Microrack is a new analog modular Synthesizer built on a breadboard aiming to be super affordable and portable. It is now on Kickstarter.
Learning modular synthesis in hardware can be very expensive. A small rack can easily cost 1000€ or more. For several years, the German company Tangible Waves and its AE Modular have shown that hardware modular synthesis can be cheaper. It is significantly smaller but has the same options.
At the Superbooth 24, a company showed a new system that promises to be even more accessible and cheaper. The project is now on Kickstarter.
Microrack
This is about the Microrack. Yes, not Eurorack, but the micro version. The developers behind the platform aim to make modular synthesis affordable, portable, and accessible to everyone.
To achieve this, a different approach was chosen. Instead of cases or classic modules, a classic breadboard is the center of every system on which small “modules” are attached. I have a little Korg littleBits flashback, hehe.
Microrack is a complete modular Synthesizer that is just as customizable as the larger versions. You can personalize your setup and combine it with anything you can imagine. So you can design a standalone synth, a drone synth, or an effects processor, or even integrate it with other systems like Eurorack.
An exciting point is that the whole system is Eurorack compatible, community-driven, and open-source. So, in addition to the commercial set of modules, we can expect new releases from the community.
The modules included in this Kickstarter will be analog: VCO/LFO, filter, utilities, in/out modules, Lo-Fi delay, and more. They offer a rich, warm sound that digital synths can’t replicate, promise the devs.
Digital Power
Analog is one part of the Microrack cosmos. The Digital ESP32 Pro module also opens the door for digital adventures. For example, it can connect any MIDI device with the system out of the box.
They also plan to release additional firmware updates to support TouchOSC and MaxMSP import. There are also plans for USB Audio Interface support, a digital step sequencer with real-time web GUI, and more.
You come from Eurorack and want to try it. No problem. The developers have designed a neat rack chassis add-on that quickly converts your Micorrack into a standard Eurorack synth, compatible with power and voltage levels.
They will supply every rack chassis with 4x3.5mm Jack Converter modules, which will give you 12 signal channels out of the box.
The developers also focus on portability, along with accessibility, affordability, and sound. For this reason, they made the Microrack very slim and compact so that it fits in any bag.
Plus, USB-C powers the unit, giving you the flexibility to use it in the studio with conventional power and for outside jams with a power bank.
First Impression
It is an exciting project with many cool ideas. Tangible Waves has already taken a welcome step forward with the AE Modular to make modular synthesis more accessible, especially in terms of price. I hope this will be just as successful.
I will follow it with interest, especially regarding how the modules expand and how active the community will be—two important factors in such a community-driven project. It’s a project to keep an eye on.
You can support the Microrack campaign now on Kickstarter. The Synth Start Kit, for example, costs $119, and the full kit $399.
More information here: official website / Kickstarter
Nifty! Very noisy I bet, but nifty!
Nifty but not noisy at all!
We use high quality op-amps and headphone preamps and sound is very clear, completely quiet when you want it, super powerful given its modularity despite size and price.
Our CTO, Andrew, was previously Flipper Zero CTO, so all of our electronics is well designed.
Check out our instagrams https://instagram.com/microrack.synth to get impressions on sound and, btw, music for our Kickstarter trailer was recorded on MICRORACK 🙂
See you at our campaign!
cooooooooooooooooooooool