QUARKS

Github

22hp version of MI Elements by Jak Plugg Open Source

Quarks is a full-blown synthesis voice based on modal synthesis – an under-appreciated flavour of physical modelling synthesis with a strange and abstract feel.

Quarks combines an exciter synthesis section generating raw, noisy sounds characteristic of bowing (filtered friction noise), blowing (pitch-controlled granular noise), or striking (stick, mallet, hammer or brush sample playback… or bursts of synthetic impulsions).

These sources, or external audio signals, are processed by a modal filter bank – an ensemble of 64 tuned band-pass filters simulating the response of various resonant structures (plates, strings, tubes…) with adjustable brightness and damping. A stereo ambience reverberator adds depth and presence to the sound.

All parameters have a very meaningful and well-delimited impact on the sound. When designing Elements, great care has been taken in selecting parameter ranges and control curves, producing a large palette of sounds – often beyond physical realism – but always well controlled and stable. The “dark spots” of noise and feedback are reached gradually, and they do still react to controls. The module is deliberately menu- and switch-free – what you dial/patch is what you hear!

PCB redesign by J. Matheson. it works with the same firmware, added optional LEDs and drivers to indicate input CVs with tranlucent potentiometers

The little dots on the pcb are the cathodes, and on the LEDs above they correspond to the ends with the green on them

Preliminary Google sheets BOM

cc-by-sa-3.0

Original Design by: Emilie Gillet