arbhar

Instruo Arbhar

Real-time granular processor with six layers and 88 grains

18 HP Eurorack module

The arbhar is a real-time granular audio processor for Eurorack that captures incoming audio into six 10-second layers and processes them through two independent polyphonic granular engines capable of up to 88 simultaneous grains. It excels at creating frozen drones, spectral smearing, time-stretching, wavetable synthesis, and acousmatic textures from any audio source, with deep CV control and onset detection for reactive, performance-driven granular processing.

Features

  • Up to 88 simultaneous polyphonic grains across two independent granular engines
  • Six 10-second audio buffer layers (alpha, beta, gamma, delta, epsilon, zeta)
  • Continuous Granular Engine with Intensity/Length control and up to 44 grains
  • Strike Granular Engine triggered by Strike Button or Strike Input, up to 44 grains, 15% louder for accenting
  • Omega layer links all six layers for seamless scanning across the entire buffer
  • 1V/octave pitch tracking input
  • Grain Window morphs from square to Gaussian to sawtooth
  • Grain Direction probability from 100% forward to 100% reverse per grain
  • Spray Knob for random grain offset deviation with wrap-around
  • Scan Mode for frozen playback position and Follow Mode for independent speed/pitch control
  • Wavetable Mode derived from single-cycle loops of recorded content
  • Audio analysis with onset detection for automatic capture triggering

Controls & Jacks (31)

  • Sensitivity— Sets the sensitivity threshold for the onset detection algorithm used to trigger automatic audio capturing.
  • Capture— Activates recording of the signal present at the Input (and Onset Input in Stereo Input Mode) into the audio buffer.
  • Pitch Deviation— Sets the amount of random pitch deviation applied per grain, spreading grains across a pitch range.
  • Layer— Controls the number of simultaneously sounding granular layers/grains across both granular engines.
  • Length— Sets the length/duration of each individual grain.
  • Spray— Sets the random scatter of grain read positions around the current Scan position within the audio buffer.
  • Grain Window— Sets the shape/envelope window applied to each grain, controlling the attack and decay of grain amplitude.
  • Intensity— Controls the intensity of grain generation, affecting grain density and triggering rate.
  • Scan— Controls the position within the audio buffer from which grains are read; in Scan Mode continuously moves the read position.
  • Pitch— Sets the base pitch/playback speed of the grains; tracks 1V/octave via the 1V/Oct input.
  • Pulse Output— Outputs a trigger pulse each time a new grain is generated by the granular engine.
  • Onset Input— Audio input used for onset detection to trigger automatic audio capturing. Normalled from the condenser microphone; normalled to the main In
  • Capture Pulse Input— Gate or trigger input that activates the capture/record function externally, equivalent to pressing the Capture Button.
  • Length CV Input— CV input that modulates the Length knob, controlling the duration of each grain.
  • Shift— Shift function button used to access secondary parameters and alternate modes of the module.
  • Hold— Controls the hold time after a capture event before the granular engine is allowed to update its buffer position.
  • Input— AC coupled audio input for capturing external audio into the granular buffers. Normalled from the condenser microphone via the Onset Input.
  • Output 1— Primary audio output. In mono use, monitor from this output. Output 2 is normalled to Output 1 when unpatched.
  • Grain Direction— Controls the probability of grain playback direction, ranging from always forward to always reverse.
  • Strike Input— Trigger input that fires the granular engines, equivalent to pressing the Strike Button.
  • Spray CV Input— CV input (on CV Expansion module) that modulates the Spray knob, controlling random scatter of grain read positions.
  • 1V/Octave Input— 1V/octave pitch CV input for tracking melodic sequences and transposing grain playback pitch.
  • Dry/Wet Mix— Equal power crossfade between the dry input signal and the granular engines' output.
  • Output Level— Sets the overall level of the signal present at the Outputs.
  • Input Level— Sets the level of the signal at the Input, including the normalled condenser microphone signal. Unity gain at approximately 10:00 position;
  • Scan CV Input— CV input that modulates the Scan knob, controlling the read position within the audio buffer.
  • Dub— Controls the dub/overdub level, mixing new incoming audio with previously captured audio in the buffer.
  • Intensity CV Input— CV input that modulates the Intensity knob, controlling grain density and triggering rate.
  • Record
  • Input LED
  • Output 2— Secondary audio output. When patched, enables stereo imaging and independent effect processing. Output 2 is normalled to Output 1 when unpat

How-To Guides

  • Granular Freeze Drone
  • Auto-Capture Onset Looper
  • Independent Pitch and Speed Timestretch
  • Recorded Wavetable Oscillator
  • Granular Polyphonic Harmonizer
  • Karplus-Strong Granular Plucks
  • Six-Layer Live Sample Player
  • Accumulative Audio Collage
  • Infinite Reverb Shimmer Pad
  • Save a Scene to USB
  • Load a Scene from USB
  • Load Audio into a Layer from USB

Explore the interactive Arbhar panel on BleepDex — tap any control to learn what it does.

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