The challenge: fit everything you really want from a bass synth into a 4″ x 4″ square. Make every parameter hands-on, with full-sized knobs and switches. Give it an analog filter that can be angry, not just nice.
Our solution: MeeBlip anode. It’s the new collaboration between CDM and instrument designer James Grahame. Together with James’ engineering work, we’ve cooked up a little package that focuses on packing personality:
- Digital oscillators meet an original analog filter
- Grungy, bass-heavy sounds
- Compact, 4” x 4” case (approx. 100 x 100 mm)
- Modulation, envelope, tuning, and pulse width controls
- MIDI input for compatibility with vintage and modern hardware, computers, and (with a compatible adapter) iPad and iPhone
And here’s what anode sounds like – completely unprocessed, recorded straight out of the anode’s audio jack (more sounds to come):
Price: US$129.95 / 129,95€ / £109.95
From now through December 3, though, you can it at a special Thanksgiving discount for presale customers:
US$109.95 / 109,95€ / £94.95
Presale means these are built to order – we are able to more quickly scale up volume of case manufacture – and shipped to you as quickly as we can after final assembly and testing in Canada. (ETA from now: 7 weeks.)
anode is our biggest release since the original MeeBlip three years ago. It’s been a constant reminder of why I want to be making hardware as well as writing about it. We can’t wait to get it in your hands.
And I know we’re likewise eager to answer your questions and comments – please, ask away. Having seen some discussion online, I’ll already say this:
Hell, yes, digital. MeeBlip has always been about straight-to-the-metal digital coding. The variable-pulse-wave oscillators on anode alias at the low end for extra grunge, with anti-aliasing higher for more versatility on melodies. So, we still have digital oscillators – newly tuned for sound that’s like MeeBlip, but better.
Hell, yes, analog. For anode, James Grahame devised a new analog filter. It’s a departure from most of the KORG MS-style or transistor/diode filters currently popular on the market. It still behaves like a classic low-pass in use, but it sounds aggressive, especially as you add resonance. We wanted to make sure there was no part of the filter range that felt boring or conservative; that’s not what this instrument is about.
Simple, playable. Each knob, each switch, each range has been carefully considered (sometimes, hotly debated) to result in anode. You get hands-on control, plus a MIDI message corresponding to each parameter for automation (with the exception of analog filter resonance).
Hackable. anode is designed with the assumption that many players won’t change a thing. But if you do, we’ve made it easier to modify both firmware and software. Component swaps can transform that sound of the filter; you can add features you want like audio in or CV in if you really want. We’re also busily finishing the next-generation MeeBlip micro board, a pre-assembled board that you can easily build into your own projects, so we aren’t ignoring DIYers. MeeBlips are now all assembled projects, but if you want to solder and construct and write code, you can build on what they give you.
And yes, it’s still open source hardwareThe New MeeBlip anode @ MeeBlip blog
Or skip straight to getting your own:
http://meeblip.com/get-one
All images here rendered by
Arvid Jense, industrial designer and musician.
This looks (and sounds) like a lot of fun.
This looks (and sounds) like a lot of fun.
This looks (and sounds) like a lot of fun.
Ordering today. Great work.
Ordering today. Great work.
Ordering today. Great work.
Sounds really good! Will be a nice companion for my MTRX-8!
Sounds really good! Will be a nice companion for my MTRX-8!
Sounds really good! Will be a nice companion for my MTRX-8!
Next step MeeBlip Eurorack? Pretty please?
It’s an interesting idea. Shawn Rudiman has already built a CV-enabled rack using MeeBlip micro – part of why we’re eager to get the micro back on sale!
Next step MeeBlip Eurorack? Pretty please?
It’s an interesting idea. Shawn Rudiman has already built a CV-enabled rack using MeeBlip micro – part of why we’re eager to get the micro back on sale!
Next step MeeBlip Eurorack? Pretty please?
It’s an interesting idea. Shawn Rudiman has already built a CV-enabled rack using MeeBlip micro – part of why we’re eager to get the micro back on sale!
Perfect companion to my OP-1. Thanks!!! 🙂
Perfect companion to my OP-1. Thanks!!! 🙂
Perfect companion to my OP-1. Thanks!!! 🙂
is there a way to do poly chaining?
Not directly, but there is a MIDI channel select button, so if you have a thru box, you could use up to four anodes. 🙂
nice
And, if you have said thru box, here’s a site with a free VST that can split the MIDI for you:
http://www.thepiz.org/plugins/?p=pizmidi
Wow! Those are excellent.
A shame Renoise doesn’t support them, though I suppose it has some of its own tools / scripting.
Cubase, Reaper, Studio One win again. 😉 (seriously, the routine answer to “why can’t I do this in my DAW” with those three is “we can”)
is there a way to do poly chaining?
Not directly, but there is a MIDI channel select button, so if you have a thru box, you could use up to four anodes. 🙂
nice
And, if you have said thru box, here’s a site with a free VST that can split the MIDI for you:
http://www.thepiz.org/plugins/?p=pizmidi
Wow! Those are excellent.
A shame Renoise doesn’t support them, though I suppose it has some of its own tools / scripting.
Cubase, Reaper, Studio One win again. 😉 (seriously, the routine answer to “why can’t I do this in my DAW” with those three is “we can”)
is there a way to do poly chaining?
Not directly, but there is a MIDI channel select button, so if you have a thru box, you could use up to four anodes. 🙂
nice
And, if you have said thru box, here’s a site with a free VST that can split the MIDI for you:
http://www.thepiz.org/plugins/?p=pizmidi
Wow! Those are excellent.
