Maestro

Acid Rain Technology 20HP
fw 1.1

Six-channel clocked modulation controller · DAW-automation feel in eurorack · 8 waveforms per channel with smooth, bipolar, triplet, slow modifiers · 14 save slots on microSD · internal or external clock · chain mode sequences waveforms per channel.

Patch Ideas · 9

Six-lane synced modulation bus
Master clock → clock in · CH I: 1/16 ramp-up for hat accent · CH II: 1/4 square bipolar → VCA punch · CH III: 1/2 triangle → filter cutoff · CH IV: 1/4s random+smooth → resonance · CH V: 1/8 square for arpeggio decay · CH VI: 1 bar slow ramp → pan sweep · one module replaces six LFOs
Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 8 modules and 7 connections. Signals: 6 cv, 1 clock.MaestroClock SourceHat VCAKick VCAFilterVCAArp EnvPanCH I: 1/16 ramp-upCH II: 1/4 square · bipolarCH III: 1/2 triangleCH IV: 1/4s random + smoothCH V: 1/8 squareCH VI: 1 bar slow rampclock inclkchannel out Icvchannel out IIcvchannel out IIIcvchannel out IVcvchannel out Vcvchannel out VIcvOutclkCVcvCVcvCutoffcvResonancecvLevelcvCVcvcvclock
Chained waveform modulation phrase
Enter chain menu · pick ramp-up → triangle → square → random for CH III · assigns one bar each at 1/2 timing · apply to channel · filter cutoff evolves through four distinct shapes every four bars · no external sequencer driving modulation shape
Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 3 modules and 2 connections. Modules: Maestro, Clock, Filter. Signals: 1 cv, 1 clock.MaestroClockFilterCH III: chain = ramp-up, triangle, square, randomCH III: 1/2 timing (4 bars per cycle)clock inclkchannel out IIIcvOutclkCutoffcvcvclock
Gate-triggered AD envelopes
Drum clock → gate/trig in I and II · CH I: falling-saw + smooth = AR shape · CH II: triangle-down + smooth + bipolar = punchy AD · CH III free-running 1/16 for hats · use Maestro channels as clocked one-shot envelopes
Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 7 modules and 6 connections. Signals: 3 cv, 2 trigger, 1 clock.MaestroKick TrigSnare TrigClockKick VCASnare VCAHat VCACH I: falling saw + smoothCH II: triangle-down + smooth + bipolarCH III: 1/16 square (free run)clock inclkgate / trig in Itriggate / trig in IItrigchannel out Icvchannel out IIcvchannel out IIIcvOuttrigOuttrigOutclkCVcvCVcvCVcvcvtriggerclock
Performance recall scene change
Slot 1 = verse mod set · slot 2 = chorus · slot 3 = bridge · press load + channel buttons II, IV to only swap those two lanes between scenes · bass modulation on CH I and drum mods on CH III, V, VI stay untouched · scene changes with no clock glitch
Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 5 modules and 4 connections. Modules: Maestro, Clock, Bass Filter, Pad Filter, FX Send. Signals: 3 cv, 1 clock.MaestroClockBass FilterPad FilterFX Sendslot 1: verse · slot 2: chorus · slot 3: bridgeload+CH II, IV → partial load: clock inclkchannel out Icvchannel out IIcvchannel out IVcvOutclkCutoffcvCutoffcvLevelcvcvclock
