up to 192kHz / 32 bit, DC coupled
Global delay and effect processors
Built-in direct to disk recorder (internal and external signals)
Internal smart routing and patching system
Patch save / recall system
USB MIDI Controller and MPE support
Multi-voice and polyphonic
High speed USB port for direct recording onto Mac / Win
Easy file exchange and backup with microSD card (WAV)

The SSP is available for pre-ordering on the Percussa website. MSRP pricing is $2,000. The first SSP units will be shipping in May 2018 to kickstarter backers, with the rest of the backer units and pre-orders expected to ship in June 2018.

Come see the Percussa SSP at the our booth W210.

About PERCUSSA

PERCUSSA makes innovative software and hardware for professional musicians, and is based in Los Angeles."

Percussa SSP Eurorack Module Part 2 Livestream (COME PATCH WITH ME 12)

Published on Jun 23, 2019 MATTHS

Percussa SSP Eurorack Module Part Livestream videos

"All of this is played and performed in realtime with no edits at all.

I am back again for Part 2 - looking at the #Percussa #SSP #eurorack module. This time - Oscillator voices and MIDI Clocking.

The SSP is Possibly the most comprehensive workhorse in the eurorack modular world. The module provides many possibilities from sampling, granular processing, polyphonic and monophonic playback, effects and much much more. This is part one of a series of videos in which I break down the module and what it can do.

Included DSP Modules
Build your own patches on the SSP using the following DSP modules that come with the SSP:

CLICK FOR MORE »

Percussa Super Signal Processor Eurorack Module Update

via the Percussa SSP kickstarter:

"Front panel finishes, switch caps colours, menu system updates, demo case and more

Hi all!

It’s time for another update! This week the NAMM show is happening in Anaheim, CA, one of the main tradeshows for musical instruments and music technology. We are not exhibiting or going as we decided to focus on the development of the SSP. A lot has happend over the past 10 days, below is a summary of what’s new including lots of nice photos :-)

1) Ordering more parts for the upcoming production

We already bought most components with long lead times for the SSP right when the kickstarter finished (such as the CPU modules), and now we continue buying the rest of the parts, such as switches, switch caps, ADCs and DACs, etc. Our commodity components will be bought further down the line as we get closer to production. We already got our programmable logic ICs which we received last week from our parts supplier, which is one of the few lead time sensitive parts specific to our design that we wanted to have early on so we don’t have to delay the assembly and shipping later on. So planning wise everything looks good, we got our PCBs, front panels and most of our lead time sensitive components. We’ll continue buying over the coming weeks and keep you updated about the production of the SSP.

2) Further experiments with front panel customizations

Our initial idea for front panel customization was to do laser engraving, but we wanted to see what it would look like if we machined our logo (and potentially any customizations) into the front panel before anodization instead of doing laser engraving. Laser engraving looks like gray text on a black background while with machining you can have more subtle customizations. I did the machining for the prototype below on our own CNC router. We’ll make a decision about what process to use over the coming weeks.

Besides that we are thinking about cosmetic hardware features ways to make navigation as easy as possible in our software user interface, such as different colours of switch caps. Although originally we planned to use only black switch caps, we might group certain buttons together using a colour, for example red for the cursor keys and grey for the menu keys, while the function soft keys would remain black. Below you can see an example grouping. This might still change as we continue working on the software and see the need to group certain buttons together.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Percussa Launches Limited-Time Slacker Backer Offer

via Percussa:

"PERCUSSA Completes Succesful Super Signal Processor Eurorack Kickstarter, Launches Limited-Time Slacker Backer Offer

Los Angeles, California - PERCUSSA completed its succesful month-long kickstarter campaign last Sunday, September 3rd, at 8AM PDT, reaching a total of $62,849 (314% funded, based on its original goal of $20,000), unlocking multiple stretch goals with additional features such as USB MIDI MPE support, and 10 additional DSP modules, including a powerful granular sound synthesis processor.

The kickstarter campaign it completed is for its new Super Signal Processor (SSP) Eurorack Module, for which development will begin immediately, and for which the first units are planned to ship in April 2018.

