meadowphysics possibilities from tehn on Vimeo.
Here’s a lovely new monome demo, demonstrating their meadowphysics module interfacing between Eurorack hardware (that’s the stuff with the cables and knobs and things) and monome (that’s the stuff with the light-up grid).
Call your family and random strangers and tell them that today you’re really stoked about “rhizomatic cascading counters,” which is what this is. (In more technical terms, let’s go with “chimey note-y thing.”)
I’ve heard people who don’t like computers much complain that USB is some sort of source of planned obsolescence. On the contrary, with serial and standard class-compliant implementations over serial, USB seems poised to take its place alongside MIDI and control voltage as things that never go away. That’s particularly true of hardware that’s community-supported, user-serviceable, or open in some way (doubly so if its key components are open source).
In this case, swapping USB cables works like swapping other jacks on your modular. As the monomers say:
we’ve introduced a new grid-enabled module called meadowphysics. it is a rhizomatic cascading counter. it’s great for polyrhythmic sequences, evolving drum patterns, and rule-based explorations.
you do not need multiple grids to run several monome modules in your eurorack setup— the USB cable is hot-swappable between modules, and each will continue running when disconnected. swapping a USB cable is as easy as swapping a patch cable.
meadowphysics is available now via our retailers: http://monome.org/order
thank you for your ongoing support and we hope you are all very well.
brian and kelli and trent
Full specs on the new module:
retail price: $260
abstract: eurorack format rhizomatic cascading counter for monome grids
requirements: monome grid controller (see note below *)
width: 6hp
depth: 40mm (“skiff friendly”)
power: 12v: 18ma, -12v: 17ma 5v: 42ma (grid unconnected), up to 600ma (grid connected, see note below **)meadowphysics facilitates the exploration of polyrhythms and rule-based sequencing, producing a wide range of emergent patterns.
a monome grid is plugged into the front panel of the module, serving as a complete interface. the procedure continues running when the grid is disconnected, facilitating both live performance and precomposed playback of generative systems.
as the second module in the grid-based eurorack series, this module highlights the ability to swap the grid between modules rapidly, patching the usb cable much like a 3.5mm cable. this module can be used in conjunction with white whale using a single grid gracefully.
the foundation of meadowphysics is an incoming clock which can be internal or external. seven additional counters can be cross-assigned with this clock to count down an assignable number of counts, which is the primary interface on the grid. when a counter reaches zero, the corresponding output is triggered on the panel. given a flexible assignment method, very complicated long-form mutating polyrhythms can be created intuitively.
in addition a series of “rules” can be applied at the zero count of each counter. the count length can be reassigned– incremented/decremented, randomized, reset to last value, etc. a counter can have a rule assigned to change another counter’s behavior. in this way long evolving patterns emerge.
very simple falling rhythms can also be accomplished in a very straightforward manner. a standard subdivided counter runs as a default behavior.
configurations are preset-able and savable to flash for later recall and instant resume on power-up.
The firmware itself is open source, and there’s full documentation:
http://monome.org/docs/modular
More:
monome.org/modular