Bela Trails, announced at Superbooth 2025, is a polyphonic touch recorder for CV and MIDI and the evolution of the popular Gliss module.
At Superbooth 2025, Bela unveiled Trials, the evolution of the super popular Gliss touch controller. In my opinion, the news got somewhat lost amidst the sheer volume of new SB 25 releases.
However, I was glad I’d managed to do the extra steps almost at the very end of Superbooth 2025. After almost a year, the news has finally arrived that the Bela Trails is in production and will be released in June 2026. Pre-orders are now open.
Bela Trails
Trails is a polyphonic touch recorder and the evolution/big brother of the Bela Gliss module. It consists of a 85 x 85 mm multitouch capacitive touchpad with shine-through LEDs and a 10 × 85 mm capacitive slider à la Gliss with shine-though LEDs
Thanks to CV and MIDI support, the controller can be used with Eurorack and classic MIDI hardware and software.
Unlike Gliss, Trails features four channels on each you can record gestures of up to 40 seconds. These gestures are fully customizable. For example, you can quantise CV and gate signals perfect for melodic and tempo-synced output.
Clock divider and multiplier are also onboard so each channel can be used in different musical ways. You can also perform with the recorded gestures by manipulating the playback position, speed and loop points on the fly.
It’s also possible to dynamically offset gesture playback. Gestures can create melodic, harmonic, and even rhythmic content.
Another highlight are the built-in macro touch faders, allowing you control multiple parameters using them. You can interpolate between eight banks of eight touch faders. All these settings can be stored and recall up from 16 scenes.
Connectivity
The Bela Trails module can be seen as four Gliss modules, but on steroids. Also in terms of connectivity. You get per channel X and Y CV outputs plus a gate output all with customizable voltage ranges.
Further, you get a per-channel CV input for modulation and reset. Plus, it also has a main clock input and MIDI TRS connectivity. A USB-C port is on the back for additional USB-MIDI connectivity.
Trails is not only flexible to use with CV and MIDI, it can also be flexibly arranged in a case. The developers have divided Trails into two modules.
The main module with the touch pads, CV ins and controls are available on a big 22HP module while the outputs and MIDI TRS is available either on a 4HP (3U) or 22HP (1U) module.
First Impression
The Trails module was one of my highlights in the Eurorack section of Superbooth 2025, as it allows for very performant and hands-on modular playability. It also opens up new possibilities for animating parameters in new ways.
It took longer than expected, but I’m happy to see that it will be delivered soon.
Bela Trails is available now for pre-order for 465€ including VAT. Trails is currently in production and the first batch will start shipping in June 2026.
More information here: Bela
Article from May 14, 2025
The first steps in the Eurorack world are assembling voices from oscillators, filters, etc. Once you’ve done that, you’ll want to interact with them to create music. Many innovative modules have emerged in recent years, introducing new ways to interact with sounds via CV or triggers.
The Bela Gliss module is very popular and is seen in many setups. It’s an eye-catching touch controller with various functions, including a CV recorder, an LFO, and more. At Superbooth 2025, Bela unveiled Trails, the evolution of the Gliss touch controller.
First Look
Trails is the evolution of the popular Bela touch controller. Don’t worry—it won’t replace the module; it’s just a continuation of the concept.
Unlike Gliss, Trails features four freely configurable channels. The module’s unique feature is not only its multiple channels but also its extension of the concept into two dimensions.
Whereas Gliss allowed you to swipe from left to right and vice versa, you can use an X/Y pad to capture parameter movements here by drawing in paths. They can be up to 20 seconds long (possibly 30 seconds in the future) and are free running.
Each channel works independently but can be synced to the other channels anytime. They can also be triggered in a one-shot mode like envelopes.
Bela Trails also allows you to apply sample and hold to the paths and divide them into steps. In this case, you get a gate signal for each step on the dedicated gate output. It also features a built-in quantizer for the X/Y pad with various selectable scales.
Another unique feature of the Bela Trails is the playhead view mode, where you can shift each playhead’s phase, giving you unique modulation signals for polyrhythmic material.
Neat, you can save the paths/loops in 16 recallable slots in the module’s internal memory. According to the developer, you can configure the voltage range of each channel output with minimum and maximum values.
On the connection side, each channel has CV outputs for the X and Y axes and a gate output. Each channel also has CV inputs, and you get a global clock input.
Earily Impression
Superbooth 2025 brought many new products. The Trials 2D touch controller is one of my absolute highlights this year. I’ve been a fan of Gliss for a long time, and this module takes it to a new level. It’s also very eye-catching and inspiring.
Bela Trails will be available in October 2025 for around 400€ (official price TBA).
More information here: Bela
Bela products are available here:
That is sweet. Right now, I’ve been using the Erica Black Joystick 2 for XY loops but I have been looking for something with a little more depth. Thankfully, there are a lot more options for XY touchpads now. Trails seems like a good option. Patience pays off!