Kaona

Notes: Random rhythm generator

Joey is a Eurorack module that generates random gate sequences. It is the offspring of Skippy (Kaona's polyrhythmic sequencer), without simply copying it: it's a very straightforward module that provides unexpected yet controllable sequences.

It offers three main modes:

Random

For random triggers controlled by an internal speed or an external clock.

Fractal

A unique algorithm sprinkled with 5% chaos, creating evolving and surprising patterns.

Euclid

Generates four different Euclidean patterns for complex and evolving rhythms.

Each mode has three adjustable parameters set via a clickable encoder: speed, a mode-specific parameter (probability, fractal root, or Euclidean pattern), and gate length. An external gate input can take over to synchronize speed. A PLAY/STOP button instantly suspends or restarts the gates.

Specifications

Width: 6 HP

Power Consumption:
+12 V: 50 mA
-12 V: 0 mA
+5 V: 0 mA

Depth: 28 mm

Supplied with power cable and Knurlies

Notes: Mûmack is built from a temperature-stabilized analog source producing the three classic waveforms: triangle, saw, rectangle. This basic signal can be altered or enriched in several ways, which can be combined with each other, and associated with one VCA per mode.

Peak Compressor:
In the central position the signal is not modified. Turning the potentiometer to the right or to the left will compress the signal positively or negatively. It is this signal that will then feed Usual, Mûm and Hack. An LFO is dedicated to the compressor, controllable in speed and amplitude. A CV input with attenuator can also control the compressor.

USUAL:
The three waveforms are freely mixable, a CV input and a potentiometer can change the shape of the rectangle wave (PWM). The compressor intervening upstream, it can strongly influence the final form and the amplitude of USUAL. This produces complex analog waveforms, moving in time with the LFO or the CV input. The linear potentiometer makes it possible to mix the signal with the others, and to dose the volume of the direct output. The rotary potentiometer acts as an attenuator for the VCA input.

MÛM:
The Waveform potentiometer move the waveform of Mûm continuously from a attenuated triangle to a more pronounced triangle, then to a sinusoid and finally to a square wave. An LFO allows you to add a vibrato adjustable in speed and amplitude. The linear potentiometer makes it possible to mix the signal with the others, and to dose the volume of the direct output. The rotary potentiometer acts as an attenuator for the VCA input.

HACK:
Mûm's signal is taken up in a Wavefolder + compressor. Depending on the settings of the Peak compressor, and the three LFOs, we obtain complex, moving, organic waveforms. Again the linear potentiometer allows to mix the signal with the others, and to adjust the volume of the direct output. The rotary potentiometer acts as an attenuator for the VCA input.

ALL:
The three channel (Usual, Mûm, Hack) are mixed and brought together in a single output. The output volume is adjustable and a CV input with attenuator works like a VCA.

MIXER & VCA
The voltages produced by Mûmack, as is the case with many analog VCOs, can be high. The mixer allows them to be attenuated if necessary. Each of the three channels, and the product of the three, can be controlled by the VCA, with attenuator. The VCA is designed to add distortion at high values. The mixer is exponential for more subtle adjustments in low values.

Dimensions
30 HP
40 mm deep

Current Draw
155 mA +12V
155 mA -12V
0 mA 5V

Notes: Super versatile granular filtering. Incoming sounds are granulated, then processed with eight contrasting filters. Hands-on and CV controls allow you to manipulate and modulate the output.

Supplier's Notes:
Sisyphus is built around a granular engine and a palette of eight original filters. Its granular system allows multiple grains to coexist within a single stereo audio stream, where they combine and interact with each other.

This filter is based on a comprehensive granular approach to sound: rather than a granular engine followed by a filter, it offers true integration of filtering into the grain-generation process. Each generated grain carries the filtering characteristics defined by the musician and will be combined with other grains according to evolving, configurable patterns.

These filters have been developed entirely from scratch in-house, without using typical filter libraries, so they each have their own unique color for you to explore!

