Modules details

OCTOPUS

Is a powerhouse ART controller that takes MIDI in via the USB or DIN connector and outputs 8 ART channels with 8 velocity CV plus 8 drum triggers. Together with the ART oscillators the OCTOPUS provide unprecedented simplicity connecting the modular to your computer sequencers, hardware midi sequencers and keyboards. Each ART channel can play polyphonic notes, monophonic notes or create multi-channel polyphony using an internal voice manager. All together OCTOPUS can play more voices and notes from a single controller than ever was possible in modular. Using ART high speed control signals OCTOPUS can maintain low jitter for tight timing. OCTOPUS is our first ART controller with more to follow, please select between Octopus or ART V/Oct Quantizer to get started with ART. Please note, OCTOPUS is not a 1V/Oct midi to CV and should not be confused as one.

OCTOPUS FIRMWARE

Current Firmware: download
G-Mode Firmware: download

ART QUAD QUANTIZER

Is a four channel CV to ART Quantizer to play ART oscillators from CV sequencers, LFOs and anything that outputs CV. This is our second ART controller option and is designed for those of us playing ART without a computer or MIDI source. The inputs take in positive, negative, bipolar CV voltages. Scales include Major Minor and the five other modes (Dorian, Lydian, etc). The module is simple to set up with a simple menu and one knob with switch for navigation. The 4th channel can be set to generate Chords and polyphonic note streams for ART Polyphonic oscillators.

ATX1

The ATX1 is a classic design analog oscillator in a compact package with a fat sound. It comes with variable waveform control, PWM, and FM with CV. It features three modes for controlling its core: Standard 1V/Oct provides classic analog control with all its flexibility and imperfections; ART provides digital control with internal auto-tuning for precise notes; and LFO sets the oscillator into the low range as a simple yet very effective LFO. With each mode, the ATX1 changes the way its knobs behave, almost like switching between three different modules. The frequency range of the ATX1 is also extremely wide, going up to 32 kHz, making it ideal for clocking audio effects like the Z-DSP. The ATX1 combines the past and the future in one module and is one of the best-sounding mono oscillator we have ever made.

ATX1 FIRMWARE

Current Firmware: download

VORTEX

An ART wavetable dual oscillator mono voice source that can be used to build polyphonic patches and multi voice patches. It generates its harmonically rich sound using two 80s vintage D/A converters to feed your filters and effect processors. VORTEX comes loaded with dozens of wavetables, plus additional user wavetables can be loaded from the front panel SD card. A detune knob controls the second VCO and adds effects from deep phasing to a sub octave. The position knob and CV input selects waves in the tables and vibrato from LFOs to create FM. Like other ART sound generators a dedicated Gate output manages the voice envelope or any modulation synced to that voice. VORTEX is a great companion to the analog ATX1 and a must for digital synthesist enthusiasts.

VORTEX FIRMWARE

Current Firmware: download

CONTROL PATH

Is an all in one voice dynamics module that helps build full voices quickly. It contains two analog envelopes with velocity cv, and one VCA. In a typical voice patch the left envelope will control a filter and the right envelope will be the voice VCA. Velocity control is provided for each envelope and delay front panel trimmers are used to compensate for any miss match between incoming gate signal and velocity CV timings. Envelope cv outs are 0-5V, Velocity cv ins are 0-5V.

POLYPHONIC MODULES

POLYTIP

Is Tiptop Audio’s new modular synthesizer patch cable that pass multiple channels of CV, audio, and gate using minimal panel space. This innovative design finally adds to modular synthesizers the capability to patch more than one signal at a time and unleashes the full potential of polyphonic and multi-signal patching between modules. Internally, multiple lines of shielded conductors pass from end to end with excellent sound quality. The plugs on the Polytips use top quality connectors from Germany. (Please note, Polytips are not USB cables)

TRIAX8

Triax8 is an 8-voice true polyphonic analog oscillator with an architecture of 16 analog oscillators arranged as two VCOs per voice. These VCOs are capable of producing up to 10 waveforms simultaneously, truly a monster! The FM bus features a state of the art Through-Zero Linear FM technology that keeps the oscillators in tune even at high modulation depth, bringing the promise of FM theory into analog poly. The design features a built in system that learns the environmental parameters and the Eurorack case in order to adapt dynamically to ensure VCO stability and control over the beast. Combining the modular nature of Triax8 with Polytip modulation patching and ART control allows Tiptop Audio’s polyphonic modular system to surpass the capabilities of typical fixed analog synthesizers both in sound and hands on control. Triax8 produce a huge tonal spectrum, from vintage to all new. Turn on those knobs and let the swarm of oscillators rattle the speakers!
• Modular polyphonic oscillator
• 16 Analog VCOs
• 10 waveforms with dedicated mix knobs
• XOR waveform
• Sub oscillators on VCO1
• Through-Zero Linear FM that stays in tune
• ART note control with scalable high-resolution pitch bend (MPE-Completable)
• Cross-oscillator sync, hard and soft, with up to 9 combinations
• Polytip jacks for polyphonic patching and per voice modulation
• Eight Individual voice outs
• Eight Individual gate outs
• Mix Out for creating drones or powerful Unison sounds
• External inputs for vibrato and PWM
• Built in Voice manager
• Cutting edge analog design technology

VORTEX 6

Is a polyphonic 6-voice wavetable oscillator inspired by the hardware design and sound of the PPG Wave 2.2, and it is the only oscillator of this type that uses true 8-bit vintage audio converters from the ’80s. Dozens of wavetables are provided internally, and user tables can be loaded via an SD card. VORTEX6 has built-in vibrato, glide, and six wavetable-scrolling envelopes, all with CV. The ART-in jack and a built-in voice manager take care of incoming notes and distribute them to audio, gate, and velocity outs—either through per-voice 3.5mm jacks or the Polytip jacks.

