The xp32 is an expander module for Hermod+, which offers 32 fully-configurable CV outputs.
Each output is individually configurable - it has its own voltage range and can output a variety of signals, not only CV but also Gate signals.
Combined with the features of Hermod+, it can not only be used for the usual CV/Gate pair, but also to output complex automation, envelopes, LFOs, clocks, etc.
Despite its extensive configurability, the xp32 was designed to remain user-friendly. Buttons provide quick access to modes and menus related to the xp32, and LEDs provide real-time feedback of the output voltages.
The user interface of Hermod+ was carefully revised in version 2.00 to seamlessly interface with the xp32.
Wiring it up
Before proceeding, make sure your Eurorack system is unplugged and NOT POWERED.
Connect the 14-pin expander ribbon cable between your Hermod+ and xp32. This cable provides power to the expander, and carries signal for high-speed bidirectional communication.
Power your system on, and Hermod+ should automatically recognize the xp32. A popup should appear on Hermod+ during startup.
Note Make sure Hermod+ is running firmware version 2.00 or newer; otherwise, the xp32 will not be detected.
The xp32 is now ready for use.
The 32 additional outputs are organized as 8 tracks of 4 outputs. These 8 tracks are accessible on the second page of the track mode, where the MIDI tracks are now displayed as XP32 tracks.
Bipolar signal LEDs
Each of the 32 CV outputs features a dual-colour LED indicator for visual feedback of the signal level.
● orange LED — output voltage is positive (up to +10V). ● blue LED — output voltage is negative (down to –10V). ● no brightness — output voltage is exactly 0V.
Selecting a xp32 track
Press any track button of the xp32 to select a track (TR1 to TR8).
Note If the track button is lit at full brightness, the track is selected. If the button is lit at medium brightness, the track is not empty.
Once selected, you can edit the track using Hermod+. You can add notes, record modulations, apply effects, mute the track, and more.
Working with the xp32 tracks is identical to working with the CV/Gate tracks of Hermod+, with one exception: the "track layouts" feature is not available. Instead, each xp32 track provides 4 CV outputs which may be individually configured (details in the next section).
Configuring the output types
Each xp32 track (1 to 8) has four outputs: ABCD. These outputs can be customized to respond to specific data types.
By default, the outputs are configured as PITCH, GATE, VELO and MOD.
Hold a track button to access the XP32 OUTPUTS page, where you can configure the output types to suit your needs.
Rotate the encoder on Hermod+ to scroll through the ABCD outputs and Press the encoder to select an output for configuration.
Scroll through the various data types available:
PITCH – note pitch
GATE – note gate
VELO – note velocity
MOD, MOD2, MOD3, MOD4 – modulations
AFTC – aftertouch
CLCK – clock (various rates can be defined)
CC00 .. CC119 – MIDI Control Changes
Press X to further configure the selected output. Please refer to the following "Output configuration" sections for more detail.
Tip Your xp32 configuration is saved with your Hermod+ project. To streamline your workflow, you can create and save custom templates as projects for easy recall.
Output configuration – pitch
PITCH refers to the representation of musical pitch, which corresponds to the frequency of a note, expressed as a precise voltage level. As with Hermod+, the voltage span is 10V, which covers 10 octaves when using the V/OCTAVE standard.
CV PITCH RANGE -5V to +5V -4V to +6V ... 0V to +10V Offsets the pitch span, for example: -5V to +5V – default range. 0V to +10V – range to be used for modules using only positive voltages.
OUTPUT STANDARD V/OCTAVE 1.2V/OCTAVE HZ/V Pitch information is most often expressed as a control voltage using the V/OCTAVE standard. It is used by Eurorack modules and most other modular systems. However some synthesizers require the use of other standards to respond correctly. The 1.2V/OCTAVE standard is mainly used by Buchla-compatible systems, while the HZ/V standard is an older standard used by the Korg MS series and the Yamaha CS series, among others.
The default -5V +5V voltage span of your pitch output allows 10 octaves of V/OCTAVE notes, 8 octaves of 1.2V/OCTAVE notes, and only 3 octaves of HZ/V notes.