Filters

Lowpass: Attenuates high frequencies above the cutoff frequency. 12 dB/oct slope.
Highpass: Attenuates low frequencies below the cutoff frequency. 12 dB/oct slope.
Bandpass: Lets through a band of frequencies around the cutoff frequency. 12 dB/oct slope.
Notch: Dips around the cutoff frequency while letting the rest of the spectrum pass through.
Peak: Boosts the band around the cutoff frequency while allowing the rest of the spectrum to pass without a drastic cut.
Comb: Creates a series of cancellations and resonances based on an internal delay and feedback.
Karplus (Karplus-Strong: Simulates the vibration of a string or looping resonance by combining a short delay, feedback, and damping.
Ladder: Inspired by Moog-style analogue filters, with four stages in cascade. Features a steep slope (24 dB/oct) and a distinctive resonance that can reach self-oscillation.

Filter Controls

Cutoff (Cutoff Frequency):Defines the filter's cutoff frequency or center frequency (depending on filter type), ranging from 10 Hz to 20 kHz.

Resonance: Emphasises frequencies near the cutoff frequency, from a slight bump up to the edge of self-oscillation.

Feedback: Re-injects part of the output back into the filter input.

Variations: Introduces an instability in the setting of the cutoff frequency, resonance, or feedback (depending on the selected filter), allowing for a more or less "organic" filter character.

Grain Controls: The incoming sound is continuously sampled and segmented into buffers. Each segment is analysed, filtered, and then extracted to become a grain. You can change the length of each grain, the interval between grains, the way grains follow one another, how they are arranged in relation to each other, and their density (number and influence).

Grain Length: Adjusts the length of the audio grains. The shorter the grains, the more the sound fragments into a "grained" granular texture; the longer the grains, the closer the result is to the original sound, but filtered and delayed. When multiple grains are played simultaneously, longer grains make echo effects more noticeable.

Grain Interval: Determines the time between the start of two successive grains (or the probability of automatic triggering).

Pattern: Grains are organized according to predefined, adjustable patterns. Several scenarios allow you to explore different ways grains can combine, from highly organized to more chaotic.

Density: Determines how many grains are played simultaneously and their intensity.

Variability: Sets the magnitude of the special effects specific to each pattern.

Transition: Defines the shape of the envelope applied to the grains as they link together.

Input and Output: Sisyphus works with two parallel channels that share the same settings. You can use it either in stereo mode or as two separate mono audio channels.

CV Inputs: Four CV inputs allow control of Sisyphus using other Eurorack modules. These inputs accept the standard Eurorack voltages (0 to 8 V).

The four basic parameters that can be controlled via CV are: Grain Length, Density, Cutoff, and Resonance.

However, you can configure the module differently using an external file on an SD card. In that case, any CV input can be assigned to any control, the input voltage range (from 1 to 8 V) can be set, LED brightness can be adjusted, and more.

Specifications

Width: 24 HP

Power Consumption:
+12 V: 200 mA
-12 V: 10 mA
+5 V: 0 mA

Depth: 28 mm

Carefully built in France, with all potentiometers bolted to the front panel, and shipped in a metal storage box.

Power cable and knurlies included.

Notes: Skippy Exp is a tiny module in 2HP that adds "Play/Stop" and "Reset" functions to Skippy, either via a button or a CV input. It cannot operate independently; you absolutely need Skippy to use it.

For those who don't need the live adjustments offered by Skippy Live (or have run out of space!), Skippy EXP still provides two essential functions for dynamic performance.

This module cannot operate alongside Skippy Live, which already has these two functions. It can be placed either to the right or left of Skippy. The connector to link it to Skippy is included. This module does not need to be connected to power.

Technical Specifications
2 HP

Depth: 20 mm

Power consumption:
+12 V 10 mA
-12 V 0 mA
+5 V 0 mA

Supplied with cable and Knurlies.

Notes: You must absolutely own Skippy to use this module; it cannot operate independently.

The firmware version 2.21 or higher must be installed on your Skippy.

