Starling has introduced a new line of ‘Via’ hardware Eurorack modules that you can preview, virtually, using VCV Rack.

In a nutshell, Starling has created a line of Eurorack modules that are based on a shared hardware platform. The ‘guts’ of the modules are common, but each module uses a different firmware, and features a unique panel. And you can preview each module virtually, using the VCV Rack software modular synth platform.

The initial lineup includes these modules:

META generates a flexible path from one voltage to another and back. Any input is fair game, be it fast, slow, or totally still. This allows you to generate a signal, or use that signal to animate a crossfader. A touch interface gives you control over how the path is traversed, and the controls adapt to provide the most relevant response to the type of signal being generated. A preset store/recall system can be used to keep programming to a minimum.

SYNC lets you latch onto a clock signal (such as an audio square wave or an LFO) and travel back and forth between two inputs at a frequency related to the clock by a ratio. Under the hood, it works a lot like META, but you control the frequency of the internal signal generator with clock multiplication and division.

You can use an audio-rate clock to create just-intoned harmonies, overtones, and subharmonics, or patch in a low frequency clock to generate tempo-synced modulation signals. Controls and CV inputs allow you to surf through a grid of musically related ratios to animate the frequency relative to the clock input to create musical gestures. Outputs provide auxiliary waveforms, giving you a suite of synced signal sources enabling clock multiplier/divider style gate sequencing.

SCANNER transforms a pair of input signals into 4 complementary outputs by using the inputs to scan across “surfaces” of possible values. An additional control input deforms the shape of the surfaces, allowing you to morph the character of the waveshaping created by the scan process.

The main waveshaper output controls a crossfade between two inputs, turning the module into an amplitude processing/mixing node suitable for CV or audio. Patch a gate sequence into the jump input to impose a sudden change in wave shape or timbre.

Explore tones full of distinct sonic pockets and tearing, wavefolded overtones, or transform a slow LFO into a liquid modulation sequence.

GATESEQ sets a complex gate sequencer (offering pattern offset, clock multiplication, or shuffle/swing) against a simple Euclidean sequencer. Choose a logical combination of the two to create a rhythmic counterpoint. Map the sequences to an analog processing circuit including a sample and hold, VCA gate, and mixing stage to process other logic, CV, and audio signals.

Here’s an introduction from creator Will Mitchell:

Video Preview

Here’s a demo of the new modules in action:

Details on the hardware modules are available at the Starling site. You can also download the modules for use in VCV Rack.

via Tom Wies, LowGain