Bastl Instruments has released 1983 – a 4 channel MIDI to CV interface module for Eurorack modular synthesizers.

The 1983 is a polyphonic MIDI to CV interface with creative voice allocation and automatic tuning capabilities.

It’s named ‘1983’ because that is the year that MIDI became a standard.

The 1983 offers four channels of MIDI to CV and GATE outputs. These outputs can be configured in various Layouts, such as hybrid splits between monophonic and polyphonic voices or velocity, Control Change, aftertouch, triggers, clock or reset.

“Modular synthesizers use precise voltages to communicate pitch information (volt per octave) and such standard puts high demands on both oscillator and voltage source design and calibration while in most instances it leaves the final bit of calibration up to the user. Automatic tuning technical solutions were always used in polysynths and it was somewhat “easy” to do since they were closed systems. The open end architecture of eurorack system allows variation of the standard interpretation when it comes to in impedances or something else. I believe that in this century we should be implementing microcontrollers and create hybrid systems that solve these technical issues. This is also why we chose to use ironically retro-futuristic design and name the module 1983 after the year when MIDI was born. I hope the LISTEN feature inspires other maker to implement tuning corrections into any module that aims to work with tonality from now on.”

Features:

• 4 channels of CV and GATE
• LISTEN input per channel for automatic tuning
• automatic tuning by a single press of a button (offset & scaling correction)
• several tuning systems (equal temperament, just intonation, A = 440/432 Hz etc.)
• LAYOUT selection (4 voice, 3+1 voice, 2 velocity voice, 4×1 voice, 1 voice, 8 gates, 8 CCs, 4 triggers + velocity, quantizer)
• each layout can map outputs of Channel D to MIDI Clock (adjustable divider) and Reset
• LEARN mode to assign MIDI channel and other properties
• UPDATE jack to quantize outputs to clock or trigger sequences
• WINDOW jack to creatively allocate notes in the buffer to available voices
• TRANSPOSE CV to shift outputs by semitones, fifths or octaves
• PORTAMENTO CV to adjust glide time
• Responds to MIDI Note On & Off, CC (also Sustain), Velocity, Pitch Bend, Clock, Aftertouch
• µTune scale editing per each semitone in octave
• firmware updates via MIDI

“Modular synthesizers use precise voltages to communicate pitch information (volt per octave) and such standard puts high demands on both oscillator and voltage source design and calibration, while in most instances it leaves the final bit of calibration up to the user,” notes designer Václav Peloušek. “Automatic tuning technical solutions were always used in polysynths and it was somewhat “easy” to do since they were closed systems. The open end architecture of eurorack system allows variation of the standard interpretation when it comes to in impedances or something else. I believe that in this century we should be implementing microcontrollers and create hybrid systems that solve these technical issues. This is also why we chose to use ironically retro-futuristic design and name the module 1983 after the year when MIDI was born. I hope the LISTEN feature inspires other maker to implement tuning corrections into any module that aims to work with tonality from now on.”

Pricing and availability:

1983 is available now for 270 eur excl. tax from select dealers. First batch shipping early February.