Kilpatrick Format?

sgnhh · Post by **sgnhh** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 8:54 am

Anyone seen this yet?

http://www.kilpatrickaudio.com/?p=kformat

Kilpatrick Format Features:

* 4U (7") panel height - each panel offers close to 30 in. of panel space
* Simple plug and play module installation - rearranging a system or adding new modules is easy
* Universal use of banana cables for patching of audio, CV and pulse/gate signals - high quality cables are available in a variety of colors and lengths
* Color-coded jacks indicate different signal functions and direction
* Separate analog and digital grounds used for low noise signal returns - plenty of power available for digital modules
* Total cabinet depth of less than 3" permits table top or rack mounting
* High quality brushed anodized panels are rugged and feature clean, futuristic graphics
* All modules and systems are hand-assembled and built-to-order in our downtown Toronto workshop
* Kilpatrick format products are only available directly from Kilpatrick Audio

amnesia · Post by **amnesia** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 9:03 am

interesting, cant wait to see vids or listen to it.

its a bit on the grey side.

Cat-A-Tonic · Post by **Cat-A-Tonic** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 9:25 am

That looks absolutely fantastic.

Recently Clarke was talking about the idea of 4U, all banana modules with Euro rails and +/-15V power for a new DIY format.

Kilpatrick's vision is not far from that,
but then again BugBrand isn't far off from that either.

I wish I could afford all the beautiful stuff these guys design.

Alas, I have a shameful pile of DIY yet to build and the bulk of my module money has got to go towards that for a while.

...I have a real itch to try some bananas.

spacenoodle · Post by **spacenoodle** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 9:25 am

I was wondering what Kilpatrick has been working on lately. This guy is really making his mark.

Yes, if he dressed up his modules a bit (unique knobs, a bit of color) I bet he might sell more of them. They are certainly clinical looking. That hasn't stopped me from buying them though!

Entrainer · Post by **Entrainer** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 9:55 am

I like the idea of the format. Hopefully he does well with it.
No Kilpatrick Pattern Generator? Or the Triangle Core oscillator he
makes? Wonder why he opted to release a saw core one instead.

sgnhh · Post by **sgnhh** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 10:16 am

perhaps price? the systems are a reasonable price.

qu.one · Post by **qu.one** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 10:18 am

whoa - didn't see that coming. might actually rethink what i just thought.

JohnLRice · Post by **JohnLRice** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 10:34 am

While it looks great, I don't understand the logic of creating yet another format!?

Entrainer · Post by **Entrainer** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 10:40 am

JohnLRice wrote:While it looks great, I don't understand the logic of creating yet another format!?

I do. The format is exactly what I've always wanted.
I hope he does well with his own modules, of course...
but DAMN if I don't wish my Hordijk and Euro modules were
ALL in this format.

jenamu6 · Post by **jenamu6** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 10:50 am

More formats the better.....even more so cause it's bananas.
Don't have the money though.

shred · Post by **shred** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 10:55 am

damn. looks awesome! would love to see/hear some videos/sounds

ultrashock · Post by **ultrashock** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 11:07 am

whoa, I'm pretty exited

Not everyday new modular format is being announced!!! I wish there were some video presentation.
It was clear that for such talented guy as Andrew Kilpatrick soon will be closely in the euro- and Buchla land.
Pretty clean and smart design. The color encoding seems was borrowed some from Buchla but a bit gray-scaled and then refined into calm color encoding.
However after the first wow-effect I cannot resist to say some critics....
Seems like reinventing the bicycle. Unfortunately, I haven't noticed the hook or some interesting idea put in any module except nice shell. Same vco>vca>vcf>eg>mix chain + digital fx = same old soup just reheated.
I suppose it's pretty difficult and expensive as well to support separate modular format (probably paults will say us how it is

) and we don't know so far if it becomes open for third party manufactures or not... The time will show. The same concerning the success of that format. One thing we know for sure - it'll never beat the success of euro and that's pretty clear but that's not his target.
For the same price I'd better wait until new modules will increase, or rather will seriously compare to Serge shop panels or small Buchla. And of course, I'm not saying that some Makenoise 6U skiff will kickass all aforesaid

sgnhh · Post by **sgnhh** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 11:18 am

ultrashock wrote:whoa, I'm pretty exited :popcorn: Not everyday new modular format is being announced!!! I wish there were some video presentation.
It was clear that for such talented guy as Andrew Kilpatrick soon will be closely in the euro- and Buchla land.
Pretty clean and smart design. The color encoding seems was borrowed some from Buchla but a bit gray-scaled and then refined into calm color encoding.
However after the first wow-effect I cannot resist to say some critics....
Seems like reinventing the bicycle. Unfortunately, I haven't noticed the hook or some interesting idea put in any module except nice shell. Same vco>vca>vcf>eg>mix chain + digital fx = same old soup just reheated.
I suppose it's pretty difficult and expensive as well to support separate modular format (probably paults will say us how it is :roll: ) and we don't know so far if it becomes open for third party manufactures or not... The time will show. The same concerning the success of that format. One thing we know for sure - it'll never beat the success of euro and that's pretty clear but that's not his target.
For the same price I'd better wait until new modules will increase, or rather will seriously compare to Serge shop panels or small Buchla. And of course, I'm not saying that some Makenoise 6U skiff will kickass all aforesaid :hmm:

this is at the bottom of the page (with a manual):

Kilpatrick Format Usage

The Kilpatrick format, its physical layout and other design aspects are unique to Kilpatrick Audio. Although we encourage DIY synth building and experimentation, commercial manufacturers must contact us before developing a product for the Kilpatrick format.

theglyph · Post by **theglyph** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 11:22 am

Edit... just reread the above posts.

clarke68 · Post by **clarke68** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 1:52 pm

JohnLRice wrote:While it looks great, I don't understand the logic of creating yet another format!?