Smooth random cutoff + stepped random resonance
CH I: random + smooth at 1/4 → filter cutoff (smooth sampled-and-held curve) · CH II: random no smooth at 1/8 bipolar → resonance (stepped) · two facets of the same random character on one filter, both clock-locked
Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 3 modules and 3 connections. Modules: Maestro, Clock, Filter. Signals: 2 cv, 1 clock.MaestroClockFilterCH I: random + smooth · 1/4CH II: random · 1/8 · bipolarclock inclkchannel out Icvchannel out IIcvOutclkCutoffcvResonancecvcvclock
Polyrhythmic envelope gates
CH I: 1/4 square · CH II: 1/4t square · CH III: 1/8s square · each bipolar square becomes a gate source when sent to a comparator or envelope trig input · Maestro hosts a six-lane polyrhythmic gate generator using only square outs
Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 5 modules and 4 connections. Modules: Maestro, Clock, Envelope A, Envelope B, Envelope C. Signals: 3 gate, 1 clock.MaestroClockEnvelope AEnvelope BEnvelope CCH I: square · 1/4CH II: square · 1/4tCH III: square · 1/8sclock inclkchannel out Igatechannel out IIgatechannel out IIIgateOutclkTriggateTriggateTriggategateclock
Long-form 32-bar evolution
CH VI: ramp-up + slow on 1/32 = a 32-bar rising ramp · bipolar → feeds filter cutoff across a whole song section · other channels run faster modulations on top · Maestro handles macro-scale evolution no dedicated slow-LFO needed
Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 3 modules and 2 connections. Modules: Maestro, Clock, Macro Filter. Signals: 1 cv, 1 clock.MaestroClockMacro FilterCH VI: ramp-up + slow + bipolar · 1/32s (32 bars)clock inclkchannel out VIcvOutclkCutoffcvcvclock
Tap-tempo standalone clock hub
No external clock · enter clock menu · tap on ramp-up button for live BPM · use clock out to master the system · channels I-VI drive sequencer clocks, LFO triggers, reset pulses · Maestro acts as 20HP clock hub + six modulators
Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 4 modules and 4 connections. Modules: Maestro, Sequencer, LFO, Resetter. Signals: 1 cv, 1 trigger, 2 clock.MaestroSequencerLFOResetterclock menu: tap tempo liveCH I: 1/16 square (master clock copy)CH II: 1/4 ramp-downclock outclkreset outtrigchannel out Iclkchannel out IIcvClockclkResettrigTrigclkIncvcvtriggerclock
Triplet-vs-straight rhythmic layering
CH I: 1/8 square for straight 8ths · CH II: 1/8t square for triplet 8ths · CH III: 1/16 square for double-time · mix into three separate drum triggers · gives polymetric feel from a single clock without a Euclidean sequencer
Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 5 modules and 4 connections. Modules: Maestro, Clock, Kick, Hat, Snare. Signals: 3 trigger, 1 clock.MaestroClockKickHatSnareCH I: square · 1/8CH II: square · 1/8tCH III: square · 1/16clock inclkchannel out Itrigchannel out IItrigchannel out IIItrigOutclkTrigtrigTrigtrigTrigtrigtriggerclock

