Highlights
2 Channels of MIDI, CV & Gate Outs
Dual Loop Buffers per Channel
Dedicated FUN Button!
7 x FUN FX
Performance Quantisation modes
Unique Latch Play Feature
Live Transpose
Window Latch
Live Visual Feedback of Loop Buffer Content
2V, 3V, 5V & 8V Smooth CV Range
Chromatic, Major, Minor & User Scales
1V/oct (Eurorack)
1.2V/oct (Buchla) and Hz/V (Korg) scaling options
Variable-width Gates & Triggers
Free Play & Quantised Ratchets
Channel Mute
9v myVolts Ripcord included in the box.
CV & MIDI Clock In/Out
Transport menu - Master Clock
Patch Memory - 8 Slots
Up to 64 steps per Channel
Channel to Channel copy/paste
User Power-Up Template
User Loop Length
Tap Tempo
Introduction
PlayFader is a 2 channel CV & MIDI performance sequencer.
Each channel of PlayFader features CV and Gate outputs that are controlled by its Fader and Play button. Move the Fader to change the CV level, press the Play button to output a variable-width gate or trigger.
PlayFader also outputs 2 channels of MIDI - select from Notes, Chords, CC’s and many more output options. MIDI mirrors the analog outputs so you can control anything with a MIDI input while also controlling your analog CV synths, pedals etc.
PlayFader runs either to its own internal clock with full transport controls and tap tempo, or loves making friends with external clocks. Sync can be by CV or MIDI, in or out.
Select from your own fully customisable user scales or smooth voltage ranges of 2, 3, 5 & 8v in addition to live transposition.
Each channel has two recording buffers which you can jump, swap and copy between.
PlayFader also has 7 FUN FX modes… for now.
This was our main aim for PlayFader, to have a dedicated FUN button that allows you to… well… have fun… Think of something like the TE pocket operator punch FX, it’s like that, kinda. The idea is that the FUN modes modulate and influence your recorded pattern contents while using the faders to change relevant parameters for the mode you’re in
All FUN modes will be addressable by the built-in accelerometer in future firmware (coming soon), which should be bonkers amounts of fun.
PlayFader has a protective lid that doubles as a stand and feels great in your hand if you want to hold it and play. We call it a PlayCase.
When you’re travelling, all the controls are safely protected by the lid, held in place with a handy wristband which supports LGBTQ+ equality around the world.
The lid can then be flipped onto the back of PlayFader when you’re ready, giving you some grip and a bit more height, making it perfect to play all day!
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PlayFader is a versatile CV, Gate and MIDI sequencer & looper that loves to make friends with modular synths, vintage synths, any synth or sampler with MIDI, guitar pedals, and anything else with CV and expression inputs. It can even be a great controller and sequencer for your DAW & computer-based workflow.
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You can also read the official manual and quick reference guides (yes we have two of them) and these are always instantly accessible from the QR code on the back of every PlayFader.
There are videos here too.
See below for all the technical details, what’s in the box and more.
Technical Bits & Pieces
2 x 60mm-Throw Bourns Faders.
Custom Moulded Recycled Plastic Play Case with a protective Lid that doubles as a stand.
Unique Flat Keycap Buttons with Cherry MX Switches.
2 x ChromaCaps Mk2 Silicon Fader Caps.
Ultra Low Profile MultiComp Pro Jack Connectors.
5mm Perspex Laser Cut and Printed Acrylic Front & Rear Panels.
Stonewall Rainbow Wristband to hold Frame Case and Lid together for transport. All profits from sales of Stonewall merchandise go into funding their vital work for LGBTQ+ equality in UK and around the world.
2 x 3.5mm CV Outputs - Adjustable from 0-8v, Continuous or Pitch Quantised. Requires Mono Patch Cable.
2 x 3.5mm Gate Outputs - Adjustable from 3ms Trigger to 95% Duty Cycle. Requires Mono Patch Cable.
1 x 3.5mm Switchable Comms Output - Select between Analog Clock Pulse (Mono Cable) or MIDI Control & Transport (TRS MIDI).
1 x 3.5mm Switchable Comms Input - Select between Analog Clock Pulse (Mono Cable) or MIDI Control & Transport (TRS MIDI).
MIDI Type-A Communication.
Stackables will fit snugly!
MyVolts 9V Ripcord USB Power Cable included.
2 x 3.5mm to MIDI 5-pin Type-A Adapters included.
1 x 3.5mm to 1/4inch Floating Ring - CV to Expression Cable included.
4 x Knurlies 3M included.
4 x 3m Black Ultra Thin Flat Wafer Head Screws included.
Some nice stickers included, of course.
A note about the button layout design:
We have thought very carefully about how the buttons work and how you use them, especially in a live performance, jam or recording session. It’s very important to us that you can use PlayFader confidently, knowing you won’t accidentally change your pattern or mess things up because you forgot a button combo. Yes we know there are a few, but there’s a really simple concept that you can rely on in the heat of even the most intensely fun music making moments… and we do love those moments…. in fact, we live for those moments…
So… the Top row of buttons are the Modifier buttons - quick access to various settings like loop length, quantisation type, FUN FX type, Scales, Global Menu etc. All of these can be changed on the fly, but you can press any of them in any combination and it won’t change anything, all it will do is show you exactly which page you’re in as the display instantly updates to show which ever page view you’ve selected. This makes it very easy to always know exactly where you are. You have to either move a Fader or press a button on the bottom row to action any change. This means you can find your way to the menu page you want without fear of pressing the wrong buttons, and the lovely LED display with always show you where you are, even if you forget the button combo to get to pattern length, for example.
The Bottom row of buttons are the Action Button Buttons, as you' now know. These create a range of actions that will, almost always have some effect on the output of PlayFader. You use these buttons to play notes, hit triggers, punch in FUN FX, clear, transpose, copy, record and of course, Latch.
We’ve also made using button combos easier, now you can use Window Latch when you’re in different views so you don’t have to keep the combos held. This frees up your fingers to have even more fun. For example, latch the Time menu on and play with changing ratchet divisions on the fly using both hands to control both Channels. With this, you can create some fantastically dynamic rhythmic conversations and syncopation between two percussive voices, for example. And we think there are so many more applications like this, like using ROLL mode in FUN FX on both Channels… Ok, that’s enough for now.
