Neuzeit Instruments

Notes: Quasar brings 3D spatial audio to the Eurorack world. It is a two-channel audio mixer that uses binaural algorithms. You can seamlessly move sounds around your head, dynamically change the angle, height and distance in real time.

** Includes 3mm screws, 16-Pin to 10-Pin eurorack power cable, USB cable for firmware updates **

Main functions
2 mono inputs
Stereo output (two single jacks + headphone stereo jack)
2 CV inputs
24Bit 48kHz inputs and outputs, 32Bit internal signal processing
Dynamic 3D positioning in three dimensions (height, angle, distance)
Room reverb can be applied for better localization
Internal LFOs with flexible routing
External CVs can be flexibly routed to all parameters, multiple destinations per CV, individual intensity
Different 3D transfer functions to choose from
Two large endless encoders with aluminum knobs, RGB LED rings for setting and displaying parameters
OLED display for navigation and to show which parameter the encoders are currently controlling
Flat menu structure, no deep dives neccessary
" User presets can be flexibly created and recalled
" Potentiometers for volume control of the three positions Quasar 1, Quasar 2 and Center

Quasar creates a 3D sound image by binaural audio processing. Two positions named Quasar 1 and Quasar 2 are available, which you can virtually place and move at any angle, height and distance around your head. Room reverb can be added as a further aid to distance perception. The audio signals at input 1 and input 2 can be flexibly routed to either or both positions via an internal matrix mixer. The coordinates of the positions can be set manually or be modulated by internal LFOs or external CVs. For example, you can have sounds orbiting around you, coming from above or below, front or back, and moving toward or away from you. Likewise, a centre position is available as a routing destination that leaves the signal without sonic processing to create a dry/wet mix.

Quasar features two CV inputs which can be flexibly routed to any target inside the module. In fact, each CV can have up to four different targets, which enables a very flexible design of auditory 3D-scenes.

Internal LFOs can be used to add dynamic movement and to create spectacular three-dimensional scenes. There are a variety of standard and advanced waveforms that can be routed to the position coordinates. LFOs can also be triggered and reset by external CVs.

Quasar can add some reverb to the signal. While not being a reverberation module in the first place, Quasar's reverb can improve distance estimation, but also be used to create impressing ambient stereo soundscapes.

All inputs also have digital high and low pass filters, so you can decide which frequency bands go to which position. However, in addition to Quasar 1 or Quasar 2, you can also route the audio to the center position. The center position takes the input signal and distributes it equally to the left and right ears without further processing. For example, you can route the low frequencies to the center position and have the higher frequencies distributed to the outer positions Quasar 1 and Quasar 2. That way, the bass stays centered and mono-compatibility is preserved.

As soon as a three-dimensional virtual scene has been created, it can be saved to the module's preset list. That way, scenes can be recalled at any time. Quasar also features some factory presets as a starting point and to show off the module's capabilities.

The module works best with headphones, as the algorithm basically mimics the shape of the head and the pinnae, which are responsible for our directional hearing. But even if you play the sound through speakers, you will hear a significant difference from classic panning.

As spatial hearing is a psychoacoustic effect that everybody perceives in a slightly different way, Quasar offers several transfer functions for different ear types to choose from. This way, the intensity of the 3D effect can be adjusted to personal needs and fits with the processed audio signal.
With its large aluminum knobs, LED rings, rubber potentiometers and mechanically solid components, Quasar is fun to use and invites creative work.

Notes: Warp is a novel synth engine that combines the best of additive and wavetable synthesis.

In the center of Warp's control panel is a colorful XY LED matrix that represents the sound space from which Warp draws its sounds. This XY sound space consists of 32x16 frequency spectra. Each of Warp's four voices can move freely and independently across the XY space. It always uses the surrounding frequency spectra to calculate a wavetable based on 512 sine waves in real time using additive synthesis. By changing the position, wicked wavetable sounds are possible, playable with four voices and eight oscillators and navigable in two directions. An intuitive integrated editor allows playful modeling of your own frequency spectra.
With Warp's SPEC effects the frequency spectrum can be filtered and deformed in realtime before a wavetable is calculated. The wavetable can then be modified with WARP effects like wavefolder, PWM bend, overdrive and redux. The resulting wavetable serves as source for two oscillators per voice, which can be detuned and also synchronized to each other. Each voice is followed by a 12/24dB/octave high pass and low pass filter.

Warp offers an integrated editor, with which you can playfully draw and modify your own frequency spectra. The XY-Sound Space is seen as a canvas on which you can draw your own frequency peaks. Several drawing algorithms are available as tools to edit single or a group of harmonics in a musically meaningful way. There is also the possibility to derive frequency spectra from audio samples from the SD card or to put whole wavetable audio files into the XY sound space. Likewise, the XY sound space can be exported to the SD card as a wavetable audio file of any length and bit depth, so Warp can also be used as an intuitive wavetable generator for other synthesizers.

