Two simple controls, Rho (ρ Melodic Direction) & Delta (∆ Melodic Jumpiness), on the unsprung joystick originate a melodic countour shape via a specially modified SI Random Walk. This contour can then be looped by 3 independent ‘Phrase Loopers’ and walked through a powerful music-theory-aware Quantizer using those same two ρ & ∆ controls. The Quantizer can automatically apply Modal Interchange and Circle of Fifths rotations, and together with two Chaotic LFOs, multiple Noise types (White and various PRNG implementations with sample rate and bit depth control), built-in Envleopes, a Folder/Wrapper, and an External Input all permit live re-composition and variation of anything you send it. Strange responds to external clocks into the audio range, can swing, and can even be used as a live Keyboard/Arpeggiator, a VCO with sync, and a rudamentary Sampler. Every function is CV controlable, the unit has scene recall with 7 scene memories, and is Firmware updatable via micro SD Card.
Together, Strange provides a highly CV-able generative system whose internal depth belies an extreme simplicity of basic operation: performative immediacy, gestural potency and melodic expression. By also exposing its internal sub-modules to the front panel it also doubles as a powerful multi-utility unit, offering a range of core functions far beyond its footprint and price point. This module has consistently surprised us with the unexpected sophistication of its behaviour, the final results of which exhibit a level of emergent musical complexity which we didn’t explicitly program. We’re really pleased with it. We think you will be too.