The SSP will be based on its PERCUSSA Engine and PERCUSSA Remote products, which were first presented last Winter NAMM 2017 in Anaheim, CA. Engine is a sound synthesis platform based on a powerful quad-core ARM Cortex A17 processor, delivering over 20,000 DMIPS, paired with high end AKM ADCs and DACs capable of 192khz sample rate and 32 bit resolution, and a full colour 1600x480 LVDS display. Remote is a professional USB control surface with high quality switches and encoders. Both Engine and Remote feature aluminium machined (CNC) housings and knobs.

The SSP will bring the same powerful sound synthesis capabilities to the eurorack format, and will feature 16 input channels and 8 output channels, USB host and device ports, and a micro SD card slot. It will also feature 4 high quality encoders and 18 durable switches, and the same 1600x480 full colours IPS LVDS display. The input and output channels will be provided using 3.5mm connectors, DC coupled, to support both audio and control voltage signals. The same high end AKM ADCs and DACs will be used for the inputs and outputs.

The kickstarter campaign is now over, but PERCUSSA has opened a limited-time only 'slacker backer' period, starting today, September 5th, and ending Friday September 15th, at 8PM PDT. Artists who wanted to back the campaign but did not have a chance to do so in time, can still pre-order an SSP module at the slacker backer price of $1650 + shipping. To do so they should contact PERCUSSA through the website at https://www.percussa.com/contact

After September 15th, this “slacker backer” offer will no longer be available, and the SSP will be offered for pre-order through PERCUSSA’s online store, and through select dealers, at a higher price point, to be announced in the next weeks.

For more information about the PERCUSSA Super Signal Processor (SSP) Eurorack Module, please see https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/percussa/percussa-super-signal-processor-eurorack-module"

Percussa SSP Update: Anodized Front Panel Prototypes & More

via the Percussa SSP kickstarter

"Anodized front panel prototypes; Audio inputs, programmable logic, Buttons, Encoders and More!

Hi everyone!

First of all we wish you a happy and successful 2018!

We continued working during the holidays, on the bringup of the SSP hardware: as I wrote in my last update, we still had some work to do on the audio inputs. On the Percussa engine there are only 2 inputs, but the SSP has 16 inputs, and we are using programmable logic to make that possible. So we had to test and debug the programmable logic and our driver code.

Below you can see a photo of my test setup. I've connected my logic analyzer to a few of the data lines of the bus we are using to connect to the programmable logic. One of the issues I had was that the reset pulse for the programmable logic was too short, so I had to figure out what was going on and then make adjustments to make sure it gets properly reset.

I also hooked up a few wires to the data bus so I could monitor if the data transfer was actually happening or not. After some debugging and a few fixes here and there we got the 16 inputs working. Over the next weeks we'll be further testing the inputs and outputs for DC performance. What's really exciting here, is that all 16 inputs are capable of handling audio and CV signals, DC coupled, up to 192kHz and with 32-bit resolution!

We also received the front panel prototypes back from our anodization and engraving subcontractor (photos below). We assembled the front panels with the SSP PCB as you can see below. Everything fits well.

Besides the front panel, we also received our heat sink prototypes. We are doing a custom aluminium heatsink which sits on top of the CPU module, protecting the CPU itself, as well as the flash and RAM chips (the SSP has 16GB of flash and 2GB of RAM, as you might remember from the KS page tech specs). In the prototype photos you can see a small copper heatsink, which is only used for testing purposes. Below you can see the heatsink prototype we received and mounted on top of the CPU module. Total depth of module from back of front panel to top of heatsink is a little under 35mm. We've been testing the heatsink with a CPU stress utility on the serial console and it works well. We'll be testing this further over the coming weeks.

The only remaining port to be tested on the hardware is the USB device port. We'll be doing tests for that as we work on the software since its primary use is as a USB audio class device, so you can record into your computer. Our software outputs sound simultaneously to this port, besides outputting it to the onboard DAC.