Additional features:
1 CV gate or trig input for Reset
1 CV gate or trig input for Play/stop
1 Reset button
1 Play/stop button
1 Live mode on/off button
16 function potentiometers distributed over 4 rows: you can freely choose a function (BPM, STEP, BEGIN, END, GAUSS, GATE, PROBA, CHAOS, SWING, WAY) for each row.
1 row of 4 algorithm potentiometers: you can freely choose an algorithm (Euclid, Jazzy, PolyR, Tiles) for each potentiometer.
The Save function takes into account the settings used in Skippy Live.
The selected parameters for Skippy Live are automatically saved.

Technical specifications:
10 HP
Depth: 25 mm
Power consumption:
+12 V 0 mA
-12 V 0 mA
+5 V 15 mA
Comes with a connector to Skippy and Knurlies.

Notes: *** Firmware 2.32 Update- August 2024 ***

Automatic Backup

All settings are saved when the module is turned off.

Skippy then restarts directly with these same active settings. However, it is possible to revert to the default configuration at startup with the NEW function or even return to the "factory settings" by pressing buttons 2 and 4 simultaneously at startup.

New Patterns in JAZZY

New patterns are regularly added to JAZZY, based on customer requests.

New "polystep"

Input Clock is added to the two existing clocks "poly" and "matrix".

It acts as a clock divider within the limits of time division possibilities (for example, the Gaussian function will always act progressively based on an average clock, as with the "poly" clock). Thus, it falls between "poly", which produces an average of the received beats (and for example, will not account for small variations like external swing), and "matrix", which strictly applies the received beats identically to all tracks.

"Polystep" will strictly use the beats from track 1 and adapt the timing of the other tracks according to their parameters.

The "polystep" and "matrix" clocks are only useful if you want to control Skippy with an external clock. Leave it on "poly" for internal use or to use Skippy's clock as the Master for your system (in fact, Skippy performs best in the GAUSS and POLYR functions with this clock selected).

New TILES

Kaona have added the following divisions: 2/1, 3/1, 3/2, 4/3.

New ROLL Function

Beats can now be divided by two (2 "gates" instead of one) or by three (3 "gates" instead of one).

It is possible to choose a "roll" randomly: "1/??" and "2/??" add respectively 1 or 2 extra beats, randomly. You can also choose to add these "rolls" every 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, or 16 "steps". It is also possible to add a "roll" with each screen rotation. To synchronize the start of "rolls" on all tracks, use the Reset function (or with Skippy Live), otherwise, each "roll" starts when the option is set (for example, to avoid setting "rolls" per turn all at the same time).

The beat times of the "rolls" depend on the duration of each gate. It is therefore recommended to take a slightly longer gate for the effect to start being noticeable (from 60-70 and up).

The new "proportional gate" function is also taken into account (thus divided by 2 or by 3).

New Proportional GATE

The function that allows choosing the gate length for each track has been extended.

It is now possible to choose it in proportion to the existing time between two beats. This can be very useful for melodic sequences (with Zazou for example).

You can thus alternate between quarter notes and half notes, or eighth notes and whole notes, etc.

Each of Skippy's four tracks can have a different setting, including with variable time functions (GAUSS, POLYR...), which promises infinite explorations.

Access proportional gates by turning the encoder in GATE mode to the left: instead of stopping at 10 as in the previous version, the percentage of active gate time is displayed. You can choose the percentage in steps of 10, from 10% to 90%.

Description:

Skippy is a matrix and non-matrix polyrhythmic sequencer (linear and logarithmic) which offers four completely independent tracks with a very simple interface: one button per track, one function per screen, no sub-menus.

Possible saving of 64 configurations.

Internal connection with expander module (coming soon) and with Zazou, generative composition module (coming end of 2023).

