Qu-Bit Electronix Nautilus, a new stereo delay module with 8 fully customizable delay lines made for deep oceanic sonic explorers.
US-based Eurorack company Qu-Bit Electronix loves digital modules and developing innovative algorithms. Their modules are packed with interesting functions covering a huge sound spectrum. In addition, the current ones are open-source, giving other developers the opportunity to design other alternative firmware versions.
After the Aurora reverb, there is now a stereo delay called Nautilus with which you can discover the fascinating oceanic worlds.
Inspired by the ocean and oceanic exploration, Nautilus’ name is directly derived from the fictional submarine in iconic French writer Jules Verne’s timeless classic science fiction novel Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, so — much like said novel’s Captain Nemo
Qu-Bit Electronix Nautilus
Nautilus is a powerful digital stereo delay consisting of eight unique delay lines with unique explorative connection and synchronization options. According to Qu-Bit, it’s inspired by sub-nautical communications and their interaction with the environment.
The Nautilus core features are pretty classic: you get an internal clock with tap tempo or external clock options including controls for its resolution (division/multiplication), feedback parameter for the number of repeats… And of course, these are also CV controllable.
Qu-Bit Electronix says that Nautilus’ ambition is found in exploration, finding ways in which sound travels and interacts within the aquatic world. For this, they have designed an engine that goes far beyond what a classic stereo delay can do. More precisely, the module gives you the option not only to manipulate the entire delay effect but also independent delay lines.
There are eight co-dependent delay lines – four per stereo channel occurring simultaneously with up to 20 seconds of audio each, and tempo-synced control over the spacing between the delays. Nautilus hosts sensors and dispersal functions that take your delay lines into unique, complex delayscapes. Basically, each delay line is itself a single delay within the network with different manipulation options (reverse…)
Effected Delay Lines
To give the user even more options to make the delays sound like they are from the deep ocean, there is a unique effect section aka chromatic and depth receptors. They made for “emulating the varying aquatic materials and terrain that Neuilus’ sonar passes through with digital interferences and more.
You can choose between different filters (lowpass, highpass), distortion, and coloring effects, including a customizable bitcrusher, saturator, or for more wild explorations a built-in wavefolder. Each effect can be independently applied to the delay lines. This allows you to create multi-layer of effect delay lines with either full control through the interface or CV.
Then, Nautilus benefits from a rich amount of stereo feedback characteristics, including ping-pong style delay, cascading delays, Adrift, doppler delays, pitch-shift, shimmer, faded delays, and more. Lots to explore. There is also a neat freezing function for the delay lines.
More Is More
In addition to the absurd number of ways to manipulate the delay lines, you can also use Nautilus as a modulation source using the pings from the delay network or the generated topography. Further, it has two fully-customizable attenuverters that are either useable as attenuverters or as controls for other functions. Via the USB port, you can configure these freely.
Plus, the sonar output creates another algorithmic-generated CV or gate signal. That can be envelope followers, triggers, additive modulation, and more. And as icing on the cake: the module is open-source and therefore completely customizable. That means you can also add new functions or create entirely new firmware versions.
The beautifully designed user interface offers intuitive and full control. With 6 control knobs, 4 buttons, 4 CV potentiometers, buttons, and many inputs/outputs.
At first glance, this looks like a huge stereo delay module. I’m curious how easy it is to use. The first sound demos are available on the Qu-Bit website and they sound very promising. Off into the deep ocean and let’s look for the sound Nemo, right?
Qu-Bit Electronix will be available on October 6, 2022, and is ready for pre-order for an MSRP of $399 USD. With each Nautilus purchase, Qu-Bit will transfer a portion of the proceeds towards ocean and coastal conservation through the Surfrider Foundation.
More information here: Qu-Bit Electronix
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