Kilpatrick AudioK4815 Pattern Generator
"Eurorack CV and MIDI Pattern Generator - 20HP
As its premier offering in the modular synthesizer world, the K4815 Pattern Generator by Kilpatrick Audio packs incredible power into a small 20HP Eurorack module that offers virtually unlimited creative potential for modular players. The K4815 can produce notes and varying control voltages for a wide range of musical applications. Its unique approach to music creation is sure to have you finding new melodies and rhythms never heard before. Unlike a step sequencer, where the player picks each note in a sequence, the K4815 creates sequences by combining a scale, a visual pattern (as shown on the display) and a sequence playback motion to determine the rhythms and notes that are actually played. Other parameters can adjust the note and sequence length, as well as the transposition, direction of playback, and so on.
The K4815 is fully analog and MIDI compatible. The MIDI interface is available on an internal connector and will be compatible with the upcoming K1600 MIDI Converter from Kilpatrick Audio. (for MIDI pinouts and DIY circuit advice, contact Kilpatrick Audio) The analog connections support three inputs for connecting analog clock, and analog control of the playback direction and pattern playback reset. The CV and GATE outputs are high performance analog outputs for controlling VCOs and envelope generators. High quality 12-bit DACs ensure accurate tuning, and jumper selectable voltage offset and trimming are provided internally to allow integration with most modular equipment.
But notes are not the only thing that can be produced with the K4815. In the alternate X/Y mode, varying voltages are produced on both the CV/X OUT and GATE/Y OUT. By using the X/Y mode, the playback position creates varying voltages and MIDI control changes which can be used as a source of modulation.
The essence of any sequencer is the clock. The K4815 has a high stability internal clock which can generate a wide range of tempos. The unit also supports analog (5V) clock on the CLOCK IN connector or MIDI clock. When the internal or analog clock is used, MIDI signals are generated automatically, making the system a useful MIDI clock generator or converter.
Pattern Generation Concept
New ways of creating melodies and control signals help to break new ground in music and sound. The K4815 helps you explore new melodies and rhythms using a unique concept of generating patterns. Unlike random pattern generators or ones based on various mathematical concepts, the K4815 bases its music-making foundation on simple scales, visually-designed patterns, and intellectually-designed motions. These three elements can be controlled by the player in realtime to create an enormous variety of sounds. And it is done in a visual way that is fun to use. Everything happens on the 8x8 LED matrix, which is both a visual indicator and a conceptual view of how the system works internally. Scales, patterns and motions are all mapped to points on the matrix, which show in realtime exactly what is happening.
The K4815 concept can be thought of as three distinct layers:
* Scales - Underneath the 8x8 LED matrix are the notes which are assigned to each of the 64 points on the grid. The selected scale can be major or minor, large or small. These are selected with the TONALITY and SPAN switches. Only four choices might seem like a limitation, but what happens on the other two layers ultimately affects the rhythms and melodies that are produced.
* Patterns - Patterns are visually designed icons, symbols and patterns which define which notes will play. They are shown in the background at all times. There are 32 patterns which can be selected with the PATTERN TYPE knob. If a point on the 8x8 LED matrix is lit, the underlying scale note is active. If the playback ball lands on that point, its note will play.
* Motions - Motions define how a sequence is played. Each motion defines up to 64 steps in a sequence. Each step can land on any of the points on the 8x8 LED matrix. If a step lands on a point which is lit, a note will play. There are 64 different motions, some sequential and musically-designed, and others more abstract or geometrically-designed. By using MIDI it is possible transpose the scale, and also to start and stop motion playback with note commands, changing the K4815 into a special type of auto-arpeggiator.
Features and Specs
* Eurorack (3U) form factor - 20HP width
* 64 LED (8x8) multi-brightness grid to show patterns and playback
* Clock control via internal clock, or MIDI or analog (5V) clock
* Clock, direction and reset inputs (0V/5V = off/on)
* CV/GATE or X/Y outputs are -5V to +5V or 0-10V (jumper selectable)
* High-precision 12-bit DACs with internal trim adjustment
* Internal MIDI header compatible with future Kilpatrick Audio modules or DIY breakout boards
* Only 30mm deep (including ribbon cables)
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* Requires +/-12V (K1600 MIDI Converter"Eurorack MIDI Converter- 12HP
The combination of MIDI and analog offers the modular synth player incredible flexibility and control. Although analog voltages are the preferred method for carrying many kinds of signals, MIDI offers powerful integration with computers and a wide variety of controllers, keyboards and other equipment. The K1600 MIDI Converter provides 10 outputs in the analog domain. Two pairs of CV and gate outputs provide high resolution note control, four trigger outputs allow analog drum modules to be used with MIDI drum machines, and the clock and reset outputs enable MIDI control over analog clock-based devices such as sequencers.
Polyphonic Control
If you are looking for a way to control two or more oscillators via MIDI for playing big fat analog chords, the K1600 can take you there. Its two CV/gate outputs can work in split keyboard or duo-phonic mode. But if you install multiple K1600s in your system, you can support 4, 6, 8 or more voices of polyphony simply by daisy-chaining the modules together. The intelligent voice-priority algorithm makes multiple units behave as one. So stop thinking of modular synthesis as monophonic... polyphony is closer than you think!
Expansion
The K1600 also acts as an expansion module for other Kilpatrick Audio modular products which support the internal MIDI header. This includes the K4815 Pattern Generator, which contains a full MIDI implementation in addition to the existing analog connections.
Features and Specs (Preliminary)
* Eurorack (3U) form factor - 12HP width
* MIDI to CV, gate, trigger and clock converter
* Provides MIDI expansion for other Kilpatrick Audio modules
* MIDI soft-thru for daisy-chaining multiple units
* Quick programming with MIDI learn function
* Multi-channel and split-keyboard support for independant control of different outputs
* Polyphonic CV/gate output - duophonic support with a single K1600
* Polyphonic mode with 4, 6, 8, etc. voices using multiple K1600s
* CV pitch bend support
* Four drum trigger outputs with configurable pulse width
* Continuous controllers (CC) mappable to any CV, gate or trigger output
* MIDI clock to analog (5V) clock and reset outputs for driving sequencers
* Trigger, gate, clock, reset outputs: 0V / 5V (positive edge triggered)
* CV outputs: -5V to +5V, 1V/octave, trimmable - high precision power supply and 12 bit DACs ensure tuning stability
* Program-change control over various modes
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* Requires +/-12V ("The revolutionary Striptease™ ribbon controller allowed unparalleled expression for both guitar and synth players. New pedal models from Kilpatrick Audio are designed to support the Striptease™ as an expression input. The Striptease™ also works as a Roland EV-5 compatible expression controller and has the same electrical specs as the Roland EV-5 expression pedal. Plug it into a synthesizer or a compatible Kilpatrick Audio pedal for momentary finger-activated control.Comes included with the following Kilpatrick Audio pedal models:
* Kill Switch
* more coming soon!
Features and Specs
* Length - 100mm (shown) or 300mm Touch-sensitive Ribbon Controller - other lengths available by special order
* Compatibility - Compatible with specially-designed pedals from Kilpatrick Audio, or Roland EV-5 expression pedal inputs.
* Cable - Comes complete with 12' cable with 1/4" TRS connector.
* Response and Resolution - Normally open, momentary action with infinite touch-resolution.
* Accessories - Includes Velcro™ for attachment to instruments as well as cable straps for cable management."
Nice finger. Be sure to see Kilpatrick Audio for more of what they have to offer.
