Showing posts with label Karplus Strong. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Karplus Strong. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

ErrorInstruments Kharper EuroRack Electronic Harp

Two weeks ago, Paul Tas from ErrorInstruments released the Kharper Eurorack Module, built in collaboration with This Is Not Rocket Science (TiNRS)

The "Kharper -emuharphonica- Eurorack" is a kind of electronic harp, with 4 touch - and position- sensitive 'strings' on the frontplate of the module.
Every string is a voice. The strings are built out of two touch strips with an LED bar in the middle, showing you what kHarper is doing. 
Each string has a knob on top to set the tone and a CV -in below. You can also patch in a gate to pluck the string

Inside is a microprocessor that uses Virtual Modelling models to recreate different versions of the Karplus-Strong algorithm.

The Karplus-Strong algorithm, also called Karplus-Strong string synthesis, is a way to make sounds that are like plucked or hit strings, and even drum sounds too. It was created in 1983 by Kevin Karplus and Alex Strong. The method uses a short sound loop with a filter to repeat a small sound wave, which helps create a string sound that feels real.

Video: Kharper eurorack explainedI was already intrigued by the first demo's I saw earlier this year, and so far I love the sounds that i've heard of it from several sources that were lucky to get one from the first batch...
A wide range of sounds and soundscapes can be created, from spacey piano-like and harpy sounds.
It can also make percussive African drum-like sounds and even much more extremer noises...  ultimately you can push this module even leading to clipping, with cut-offs and distorted noises that even don't seem to belong there... the interesting area where even the calculations become unpredictable... lol

The Kharper is a 18HP wide skiff-friendly Eurorack module, but it can work as a stand-alone version too, powered by the USB connector on the back.
Via this connector you will also be able to download new sounds, algorithms, or even full alternative firmware. " In the future, there could be: • Traditional octave tracking • Different quantization schemes • Ambient or generative patches Or more experimental warm or noisy • New forms of sound design — all possible through open-source updates"

The Kharper comes with 9 (3x3), already impressive sounding models but in the future certainly different models will be downloadable.

INPUTS:
- MIDI in
- STRUM is a gate in that will strum all four strings
- Pond/River/Ocean - choice of sound engine
- Herring/Koikarp/Dolphin - choice of sound engine

The Tone and Decay of the selected sound engine can be tweaked with a knob or via CV.
All strings have a knob and CV in for tone and a trigger gate input to pluck the string see demo

OUTPUTS:  
- Control output Gate and CV
- Left/Right audio output


The first batch is already sold out
The kHarper will be available again in September. 

If you’d like to reserve one, email studiopaultas@hotmail.com
and/or check out  @rocket_not and @errorinstruments for updates