Functions per track

- BPM (10 to 400)
- Number of steps (1 to 64)
- Linear or log
- Random function
- Chaotic function
- Direction: clockwise, counterclockwise, ping-pong, pause
- Number of steps before the start of the sequence
- Number of steps before the end of the sequence
- Gate duration

Specific algorithms

- Euclidean (Bjorklund)
- Matrix Patterns
- microtiming patterns
- matrix rotation

Clock

- External clock input or Reset
- Clock output
- 1/1, 1/4, etc.

Menus

- BPM
- STEP
- BEGIN
- END
- GATES
- PROBA
- CHAOS
- WAY
- SWING
- GAUSS
- EUCLID
- TILES
- POLYR
- JAZZY
- SPIN
- PAUSE
- RESET
- SYS: save, load, new, clk/rst, clk

Tech Specs

Width: 10 HP
Depth: 32 mm

Current Draw:
+12 V 0 mA
-12 V 0 mA

Notes: Switchy is a module that allows you to turn on or off up to three modules (or busboard) independently of each other.

No need to turn off the whole case: All three voltages (+12V, -12V, 5V) are interrupted at the same time.

Used to reduce the background noise of certain "noisy" digital modules when not in use, to initialize certain modules or change their function, to change an SD card, to relieve the power supply with energy-consuming modules, etc.

Dimensions
6 HP
30 mm deep

Current Draw
20 mA +12V
20 mA -12V
20 mA 5V

Notes: An unusual but enticing form of generative music in Eurorack, Kaona's Zazou module offers MIDI or CV sequencing based on a series of algorithms, allowing you to define parameters and generate melodies and patterns of up to four tracks.

Supplier's Notes:
Zazou is a generative music module based on numerous configurable algorithms. It acts as both an accompanist capable of syncing to a regular sequence and an improviser within a given framework. Its function is to produce notes: no sound comes directly from Zazou, as it's intended to be connected to one or more synthesizers or other Eurorack modules.

It features both a multitimbral MIDI output and Eurorack-compatible CV outputs.

To generate notes, Zazou requires "gate" signals to trigger each note. Therefore, it follows the rhythm imposed by a sequencer or any generator producing gate output. It pairs ideally with Skippy, Kaona's algorithmic rhythm generator.

Zazou produces music based on the equal temperament scale and follows the note division corresponding to keyboard instruments (piano, organ, etc.). Thus, in Zazou, as in a piano, a C sharp corresponds to a D flat.

Zazou produces notes on four independent channels that can nevertheless be tuned together.

Interface

Seven CV inputs:
One gate per channel: red, yellow, green, blue

One "Reset" input: realigns the tracks, resets the sequence, interrupts all MIDI notes currently playing.

One "Change" input: allows external sequence control.

One "Play/Stop" input: stops (or restarts) all produced notes and pauses the current sequence. This input also measures an external beat to determine the quarter note value (BPM) that Zazou will use (this value can also be set manually). The input can be a clock (set to one beat per quarter note) or a sequencer.

Seven buttons:
One per channel, matching its colour: they function differently depending on the displayed screen. (Selection, Pause, or Manual Gate).

One Play/Stop button: stops or starts all tracks simultaneously.

One "Change" button: manually advances the sequence.

One "Reset" button: realigns the tracks, resets the sequence, interrupts all MIDI notes currently playing.

Three encoders:
Their functions vary depending on the displayed screens.

One MIDI output:
The output is in TRS format. It's possible to choose between cable A or B using a switch on the back of the card.

Twelve CV outputs:
Four "gate" outputs: mirror the input signals but add ornamentation notes.

Four CV outputs: export velocity (selectable between 5V or 8V).

Four Note outputs: in 1V/octave format, across 10 octaves.

Basic Functions
All functions are identical for each channel but can be synchronized according to your composition criteria.

Root Note: determines the key each track plays in.

Scale: constrains Zazou to adhere to a given scale (22 scales available).

Sequence: dictates that the composition follows a given sequence.

Algorithm: allows the selection of melodic behaviour.

