Hardware stereo sound effect processor is designed to add depth and texture to electronic sounds 02-Mar-10
OTO Machines is a small French company, based in Paris who tell us they are dedicated to design new tools for music and sound creation.It has been created by two sound engineers & producer, sharing a same passion for sound, music, and electronics.
OTO Machines' first product, BISCUIT is a stereo sound effect processor, designed, assembled and tested by them in their workshop. OTO Machines tell us that they use the best quality parts, choose not to outsource production and work with local companies. Here's what they have to say about Biscuit...
With its true 8-bit converters, digital processing and analog resonant filters, BISCUIT opens up a wide range of sounds from harsh distortion, digital and aliasing artifacts to warm and fat 8-bit sounds.
BISCUIT is very useful to add depth and texture to any kind of electronic sounds. It works best with synthesizers (digital or analog), bassline, drum machines, loops, samplers or computers, but you can use it with any other sources.
BISCUIT is basically an enhanced bit depth and sample-rate reducer, known as "bitcrusher", followed by an analog filter. You can mix this 8-bit sound with the direct signal via two separate knobs. It also offers other features like removing or inverting each of the 8 bits, changing the sample rate from 250Hz to 30kHz, or adding one of the four effects (waveshaper, delay, pitch shifter and step filter).
Biscuit is MIDI compatible. You can save the whole BISCUIT settings (pots and switches) in 16 presets. A SysEx dump function let you save and recall as many presets you want on your computer.
Biscuiting: The main function of BISCUIT is to modify the 8 bits status thanks to the 8 rectangular switches. Depending on the kind of modifications (bits inverted, muted; the bit number) the conversion will reproduce a sound faithfull to the original or totally deconstructed. Muting or inverting some of the bits can generate strong distortions, with an intense digital character.
Effects: You can add one of the following 8-bit effects to your bit modifications:
1/ Waveshaper: 8 types, including 3 oscillators.
2/ Delay: with controls for feedback and note value. It syncs to an external MIDI clock or TAP TEMPO.
3/ Pitchshifter: from - 2 octaves to +1 octave in 8 steps.
4/ Step Filter: allows you to memorize and read up to 8 positions (steps) of the filter frequency.
Many settings of Play Mode, Speed and Number of steps are available. It syncs to an external MIDI clock or TAP TEMPO.
Presets: All the BISCUIT functions (bit status, knobs positions, effects and filter settings) can be saved in one of its 16 presets. You can also save as many presets as you like on your computer using the Preset Dump function (MIDI SysEx).
MIDI: Every pot, switch and effect setting can be sent or controlled by a continuous controller message (known as CC). BISCUIT can upgrade its firmware via a MIDI SysEx file. New features are already planned.
Features:
Stereo inputs and outputs
Input gain from -∞ to 15 dB with diode clipping
Real 8-bit Analog to Digital and Digital to Analog converters
Unique capability of muting and inverting each of the 8 bits
Variable sample clock from 250 Hz to 30 kHz
True analog multimode filter with resonance control
FX section: Waveshaper, Delay, Pitch Shifter and Step Filter
Separate control of dry and 8-bit signals
16 presets
MIDI : Continuous Controller, Beat Clock, Program Change and Sysex for presets
Built like a tank: Thick metal case and strong build
Dimensions: 190mm x 60mm x 117mm / 7.48" x 2.36" x 4.60" (W x D x H)
Weight: 580g / 1.27 lbs
Pricing and Availability: Biscuit is already available. Price is 529,00 € including 19,6% VAT. (442,30 € excluding VAT for customers outside Europe).
pricey, but sounds really good, has a broad range of fx, and is very well made.
02-Mar-10 01:05 PM
skinnebrewthedestroyer Said...
very sexy, but pricy
02-Mar-10 03:15 PM
Jesse Said...
It sounds really nice, but a big investment for something you'd use sparsely. I can't think of basing my own sound around this, just use as a spice here an there.
I agree it is too expensive. For 250€ yes, but 440€ no.
The eurorack version could cost that 440 with CV ins thou.
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