V/OCTAVE
HZ/V
C0
- 5 V
+ 0.0312 V
C1
- 4 V
+ 0.0625 V
C2
- 3 V
+ 0.125 V
C3
- 2 V
+ 0.25 V
C4
- 1 V
+ 0.5 V
C5
+ 0 V
+ 1 V
C6
+ 1 V
+ 2 V
C7
+ 2 V
+ 4 V
Eb7
+ 2.25 V
+ 4.75 V
C8
+ 3 V
out of range
C9
+ 4 V
out of range
C10
+ 5 V
out of range
Comparison of the available notes in the Volt-per-octave standard, and the Hertz-per-Volt standard
CV OUT FINETUNE -100 CENTS ... +0 CENTS ... +100 CENTS The finetune parameter can precisely offset the output voltage in terms of "cents". Each "cent" is one hundredth of a semitone. This can be used to ensure that the pitch produced by the connected oscillator/synthesizer is accurate and in tune with other instruments or devices. You can also use it to create subtle out-of-pitch sounds.
CV OUT BEND RANGE +-1 SEMITONE +-2 SEMITONES +-5 SEMITONES +-1 OCTAVE ... +-5 OCTAVES Sets the output voltage range for incoming pitchbend events.
Output configuration – gate
GATE signals are binary voltages that switch between a low state and a high state, with the high state indicating when a note or event is active. You can also use a gate to trigger a drum or a logic state.
GATE RETRIG ON OFF ON – When two notes overlap (one note starts before the previous one ends), the gate will retrigger (i.e. shortly go low, then go back up) to separate the notes. OFF – When two notes overlap, the gate signal remains continuous, and only the CV pitch will change, tying the two notes together. Use this option for a legato or glide effect.
TRIG NOTE -- C0 ... C10 Specify a particular note to trigger this gate. For example, if this parameter is set to C5, only C5 notes will trigger this gate. This is useful for controlling drums with a single track: up to 4 drum voices can be triggered by setting 4 different trigger notes. Note By default, the trigger note is unspecified, meaning any note will trigger the gate.
GATE LOW -10V ... +10V Set the gate "low state" voltage value.
GATE HIGH -10V ... +10V Set the gate "high state" voltage value.
Output configuration – velocity, aftertouch, MOD and CC
The output types VELO, AFTC, MOD, MOD2, MOD3, MOD4 and CC can be configured with a custom voltage range.
CV RANGE MIN -10V ... 0V ... +10V Set the minimum voltage of this output.
CV RANGE MAX -10V ... 0V ... +10V Set the maximum voltage of this output.
Tip If the MIN is higher than the MAX, the output signal will be inverted.
Note The CC data type allows you to transform any MIDI CC (received via Hermod+'s USB or MIDI inputs) into a CV output. CC events can also be generated using Hermod+'s LFO or ENV effects.
Output configuration – clock
Gate clocks provide a timing reference or pulse that drives other devices or processes to follow a specific rhythm or pattern. It's often used in sequencers, drum machines, or any system that requires precise timing to trigger events. Clock signals can synchronize modules, trigger envelopes, reset sequencers, and many other time-based processes.
CLOCK RATE 1/96 = 24 PPQN 1/64 = 16 PPQN 1/48 = 12 PPQN 1/32 = 8 PPQN 1/24 = 6 PPQN 1/16 = 4 PPQN 1/12 = 3 PPQN 1/8 = 2 PPQN 1/6 = 1.5 PPQN 1/4 = 1 PPQN 1/3 = 0.75 PPQN 1/2 = 0.5 PPQN 1 BAR 2 BARS 3 BARS 4 BARS 8 BARS 16 BARS 32 BARS 64 BARS 128 BARS The clock rate determines how often the clock signal triggers events. The two most common ones are:
1/96 = 24 PPQN
This is the standard MIDI clock rate, it sends 24 pulses per quarter note (PPQN).
1/16 = 4 PPQN
sends a pulse every sixteenth note.
