Jasmine & Olive Trees Doppler is a new multi-functional module for Eurorack where you can swap the firmware by simply laying a different overlay on top of it.
Several modules can change the firmware. Expert Sleepers Disting and Noise Engineering Versio Platform are just a couple of examples. Many of these multi-purpose modules require additional tools like a USB connection and a bootloader to do this.
A young developer company from Barcelona is doing it smarter. Jasmine & Olive Trees has introduced Doppler, a multi-functional module where firmware swapping is as hands-on as turning a knob on the module.
Jasmine & Olive Trees Doppler
Doppler joins the ranks of multi-function modules available on the Eurorack market. However, it does something fundamentally different: changing firmware is incredibly easy.
According to Jasmine & Olive Trees, Doppler changes its firmware not by connecting a USB cable but by laying a different overlay on top of it. No computer with USB connections, no reflashing, nothing to unscrew, promises the developer.
Domingo, the developer, also says this is unprecedented. I believe that too. The module is based on their own DSP platform.
The main firmware “Doppler” is a unique percussion module. It turns any audio source (oscillator, sample, synth voice…) into percussive sounds. It’s a delay-line pitch processor that reshapes your input into kicks, snares, hi-hats, and more unusual stuff.
A trigger resets the read head so it sweeps down to a target depth, and out comes that falling-pitch kick. The module has four main controls: attack, decay, amount, and mod that lets you sweep/morph through different percussive sounds.
Every CV input takes audio-rate modulation, so you can push it somewhere genuinely chaotic if you want to.
Swap It
Buy one get four personalities. Doppler is one engine, but Jasmine & Olive Trees ships the module with three overlays that give three more engines: Door, Rubin, and Lichen.
Door is a stereo lowpass gate that listens and adapts its response depending on: how fast you trigger it, what pitch you feed in, and how high the level of your gates is. With its four controls, you can achieve percussive instruments that sound more organic and physical.
Rubin turns it into a stereo ADSR VCA and VCF combo module, while Lichen, the fourth firmware, turns the module into a dual attack-decay envelope and VCA.
All four firmware are built on their J&OT DSP platform. The developer says that there will be more firmware available in the future that you can load over USB with its web tool.
So no extra hardware needed. It currently appears that it is not possible to design custom firmware.
First Impression
I like the multi-functional module. I’m a big fan of the Noise Engineering version. What annoyed me a bit, though, was the constant USB plugging and unplugging to load new firmware, which really breaks the flow.
The ability to change the appearance using faceplates is a great idea. I’d even buy individual faceplates to take advantage of this feature.
Jasmine & Olive Trees Doppler is available now for $269/267,77€ from their official store (shipping from Barcelona) and from retailers.
More information here: Jasmine & Olive Trees
Available from my partner
What a wonderful approach! Imagine if this became a standard….