Kaona Sisyphus is a unique multimode granular filter for Eurorack; firmware 2.0 is out now with new features, including 14 new granular patterns
Last year, Kaona introduced the Sisyphus granular filter. Unlike Klavis Grainy, this one is digital and takes a different approach. I received a demo at SynthFest France 2025.
To mark its first anniversary, Gilles is giving Sisyphus a firmware update, version 2.0, with new features.
Kaona Sisyphus 2.0
Sisyphus 2.0 is a free update for existing users that brings a major expansion of its granular engine.
A unique feature of Sisyphus is that the grains and their behavior are organized into predefined patterns. In firmware 2.0, you can explore 14 all-new granular patterns. Each has its own personality and sonic behavior, and is fully adjustable.
You can shape the patterns through pitch shifts, detuning, chords, grain reversal, stereo movement, unstable repetitions, and increased grain density. This wide range of shaping options allows you to manipulate the patterns in different directions.
The engine also has a variability knob that lets you adjust the strength of the effects specific to each pattern.
In firmware 2.0, this knob has gained more power. Instead of just an intensity knob, it now influences multiple aspects of each pattern. This includes the depth, complexity, tuning, grain distribution, direction, and spectral behaviour.
The latest update also introduces a new algorithm: Follow. According to Kaona, it has smoother filter transitions, fewer glitches, wider stereo possibilities, and more organic movement in cutoff and resonance.
Gilles of Kaona also said that the engine has been expanded in general to enable more detailed work on the sound itself. He promises richer interactions between granulation and filtering, more lively modulation, more distinctive behaviours, and more.
A demo for the new firmware 2.0 is not yet available.
It’s great to see the Sisyphus module being pushed further in its capabilities. I will try to make a video about the update at SynthFest France 2026.
Kaona Sisyphus 2.0 update is a free update for existing users. Sisyphus is available now for $659/492€.
Available from my partner
Update from May 2, 2025
In February, Gilles from Kaona announced Sisyphus, a stereo granular Filter, an innovative processor that applies granular synthesis to the filter. It is not a classic granular processor, or a granular process where a filter is routed before or after it.
The developer emphasizes that the concept is not comparable to the Klavis Grainity granular filter. Sisyphus can produce unique filtering effects from smooth texture to glitchy stuff. Here is my first look video from SynthFest France 2025
Article from February 10, 2025
For the Synthesizer world to evolve, we need new synthesis options and ways of manipulating sounds beyond the classic subtractive elements. Innovative concepts appear every year.
For example, Belgian developer Klavis introduced Grainity in 2023, a module that combines granular synthesis with filtering. A form of filter that has never existed before. Kaona from France shows his take on a granular filter with the upcoming Sisyphus module.
Kaona Sisyphus
Sisyphus melts a granular engine and a palette of eight original filters in a new 24HP Eurorack module. Both granular and filter elements are fully editable on the front panel interface.
Kaona takes a different approach to the Sisyphus than Klavis does to the Grainity, making it difficult to compare the two. For example, Grainity is mono, and Sisyphus is stereo.
You can route your signals in the module via the stereo input (L/R). From there, they are continuously sampled and segmented into buffers. Kaona explains that each segment is analyzed, filtered, and then extracted to become a grain.
Like in a traditional granular processor, you can tweak the grains in detail, including their length, the interval between them, their density, and more.
Exciting here is the pattern knob that organizes grains in pre-defined, adjustable patterns. You can switch between various scenarios of how grains are organized internally.
Unique Granular Filtering
Then, the filter comes into play, and it’s not placed right behind the granular processor. It’s more unique and is part of the granular engine.
According to Kaona, the Sisyphus stereo filter is integrated into the grain-generation process. Each grain carries the filtering characteristics the musician defines and will be combined with others according to evolving configurable patterns.
The module features many colorful, original filters. Kaona promises that these are developed in-house without using typical filter libraries. You can choose between 12dB lowpass, highpass, and bandpass modes and notch, peak, comb, Karplus Strong, and Moog-style Ladder filter modes.
Kaona Sisyphus has four CV inputs, allowing you to control the four main parameters with CV: grain length, density, cutoff, and resonance. Good, you can modify this using an external file on an SD card. So, you can assign other parameters to the CV input. Plus, you can adjust the LED brightness and more.
So far, there is only a tiny sound demo where you can get a first impression of the module’s sound.
First Impression
I like it when developers try out new ideas. Sisyphus is just such a module. At first, I thought it would go the same route as Klavis Grainity, but the concept is different. How versatile and inspiring this combination of granular and filter will be here remains to be seen in other sound demos and deeper tests.
Kaona Sisyphus is available now for pre-order with a 20% OFF early-bird offer for 393,60€. The regular price is 492€, and the module will start shipping in March 2025.
More information here: Kaona
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