The creation of a small American manufacturer called Circuit Abbey was influenced by a great passion for electronic music of people who’re really interested. The engineers of the company, who ironically called themselves "monks", set out to save the world from "extra bourbon" - began to develop instruments of a sufficiently high level since 2010. Their main activity was the sound modules of the Eurorack format, in particular digital devices based on Arduino (developed by Atmel microcontrollers of the AVR family).
A distinctive feature of Circuit Abbey products is the incredibly narrow 2HP and 4HP modules. That’s why the brand's products are so popular: musicians mostly prefer these module format, as it allows to save space in modular racks, which is of great importance in assembling their modular systems.
Products Gozinta, Unify, ADSRjr, Invy and G8 became the most successful modules manufactured by the company.
The Gozinta product is an input 4HP module based on linear level signal amplification for Eurorack systems. 2 independent channels have a nominal gain of 24 dB, as well as feature attenuators on the front panel. Gozinta is based on the use of modern IC providing the instrument with excellent properties. The module is also convenient when the processing eats up the signal power, for example in percussion passing the filter. Due to its clipping characteristics Gozinta produces interesting distortion effects. For each channel there’s a gain settings control (12/24/36 dB). The high performance specs of the instrument is provided by the LM4562 amplifiers capable of good noise and distortion (gives quite clear sound when being overloaded) effects. Gozinta raises the signal level of external equipment such as players, rack devices (reverb units), and also interacts with the output of a computer sound card. The amplifier will enhance the signal muted by processing or due to the issues, such as weak VCA output.
The Unify model by the brand is a 4-channel 12HP stereo mixer. The module has a separate headphone output featuring control, as well as a LED overload indicator. 4 input channels - modular level, output - can be either linear or modular allowing the module to serve as an output mixer, and a utilitarian one. Unify also uses high-performance LM4562. The Unify Input Expander model included 4 additional channels to be integrated with Unify. While using 3 inputs you can get a Eurorack mixer with 16 inputs. The instrument also allows interaction with the previous version of Unify to expand capabilities with a six-pin jack and a ribbon cable. The Unify Input Expander is in 8HP format.
The ADSRjr module in 4HP format made by Circuit Abbey is an envelope generator with many functions. Its main difference is the jacks for integration with Doepfer instruments. Three time range spans value from tiny to impressive ones. The Cycle function creates continuous waveforms. The advanced module offers CV control for each segment, trigger button and jack, control of linear and exponential curves with the help of buttons (also selectable for each segment).
Circuit Abbey Invy in the 4HP format is a two-channel attenuator/offset module with control for each channel. Outputs can only be used as offset. When mixing two CV sources you can get the effects of the envelope generator ADSR and LFO.
A small but powerful Clock Divider G8 is a clock divider with 8 modes and 8 outputs. It includes modes: Clock with 1-8 outputs for the sequencer; CV with separate clock input; Separator for 2-9 Int; Binary counter Bin; Even: devider to 2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16; Divider Odd - 3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17; Prime-divider for 2,3,5,7,11,13,17,19; Random: output with the 1/2 through 1/9 option. The mode switch selects the mode and then, on hold, selects the trigger mode in which all Gate outputs are “reincarnated” into triggers. The ability to use the extension instrument as a connector allowed you to switch all 8 outputs into Gate mode. An if you pair Intermix expander with the unit will mix all 8 outputs which gives the Clock Divider G8 the functions of a sequencer or a sound wave oscillator. Several such Intermix can be connected to the G8.
Circuit Abbey Euro-Duino modules became quite successful, based on Arduino Pro Mini chip and widely used in synthesizer modules. The model ships as an assembled one as well as a DIY kit. Arduino chips find positive feedback not only among users, but also among developers thanks to a fairly simple technology which allows to turn it into an affordable device featuring interesting arbitrary functions for an extremely short time. Euro-Duino included two sets of identical controls each of which includes a potentiometer, a three-position switch, digital and analog inputs and outputs. The device operating within a modular system acts as a dual VC-LFO with three waveforms, outputs for the LFO and inputs for restarting. Inorder to process the analog signal, the instrument uses Atmel ATMEGA328P, built-in 10-bit ADCs and PWM and sports a digital interface.
The modern world showers us with a fundamentally new set of views, aspirations and values. Echoes of the past era still resonating in our lives often prevent us from realizing that and Circuit Abbey synthesizer is the most rational way out of this situation. As a result of the competition of the best American manufacturers, these products will help you to join the trends of modern thinking with ease.
Instruments made by American brand Circuit Abbey have become an optimal combination of not only price and quality, but also convenience, practicality, the ability to quickly and easily achieve the desired result.