2 channel CV & MIDI performance sequencer

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.

This gives you control of 4 voices! Or more, depending on your patching imagination.

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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.

The LOOP button allows you to capture your playing in a buffer that repeats after any number of steps from 1 to 64. You can even set your own User Loop Length live.

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Although the Loop buffer is always synced to the clock, you can record un-quantised gates, or you can switch on synced ratchets with the TIME button. Now your gates/notes repeat at the division rate you set for as long as you hold a PLAY button down. Very groovy.

You can change ratchet divisions on the fly via the Faders while holding that PLAY button down and record the results into the Loop buffer. You can also punch-in recording or clear, change loop lengths and reset the buffers independently per channel to keep playing endlessly with your loops.

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Select from your own fully customisable user scales or smooth voltage ranges of 2, 3, 5 & 8v in addition to live transposition.

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Each channel has two recording buffers (Loop A and B) which you can jump, swap and copy between.

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Let’s talk about LATCH… We think LATCH is a powerful performance tool,

You can use LATCH to override the CV you recorded into the buffer and output a CV value based on the current live Fader position, all while the recorded gate pattern keeps going.

You can play with the Fader CV Latched on, sending out whatever note/value you want from the Fader and then simply drop back into your previously recorded pattern by switching LATCH off. A quick double-tap of LATCH will unlatch both channels at the same time for some seriously fun drops. This is even more creative when you combine it with the dual Loop buffers in each channel.

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PlayFader has extensive support for MIDI allowing you to send a copy of everything coming out of the CV outputs to any midi device of your choice. We’ve also added the ability to generate chords over MIDI, 3 modes, one is based around your user scale!

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We also added Buchla 1.2v/oct and Korg Hz/oct pitch scaling, plus we now have Channel Copy from one to the other, Channel Mute and Patch Storage so you can save up to 8 patches. You can also save your default settings for power-up so you’re always ready to play, just the way you like.

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PlayFader also has 6 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

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FUN FX modes:

Roll - think of Slip Mode on most major DJ software, punch in a loop while th playhead keeps on moving, so you drop right back where you would have been.

Slide - allows you to set a loop within your loop, adjusting the size and location on the fly, and the pattern will pick up where you left off when you release the FUN key, like SLIP mode on Pioneer CDJs.

Sustain/Trigger - fun with gate lengths and re-triggering, great for adding dynamics to patterns.

Bend - Pitch bend, obvs…

LFO - LFO modulation fun ( we have plans for an alternate firmware more LFO-based too!)

Random - As the name suggests, gradually adds randomisation to your pattern, with the two faders adjusting the randomisation parameters.

All FUN modes will be addressable by the built-in accelerometer in future firmware, which should be bonkers amounts of fun.

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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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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.

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You can also read the Study Guide for all the details and the Quick Play Guide for all the bottom combos on one page, And these are always instantly accessible from the QR code on the back of every PlayFader.

There are videos on our Instagram & YouTube channels and also on the main PlayFader store page.

See below for all the technical details, what’s in the box and more.