Core is a standalone MIDI/USB to CV/Gate converter and a clocking/modulation control center.

It is designed to be used with one or two xp32 expander modules, which provide the physical CV/Gate outputs. In its maximum configuration, Core can control up to 64 CV/Gate outputs simultaneously.

The xp32 expander can be driven either by Hermod+, via its dedicated expander port, or by Core. This manual describes how Core interfaces with and controls the xp32 expander.

Core primarily serves two roles in your hybrid system :

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MIDI TO CV/GATE INTERFACE

Converts incomming MIDI and USB signals into up to 64 fully configurable CV/Gate outputs (32 per xp32 port).

Each xp32 provides 32 CV outputs organized as 8 tracks x 4 outputs (A, B, C, D) which supports PITCH, GATE, VELO, AFTR, and CC messages, with cross–track polyphonic voice allocation.

Featuring four MIDI ports (USB DEVICE, USB HOST and MIDI IN + MIDI OUT), Core provides maximum flexibility for connecting MIDI controllers, DAWs, and other MIDI devices to your modular synthesizer.

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CLOCKING & MODULATION CONTROL CENTER

Runs an internal clock with BPM control, provides generative output Engines such as MOTIF, EUCLID, LOGIC, and CLOCK, as well as modulation sources including LFO and AHDSR envelopes. Can operate from its internal clock or synchronize to an external MIDI clock.

1. Connect up to two xp32 expander modules to Core's SLOT A and/or SLOT B using a 14-pin ribbon cable.


2. Connect Core to you eurorack power supply using the provided 16–pin ribbon cable. You can now power on your system.


3. Connect your MIDI devices:
   • USB DEVICE - Connect to a computer/DAW (Core will appear as an USB MIDI device) or connect instruments equiped with a Host port (like Hapax).
   • USB HOST - Connect to MIDI controllers or synthesizers.
   • MIDI IN - Connect traditional MIDI gear (5–pin DIN via TRS adapter).
   • MIDI OUT - Optional output for clock/transport or MIDI thru forwarding.


4. Connect CV outputs from the xp32 module(s) to your modular synthesizer. Those outputs can be configured as clocks, gates, or a variety of modulation signals and notes.

 Note  Core accepts input from multiple sources simultaneously.

Core has 4 front–panel buttons and 1 clickable rotary encoder. Each button has a Press action (primary label) and some has a Hold action (secondary label, printed in grey).

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Mode  input  (current track's input settings)



• Hold  input  to access the general settings and  presets  management.

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Mode  tempo 



• Press  start  to start or stop the playback: a steady blue LED indicates that Core is stopped, while a blinking LED indicates that it is running.
• Hold  start  to edit the BPM, the swing percentage and the scale.

 Note  When the clock source is set to external, the  start  button is disabled.

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Mode  outputs  (edit the current track's output Engines)



• If the  outputs  page is already open, Press  outputs  to cycle through the available outputs A B C D (or Rotate  encoder ).
• Press  encoder  to change the selected output's Engine.
• Hold  encoder  to jump directly to the  params  page.
• Hold  outputs  to enter the  map  list (CC learned assigns).

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Mode  params  (edit Engine Parameters)



• If the  params  page is already open, Press  params  to cycle through the available outputs A B C D.
• Rotate  encoder  to select, then Press it to edit and confirm.
• Hold  encoder  (while a parameter value is being edited) to reset it to its default value.
• Hold  encoder  (while a parameter is being selected) to create a new mapping for the param.

Press  outputs  +  params  to display the Home view.



This mode is showing the signal routing and output levels for all outputs of the selected xp32, but many other display types are available in the settings.

After a period of inactivity, Home is automatically displayed on the screen, and that can also be configured in the settings.

• Press 1 .. 8 to select a track.
• Hold 1 .. 8 to jump to the  params  page of that track.

 Tip  Hold a track button, then Press another one to copy all 4 outputs from the source track to the destination track. The copy works across xp32 slots. Only the 4 outputs are copied, while the input configuration remains unchanged.

• USB Device: link a computer or any equipment fitted with an USB Host port, receive midi events and/or send synchronisation.

• USB Host: Link a midi controller or any device fitted with an USB Device port, receive midi events and/or send synchronisation.

• MIDI TRS: Connect classic instruments, receive midi events and/or send synchronisation.

Each tracks are configured for monophonic control of your modular voices. Midi inputs can come from your computer DAW, your tabletop sequencer, or your MIDI controllers.


 Tip  You can use an AHDSR instead of a GATE output to eliminate the need for a dedicated envelope module in your system, or to get more complex, configurable envelopes.

Even without any MIDI input ports connected, Core can operate as a standalone modulation/synchronization/ source.

In the example below, the internal clock drives:
• LFO (synchronized or not)
• MOTIF (sequences of notes)
• EUCLID (gate rhythm patterns)
• SLOPE (rise/fall LFOs)
• SYNC (run, stop or reset gates)
• LOGIC (operations using other outputs as inputs)
• CLOCK (fully configurable synchronized gates)



 Note  Core can run standalone, generating Gates, CV modulations and CV pitches thanks to the  start   tempo  button, like a sequencer. You can also use it synced to an external MIDI clock. Of course, you can freely mix and match generative output engines with MIDI–to–CV/Gate engines.

When multiple tracks share the same MIDI input Port and Channel, they can form a polyphonic group. The ALLOC option determine how incoming notes are dispatched among voices of this group.

In the example below, 4 tracks are sharing the same input. Each voices are providing full per–voice control over PITCH, GATE, VELO, AFTR, CC, so you can use your keyboard as a polyphonic controller for your system.

Use the TRIG NOTE parameter on a GATE output Engine to route specific MIDI notes to different drum modules.

In the example below, 4 tracks are used to send 12 different drum triggers and 4 velocities (VELO output Engine also has the TRIG NOTE option).

Assign all Engines as CC outputs, linked to different Control Change numbers (CC0 to CC119), and turn your xp32 into a giant matrix converting MIDI automation to CV:

You can use DC to output precise and fixed voltages, a way to "configure" your modular patch. As each Core preset can contain the same set of engines with different parameters, you can use Core as a program/patch manager to save and recall your presets.



 Tip  Recall presets via MIDI Program Change for hands–free configuration changes during performances. Enable PC INPUT in the General Settings and select the source port and channel.