Earlier today I was working on integrating the audio device with its 16 inputs and 8 outputs into our synthesis software. I'll be working on that over the next week, while also further updating the menu system to take advantage of the buttons and encoders on the SSP. The button layout of the SSP is a little different from the Percussa Engine so obviously we have to make a few adjustments there. Below you can see a few photos of the 2D network editor for the DSP modules.

That's it for now! We are excited about the SSP, it's coming together well, and we look forward to keeping you updated over the next weeks as we move forward.

Bert & Celine"

CLICK FOR MORE »

Percussa SSP - Most powerful Eurorack module?

video by TheTechnobear

"I bought the Percussa SSP over a year ago now...
what do I think about it? was it worth the investment?

Here's my intro to the SSP, What I think about it and what Ive done with it!

0:00 Intro
0:25 What is the Percussa SSP?
2:18 Let's Patch
5:45 Connecting more friends
8:10 Look Mum I want a computer
9:15 How many plates can you spin?
10:10 Can it do more?
11:30 It's Large & Expensive - no?
13:28 Elephant in the room!
14:00 How I tame the Elephant
16:45 Roundup"

https://www.percussa.com



Also see Quick Clouds demo on Percussa SSP, followed by the Percussa label below for additional posts.

Percussa SSP Recap - Superbooth 2019

via Percussa:

Come by at booth W210 and get a demo of the SSP featuring the latest software! Below is a recap of everything that happened since last superbooth and what's new.

Launch of the Percussa SSP community and forum (May 2018)
Started shipping the Percussa SSP (May 2018)
Major eurorack dealers started selling the SSP (Feb 2019)
In-depth SSP presentations at several dealers (videos posted on youtube in Feb/Apr 2019)
New preset collection with 60 patches, including polyphonic and multitimbral wavetable and granular (Mar 2019)
We released 19 software updates since last superbooth covering:

new modules:

CLICK FOR MORE »

Percussa SSP Update

A few updates from the Percussa SSP Kikstarter site:

"SSP Manufacturing, Packaging, Backer Surveys, Software and Superbooth news!

Hi everyone,

A lot has happened since our last update on the SSP kickstarter!

1) electronic parts and assembly

We have all the parts in stock to assemble all the SSPs, apart from the SMT pushbutton switches which are due to be delivered in the next weeks. As soon as we have those the parts will be kitted and dropped off at our subcontractor. It will then take a week or two to get the boards back and start building and packaging the SSPs and another week to get them shipped.

2) front panel machining

We already have all the front panels for the SSPs, but are doing the engraving of logos and some usability improvements of the front panel (input/output matrix division line) on our own machine this week, then sending them off for anodisation to a local subcontractor somewhere next week.

You can see a video of a front panel being engraved on our CNC router below. Since we shot that video we've significantly sped up the engraving by a factor of 4x. The subcontractor will take about a week to anodise the panels and return them to us.

3) development and testing of software v1.0 in full swing

Since our last update Celine finished her navigation code for the network editor (patcher), as well as the scaling code for inputs and outputs of the modules. You can now navigate the patching screen using the first two encoders. The next two are used to navigate the input/output lists for the modules, and using SHIFT+encoder 3/4 will change the scaling of the signals sent/received. So you have the ability to scale signals both on the sending and receiving end of a module. The patcher screen also now supports multiple pages and patching across pages, which allows you to build bigger patches. You can see the X/Y navigation using encoders in the animated GIF below.

I also extended our module system so you have multiple outputs per module, and I rolled all the MIDI / MPE related code into a new MIDI module with pitch, pitch wheel, aftertouch, velocity on and velocity off, as well as MIDI CC support. This way you can connect something like the ROLI Seaboard or Roger Linn's Linnstrument, and have full access to all the data those controllers offer. The MIDI module also lets you route the signals anywhere you want inside or outside the SSP and you can group MIDI modules into voices which makes it easy to build polyphonic synthesis patches. Being able to treat the MIDI data as signals within the modular patch allows many new creative possibilities.

