SHIK S32: A New MIDI Controller Where Every Knob Is a Macro
4,6 / 5,0 | 
Need more control? SHIK S32 is an upcoming controller with built-in MIDI effects, 32 macro knobs and a companion MIDI-to-CV Eurorack module.
SHIK S32
Control everything. That’s the pitch for S32, a new MIDI controller from boutique company SHIK. Boutique MIDI controllers are getting more and more popular, thanks in no small part to their focus on specific needs rather than on general use cases. SHIK S32 is also taking this focused approach, with a feature set that prioritizes modulation and control of multiple parameters simultaneously.
You can use it to control external hardware, soft synths in your DAW, and even modular and semi-modular gear with the companion Eurorack module.
SHIK S32: 32 Knobs
S32 follows on from SHIK’s N32B Slim in that it also offers 32 knobs of control. Each of the high-resolution knobs is actually a macro capable of sending four types of MIDI messages simultaneously. “That means a single knob can sweep a filter cutoff, trigger a chord inversion in the harmonizer, change a clock division in the arpeggiator, and tweak an LFO speed – at the same time,” they say in their blog.
S32 can handle more than just MIDI CC messages as well, with 14-bit CC, NRPN, program change, SysEx and more available.
SHIK S32: MIDI FX
You may have noticed in that quote above that SHIK mentions a harmonizer and arpeggiator. Those are part of the built-in MIDI effects engine, something that more controllers are coming equipped with (Faderpunk comes to mind).
The SHIK S32 effects engine includes a harmonizer, scale remap, arpeggiator, Turing Machine, envelope, Euclidean sequencer, looper, delay, randomizer, filters, mergers, routers, and more. You can create chains in racks, it looks like, and stack these.
“Build dynamic sequences, add generative layers, or create custom MIDI paths – all tailored to your setup,” says SHIK.
SHIK S32: LFO Modulation
Along with the MIDI effects section, S32 also comes stocked with an LFO engine. You can assign LFOs, animate CC outputs to add movement to external hardware even if it doesn’t have its own LFO, and chain LFOs to modulate each other.
SHIK S32: CV16 Eurorack Expansion
S32 is a MIDI controller and doesn’t have any CV connectivity of its own. However, SHIK will also be making a companion Eurorack module available separately. Called CV16, it adds 16 channels of 16-bit MIDI-to-CV output. It includes its own LFO engine with LFO-to-LFO modulation support and offers switchable voltage ranges per output, with -5V to +5V and 0V to 10V ranges.
SHIK S32: Hardware and Connectivity
S32 comes in an all-metal enclosure. Along with the 32 macro knobs, there are two additional buttons and an endless encoder for navigating around the menu, which is displayed on the 3.12-inch OLED screen. Patches can be saved to internal flash memory, with microSD support as well.
On the connects side, SHIK S32 includes MIDI USB, one MIDI in, two MIDI outs and a MIDI thru (all TRS), a micro HDMI port for interfacing with CV16, and USB host.
SHIK S32: Pricing and Availability
Unfortunately, we don’t know when this will be available or how much it will cost. The company’s other current controller, N32B Slim, sells for $339. S32 looks to be more complicated, so I would expect something north of $400. SHIK will be showing S32 off at Superbooth this week, so we’ll update with more information as we get it.
SHIK has also indicated that it will be presenting an AI MIDI mapping assistant at the show. It’s unknown if this will be part of S32 or what exactly it entails, but it could be interesting.
More Information
- SHIK S32 product page
- More about MIDI controllers
- Buy MIDI controllers at Thomann*
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