A Day at the Percussa AudioCubes Lab

A look at a day in the life of Percussa via their newsletter released on January 10.

"Today, Bert and I would like to take you to our AudioCubes Lab, where we work hard on developing new software and hardware features for the Percussa AudioCubes, a modular gestural audiovisual instrument."

"Living room Lab with fast customer service

Since we're a small company, we decided to transform our living room into a lab instead of spending too much money on renting office space. We turned each corner of our living room into a different work station, each focusing on a different aspect: electronics, software, and business operations :-)

Having our office/lab in our living enviroment makes it hard to ignore any incoming email from customers late at night or on the weekend :-) , but we're more than happy to respond to any customer inquiry or request very fast."

"Lab equipment to build high-quality products

In our lab, we have tools to test the electronics of the Percussa AudioCubes as well as equipment to debug the firmware of the AudioCubes.

For instance, today (picture on the left) we have soldered connectors of our logic analyzer onto the motherboard of the AudioCube, because we'd like to visualize the data which is being exchanged between the cube motherboard's processor and the wireless radio which is inside each new AudioCube shipped!

Data transmission inside AudioCubes and over the USB bus is very fast, so often the only way to debug something is by capturing data and then figuring out what went wrong :-) Did you know that AudioCubes sensor data updates at 1KHz?

Cool stuff is coming up

We have some new changes coming up from our AudioCubes lab very soon. So keep an eye on your inbox. Bert is working day and night on the new update of firmware and MIDIBridge, endlessly fretting over sensor data offsetting, scaling, resolution, etc ... this is important groundwork for the synthesizer we're working on, SYNTHOR. Check out some preliminary videos here.

Also make sure to register on our website in case you haven't done so. It gives you instant access to the download area where you can download software, including the upcoming firmware and MIDIBridge updates, and SYNTHOR, when it will be available!

Talk to you next week,
Bert & Celine"

PERCUSSA SYNTHOR BERLIN SESSIONS VID #2

Published on Nov 10, 2015 AudioCubes by PERCUSSA

"Video featuring new SYNTHOR digital modular synthesizer for wireless audiocubes by Percussa. In this video we should off distance and rotation sensing, while simultaneously patching. Notice the expressivity and opportunities for gestural performance. More info at http://www.percussa.com/"

NAMM 2017: Percussa Synthor System 8

Published on Jan 18, 2017 sonicstate

"Percussa, creators of the AudioCube controllers launch a powerful new Digital modular synth and integrated wireless controller."

Details on the new Synthor System 8 posted here.

Percussa Synthor System 8

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"Synthor System
Engine, remote, stand, 6 Wireless Pro AudioCubes, usb hub/charger and cables. Super powerful and cool performance synth. The Engine has a lot of DNA in common with the SSP. Can be controlled completely by the cubes or used as a Deep midi driven synth. Kick Ass piece of industrial design, and unique concept for synthesis. Got this for a collaborative project that fell apart (distance does not make the work grow faster). This has been sitting on my dining room table, unloved for months (and months). Have a new os upgrade and processor heatsink Bert sent me that has yet to be installed. New project and different horizons beckon."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Modulation and Sound Layering Experiments with Synthor System 8

Published on Jun 25, 2017 PERCUSSA

"A combination of layering samples using wavetable oscillators, and modulation using variable frequency noise as well as frequency and index modulation.

In Synthor System 8 patching is done by placing AudioCubes next to each other, smart cubes which represent synthesis modules and sense location and distance. The distance is linked to modulation depth of the signals.

The encoders and buttons on Percussa REMOTE are used to change the parameters of the synth modules.

Learn more at http://www.percussa.com/"

PERCUSSA labs behind the scenes: AudioCubes standalone hardware in development

"Percussa will release its software synthesizer SYNTHOR later this year. The synthesizer will be built into MIDIBridge, and will let anyone produce and make sounds using the audiocubes without needing any other music software or hardware. The software will work with the wireless audiocubes, and will become available in the downloads section of the site.

URL:
https://www.percussa.com/2015/05/25/synthor-modular-synthesizer-for-audiocubes

After releasing the software synthesizer, Percussa will also release a hardware version of the synthesizer, so people will no longer need a PC or MAC to use the AudioCubes. It will be a standalone unit that people can buy and use together with their wireless audiocubes.