Together with OCTOPUS, one or more OCTOSTAGES, OCTOPASS, and OCTOGAIN, along with a few Polytip patch cables, it forms the world’s first complete six-voice polyphonic modular synth. Alternatively, VORTEX6 can be patched to discrete mono modules or use its voice mix-out for paraphonic soundscapes with up to 12 oscillators in detune mode.

VORTEX 6 FIRMWARE

Current Firmware: download

OCTOPASS

Is an eight voice professional 24db/octave low pass filter based on the classic 2044 filter found in some of the most iconic and rare synthesizers of all times. All eight filters are fully analog with linear gain compensation of resonance and the desired analog tolerances between voices. Polyphonic patching is available for audio in and out as well as filter cutoff. A global frequency modulation CV using a mono jack can be used to modulate all eight incoming CVs of the Polytip cut off CV jack. As there are eight filters in the module special attention has been given to power consumption efficiency.

OCTOSTAGES

Is an eight voice fully analog envelope generator made with the original envelopes of the 1979 OBX. Each of the eight envelopes feature a Gate in, Envelope OUT, Velocity CV in and Attack CV in control as well as an output led indicator. A master output level knob and CV using standard mono jack are provided to control or modulate all envelope output levels globally. As there are eight EGs in the module special attention has been given for power consumption efficiency.

OCTOGAIN

It is a dual-function module that can be patched for use either as eight audio VCAs or as an eight-voice polyphonic VCA. Additionally, an eight-voice mixer sums all channels and includes a master level control, odd/even (right and left) channel routing for stereo output, and a clipping indicator. All eight VCA inputs and outputs are simultaneously available through both Polytip jacks and 3.5 mm jacks, allowing the module to be used in a variety of ways simply by choosing the appropriate patch cables. The fully analog audio path provides linear CV control. CV inputs operate at 0–5 V, and typical audio inputs are 10 Vp-p. A global Offset knob allows all VCAs to be opened manually or applies a positive offset to incoming CV signals. The design features very low power consumption while delivering excellent audio quality using classic 1980s analog VCAs.

OCTO I/O

Is a bi directional passive Polytip to 3.5mm expander and a Polytip Mult. The expander section lets you break out to each individual voice from a polyphonic module. The mult section lets you multiply Polytip polyphonic signals from one source to multiple destinations. For example patching the OCTOSTAGES envelopes to control both your OCTOPASS filters and OCTOSTAGES VCAs.

OCTOVERT

The Octovert is a CV processor capable of scaling, inverting, and offsetting up to eight polyphonic signals. It can also be externally controlled via CV! Its most obvious applications include inverting envelopes, reversing the direction of CV, and scaling plus offsetting any CV source to precisely fine-tune the modulation sweet spot of the target module. With the added feature of external control, it takes things even further by modulating the modulation signal itself for even deeper modulation motion.

M is a 5-way Polytip signal multiplier. It takes a single polyphonic audio, CV, or gate signal set and routes it to up to five multiple outputs. The module is completely passive and requires no power. Like all Polytip jacks on Tiptop Audio modules, the jacks on the M module are top-quality components made in Japan.

system 1

The Analog Bundle S1 - $945 save 33%

time limited, while supplies last

BUNDLE info

The S1 and S2 are promotional bundles that we are offering to our users, providing a 33% savings to get you started with ART. With these bundles, we include one of our favorite voices: the big, beefy 3 VCO stack (did we mention it’s beefy?). The bundles come in two options: Bundle S1, which uses the ART V/OCT Quantizer as a controller, and Bundle S2, which uses Octopus as a controller. In addition to the controllers, there are three ATX1 analog oscillators, MIX7 for mixing them with plenty of headroom, and followed by our beloved 4-pole Z2040 filter that has been with us since the day we started; it just sounds so good. Finally, we end up with Control Path dual envelope plus VCA dynamics modules. This special price is time limited and while supplies last.

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OCTOPUS

USB/MIDI TO ART INTERFACE + VOICES MANAGER

ART V/OCT QUANTIZER

ART QUAD QUANTIZER

ATX1 VCO

ART ANALOG VCO

VORTEX

ART WAVETABLE

CONTROL PATH

VOICE DYNAMICS

POLYPHONIC MODULES

POLYTIP

POLYPHONIC PATCH CABLE

TRIAX8

8-VOICE TRUE POLY ANALOG VCO

VORTEX 6

SIX VOICE ART WAVETABLE GENERATOR

OCTOPASS

EIGHT VOICE 24dB LOW PASS FILTER

OCTOSTAGES

EIGHT VOICE ANALOG ENVELOPE

OCTOGAIN

EIGHT VOICE POLY VCA

OCTO I/O

THE EXPANDER SECTION

OCTOVERT

INVERT/SCALE/OFFSET

M

POLYTIP MULTIPLIER

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