Our plan for version 1.0 of the SSP software, to be included with the shipments of the SSPs, is to have all the base features of the kickstarter implemented and tested. The modules from the stretch goals as well as the SDK will be delivered in the form of incremental updates after the SSPs have been shipped and everyone starts to use the SSP. Obviously we'll also be fixing bugs as we release updates.

In the meantime we've also enlisted someone to help test our software. You can see an assembled SSP from the first production run above (Thanks Matt!). This has been a huge help in fixing bugs and adding usability improvements.

4) stretch goal module voting

We will be surveying all the backers for shipping address soon (more below) and will at the same time collect votes for the stretch goal modules. We’ll announce the results of the voting later on after we’ve shipped the SSPs.

5) shipment schedule

Due to testing and the logistics of getting the SSPs being built there will be a 1 month delay in pledges being shipped. This means that pledges with an April ship date will be shipped in May, and those with previously a May ship date will be shipped in June. We will be surveying backers in the next weeks so we can all get your shipping addresses ahead of time.

We are extremely proud of the SSP. Blood, sweat, and tears have gotten us this point. We appreciate the support and patience from you all. We are confident that when you get your SSP you will not fail to see all the care we have taken in every step of its design, manufacture, and assembly.

6) the SSP at Superbooth

We'll be showing the SSP at Superbooth this year and look forward to seeing any of you who are able to venture out that way! We have a limited number of one-day visitor tickets available that we can hand out to backers who want to make the trip to Superbooth. If you are a backer and would like a ticket please send us a message through our kickstarter page.

As always, thanks again for your support and for backing the SSP!

Bert & Celine"

Percussa Adds Physical Modeling Membrane Module (PMM) to SSP

percussa ssp - physical modeling membrane module demo Published on Oct 13, 2018 PERCUSSA

"short demo for the new physical modeling membrane module on the percussa super signal processor (ssp) eurorack module - membrane excitation triggered by make noise MATHS as well as internal square wave LFO on the SSP. Power and tension modulations of the membrane using low-frequency noise generators on the SSP with offset applied via the DC generator module on the SSP. Learn more about the SSP at http://www.percussa.com/"

via the Kickstarter campaign:

"Time for another update! In this one we introduce the physical modeling membrane module (PMM) which was a kickstarter stretch goal module. We also provide an example preset to go with the module.

Download links in the full post at https://forum.percussa.com/t/update-13102018-physical-membrane-module-pitch-tracking-fixes/513

Physical modeling membrane (PMM) module + DEMO VIDEO

The module has the following inputs:

Gate input to trigger the virtual "hammer" that strikes the virtual drum membrane (also called the excitation)
Power input / parameter to control with how much force the virtual hammer strikes the drum
Tension to control how loose or tight the drum membrane is (controls the pitch of the resulting drum sound)
You can feed an external trigger into the gate input or just use an internal square wave LFO on the SSP if you wish. In my demo video I do both, first with a make noise MATHS and afterwards with a square wave LFO. In the video I also demo modulation of the power and tension inputs using low-frequency noise generators. The tension modulation signal is offset using a DC generator module.


Pitch tracking fixes

Pitch tracking bugs reported by @IvanS and others are now fixed for all the modules that have a pitch input
Coarse/fine frequency settings for modules with a pitch input now no longer affect tuning but are simply an offset for the frequency calculated from the incoming pitch signal. Frequency modulation received via the frequency input is applied on top of this offset and the frequency derived from the pitch signal.
If you feed a pitch signal into an LFO or other module with a pitch input, and you don't want a frequency offset, remember to set coarse/fine to zero on the p-page.

That's all for now, we hope you enjoy this new module!

B & C "

Percussa SSP Makes a Comeback

via Percussa

"Bert here, founder of Percussa. Our SSP eurorack module sold out a while ago, in the middle of the global supply chain crisis and chip shortage, which affected a lot of other eurorack brands, sadly.

Since then we've had to pause production of the SSP, due to the shortage of chips and the insane rise of component and manufacturing costs. Things now seem to have improved, and we are now planning another production run of the SSP.

