Noodle Rider is an analog musical instrument in Eurorack format, based on a four-track cassette tape player and modular synth.
In a nutshell
Noodle Rider modulates the pre-recorded single tones or audio loops from all four tracks of a cassette tape record, all of which are played simultaneously with the same controllable speed.
Each track represents a certain voice of the instrument, that can be used as the source signals for further sound processing, such as envelope control, filtering and so on.
It supports for pitch controlling through control voltages or programmable MIDI interface and allows amplitude modulation for each track on final output.
By switching between cassette tape tracks, modulating them individually, and adjusting the playback speed, you can create different sound patterns, melodies, and even complete instrumental parts.
Noodle setup
The instrument is a combination of two modules:
Base module, the player itself and the
extension module Sidecar that provides
envelope modulations and the gates sequencing to trigger them:
Base module
A eurorack four-track cassette player with variable-speed playback controlled by voltages or MIDI, including four audio outputs and one gate output.
It is designed to be expanded and incorporated into other Eurorack modules or Noodle Rider extension modules.
Sidecar module
The extension, a 4-channel VCA controlled by envelope generators (AD/AR), with MIDI Gate Sequencer and Mixer built in.
It is designed primarily to create gate controlled sounds when fed with the base module audio source, but can be used for other tasks in your modular system.
Features
CV Pitch Control
Control the speed of the playback manually or via control voltages, for example, from n-step CV sequencer or LFO module.
MIDI Pitch Control
Noodle Rider allows to map a set of any pitches, corresponding them to twelve MIDI notes, to play these pre-mapped pitches back with MIDI device or DAW.
Common Gate/Trigger Output
Regardless of the selected control mode (CV/MIDI), when the module receives MIDI notes, it automatically generates a gate signal, that stays on for the duration of the key press. The gate signal in turn can be switched to a trigger signal — a short pulse that occurs at the start of a key press.
MIDI Gate Sequencer
It converts a sequence of four specific notes and converts each note into a pulse with a width equal to the note's hold time, i.e. a gate signal. Each generated gate signal controls the corresponding envelope generator. The specific notes are located at the «zero octave» and coincide with the channel letter. For example, the MIDI sequencing of note A0 is converted to a gate signal for channel A.
Quad Envelope Controlled VCA
Noodle Rider has a quad envelope controlled VCA whose units are a combination of a AD/AR envelope generator. Each envelope generator is triggered by a switchable gate source input (Common Gate, MIDI Sequencer Gate or External Gate).
Noodle Rider uses an ordinary pre-recorded stereo cassette tape records or a custom loop cassette as the main audio source. It uses the whole width of a tape and plays one side of a cassette at once.
Samples should be made and recorded aside the rig. The content of the cassette tape tracks and their arrangement is a large field for experimentation.
The only thing to keep in mind is that pitch modulation affects all tracks simultaneously.
Noodle Rider Demos
More demos on YouTube and Soundcloud
Wanna Ride?
Just submit a request to order. Each unit is manufactured on request and takes about ten weeks for assembling and delivery.
Awailable Now
395$
Base Module
4-track cassette player with variable-speed playback controlled by voltages or MIDI, including four audio outputs and one gate output.
On Request
275$
Sidecar Module
4-channel VCA controlled by envelope generators (AD/AR), with MIDI Gate Sequencer and Mixer built in.
On Request
229$
Noodle Rider Case
Eurorack case with some additional ins and outs and PSU build-in.
Make an order
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