Introducing RANDOM8: 8 Looping Random Voltages in 8HP(!)

**OUT JUNE 15TH - MORE INFO HERE & DEALERS: https://www.befaco.org/random8 ** 🙌 HELLO M8! Please meet the module I've been making with Befaco! 🟠 RANDOM8 is a random voltage generator designed bring a whole modular to life, in the smallest possible space. You get _8_ independent random voltage generators, with dedicated per-channel looping buttons and attenuators, in just 8HP(!) It's what I've wished I could have in my live modular for a long time - a stupid amount of per-step modulation in a small space, yet you can control the looping instantly. There is a limited batch to start with and more will follow. Thank you, M8s. 🟠 RETAILER LIST: https://www.befaco.org/retailers/ 🟠 RANDOM8 OFFICIAL PAGE: https://www.befaco.org/random8 🟠 MODULARGRID FOR RANDOM8: https://modulargrid.net/e/mylar-melodies-random8 MORE RANDOM8 INFO: RANDOM8 doesn't only make stepped voltages - you can smooth them! So it’s kind of an LFO, or an invisible pair of hands for your system to keep things sounding alive and moving. Maximum output voltage is 10V (it's unipolar), so it can drive nearly anything with CV ins you are likely to have. Menus, which are only one layer deep, add: 1. Preset memories (7 slots plus the working state can be preserved after powering off) 2. Input clock divider (so steps can take 1-8 triggers to advance, for nice repeats) 3. Probability (that a new step will be triggered, from 0-100%) 4. 8 different random styles (5 distributions of random, 1 alternating style, 2 'wandering' styles) 5. Offset (raises voltages up, clipping them to the 'ceiling') 6. Pitch quantizer scales built right in - yep, it can be 8 independent pitch sequencers too - but it chooses the steps for you! 7. Slides (for acid slides, then turning channels into complex LFOs then slid even more for “slow turning hand” voltages) 8. Ability to set how many steps are in a loop (1-32 steps) To use a menu, you hold a labeled button for one second, a light winks to confirm you are in that menu. Turn any of the 8 pots to adjust that menu setting for any of the channels. Whatever you don't interact with won't change. Then tap any button to instantly leave and return to looping. To reset individual channels hold their button(s) for 5 seconds and let go. To reset all channels hold the top and bottom buttons for 5 seconds and let go. You could use RANDOM8 to make every step completely different (R8 plus BIA is instant one-shot techno sample packs), or add near-imperceptible but critical life and bounce to all your voices. Set all your channels up so you're happy with the ranges and styles, save that as your preset, then jam out by just tapping the buttons - or, once set up you can leave RANDOM8 to do its thing and get busy coming up with a good melody on your sequencer, knowing that the cutoff, timbre, volume, panning, sample selection, start time, wavefolder, octaves (etc etc) are happily bouncing around by themselves. Easy firmware updates via USB-C... 👀 The initial idea for RANDOM8 was conceived when playing with native devices in VCV Rack (2 x RND into 8-Vert, and a lightbulb went off in my head - "why on Earth is there no 8 channel random voltage generator with 8 dedicated attenuators on the outputs" - nearly 3 years ago!). I'm pleased to say that a software recreation of RANDOM8 is well on the way and will be released as a completely FREE VCV Rack plugin for anyone to download and use. My unending thanks go to Befaco (they build the hardware & firmware and are making, shipping & supporting it - it's a collaboration), VCV Rack, DivKid, Music Thing Modular & Aphex for support, advice & inspiration on this project. Extra special thanks to the beta tester team - @remifox-novak8771, @effiksmusic, @jamescigler, @DivKid, @signal-sounds Luke. (Aphex only provided inspo, I don't know him. But if u want one m8 get in touch yeah, one’s on me…). A note for blind or partially sighted users - RANDOM8 has 8 multi-function buttons and 8 trimmer pots, 8 in, 8 outs. Outs are in a column on the left, Ins are the next column, then a column of trimmer pots, then a column of buttons. It has extensive feedback using LED light strips for deeper menu selection but the core looping methodology should be accessible for sure. It does not feature wraparound menus but selecting specific options such as hitting certain menu settings would require critical listening as the attenuators are not detented (but use absolute position) - it would be tricky to match settings from channel to channel, but once done, states can be saved for recall. It features a cycling behaviour for the looping, but by double tapping a channel one can return a channel to a known state and proceed from there. Apologies for the grainy vid, it's hard to film this little babe and have the LED colours look as they do in reality!