Powerful easy to use programmable Patchblock modules

Using DSP technology these powerful little modules can be programmed in many different ways, as stand alone sound and music generators, acting as interfaces between other equipment, and with the MIDI module able to take inputs and create outputs to and from standard MIDI equipment.

Here are the inputs and outputs shown below

Controls are two rotary controls and two switch buttons, the modules can take stereo in to all sync from other sources and also create effects on any sound inputs, there is an audio stereo out which can drive headphones. If you have more than one , the devices can be interfaced together to via a digital IO.

It is powered using a rechargeable battery which is charged via the USB socket ( standard mini USB ), when switched on the device acts like a USB memory drive and can be programmed using the free software, which is downloadable from the Pathcblocks web site.

http://patchblocks.com/

Many fully working examples patches are available so you can get started straight away.

The modules come with a USB lead for programming and charging, and a short 3.5mm plug to plug stereo lead.

A small keyboard and MIDI modules are available to buy.

Radica U-Create

The Radica U-Create, an insane little device sold as a child's toy in the past which is pretty robust and has some great cheesey sounds and interesting sound effects.

It's basically a flash memory looping device which comes with its own samples, one sample slot can be your own recording sourced from it's internal microphone or a 3.5 mm microphone socket input, its also has an input for a music source which you can apply the effects.

In theory there is software to download your own samples via its USB interface but I've not tried this.

Anyway only using it as an effect with a Korg Monotribe making the sounds here is some noise.