Also on board are two internal ADSR envelopes and two LFOs, which can be routed to a variety of internal destinations using a modulation matrix. To keep the overview, all modulations are color-coded and are additionally visualized by pulsating LEDs in the modulation matrix view.

Navigation through the menu is as intuitive as with our QUASAR module and is simply done via a push-encoder and a back button. The display always shows which function the four surrounding aluminum encoders currently have, and colored LEDs next to the encoders provide visual assistance. Likewise, the tuning of the module is done via a detented encoder, which adjusts the pitch either in fine steps, in semitones or in octaves. An octave switch is thus already integrated.

For all its feature-richness, Warp still remains a playable and performance-oriented instrument. The large potentiometers serve as macro controls to control several parameters under the hood at once. This keeps the instrument straight forward with a manageable number of controls, but they are all very expressive.
Likewise, the module offers the ability to save and load presets and also comes with audio files and presets on board. Thus, Warp is ideally suited for both detail-oriented sound design and hands-on performance.

In the standalone version, Warp is a monophonic four-voice synth voice that can also be used as an oscillator. With an expander module, it will also be possible to play Warp four-voice polyphonic via MIDI and CV/Gate in the future.

Warp uses a novel hybrid engine that combines the best of additive and wavetable synthesis. With the integrated editor you can playfully draw your own frequency spectra like on a canvas into the colorful XY sound palette. Warp is a feature-rich powerhouse that lets you create all kinds of sounds, from glassy clean to crunchy crunch. Thanks to expressive macro tone controls, extreme morphs are possible in a single pot turn.



Main functions
4 Voices & 2 oscillators using a hybrid additive-wavetable synth engine
Big knobs act as macro controls for underlying parameters and enable expressive Hands-On playability
Polyphonic with expander, monophonic as standalone unit
Usable as a full synth voice or as an oscillator module
Additive synthesis with 512 sine waves per oscillator = 4096 sine waves in total
XY sound space as a collection of 32x16 frequency spectra
Each voice travels independently across the XY space and uses the underlying spectra to synthesize a wavetable in real-time
Spectral FX are applied on the spectrum before a wavetable is generated
Wavetable FX are applied once the wavetable is generated, e.g. Wavefolder, PWM-Bend, Redux, Overdrive
Two Post-Filters per voice: 12/24dB Lowpass and Highpass with resonance control
Independent oscillator settings per voice, e.g. volume, pitch, stereo pan, detune, sync, X/Y position
Integrated modulation by 2x ADSR, 2x LFO with many waveforms
Modulation matrix view to see everything that is going on at once
Integrated editor for playful drawing of own frequency spectra
Algorithms for musically meaningful drawing of harmonics

Width: 24 HP
Depth: 30 mm
Current draw +12V: 205mA
Current draw -12V: 20 mA
Current draw +5V: 0 mA

** Includes 3mm screws, 16-Pin to 10-Pin eurorack power cable, USB cable for firmware updates **

Warp uses a novel hybrid engine that combines the best of additive and wavetable synthesis. With the integrated editor you can playfully draw your own frequency spectra like on a canvas into the colorful XY sound palette. Warp is a feature-rich powerhouse that lets you create all kinds of sounds, from glassy clean to crunchy crunch. Thanks to expressive macro tone controls, extreme morphs are possible in a single pot turn.

Notes: WarpEx is an expander module that adds polyphony and MIDI to Warp.

- 4-Voice polyphony
- MIDI input and MIDI Thru
- MPE compatibility (MIDI polyphonic expression)
- Dedicated trigger and V/Oct inputs for each voice
- Illuminated pushbutton to quickly toggle between the MIDI voice modes: Mono, Poly and MPE.

Inputs:

- +/- 8 Volts (V/OCT)
- 0.0 Volts to +5.0 Volts (TRIG and MIDI)
- Overvoltage protection on all jacks.
- 4 TRIG Inputs: Gate inputs for Voices 1-4
- 4 V/Oct Inputs: CV input for pitch of voices 1-4 (i 8V, up to low audio rate ~100Hz)
- 1 MIDI In: Input Type-A for Midi signals. Use provided MIDI-to-DIN adapters.
- Button Toggles between MIDI voice modes: Red = Mono, Blue = Poly, Purple = MPE (Poly)

Outputs:

- Midi-Thru, 5v signal

WarpEx is fully managed by the Warp master

Scope of delivery:

Module, 3mm screws, ribbon cable for connection to Warp, 2 Midi-to-Din adapters Type A

Power consumption: Warp powers this expander via the included grey bus cable
Depth: 30mm
HP : 4