Superbooth 22: VIRAM Octopus and Octopoid Tiny Euclidean sequencers

VIRAM Octopus  ·  Source: VIRAM

VIRAM Octopus  ·  Source: VIRAM

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The Octopus is a stunning 8 channel Euclidean based sequencer with MIDI and CV outputs. The Octopoid Tiny takes one of those channels and rolls with it.

The Octopus

I genuinely thought this was a single Eurorack module when in fact it’s an 8-channel system using 8 “Arm” modules connected to a central “Head” unit. The Head is where all the settings and non-creative business takes place like setting MIDI channels, split points, velocity control, loading and saving patterns and so on. It also provides transport controls by pushing down on the knobs.

Each Arm is controlled by a pair of knobs that switch between 4 parameters. Euclidean rhythms are based on algorithms for the placement of equidistant beats within a circle. Combinations of Euclidean patterns can describe almost all the most common musical rhythms. The patterns are beautifully visualised on the display of each Arm. You can set the number of beats, length of the bar, pitch of the note (if required) and number of active beats.

You’ll also find additional controls over things like playback speed, chords, mute and so on. You can also allocate them to mute groups for grouped muting. The Head module can access deeper controls over each Arm like setting velocity or pushing in some randomisation, humanisation and variance.

All the information is very interesting but you really need to see it in action to understand what’s going on. The word “Euclidean” tends to be associated with trigger patterns and yet the Octopus seems to kick out melody as well. It needs a bit more demonstration, hopefully, Superbooth is going to help with that.

Octopus has been in prototype for about a year and looks like it is poised for release.

Octopoid Tiny

The Octopoid Tiny is a new development that appears to be a single Arm of the Octopus with MIDI In/Out and CV/Gate. It looks very Eurorack in size but it’s a little bit unclear as VIRAM seems to present it in its own case.

Hopefully, we’ll find out more about it at the show.

Superbooth

VIRAM will be showing the system on booth H221.

• VIRAM website.

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