Kermit mk III

Industrial Music Electronics 12HP
fw 1.0

4-channel tempo-synced wavetable modulator. Each channel selects from LFO/Oscillator/Envelope/Random/S&H types, each with three modes. Internal modulation matrix, 8 morphing presets, microSD wavetable import.

Patch Ideas · 9

Quadrature LFOs from one source
CH A: Free LFO, sine wave · CH C: Osc Copy A · Hold C + turn encoder to set Phase +90° · CH D: Osc Copy A, Phase 180° · three synced phase-offset LFOs for quadrature panning or phase-modulated swarms without patch cables
Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 4 modules and 3 connections. Modules: Kermit mk III, VCA L, VCA R, Filter. Signals: 3 cv.Kermit mk IIIVCA LVCA RFilterCH A: LFO Free, sineCH C: Osc Copy A, Phase 90°CH D: Osc Copy A, Phase 180°AcvCcvDcvCVcvCVcvCutoffcv11. phase-offset vibratocv
Clocked envelope bank
Global tap tempo synced to master clock · CH A: Tempo Envelope, bank 6 shapes, ÷8 · CH B: Tempo Envelope ÷4 · CH C: Tempo Envelope ÷2 · three rhythmic envelopes at related divisions feed VCAs across a drum bus · morph wave for different envelope shapes
Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 5 modules and 4 connections. Modules: Kermit mk III, Clock, VCA 1, VCA 2, VCA 3. Signals: 3 cv, 1 clock.Kermit mk IIIClockVCA 1VCA 2VCA 3CH A: Tempo Env ÷8, bank 6CH B: Tempo Env ÷4, bank 6CH C: Tempo Env ÷2, bank 6TapclkAcvBcvCcvOutclkCVcvCVcvCVcvcvclock
FM pair with cross-modulation
CH A: Oscillator mode, pitched by sequencer · CH B: Oscillator mode, Unison · hold A button + turn B Frequency knob (center → CW) to route A output as FM into B · hold B button + turn A Waveform to route B as wavetable mod on A · entwined dual VCO with no cables · C-D free for further modulation
Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 3 modules and 4 connections. Modules: Kermit mk III, Sequencer, Mixer. Signals: 2 audio, 2 pitch.Kermit mk IIISequencerMixerCH A: OscillatorCH B: Oscillator UnisonMod matrix: A→B Freq, B→A Waveform1V/Oct A1v/oct1V/Oct B1v/octAaudioBaudioPitch1v/octIn 1audioIn 2audioaudiopitch
Tempo-synced random voltages
CH A: Tempo Random ÷16 (chord CV) · CH B: Tempo Random ÷4 (filter CV) · CH C: Stepped Random free-running (velocity) · CH D: Smooth Random (slow pad modulation) · quantizer downstream on A · four rhythmic random sources from one module — replaces a Turing plus Pam's plus S&H
Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 6 modules and 5 connections. Modules: Kermit mk III, Clock, Quantizer, VCO, Filter, VCA. Signals: 2 cv, 2 pitch, 1 clock.Kermit mk IIIClockQuantizerVCOFilterVCACH A: Tempo Random ÷16CH B: Tempo Random ÷4CH C: Stepped RandomCH D: Smooth Random (slow)TapclkA1v/octBcvCcvOutclkIn1v/octOut1v/octV/Oct1v/octCutoffcvCVcvcvpitchclock
Preset morph performance scene
Configure 8 preset slots from sparse → dense modulation · Preset scope: all params · CTL: CV+Offset · slow ramp (Maths cycle) → Preset CV · press Preset button twice (Morph) · complete modulation scene evolves across 8 stored states · single CV drives a live performance progression
Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 6 modules and 5 connections. Modules: Kermit mk III, CH 1, Filter, VCA, VCO, FX. Signals: 4 cv, 1 pitch.Kermit mk IIICH 1FilterVCAVCOFX8 presets stored (sparse to dense): Preset mode: Morph · CTL: CV+Offsetslow ramp, cycle ONPreset CVcvAcvBcvC1v/octDcvOUTcvCutoffcvCVcvV/Oct1v/octTimecvcvpitch
Gated-repeat burst generator
CH A: Gated Repeat envelope, bank 6, rate at audio-rate range · gate source → 1V/oct A · length of gate = length of burst · CH A output → drum module accent CV · generates rapid envelope bursts only while gate is high · classic jungle snare roll generator
Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 4 modules and 3 connections. Modules: Kermit mk III, Gate Seq, Drum, Mixer. Signals: 1 audio, 1 cv, 1 gate.Kermit mk IIIGate SeqDrumMixerCH A: Gated Repeat Env, bank 6, fast rateCH A Voltage Range: 0-6V1V/Oct AgateAcvOutgateAccent CVcvOutaudioInaudio11. gate length = burst lengthaudiocvgate
Self-modulating complex LFO
CH A: slow Free LFO sine · hold A + turn B Frequency (mod amount 50%) → A modulates B's rate · CH B: medium Tap Tempo LFO, saw · hold B + turn A Waveform → B modulates A's wavetable position · feedback complex motion between two channels — single CV out that never repeats
Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 2 modules and 2 connections. Modules: Kermit mk III, Filter. Signals: 2 cv.Kermit mk IIIFilterCH A: Free LFO sine, slowCH B: Tap LFO saw, mediumMod matrix: A→B Freq (50%), B→A Waveform (40%)AcvBcvCutoffcvRescvcv
Code Scan noise voice
CH A: Oscillator mode Code Scan · Character: Depraved · pitched by sequencer · audible as harsh digital noise that changes timbre with Waveform knob (scans program memory) · CH B: Envelope for amplitude · one channel noise source, one channel VCA envelope, from one module
Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 4 modules and 5 connections. Modules: Kermit mk III, Sequencer, VCA, Mixer. Signals: 2 audio, 1 cv, 1 pitch, 1 trigger.Kermit mk IIISequencerVCAMixerCH A: Osc Code Scan, Character DepravedCH B: 1-shot Env, bank 61V/Oct A1v/oct1V/Oct BtrigAaudioBcvPitch1v/octGatetrigInaudioCVcvOutaudioInaudioaudiocvpitchtrigger
Four-voice chord sample & hold
CH A: S+H, trigger on 1V/oct A, noise source → CV A · CH B: Osc Copy A, phase 90° so it samples on A's B-equivalent · CH C/D: Random/Random tempo · four quantized voices out feed four VCOs for polyphonic chord sequencing · gate from clock drives all
Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 6 modules and 5 connections. Modules: Kermit mk III, Clock, Noise, Quantizer, VCO 1, VCO 2. Signals: 1 cv, 3 pitch, 1 trigger.Kermit mk IIIClockNoiseQuantizerVCO 1VCO 2CH A: S+HCH B: S+H (offset trigger)CH C: Tempo Random ÷4CH D: Tempo Random ÷21V/Oct AtrigCV AcvA1v/octC1v/octOuttrigOutcvIn1v/octOut1v/octV/Oct1v/octV/Oct1v/octcvpitchtrigger

