Michigan Synth Works - Temps_Utile

Very good and versatile rhythm and clock generator!  The Temps Utile should not be viewed just as the little brother of the Ornament and Crime (µO_C). Rather: What the O_C is for CV generation and quantization, the Temps Utile does in terms of rhythm and clock generation: a full master clock. Trigger sequencer. Euclidean rhythm generator. Burst and Random generator. And for those who want to go even deeper: A Linear Feedback Shift Register (LFSR) mode and logic operators are also integrated. Assignable in any combination to the six available outputs. This is more than enough to clock and drive even large systems!

We chose the space-saving 8HP t_µ (micro) version from American manufacturer Michigan Sound Works. Not without first obtaining the OK of the original developers. The heart of the t_µ is based on a Teensy 3.1/3.2 dev board and is therefore equipped with a 32bit ARM Cortex M4. Also the further hardware is adapted to the requirements: There are six inputs and six outputs. Four of the inputs are designed as CV inputs with 12Bit accuracy in the range of +/-5V. The other two are trigger/gate inputs, which become active from a threshold value of 2.5V. Since t_µ is mainly used to generate rhythms, five of the outputs are digital gate outputs, which can "only" switch on...off or 10V...0V. The sixth output is continuous: LFOs, sequences, arpeggios in the range of +/-5V (at 12Bit accuracy) are possible. Signals pass through the t_µ with a latency of 0.1ms. This is very good, especially because it is about timing-critical signals!

The firmware is open source and is being constantly improved. For the future you can certainly count on more functions and above all: You certainly can also throw your own programming ideas into the ring. Off the shelf the t_µ is already delivered with very powerful programs. Each channel/output can be set to run a different program. Via the main menu the following seven, implemented programs are quickly accessible:

• Trigger sequencer/sequence editor
• Clock divider/multiplier
• LFSR (Linear Feedback Shift Register)
• Random rhythms with adjustable threshold value
• Euclidean rhythm generator
• logic operators for linking inputs and/or channels  (AND, OR, XOR, NAND, NOR, XNOR)
• Burst generator
• Exclusively for the 4th channel, which is linked to the continuous DAC output:
• random sequences, sequencer/arpeggiator and a few other modes known from the Ornament and Crime.

LFSR? XNOR? Some of it sounds dizzying. Especially when you consider that up to six different programs can run that can also be linked to each other. But this is exactly the strength of the t_µ. Admittedly: Some things read like a mathematics seminar. But due to the quick operation you can quickly switch through the programs and start with the simpler ones. Gradually and with an open ear you can approach the huge potential of the t_µ. It ranges from rather simple, continuous clock applications to polymetric-random- free-jazz. For sure: This module can groove! Six-dimensional…if you want it to!