Multi Function Performance Switch

The Ara (latin for Altar) is a switch on steroids that was designed by us with live performance in mind. At it’s core the Ara is a 5 step unidirectional sequential switch, allowing users to cycle through 5 different incoming voltages on the slave i/o jacks and send them out in steps via the master i/o jack. It can also be used in reverse, with the master i/o jack becoming the input and the 5 slave i/o jacks becoming outputs for distribution one voltage source to up to 5 different destinations in timed steps.

 We then decided to take it further and integrate continuous voltages on each step. These are output individually at the top of the module and summed together via the master i/o jack. The voltage range of the can be set as either 5v or -v to +5v using the switch at the base of the sliders. Without an incoming clock signal, the Ara can be used as a stand alone bank of 5 voltage faders, perfect for manually manipulating the CV inputs of other modules or for turning the Ara into a master performance controller.

 Next, we added gate outs – both per step and as a summed output transforming the Ara into a fully operational 5 step voltage sequencer. The gate outputs are also perfect for triggering envelopes when the Ara is being used as a sequential switch. The individual gate outputs can also be patched into the reset input of the Ara, so users can adjust the number of steps to 1,2,3 or 4. Any step that is excluded from the sequence then becomes a stand alone continuous voltage source.

Finally, we added a row of binary clock divisions which takes the incoming master clock and divides it into a number of slower outputs. These can be patched back into the Ara via a second clock input.

• ? mA +12V
• ? mA -12V
• ? mA 5V

This Module is an early prototype, a concept in development, or an AI mockup