Erica Synths expands EDU DIY series with a new 5-step Sequencer module

April 21, 2022 Synth Anatomy Eurorack, Hardware, News 0

Erica Synths has expanded its new series of EDU DIY modules in collaboration with Moritz Klein with a new clever 5-step sequencer module.

With the new EDU DIY module series, Erica Synths has teamed up with musician/YouTuber Moritz Klein to create a new DIY experience. Each DIY kit is delivered with a very lovingly designed, detailed manual where you get to know the basics of circuits and components. In this way, you get to know the theory and can later implement it in the soldering module.

The latest module in this super affordable educative series is a 5-step sequencer for Eurorack.

We – Erica Synths and Moritz Klein – have developed a series of educational DIY kits under the brand name mki x es.EDU with one specific goal in mind: to teach people with little-to-no prior experience how to design analog synthesizer circuits from scratch. What you’ll find in the box is not simply meant to be soldered together and then disappear in your rack.

Instead, we want to take you through the circuit design process step by step, explaining every choice we’ve made and how it impacts the finished module.

Erica Synths EDU DIY Sequencer

The new EDU DIY is a 5-step cv/gate sequencer. 5 steps is a bit unusual for a sequencer, but it’s more versatile than you might think. It has 5 steps with adjustable sequence length, per step gate status, and output range. The notes/CV levels are set by 5 knobs without a quantization option. Each step gives a gate switch which determines whether that step will output a gate signal or not.

Then, on the top left, you find a switch that lets you bring the step count down to 4 or 3 steps. Another switch on the bottom allows you to change the CV range to program easier sequences. The sequencer runs either with an internal clock with a dedicated rate knob or you can clock it with the CLK IN socket.

Further, you find on the CV connection side: a clock output for routing the clock to other modules, a reset input that sends the sequence back to step 1 whenever it receives a pulse, and CV/gate outputs. A simple sequencer module in my opinion with some interesting add-ons. According to the developers, it also works as a waveshaper when clocked at audio rate.

EDU DIY Range

This is already the 5th module in this new EDU DIY range in collaboration with Moritz Klein. There is already a VCO, VCA, case, and an envelope. It’s slowly growing into a compact, powerful beginner-friendly system.

More new DIY sets will be released in the coming weeks and months. Erica Synths decided instead of releasing everything immediately, to release a new kit every 4-6 weeks. A nice idea in my opinion.