Introduction The disting is a many-in-1 multifunction module, offering a variety of CV and audio processes, including a selection of oscillators (LFOs/VCOs). All algorithms have two high-precision inputs and outputs, and a third control input, exposed on a front panel knob and a CV input. The disting is also a sample (WAV) file and MIDI file player, with a variety of options for sample triggering, playback speed etc. Reviews AudioNewsRoom gave the disting mk4 4.5 stars (out of five) - read the full review here. “I would say this Disting Mk4 is a no-brainer: an essential piece to add to your Eurorack!” A thorough review (in German) of the disting mk4 appears on BuenasIdeas here. “Zumindest mir persönlich ist kein anderes Modul bekannt, dass mit einer derartigen vielseitigkeit im unmittelbaren Zugriff aufwarten kann, insbesondere auf lediglich 4 TE und zu einem für ein besseres Eurorack-Modul vergleichsweise günstigen Verkaufspreis.” The disting mk3 was awarded an 'Excellence' award by MusicTech Magazine (June 2014 issue). “With so much functionality on offer, this unit is something of a no-brainer.” Read the full article here. The disting mk3 was also nominated in MusicTech's Gear Of The Year 2016 poll. Functions There are currently 76 distinct algorithms. The first 16 ('classic disting') are: Precision Adder with integer voltage offsets Four Quadrant Multiplier with integer multiply/divide Full-wave Rectifier Minimum/maximum Linear/Exponential Converter Quantizer with selectable scales Comparator with adjustable hysteresis Dual Waveshaper wavefolder and triangle-to-sine shaper Sample and Hold with noise source and adjustable slew rate Slew Rate Limiter with linear and exponential slew Pitch and Envelope Tracker Clockable Delay/Echo LFO with through zero frequency control and waveshaping Clockable LFO with multiply/divide and waveshaping VCO with linear FM sine and saw outputs VCO with waveshaping saw/triangle and pulse outputs The remaining algorithms are: Precision Adder with fractional voltage offsets Voltage Controlled Delay Line vibrato/chorus/flange effects Clockable Ping Pong Delay Clockable Ping Pong Delay with input pan control Resonator for drum synthesis Vocoder 12 band Phaser up to 10 stages Bit Crusher Tape Delay with voltage controlled tape speed Waveform Animator State Variable Filter smoothly variable filter type LP/HP Filter LP/BP Filter BP/HP Filter BP/Notch Filter AR Envelope AR Envelope (with push) AR Envelope & VCA AR Envelope & VCA (with push) Dual AR Envelope Dual AR Envelope (with push) Euro to Buchla Converter Buchla to Euro Converter Clockable AD Envelope (with mute) Clockable AD Envelope (with gate) Clockable AD Envelope (with trigger) Clockable AD Envelope & VCA Shift Register Random CVs Shift Register Random Quantized CVs Shift Register Random Triggers Shift Register Random Dual Triggers ES-1 Emulation ES-2 Emulation Pitch Reference Frequency Reference Tuner MIDI Clock MIDI/CV CV/MIDI Crossfade/Pan Dual Sample and Hold Dual Quantizer (Z scale) Dual Quantizer Dual Euclidean Patterns Dual Delayed Pulse Generator Noise Stereo Reverb Mono-to-Stereo Reverb Dual Reverb Stereo Chorus Mono Chorus The functions relating to playing back audio and MIDI files from the MicroSD card are: Audio Playback Clocked Audio Playback Audio Playback with V/Oct Audio Playback with Z Speed MIDI File Playback (Clocked) MIDI File Playback (Free Running) Audio Playback with End CV Audio Recorder Wavetable VCO The video below was the winning entry in a video competition we held to promote the original disting. It's a fun and very musical romp through the first 16 of the disting's functions. mk4 version The disting mk4 was introduced at the NAMM show in January 2017. The main differences compared to the disting mk3 are: Dot matrix screen, capable of showing text and numeric values Micro SD card slot accessible on the front panel Compatibility with the Select Bus protocol An internal precision clock allowing new algorithms such as a tuner, and pitch and frequency references MIDI in/out ports (on a breakout header) Specifications The disting mk4's specifications are as follows: Panel width: 4HP Module depth: 42mm X & Y inputs, A & B outputs Sample rate: 75kHz ADC: 24 bit, THD+N -93dB, Dynamic range 99dB, SNR 99dB DAC: 24 bit, THD+N -94dB, Dynamic range 105dB, SNR 104dB Z input sample rate: 75kHz CPU: Microchip PIC32MX at up to 50MHz Current draw: 51mA on the +12V rail, 19mA on the -12V rail The front panel is drilled for both Doepfer and Analogue Systems mounting holes (using a 'slot' rather than a single round hole). The power connector is a Doepfer standard 16 way IDC, with -12V furthest from the top of the board. For more detail, please see the user manual. Hackable The disting is based around a PIC microcontroller, with a programming/debug header available on the board. Using Microchip's free development tools a user can easily hack the disting to perform their own functions. We have provided an open source code framework into which developers can slot their own algorithms. This can be found here. There is a thread about disting firmware hacking on the forum here. Note though that this framework has not yet been updated for the mk4 version. Below is a (rather long) video introducing the disting in some detail, filmed at a meeting of the London Music Hackspace. You may like to jump in at these times: 06:00 - description of the hardware 40:45 - description of the open source software framework 1:16:45 - compilation of some custom code and seeing how it sounds.