We are organizing a pre-sale! One of our dealers, Perfect Circuit, is participating in the pre-sale event. So if you want an SSP, get your order in! Once the units are sold out, it will be a while before we do another run. You can place your order for an SSP through our website at https://www.percussa.com/pricing, or through Perfect Circuit's website at https://www.perfectcircuit.com/percussa-ssp.html"

Percussa SSP Update 30072018 [VST Support + QuadVCA VST Plugin + BitCrusher + Module Picker]

via the Percussa Super Signal Processor kickstarter

"We have a new software update for the SSP, featuring the following:

VST2 / VST3 Support (new VST module)
SDK Delivery (kickstarter goals)
QuadVCA VST Plugin
BitCrusher (kickstarter stretch goal)
Module Picker

Read the full update [here]
module-picker

In short, the SSP's software now has VST hosting capability which is a pretty big deal: it's now possible to host VST plugins in an eurorack module, the Percussa SSP. The modules can function in the SSP's patcher grid, and you can use them (through the input and output jacks of the SSP) with your other favourite modules in your rack!

Besides that we also delivered the SSP SDK - it basically consists of a VST plugin example written in JUCE, a Quad VCA, which was also requested by SSP users in our forum. Full details in the above updates. If you are a developer you definately want to read up on this. The code is already on github ready to check out and modify.

The Quad VCA is included in the software update ready to use, and we even made a preset with this new module. So you don't have to be a developer to use it.

Finally we also have a new BitCrusher module, and a new module picker, which allows you to easily pick modules from our continuously expanding catalog.

We hope you enjoy this update and look forward to the next one! Thanks again for your support.
Bert & Celine"

Percussa SSP Layout #3 and Software GUI update #1

Percussa SSP GUI Layout #1 Kickstarter update

Published on Oct 8, 2017

Update: video above added.

"A short video of the first GUI code for the Percussa SSP. It shows the parameter values in large font when starting to turn an encoder. When you no longer turn the encoders, after about 2 seconds the parameter values become smaller again. We will continue working on the GUI in the next weeks and we’ll be sharing more updates along the way."

via the Percussa Kickstarter site:

"Last week I finished routing the first revision of the PCB layout. After that I built a list of all the remaining things I need to check in the design, which includes (non exhaustive list) checking trace lengths, spacing, width, checking footprints, checking which traces are potentially too close together, checking all the mechanical aspects of the design, …

This reviewing phase is just as important as doing the layout itself, because it’s easy to overlook a small mistake, which could imply the prototypes we’re manufacturing have to be redone.

To check everything mechanically I export my PCB layout into my 3D solid modeling software, to verify the placement of all the components, how everything is mounted together, double checking whether there is enough space between the buttons and encoders, enough space in between the front panel and the PCB, how the display will be mounted onto the front panel, etc. I think I have another 1-2 weeks of reviewing to do before we’re ready to send the PCB Layout out for manufacturing. As you may have noticed, we are currently ahead of schedule with our work.

Besides that, Celine has been working on the GUI code for the SSP and would like to share her progress:

To build the GUI for the SSP on top of our existing code base quite a bit of architectural work is necessary. The software currently runs on the functional prototype we’re using for our demos (the Percussa Engine). I’ve decided to start with this while Bert is focusing on the hardware design, as it’s closely related to his work. Below you can see a short video of the first GUI code I’ve worked on, to support showing the parameter values in large font when starting to turn an encoder. When you no longer turn the encoders, after about 2 seconds the parameter values become smaller again. I will continue working on the GUI in the next weeks and we’ll be sharing more updates along the way."

Percussa Super Signal Processor Update

via the Percussa SSP Kickstarter:

"Hi everyone,

This past week myself and Celine have been hard at work on the software. Like I wrote in our last update, we've been working on the SSP's menu system and fixing bugs in the graphical user interface.

We've also worked on adding support for the SSP's 16 inputs and 8 outputs in our software: the input and output modules, which are used in the module network editor to tie the jacks on the SSP to the internal modules, had to be updated to support all of the SSP's I/O.

One other important feature we added the past week is scaling the increase/decrease step size of the synthesis parameters using encoder speed/acceleration.

Besides that we took the opportunity to test the inputs and outputs with both AC and DC signals. As you already know from the kickstarter page, the SSP's 16 inputs and 8 outputs are DC coupled, and they all support up to 192kHz sample rate with 32 bit resolution (we use high end AKM DACs and ADCs, which are used for sampling both CVs and Audio signals). Below you can find six new videos we shot during our testing sessions."

You can find the videos at the Percussa SSP Kickstarter campaign.

Percussa SSP PCBs Now in Production & Front Panel Design Finalized

via Percussa

"A lot of progress has been made in the development of the Percussa SSP! You can find the summary below. If you want the full story with all the eye candy, head over to our Kickstarter updates.

After the initial first layout pass I finalized the layout of the SSP. This took quite a while as I had to go through a list of 40 pages of TODOs, checking countless details of the layout, double checking all the mechanical details with the 3D model of the SSP in my CAD software, before making production files to be sent off to the manufacturer who produces our PCBs.

Around Nov. 30th we received the PCBs from the factory and immediately checked the quality, and the mechanical fit of the components which go through the front panel, as well as the display which sits behind the front panel. Everything looked great, so we kitted parts for a small prototype run and sent the boards and parts off to our subcontractor who does the assembly. You can see below a few photos from the inspection we did. The assembled prototypes are planned to arrive somewhere next week (around Dec 21st).

Front panel design finalized, prototypes ordered
The past weeks we also finalized the front panel design, around the time the PCBs were in production. We sent off the design to a metalwork factory who machined the front panels for us based on our 3D design. They are machined from aluminium, and will be anodized black. Those who backed the kickstarter for a customized version of the SSP will have the option to choose a different colour and/or additional engraving (more on that later). Below you can see a photo of the front panels (not sandblasted, anodized or engraved yet). The front panels will arrive around the time the PCB prototypes are assembled, next week.

Pre-order

If you want an SSP, you can place a pre-order on our website. If you do this before December 31st, you’ll receive your SSP immediately after the backers receive theirs. If you have any questions, just reply to this email.

Thanks!
Bert & Celine"

New Percussa SSP Arpeggiator Module with Clock Multiplier

arpeggiator module demo #1 - percussa ssp Published on Sep 30, 2018 PERCUSSA

"2 arpeggiators driven by the step sequencer module on the ssp, each arpeggiator sending a pitch signal to a different sine wave oscillator. The 2nd arpeggiator is choosing randomly between step increase/decrease. Learn more about the ssp at www.percussa.com"


via the Percussa forum:

"New Arpeggiator Module with Clock Multiplier (kickstarter stretch goal)
You can grab the preset to learn how to use the arpeggiator here -
https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/ssp-presets/014-arpeggiator.zip

The module has the following inputs:

Signal input - feed a signal into this input from which the arpeggio will start (e.g. a pitch signal such as the L1 output from the step sequencer)
Clock input - feed a clock signal into this input, which will be either multiplied or divided internally by the arpeggiator’s internal clock divider/multiplier (e.g. the clock output of the step sequencer)
Reset gate input - feed a gate signal into this input to “reset” the arpeggiator to the level present at the signal input (e.g. the G1 output of a step sequencer)
The module has the following outputs:

Out - the output of the arpeggiator
Gate - a gate signal going high for each arpeggio “step”
Clock Multiplier Out - the divided/multiplied clock created using the clock input, internally in the arpeggiator.
As you can see, you can use the arpeggiator module also simply as a clock multiplier. Just feed it a clock and grab the multiplied/divided output from the arpeggiator’s clock multiplication output.

The parameters of the arpeggiator:

Step - this is the value that the arpeggiator adds to the input signal each time it advances a “step”. Can be both positive for a climbing arpeggio or negative for a falling arpeggio. The output of the arpeggiator will wrap around, which means that if the arpeggio is long enough to “clip” the signal it will wrap around and show up at the bottom of the signal.
Length - the number of “steps” in the arpeggio
Ratio - clock division / multiplication factor
Rand - will randomly add/subtract the step value on each arpeggio “step” so you get a randomly climbing/falling arpeggio."