Prepare for BATTLE: Ginkosynthese DJ style mixer for Eurorack
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Ginkosynthese BATTLE · Source: Ginkosynthese
Ginkosynthese PHONO · Source: Ginkosynthese
Ginkosynthese BATTLE expansion · Source: Ginkosynthese
BATTLE is a 2 channel mixer inspired by DJ battle mixers from the Hip-Hop scene but designed for creative patching within a Eurorack system.
BATTLE
The standout feature is the crossfader which is massive in Eurorack terms and dominates the front panel. It crossfades between 2 input channels and has an adjustable curve to sculpt in exactly how responsive you want it to be from sharp to linear giving you that speed of manipulation in a scratch-DJ style.
There’s a lot more going on in here than simple 2 channel cross-fading.
BATTLE in action · Source: Ginkosynthese
There are CV inputs and outputs aplenty. It has a VCA on the mix output with Bass and Treble EQ controls. All of those along with the crossfader has CV input control. So you can feed in an LFO to do the rhythmic scratching for you – nice. It also has a CV output and 2 Gate outputs tied to the crossfader. The crossfade position generates voltage and you can set a point at which the Gates fire. Push left to open Gate 1 and push right to open Gate 2 around the specified point. It has an interesting way of triggering samples or building rhythms into the rest of your rack from your manipulation of the crossfader.
Effects Loop
When I first saw the front panel I assume the “Loop” parts were going to be some kind of sample looper function but in fact each channel has its own effects loop with simple send and return patch sockets.
Phono
If you’d like to plug a turntable into BATTLE then Ginkosynthese has also created a phono preamp module. It has gold plated RCA inputs, switchable between Phono and Line levels, RIAA equalisation and a ground connection. Output is at modular level in mono or stereo.
Ginkosynthese PHONO · Source: Ginkosynthese
Ginkosynthese is planning more modules to flesh out the BATTLE a bit more featuring vertical faders and VU metering.
Ginkosynthese BATTLE expansion · Source: Ginkosynthese
Let BATTLE commence
It’s an interesting concept. Bringing the potential of turntables directly into Eurorack is awesome to begin with and then designing in modular focused parching and modulation turns it into quite an exciting tool for anyone whether they’re into vinyl or not. You could run anything through it and enjoy the crossfade and voltage interactions.
Preorders are open now at €340 for the BATTLE and €85 for the PHONO preamp. Or if you prefer to build your own then the kit is €180 for BATTLE and €50 for PHONO. You can get money off if purchased together. They also offer a “PROFADER” upgrade with a scratch-resistantly robust crossfader for those who like to work their faders hard.
BATTLE is expected to ship in December.
More information
- BATTLE webpage.
- More from Ginkosynthese
Video
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One response to “Prepare for BATTLE: Ginkosynthese DJ style mixer for Eurorack”
So, you can take your DJ Mixing straight into Morphagene, Mimeophon, Rings… ooooh, the possibilities!