A shame Renoise doesn’t support them, though I suppose it has some of its own tools / scripting.
Cubase, Reaper, Studio One win again. 😉 (seriously, the routine answer to “why can’t I do this in my DAW” with those three is “we can”)
Hi Peter,
“Price: US$129.95 / 129,95€ / £109.95
From now through December 3, though, you can it at a special Thanksgiving discount for presale customers:
US$109.95 / 129,95€ / £109.95”
-> The discount is only for US customers?
Yipes! No, correction:
USA: $109.95 ($20 off)
EU (minus UK): 109,95€ (20€ off) … includes VAT
UK: €94,95 (£15 off) … includes VAT
You’ll see those discounts when you enter code “THANKSGIVING” on checkout. (Thought it sounded nicer and happier than “Black Friday” or “Cyber Monday.” We’re thankful!)
Also, we have lower shipping rates than before – $/€/£ 10 to USA, Canada, EU, UK, flat.
If you live outside the USA, EU, or UK, you still get a discount. You pay in USD – $109.95 ($20 off). The only difference is, shipping is $20 and we don’t include a power adapter (in order to keep that shipping rate low). You may also be obligated to pay customs when your MeeBlip enters your country.
Sorry, you copy and paste this too many times and your eyes start to glaze over!
Cheers, thanks for the clarification.
Hi Peter,
“Price: US$129.95 / 129,95€ / £109.95
From now through December 3, though, you can it at a special Thanksgiving discount for presale customers:
US$109.95 / 129,95€ / £109.95”
-> The discount is only for US customers?
Yipes! No, correction:
USA: $109.95 ($20 off)
EU (minus UK): 109,95€ (20€ off) … includes VAT
UK: €94,95 (£15 off) … includes VAT
You’ll see those discounts when you enter code “THANKSGIVING” on checkout. (Thought it sounded nicer and happier than “Black Friday” or “Cyber Monday.” We’re thankful!)
Also, we have lower shipping rates than before – $/€/£ 10 to USA, Canada, EU, UK, flat.
If you live outside the USA, EU, or UK, you still get a discount. You pay in USD – $109.95 ($20 off). The only difference is, shipping is $20 and we don’t include a power adapter (in order to keep that shipping rate low). You may also be obligated to pay customs when your MeeBlip enters your country.
Sorry, you copy and paste this too many times and your eyes start to glaze over!
Cheers, thanks for the clarification.
Hi Peter,
“Price: US$129.95 / 129,95€ / £109.95
From now through December 3, though, you can it at a special Thanksgiving discount for presale customers:
US$109.95 / 129,95€ / £109.95”
-> The discount is only for US customers?
Yipes! No, correction:
USA: $109.95 ($20 off)
EU (minus UK): 109,95€ (20€ off) … includes VAT
UK: €94,95 (£15 off) … includes VAT
You’ll see those discounts when you enter code “THANKSGIVING” on checkout. (Thought it sounded nicer and happier than “Black Friday” or “Cyber Monday.” We’re thankful!)
Also, we have lower shipping rates than before – $/€/£ 10 to USA, Canada, EU, UK, flat.
If you live outside the USA, EU, or UK, you still get a discount. You pay in USD – $109.95 ($20 off). The only difference is, shipping is $20 and we don’t include a power adapter (in order to keep that shipping rate low). You may also be obligated to pay customs when your MeeBlip enters your country.
Sorry, you copy and paste this too many times and your eyes start to glaze over!
Cheers, thanks for the clarification.
Looks nice and crazy affordable, portamento/glide would have been a good touch.
Glide is accessible by MIDI CC – it’s CC 55. We’ll actually be sending a card to our preorder customers to thank them, and it has a MIDI CC chart printed on it.
nice, good to know it’s got it. maybe post those online?
Looks nice and crazy affordable, portamento/glide would have been a good touch.
Glide is accessible by MIDI CC – it’s CC 55. We’ll actually be sending a card to our preorder customers to thank them, and it has a MIDI CC chart printed on it.
nice, good to know it’s got it. maybe post those online?
Looks nice and crazy affordable, portamento/glide would have been a good touch.
Glide is accessible by MIDI CC – it’s CC 55. We’ll actually be sending a card to our preorder customers to thank them, and it has a MIDI CC chart printed on it.
nice, good to know it’s got it. maybe post those online?
When the new pre-assembled Micro comes to sale? I still haven’t got my self-assembled micro to work. Have the case, knobs and such ready.
As fast as we can. We’ll announce a date once we’re confident of manufacturing deadlines, etc.
But if you’re having trouble with your micro, get in touch on the forum:
http://createdigitalnoise.com/categories/meeblip
When the new pre-assembled Micro comes to sale? I still haven’t got my self-assembled micro to work. Have the case, knobs and such ready.
As fast as we can. We’ll announce a date once we’re confident of manufacturing deadlines, etc.
But if you’re having trouble with your micro, get in touch on the forum:
http://createdigitalnoise.com/categories/meeblip
When the new pre-assembled Micro comes to sale? I still haven’t got my self-assembled micro to work. Have the case, knobs and such ready.
As fast as we can. We’ll announce a date once we’re confident of manufacturing deadlines, etc.
But if you’re having trouble with your micro, get in touch on the forum:
http://createdigitalnoise.com/categories/meeblip
Purchased! 🙂
Thanks! 🙂
Purchased! 🙂
Thanks! 🙂
Purchased! 🙂
Thanks! 🙂
with that analog filter onboard an audio input would have been nice
with that analog filter onboard an audio input would have been nice
with that analog filter onboard an audio input would have been nice