NAMM 2019: MOD Duo X open-source hardware effects unit
Manufacturer Mod Devices introduced a new effects and audio processing unit, the MOD Duo X. Targeting electronic musicians, the unit is in a desktop format and features fully standalone functionality. The firmware is Linux-based and outlined on two graphical displays, while available controls include two encoders, eight potentiometers, and four pads – all freely assignable.
The little box packs plenty of technological punch with digitally-controlled multi-stage analog preamps, CV I/O, Cirrus Logic AD/DA converters, MIDI I/O (also possible over USB), and USB HOST functionality with support for USB Wi-Fi and USB MIDI. The unit itself is powered by a quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 1.5GHz chip, so it’s essentially an ARM-based computer running effects algorithms in a Linux-based environment.
That’s a clever way of packing serious DSP muscle with technology that’s commonplace and reasonably affordable compared to DSP chips and on-board firmware. Furthermore, the effects are open-source and implemented with MAX/MSP, so rolling your own algorithms is also an option if you know what you are doing. This makes the MOD Duo X uniquely flexible in a way hardware effects processors are yet to become.
Price and availability
The MOD Devices Duo X is available for pre-order now, priced USD/EUR 699.
More information
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