Track configuration
Hold a xp32 track button to enter the XP32 OUTPUTS page.
Press Y to access the track's configuration menu.
You will find settings identical to those of regular Hermod+ tracks:
Please refer to the "track configuration" sections of the Hermod+ manual for more detail.
Note Selecting XP32 will take you to the XP32 OUTPUTS page.
Tip You can still use your xp32 tracks to send MIDI. By default, these tracks are configured to send MIDI on channels 1 to 8.
Tip The xp32 can also serve as a powerful MIDI-to-CV/GATE converter. Adding/recording events on tracks is optional: you can simply stream MIDI input to the xp32's CV/GATE outputs.
Scope
Hold a xp32 track button to enter the XP32 OUTPUTS page.
Hold Y to open the "oscilloscope" view and monitor the track's 4 output values in real-time.
Use case example: default layout
Hermod+ plays its 8 CV/GATE tracks, but also plays the 8 additional "MIDI" tracks, which are routed to the xp32. This is default layout when creating an empty project. This configuration is perfect to sequence your eurorack instruments with expressiveness, as xp32 will output the velocity and the modulation of your recorded pattern.
TR1
note sequence for eurorack instrument 1
PITCH
GATE
VELOCITY
MOD
TR2
note sequence for eurorack instrument 2
PITCH
GATE
VELOCITY
MOD
TR3
note sequence for eurorack instrument 3
PITCH
GATE
VELOCITY
MOD
TR4
note sequence for eurorack instrument 4
PITCH
GATE
VELOCITY
MOD
TR5
note sequence for eurorack instrument 5
PITCH
GATE
VELOCITY
MOD
TR6
note sequence for eurorack instrument 6
PITCH
GATE
VELOCITY
MOD
TR7
note sequence for eurorack instrument 7
PITCH
GATE
VELOCITY
MOD
TR8
note sequence for eurorack instrument 8
PITCH
GATE
VELOCITY
MOD
Use case example: DAW to CV
Thanks to Hermod+, you can use your xp32 as an advanced MIDI USB to CV interface. Your favorite DAW can output note patterns and automation (thanks to CC messages), and the xp32 will be used to dispatch these sequences to your modular system.
TR1
USB input (notes and CC message) to CV/Gate
PITCH
GATE
VELOCITY
CC31
TR2
USB input (notes and CC message) to CV/Gate
PITCH
GATE
VELOCITY
CC32
TR3
USB input (notes and CC message) to CV/Gate
PITCH
GATE
VELOCITY
CC33
TR4
USB input (CC messages) to CV
CC4
CC14
CC24
CC34
TR5
USB input (CC messages) to CV
CC5
CC15
CC25
CC35
TR6
USB input (CC messages) to CV
CC6
CC16
CC26
CC36
TR7
USB input (CC messages) to CV
CC7
CC17
CC27
CC37
TR8
USB input (CC messages) to CV
CC8
CC18
CC28
CC38
Use case example: preset manager
You can use the CV to output a fixed voltage for “recalling a preset” on your modular system. When changing the Hermod+ sequence or when loading a new song, these outputs can send new CV values (programmed in Hermod+ thanks to the internal automation MODMOD2MOD3MOD4).
TR1
preset for eurorack instrument 1
MOD
MOD2
MOD3
MOD4
TR2
preset for eurorack instrument 2
MOD
MOD2
MOD3
MOD4
TR3
preset for eurorack instrument 3
MOD
MOD2
MOD3
MOD4
TR4
preset for eurorack instrument 4
MOD
MOD2
MOD3
MOD4
TR5
preset for eurorack instrument 5
MOD
MOD2
MOD3
MOD4
TR6
preset for eurorack instrument 6
MOD
MOD2
MOD3
MOD4
TR7
preset for eurorack instrument 7
MOD
MOD2
MOD3
MOD4
TR8
preset for eurorack instrument 8
MOD
MOD2
MOD3
MOD4
Use case example: mixed configuration
Feel free to customize your CV outputs to suit even the most intricate modular setups. The example below shows the flexibility of the xp32 with a complex routing:
