Audio Enjoyer XR-1 is a new upcoming groovebox with a built-in 909-style drum sequencer, sampling, and synths powered by a Teensy 4.1
Next Saturday, Machina Bristronica, a synth event, will take place in Bristol (UK). Over 100 manufacturers are expected to arrive from all over the world. Synth news can be expected on this day from many small and perhaps larger developers.
On Saturday, Audio Enjoyer will present the prototype of its groovebox XR-1. The developer gives a first look at Reddit.
XR-1
According to Audio Enjoyer, the XR-1 will be a new groovebox with a built-in Teensy 4.1 microcontroller that powers its core. It can be found in many exciting synth projects of recent years, such as the DirtyWave M8 (Teensy 4.0).
XR-1 will feature 16 tracks per pattern and has drum machine, sampling, and synthesis elements. The tracks are monophonic, and each can host a sample sound, MIDI data, or CV. The first four tracks can also be used as four monophonic synth voices. No polyphony. Audio Enjoyer says it’s not yet fixed, but he is considering adding a polyphonic layer option where you can play the sounds in poly but with voice stealing.
Synths, Drums, & Sampling
The Synthesizer part is still in development. So, the prototype for the Machina Bristronica features a simple 2-oscillator subtractive synth. Audio Enjoyer, however, promises a deeper engine for the release.
There is also a sample part that can capture sounds (sampling) via the stereo input and playback samples from the microSD card. It supports mono RAW and stereo WAV files, and the mono samples can be looped. For the sample storage, it uses a micro-SD card to store/recall audio samples and project data.
It is not known whether there are plans to install drum engines. However, the XR-1 can also be used as a drum machine using sample content. Effects will also be available in the final product. Right now, the prototype doesn’t offer effects, but the developer plans to add basic effects that won’t impact voice allocation.
The built-in sequencer will be a 909-style, where each step has the states OFF, ON, or accented. The unit can hold 16 banks, 16 patterns per bank, and 16 tracks per pattern. Each track has up to 64 steps. Then, you can work with four performance modes (tap, mute, solo, ratchet), and with a song arrangement mode.
With track layers, the developer will make tracks more flexible and multi-faceted. Here, you will find a variation layer that gives you a different set of steps for example, and this variation can be toggled while pattern playing. With a stack layer, you can layer sounds (synth, samples) so they play simultaneously on the same track. These are not yet ready but are still in conceptualization and development.
Connectivity
On the back, you can find a stereo in/out, a 5-pin DIN MIDI I/O, 4 pairs of CV/gate outputs giving you 8 CV/gate outs with a +10V range, and a USB port. Audio Enjoyer plans to add USB audio in the future. A USB host would be nice as an extra on it.
The groovebox is playable with a built-in capacitive touch keyboard great for setting notes to steps, playing while gaming, using ratchets, and more. Plus, you get 18 classic click buttons and an OLED display.
First Impression
At first glance, an exciting new groovebox. I like the layout of the XR-1. I’m curious to see how the engine will evolve in the next few months.
Audio Enjoyer will showcase the XR-1 at the Machina Bristronica festival in Bristol on Saturday (September 30th). The developer will launch a signup page later this month.
More information here: Reddit
Price?