Vox Digitalis: 4hp, 1-16 steps, TWO displays, a terrible abbreviation, but a whole lot of fun

A while back, we decided we wanted a small, simple, easy-to-use pitch sequencer. After LOTS of discussion, arguing, compromise, debate, and maybe a little more arguing (and a rare turn of events where Kris and Markus convinced Stephen that their design was better than his), we came up with what is now Vox Digitalis. We laughed about the name like we were 12 year olds until we realized we would have to use the abbreviation VD publicly. But by then it was too late. So here we are. Go ahead and get your giggles out. We’ll wait.

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Done? Let’s continue! VD (snort) allows for extremely simple programming of pitch sequences of arbitrary length from 1-16 steps. Want a 6, 9, or 13 step sequence? No problem! Notes are set with the encoder, and shown on their dedicated 7-segment display. The other display shows what step you’re on. At a glance, you know exactly what’s going on in your sequence! It also has 16 save slots so you can load sequences on the fly — it has performance-oriented beat and measure-quantized pattern-loading modes, too.

Early on, we decided we wanted VD’s workflow to be as intuitive and straightforward as possible. We did our best to keep everything one-knob-per-function, but in the end we had a few features that we thought increased VD’s usefulness substantially. We argued about whether to increase the HP (and thus price) or add three simple two-key combos. We opted for the combos: change the sequence length by pressing Adv and the encoder, create a random sequence by pressing Save and the encoder, and clear a sequence by pressing Load and the encoder. No menu diving here. Just twist in your notes on each step, feed it a clock and you’re off!

It also has three different playback modes: forward, random, and pendulum. Want some random melodies in a certain scale? Program in the notes you want, plug in a clock, stick it in random and you’re off. Want a 5-step pendulum sequence à la that oldschool sequencer we all know and love? Vox Digitalis has you covered!

In development, we planned out quite a few systems using multiple Vox Digitalis’ to sequence multiple voices, and control transposition using Quantus Pax, explained later on. We’re just saying, you might enjoy having a few of these...

Check it out in action, sequencing Manis Iteritas! We change the playback modes and randomize some sequences to create a cool, quick performance.