Behaviors

Chain playback per channel chain menu → select waveforms in order → apply to channels

A channel plays a chained sequence of waveforms, each lasting one cycle of its timing. Optional per-step timings override the channel's default. Produces modulation phrases that evolve over multiple bars without patching extra modules.

Per-channel clock division selecting channels and pressing a timing button

Every channel runs at its own division, always phase-locked to the master clock. Mix 1/16 detail on one lane with 1/4s (slow) on another for layered timescales from the same clock.

Random + smooth = smooth random random waveform with smooth enabled

Stepped random values get interpolated between change points, turning the channel into a clock-synced smooth-random source similar to a sampled-and-held noise into a slew limiter — but always locked to the grid.

Bipolar doubles voltage span bipolar enabled on a channel

Switches output from 0..+5V to −5..+5V. Useful for FM, PWM, and attenuverter-free destinations that expect centred modulation. Waveform shape is unchanged; only the span flips.

Gate-triggered one-shot cable in a channel's gate/trig input

Once patched, the channel can run as a gate-triggered one-shot envelope rather than free-running, re-triggering on each incoming pulse — effectively converting that lane into a clocked AR/AD envelope.

Instant-recall save slots load button → slot button

All 14 slots are preloaded from the microSD to RAM at power-up, so pressing load jumps to a new state instantly with no SD read gap. Full-module or per-channel scope depending on whether any channel is selected.

Internal clock tap & random tempo clock menu entered and clock input unpatched

In the clock menu, the ramp-up waveform button taps tempo, up/down adjust ±5 bpm (±1 with slow held), and random sets the internal clock to a value between 60 and 180 bpm. Pressing mute stops and restarts the clock.

Triplet × slow extended timings triplet and/or slow combined with a timing button

Opens the range from 1/32 all the way to 32 bars (128 pulses at 4 PPQN). Triplet-slow values fill in between the straight divisions for polymetric phrasing from the same grid.

Controls

Per channel Channel buttons I–VI Select one or more channels for subsequent edits. Hold during save/load to restrict data to those channels.
momentary · multi-select · LED indicates selection
Per selected channel Waveform buttons Eight waveforms: rising saw, falling saw, triangle up, triangle down, square, random plus high/low variants in the clock-menu overlay.
saw-up · saw-down · ramp-up · ramp-down · square · random · (high, low clock overlays)
Per selected channel smooth Applies slew to the selected waveform, converting stepped ramps into curved shapes and square into pulse-wave.
toggle · combines with any waveform · random+smooth becomes smooth random/S&H-like curve
Per selected channel bipolar Switches the channel between 0..+5V (unipolar) and −5..+5V (bipolar) output range.
toggle · unipolar default · bipolar doubles available span
Per selected channel Timing buttons 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32 Clock division per channel, measured in 4 pulses per quarter note.
from 1/2 (slow) to 1/32 (fast) · combines with triplet and slow for extended timings
Timing modifier triplet Turns the selected timing into its triplet variant (e.g. 1/4 → 1/4t).
toggle · applied to selected channels
Timing modifier slow Extends the selected timing to multi-bar ranges, up to 32 bars / 128 clock pulses.
toggle · 1/4s · 1/4ts · 1/8s · 1/8ts · 1/16s · 1/16ts · 1/32s
Per selected channel mute Mutes or unmutes the channel's output. In clock menu mode, starts/stops the internal clock.
toggle · channel LED turns off when muted
Menu entry chain Enters chain mode to sequence multiple waveforms on one channel. Each waveform can keep the channel timing or take a per-step timing.
enter → pick waveforms in order → select channels → press chain to apply
Menu entry clock Opens clock-settings menu where waveform buttons act as tap tempo, ±5 bpm, random tempo, reset-to-120bpm and start/stop.
high: manual reset · low: 120bpm reset · ramp-up: tap · triangle-up: +5bpm · triangle-down: −5bpm · random: 60–180bpm · slow+knob: 1bpm steps
Menu entry save Opens save menu. Middle two rows (14 buttons) map to 14 save slots on the microSD card.
channel-selected → per-channel save · no selection → whole-module state
Menu entry load Opens load menu. Loads instantly from internal memory (preloaded from SD at boot) so performance recalls are gap-free.
14 slots · channel-selected → partial load · no selection → full state

I/O

IN · 3

  • clock in rising-edge trigger GATE
    External clock input. When a cable is inserted, Maestro locks to the incoming edges at 4 PPQN and the clock menu tempo controls are disabled.
  • reset in rising-edge trigger GATE
    Resets all six channels' phase to the start of their current waveform or chain step.
  • gate / trig in I–VI GATE
    Per-channel gate or trigger input. Behaviour depends on channel configuration — can re-trigger the waveform or advance chain steps.

OUT · 3

  • clock out CLK
    Internal clock distributed at 4 PPQN. Active whether Maestro is internally or externally clocked.
  • reset out GATE
    Reset pulse, firing at the start of each bar or when a manual reset is triggered.
  • channel out I–VI 0 to +5V or −5 to +5V CV
    CV output for each of the 6 channels. Range follows bipolar toggle: 0 to +5V or −5 to +5V.