URL:
https://www.percussa.com/2015/05/25/percussa-labs-behind-the-scenes-audiocubes-standalone-hardware-in-development

Check out the video of the test setup of the hardware platform:"

Sampling with synthor system 8 modular synthesizer

Published on Jun 16, 2017 PERCUSSA

"Changing frequency and number of the waveform which we recorded on ENGINE"

Sample a wooden frog for use in Percussa Synthor System 8 WaveOscillator

Published on Jun 16, 2017 PERCUSSA

"In this video, we're recording the sound of a wooden frog in the sound synthesis system ENGINE, after which we crop the sound and use it in our wavetable oscillator"

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 »

NAMM 2017: Percussa Synthor System 8 Modular Synthesizer

Published on Jan 18, 2017 Synth Anatomy

Remember to see the Perucussa label below for more.

Inside the Percussa Engine Wavetable Oscillator with 3D Morphing

Published on Jul 16, 2017 PERCUSSA

"Quick demo of the 3D Morphing/modulation capabilities of the Percussa Engine Synthesizer's Wavetable Oscillator. In the video you can see multiple wavetable oscillators (orange) modulated by multiple LFOs (green). The LFOs modulate the X, Y and Z of the wavetable oscillators. X, Y and Z are used to 'navigate' the 3D space of waves, automatically generated from any WAV file, by cutting it up using the 'nr of waves' knob. The Percussa Engine synth is part of Synthor System 8, a digital wireless modular synth, and the basis for an eurorack module currently in development at Percussa. More info at http://www.percussa.com/"

Additive Synthesis using AudioCubes, SYNTHOR and REMOTE

Published on Sep 4, 2016 AudioCubes by PERCUSSA

"In this video, we loaded the "additive synthesis" patch (1 output, 2 LFOs). Both LFOs are sent to the output module and the parameters are changed using REMOTE. Learn more at www.percussa.com"

PERCUSSA SYNTHOR BERLIN SESSIONS VID #3

Published on Dec 15, 2015 AudioCubes by PERCUSSA

"In this video, you’ll see how we patch wirelessly by placing AudioCubes next to each other, and at the same time change synthesis parameters, while changing the distance between the AudioCubes. Learn more: https://www.percussa.com/2015/12/11/s..."

All parts here.

Percussa: How are Wireless AudioCubes Different from Classic AudioCubes?

Another interesting bit of insight from Percussa via their newsletter.  This one was from Jan 18.

"Hi, Bert here, designer and inventor of AudioCubes. Sometimes, people ask me what the difference is between the AudioCubes we are selling today and the ones I originally released back in 2007. The AudioCubes today are called 'wireless' AudioCubes, while the ones from 2007 are 'classic' AudioCubes. But what does that mean?

In this newsletter I've decided to go a bit deeper into how the modern AudioCubes you can buy today work under the hood, and how they are different from the original AudioCubes I designed back in 2004, and which were released in 2007.

How do Classic AudioCubes work?

Originally I had designed the AudioCubes to forward data between each other, using infrared communication ports. Each AudioCube has 4 of these ports located around the AudioCube, which allow AudioCubes to detect each other as well as detect distance to your hands and fingers. This generates MIDI trigger notes or continous control messages respectively, so you can start and stop sounds and control effect parameters in real time.

In 2008-2009 we released a firmware and MIDIBridge update and also released the OSC server for AudioCubes, which not only allows AudioCubes to detect each other but also FORWARD data to each other, effectively creating a wireless network of AudioCubes, where data is forwarded to one of the cubes, which stays connected to your computer. We introduced the TOPOLOGY mode for the AudioCubes, which allows you to get MIDI note triggers and continous controllers at the same time.

How do Wireless AudioCubes work?
However, I realized we wanted to offer higher data rates than was possible using the cube to cube infrared communication network, and so I started designing a wireless module, a hardware upgrade, which would allow all the wireless cubes to have a DIRECT connection to the central cube which stays connected to your computer. This would allow the cubes to communicate in a star network which offers much higher data rates :-) The wireless module has a custom designed protocol on board I worked on for several years, and which uses the 2.4GHz wireless radio band. Rather than using bluetooth or wifi, we designed our own protocol, because the needs of professional musicians are very different from the needs of the wide consumer market.

We started offering the wireless module to a small group of test users first, and worked on improving the firmware for this hardware update over the past years. This hardware upgrade has been shipping in all new AudioCube systems over the past two years, and going forward we will ONLY sell AudioCubes featuring this hardware wireless module, and all software will assume you have this module in your AudioCubes. The classic AudioCubes without the module will still keep working using the old software, but to take advantage of the new software including SYNTHOR, the upcoming synthesizer for AudioCubes, you will need to have this module in your AudioCubes :-)

You can see two photos of AudioCubes hardware below. One photo is the classic AudioCube PCB WITHOUT the wireless module, and the other is the AudioCube PCB WITH the wireless module, which is how all hardware is built today.

AudioCube PCB WITH the wireless module

AudioCube PCB WITHOUT the wireless module,

Wireless Module

15 wireless AudioCubes transmitting cube detection and distance information in real time

We're in the final stages of testing a big firmware and MIDIBridge update I've worked on over the past two years, day and night, which leverages this new module to the maximum. It's really exciting stuff - imagine a star network with one master cube and up to 15 wireless AudioCubes, all capable of sensing hands as well as cubes, transmitting cube detection and distance information, all in real time, and everything is MIDI mappable!

Imagine automatically patching modular software synths as cubes detect each other, and changing instrument parameters in real time as cubes get closer and further away.

A few of the AudioCube power users who are currently testing the BETA are saying it's the most exciting update they've seen in the past few years.

I hope this clears up what the difference is between the AudioCubes we ship today, which all include the high performance wireless radio, and the classic AudioCubes from 2007 which do not include this hardware upgrade.

I look forward to create more firmware and software updates in 2015 and to push AudioCubes to the next level together with all of you!

Connect with Bert, AudioCubes designer, to learn more!

Thanks for reading this newsletter, and don't hesitate to connect with me on Facebook, LinkedIn or via email at bert@percussa.com.

I'm happy to answer all your questions about AudioCubes and consider your feature requests for the AudioCubes software :-)

Bert Schiettecatte"

Percussa releases new IMPROVISOR, updates MIDIBridge to v3.1

via Percussa

"Hi everyone, it's Bert here, the designer and inventor of the Percussa AudioCubes.

I'm very proud to announce a new version of IMPROVISOR, the generative MIDI Sequencer for AudioCubes.

The new version is built into MIDIBridge and is no longer a standalone application. You can find the updated MIDIBridge 3.1 with IMPROVISOR mode in the download section on our site. For the full story continue reading below :-)

For those of you who don't know IMPROVISOR, it's a MIDI sequencer that lets you compose generative music using AudioCubes.

The way it works is you first program velocity and semitone patterns into the sequencer, which then plays these back. Velocity and semitone steps are combined together with a root note to generate notes. The semistone steps are relative so they can be reused with different root notes.

The power of IMPROVISOR comes with linking the patterns to the AudioCubes: each cube is linked to its own semitone and velocity pattern, and when cubes detect each other, the semitone patterns will add up, giving rise to totall new patterns!

When you turn cubes placed next to each other, different velocity patterns will be used with the semitone patterns. You can also configure cubes as leaders or followers, which gives you control over which semitone patterns will be added up and which won't.

Many generative sequencers end up generating totally random results which are hard to use in practice, let alone perform live. IMPROVISOR was designed to let you start with easy to understand step sequencing, and then turn your programmed sequences into elements which can be generatively "remixed" using the AudioCubes, all live and in real time!

To learn more about IMPROVISOR mode in MIDIBridge 3.1, check out our manual. You can download MIDIBridge 3.1 in the downloads section on our website.

Development notes on this IMPROVISOR release

IMPROVISOR started as a Max/MSP patch, and was then first released as a standalone Max/MSP application a few years ago. After much feedback from AudioCube users I decided to turn it into a C++ application, about a year ago, and make it part of MIDIBridge.

By making it part of MIDIBridge, we were able to increase the speed and performance and add support for up to 16 cubes. We were also able to give IMPROVISOR access to all the other features in MIDIBridge such as MIDI clock sync. And by integrating IMPROVISOR into MIDIBridge it also instantly works with the Wireless AudioCubes PRO we released the past weeks!

IMPROVISOR was the first application to be integrated into MIDIBridge. I'm planning to integrate our other applications into MIDIBridge as well, such as the upcoming SYNTHOR, our digital modular synthesizer. This way you only need to update one application, MIDIBridge."

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"

Percussa XMX - powerful new eurorack module in a smaller form factor, and lower price.

video upload by TheTechnobear

You can find the announcement post here.

"In this video we look at the new eurorack module from Percussa,
the new little brother/sister to their powerful SSP.
coming in a smaller form factor, thats lighter on your wallet.

what can it do? ... why am I so excited about it :) "

0:00 Intro
0:54 Hardware overview
2:44 Software
2:53 Percussa Synthor
3:25 Trax Overview
4:34 Trax Walkthru
5:43 Track and module view
6:55 Performance parameters
8:43 Midi learn
11:00 How to patch?
11:20 Load, Save, Init presets
12:00 Create a patch, loading a module
13:30 Connecting module to jack inputs
14:22 load another module
14:45 connecting its inputs and outputs
16:53 Summing up