Sequences
It's possible to instruct Zazou to follow a sequence track by track, but it's often more musical to let the four tracks follow a single sequence. For example, you can choose the common II-V-I progression or the circle of fifths, but also use less common sequences. The sequence behaviour can be customized by selecting the number of notes in the sequence, passing notes, alternating major and minor chords, etc.

Algorithms
The algorithms determine the note behaviour for each track.

It's possible to freely mix algorithms track by track, choose the same algorithm for all tracks, or the same algorithm for all tracks but with different behaviours.

Depending on the chosen parameters, they will generate more or less repetitive, varied, or complex melodies. Even though each note depends on an external gate, some algorithms additionally produce ornamentation notes like triplets or appoggiaturas.

Random:
Allows for completely random and unpredictable operation. However, one can influence how randomness occurs by changing event frequency or velocity, for example.

Walkingbass:
Walkingbass precisely follows the sequence in a classic Jazz walking bass manner, with one quarter note per beat. Numerous forms are offered, and it's possible to enrich the progression with ornaments or emphasize strong or weak beats, for example.

Arpeggiator:
Several types of arpeggios are available, and it's possible to choose direction (including random), chords used, ornaments, and their frequency, etc.

Intervals:
Starting from a reference note chosen within the scale, Zazou will traverse a selected number of octaves and notes according to a given interval.

Serial:
Zazou will generate note sequences respecting the rules and principles of serial music. All theoretical parameters are available to practice the specific genre of dodecaphonic composition (inverse sequence, retrogrades, etc.).

Cantor:
The Cantor set starts with a segment (the complete range of available notes) and repetitively divides it, eliminating central segments. This creates a more or less detailed repetitive pattern depending on the chosen parameters.

Fibonacci:
The Fibonacci sequence is used to calculate note heights within a scale starting from a chosen note and modifying it according to selected Fibonacci numbers. Interval modulation allows staying within a playable range while exploring rhythmic and melodic patterns generated by the sequence.

Sierpinski:
The approach divides an octave into three equal parts (triads) and selects two for repetition, imitating how the Sierpinski Triangle is drawn by removing the central triangle and repeating the process on the remaining triangles. This divides the musical space according to the specified depth and plays notes based on this division, simulating the repetitive structure of the Sierpinski Triangle.

Mandelbrot:
The Mandelbrot set is one of the most famous fractal objects. Zazou maps this set into a musical representation to offer unique and varied sound structures. Since calculations are done in real-time, parameters can vary the melody's behaviour infinitely.

Julia:
Like the Mandelbrot set, the Julia set offers fertile ground for musical experimentation, with opportunities to explore fractal complexity through sound. Julia sets are defined in the complex plane and produce complex fractal patterns. Here too, real-time calculations allow parameters to vary the melody's behaviour infinitely.

System Functions
It is possible to choose a corresponding MIDI port for each track. Depending on your setup, you can use Zazou in polyphonic mode (same MIDI number), multitimbral mode (one port per channel), or multichannel mode (multiple synthesizers).

The quarter note duration (BPM) can be adjusted manually or automatically (clock signal, sequencer, etc.).

For all algorithms, you can choose the note duration proportionally to the quarter note value or match this duration to the incoming "gate" duration for each track. Thus, it is possible to play very dynamically with a variety of connected instruments as long as they provide a "gate" signal.

The velocity value can be selected within the range of 0V -> 5V or 0V -> 8V depending on your modular equipment.

Zazou operates across 10 octaves, in MIDI or CV (1V/oct) for modular use. However, it is possible to limit the number of octaves, either to accommodate synthesizers that poorly support very high notes or to limit the voltage in a modular environment.

Two settings allow adjustment of the overall pitch and fine interval between notes (only for modular use).

Saving
The internal SD card allows you to save, within its capacity limit, either track parameters (and load them for another track, for example), sequence parameters, or the entire composition.

Technical Specifications
18 HP

Depth: 32 mm

Power consumption:
+12 V 200 mA
-12 V 0 mA
+5 V 0 mA

Supplied with power cable and Knurlies.