I thought the same thing, but whether or not it makes sense really depends on the goals behind it. Bugbrand is a good example of a new format that does more good than harm. Tom created his own niche, has all the customers he needs, and it enables him to sit over there in Bristol, soldering away and doing his thing.

Giving him the benefit of the doubt, I'm assuming that Andrew has something similar in mind, or at least something other than total world domination. Risky move, for sure...I wish him well.

dogoftears · Post by **dogoftears** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 2:03 pm

don't think of it as a new format, think of it as a new, mid-range addition to the boutique modular world.

there's no reason this can't be fully compatible with a serge system. the whole thing whets my appetite... larger form factor with bananas, and i really have like kilpatrick's euro modules, and reasonably affordable to compared to serge or buchla.

somehow i imagine he will introduce the pattern generator et al in the near future.

looking forward to more information/videos on this.

YouTube · Post by **Kent** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 2:07 pm

I wonder what the specifications are. There isn't mention as to whether everything is bi-polar. I'd be interested in adding to the Buchla, but I don't know how 'compatible' things are once the adaptors are accounted for.

Maybe Andrew will chime in.

MrDys · Post by **MrDys** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 2:18 pm

Hmm. Strikes me as unnecessary. I'm sure Andrew has beef with the (lack of) euro standards, but I'm not really sure what this accomplishes other than, "I created a modular format."

Also, I know this par for the course in Buchlaland, but I really hate when modules have multiple, unrelated functions. Why on earth is the MIDI-to-CV function block strapped on to the mixer? I use a lot of mixers when I'm patching. Were I to configure a system for my own use, I'd end up with three MIDI-to-CV converters. Dumb.

dogoftears · Post by **dogoftears** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 2:18 pm

Kent wrote:I wonder what the specifications are. There isn't mention as to whether everything is bi-polar. I'd be interested in adding to the Buchla, but I don't know how 'compatible' things are once the adaptors are accounted for.

Maybe Andrew will chime in.

these questions and more. i just went thru all the module specs, they look to be quite fully featured and even fairly unique in some cases. i'm wondering if it has a linear or switching PSU, standard voltage and trigger levels, etc.

that mixer/midi module is friggin perfect on so many levels...

BugBrand · Post by **BugBrand** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 2:32 pm

You make a (new) system when your desires don't quite fit in with what is currently available. Many 'system' users (bug, buchla, serge, modcan, etc) know that a unified approach is joyous. A brave and quite possibly sensible/shrewd move. Applauds & best wishes.

PS - I'd love to see pics of the frames/boats.

ultrashock · Post by **ultrashock** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 2:41 pm

I believe new modular formats are invented to solve the tasks previous ones can not solve. One of the essential problems of modern modular systems except 200e, for example - they don't support patching presets or have extremely poor internal buses to eliminate patchcords standard routing ways.
I really hope there will be more interesting features yet to mention from Kilpatrick

usw · Post by **usw** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 2:43 pm

The design and layout of the faceplates are beautifully simple, clear and ergonomic ! That's quite an achievement

Jason Brock · Post by **Jason Brock** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 2:56 pm

MrDys wrote:Also, I know this par for the course in Buchlaland, but I really hate when modules have multiple, unrelated functions. Why on earth is the MIDI-to-CV function block strapped on to the mixer? I use a lot of mixers when I'm patching. Were I to configure a system for my own use, I'd end up with three MIDI-to-CV converters. Dumb.

He's only listing 5 modules right now, so I'm willing to bet there are plans for more in the future. And it would make sense to me that another mixer might show up eventually, with more options or different features.

I like what I see - the size, the spacing of the knobs, banana jacks, shallow enclosures. I hope it is a success.

shaft9000 · Post by **shaft9000** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 5:05 pm

that MIDI/mixer looks fucking awesome...always wished someone made a mixer like that - smack dab between a mutagen and MX-4S but w/ nanners

Mitchk1989 · Post by **Mitchk1989** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 5:27 pm

They have no realistic way to attenuate CVs while throwing CV inputs with no attenuators on everything.

"These are normally in the range if -5V to +5V and the LEVEL control can be used to adjust the offset of the input signal. For some types of effects it might be desirable to input a smaller amplitude signal if the range of control is too wide. "

HOW?

How do you write that sentence and not realize you've made a terrible mistake? Do you have to buy more VCA/Filter modules and use an extra VCA (at quite the price) on every single filter to set envelope depth?

MOD WIGGLER

MOD WIGGLER

Kilpatrick Format?

Kilpatrick Format?