Powerful CV Generation with Flexible Sequencing
If you prefer to twist knobs rather than play keys, or if you just want a fun and finger-freeing way to create music with your Eurorack rig, you won't regret picking up a Rossum Electro-Music Control Forge. This programmable universal CV generator combines the awesome waveform-production power of E-Mu Morpheus's notoriously convoluted Function Generator with an 8-segment controller and a sophisticated sequencer. Via any combination of triggers, clock sync, and manual control, the Control Forge lets you craft anything from exciting patterns to detailed one-shots.
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Sophisticated CV function generation at its finest
At its most basic level, the Control Forge is simply a device that generates CV. What makes it unique is its 8-segment design. These segments form the building blocks of the Control Forge's many applications. Essentially, segments are steps in a sequencer. You can program each segment with basic information such as the relative duration and either an absolute or relative target voltage level, which includes optional quantization to the nearest 1/12 volt. You can also add a range of either linear or Gaussian randomness into the mix of infinite variation.
What on earth does this thing do?
The answer isn't simple. At first glance, you'd think it was a sequencer, and the Control Forge certainly can sequence, but there are many ways to set up how it progresses from segment to segment. There are options that cover manual triggering, complex envelope generation, one-shot CV bursts, as well as multiple types of sequencing. Plus you can create cyclical LFO-style patterns, phrases, and even infinitely variable programs. The possibilities are endless, but luckily, there are plenty of excellent presets onboard to help you dive in.
Perfect balance of depth and simplicity
It sounds cool but insanely complex, right? Don't worry. When we got to check out this beast, Sweetwater modular synth artists discovered a great balance between complex programming options and ease of use, which is just what we expect from Rossum Electro-Music. Basically, you'll find enough programming options to ensure you'll never get bored finding ways to use your Control Forge, but you'll also discover that having easy access to even the most advanced functions makes the learning curve refreshingly shallow.
Loaded with layers of pattern-production tools
The real power behind the Control Forge isn't just the segments themselves, but it's in the gaps between them. The way segments transition into each other defines the actual character of CV the Control Forge generates. Transition Shapes indicate the slope between the frequency voltage of one segment and the next, including any detours along the way. Choose from 67 detailed Transition Shapes, ranging from perfectly linear to off-the-hook chaos, all of which you can clearly see on the OLED display.
Jumps add infinitely dynamic sequencing
It gets crazier still when you add Conditional Jumps to segments. These look for specific variables (e.g., voltage level or gate behavior) either from external sources or based on the output of other segments. They then trigger a jump to another segment based on a completely different set of variables (e.g., at the end of the segment, at gate fall/rise, or at a specific voltage). Combine that with the way you can configure segments to alter the relative voltage of the incoming signal, and you don't even need an external voltage source to create infinitely variable patterns.
Preset sequencing adds infinite sonic variety
The final aspect of the Control Forge you need to understand is the Preset Sequencer. The Preset Sequencer uses triggers, clock, or a manual control signal to step through up to 200 presets, which you get to define. It's the tool to use when you want to construct sequences out of separate preset sections that you can use multiple times. In a similar way that Conditional Jumps alter the regular flow of a sequence, you can use command steps to change the behavior of Preset Sequences to make them more interactive. Adding Halt, Pause, Bumper, and Reset commands allows you to create circular sequences or integrated stop and start points in the sequence.
Rossum Electro-Music Control Forge Eurorack Universal CV Generator Features:
- Universal CV generator and sequencing tool for Eurorack synthesizer systems
- Based on the powerful CV generator Dave Rossum designed for the E-Mu Morpheus synth
- Surface-level controls and color OLED display make even advanced controls easy to reach
- CV generation presets includes 8 segments, each with programmable CV target voltages and times
- Each segment's CV values can be absolute or relative, quantized, and include randomness
- Transition Shapes define the way CV transitions from one segment to the next
- Choose from 67 Transition Shapes, ranging from linear and gentle slopes to chaotic effects
- Modulate the time scale via CV control or manually via the encoder during runtime
- DC Shapes and various triggers provide sequencing options for progressing through segments
- Conditional Jumps let you program pattern variations, sub-loops, and other non-linear behaviors
- AutoChain lets you create LFO-like multi-preset retriggerable patterns and envelope-like modulation
- Preset Sequencer allows you to craft long sequences of up to 200 presets with repeating sections
- Save and recall up to 500 presets total
- Fits comfortably in a 22HP slot in any Eurorack rig with at least 25mm depth clearance
