Dimensions: MIDI sequencer based on curvy parametric equations
Oostveen Dimensions · Source: Oostveen
Oostveen Dimensions · Source: Oostveen
Oostveen Dimensions · Source: Oostveen
This strange and beautiful Eurorack module uses the shapes of parametric equations to generate MIDI patterns and doesn’t use any CV.
Dimensions
The lack of CV may seem a bit weird but then Dimensions is not your average sequencer. Rather than writing in notes you create patterns using shapes on a grid. The shapes are derived from parametric equations which plot XY coordinates over the screen. The Y-axis dictates the pitch of the note and the X-axis denotes how long the note plays. A third axis or “dimension” (see where the name comes from) offers velocity – because this is MIDI after all.
The patterns can change with the changing shape or simply by starting the plot in a different place. Dimensions comes with a load of parametric equations loaded up so you don’t have to deal with understanding any maths. However, you can also load your own equations if you wish.
Here’s more information on parametric equations.
Oostveen Dimensions
Dimensions has a MIDI In and MIDI Out/Thru and that’s the lot in terms of connections. The rest of the sequencing is dealt with via a few switches and a comprehensive list of parameters available one at a time on the display. Notes and intervals can be stored and retrieved on the fly and there are all sorts of other possibilities that are difficult to fully grasp at the moment.
Dimensions looks really interesting and quite unique. I wonder why he decided not to put any CV into or out of the module, or why he felt the Eurorack format was the best way to go? Great concept in any case.
This video gives you a bit of an idea as to what’s going on:
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The amazing psychedelic artwork option is by Macarena Sanchez and would look fabulous in anybody’s rack. It can also be USB powered so it doesn’t have to sit in a Eurorack case or use up a power slot.
Oostveen Dimensions
The first batch is already sold out but they hope to have some more along any time now for £185.
More information
- Oostveen website.
Video
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- Oostveen Dimensions: Oostveen
- Oostveen Dimensions: Oostveen
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4 responses to “Dimensions: MIDI sequencer based on curvy parametric equations”
Not sure why I would commit precious rack space for a non-CV, MIDI-only sequencer. Maybe in a spare breakout box or something. Neat features though.
I…
Great write up. As the designer of Dimensions I have had the question about the module not having CV a couple of times. I appreciate that for some people modular = CV and nothing else, however, the Eurorack format is a nice cost saver and in the case of Dimensions it can sit in a small desktop eurorack case and work with MIDI gear – next to CV gear for that matter; that’s how I like my setups. Be inclusive to all synth technologies out there and combine to be creative 🙂
Hey, thanks for answering my questions. Sounds good enough to me 😀