Behaviors

LFO modes channel Type → LFO

Three LFO modes: Free (runs freely, 1V/oct on input), Reset (resets to Phase on trigger at 1V/oct jack), Tap Tempo (rate is division/multiplication of master BPM; 1V/oct jack resets on next tempo tick). Wavetable shape selectable across 512 waves.

Oscillator modes channel Type → Oscillator

Three audio-rate modes: Oscillator (tracks 1V/oct, character slightly fuzzy), Unison (detuned internal second voice for thicker tone), Code Scan (reads the module's own program code as waveform data — harsh, glitchy). 16 Hz to ~1 kHz useful range.

Envelope modes channel Type → Envelope · trigger → 1V/oct (A/B) or CV (C/D) jack

Three modes: 1-shot (plays selected wave once per trigger, retriggers freely), Gated Repeat (cycles while gate is high), Tempo Envelope (auto-fires at master-clock divisions). Factory wave banks 6-7 are unipolar shapes intended for 0-6V bias Envelope use.

Random modes channel Type → Random

Three flavors: Smooth Random (fluctuating voltages at frequency-controlled rate), Stepped Random (new value each cycle), Tempo Random (stepped values at master-clock divisions). Waveform control has no effect in random modes.

Sample & Hold modes (A/B only) channel Type → S+H · channel is A or B

Trigger into 1V/oct, voltage to sample into CV input. Three modes: Sample+Hold (snapshot on trig), Track+Hold (pass while gate high, hold when low), Tempo S+H (samples at clock divisions). CV path is not calibrated — artifacts are part of the character. Not available on C/D.

Osc Copy (C/D only) channel Type → Osc Copy on C or D

Channels C or D copy all parameters except Phase from any other channel. Lets you set up quadrature LFOs, offset phases, or detuned unisons without duplicating modulation assignments. Unique to C/D.

Internal modulation matrix hold source channel button + turn destination knob

Any channel output can modulate Frequency, Amplitude, or Waveform of any other channel. Assignment is an attenuverter — center=zero, CCW inverts, CW adds. Enables cross-modulation, self-patching-free complex modulation, and AM/FM between channels. Hold encoder on main screen to see all active assignments.

CV input assignment hold encoder + turn destination knob

The per-channel CV input is not hardwired to a parameter. Instead it's routed as an attenuverter to whatever parameter you assign. Holding encoder + turning Freq, Amp, or Waveform assigns the CV to that destination. Clear via menu or return the knob to center.

Preset morph via CV Preset button pressed twice (Morph mode active)

In Morph mode all managed controls lock; the Preset CV input smoothly crossfades between stored slots. Use the encoder to pick the base preset (sets menu/mode settings that can't morph). Apply CV to interpolate analog parameters across 8 snapshots. Ideal for live performance scenes.

Character menu channel menu → Character

Per-channel distortion flavor: Clean (16-bit), 12bit, 8bit, NoMorph (hard wave transitions), Depraved (8-bit + 32-sample resolution, SCC chip-like). Most audible in Oscillator modes. NoMorph forces glitchy stepped waveform selection instead of smooth interpolation.

Voltage range bias channel menu → Voltage Range

Three bias modes: 12Vpp (±6V bipolar, default for LFO/Osc/Random), 0-6V (unipolar — recommended for Envelope mode so output rests at 0V between hits), 1Vpp (attenuated, intended for video synth modules). Changing bias affects the relationship between amplitude and envelope rest voltage.

microSD wavetable loading insert SD with 1.wav · Global menu → Load Waves from SD

Accepts one 1-channel 16-bit WAV containing 64 waveforms × 256 samples (32KB total). Organized internally as 8 banks × 8 waves. WaveEdit from Synthesis Technology recommended for authoring. Module reboots after load; presets survive firmware updates.

Controls

CH A, B Frequency Coarse frequency of channels A and B. Acts as tempo divider in tempo-synced modes, V/oct-scaled in Oscillator modes. Holding the channel button accesses Fine Tune.
LFO: rate · Osc: pitch · Env/Random: rate/division
CH A, B Amplitude Output level for channels A and B. Attenuates toward zero in bipolar bias modes. Hold channel button to access Phase parameter.
attenuator · 12Vpp bipolar, 0-6V unipolar, or 1Vpp video mode
CH A, B Waveform Selects wave within the active bank and morphs between adjacent waves. Hold channel button to jump between wave banks.
8 banks × 8 waves · morphs between adjacent
CH A, B A / B buttons Hotkey buttons. Hold + turn other knobs to access deep parameters (Fine Tune, Phase, Bank). Hold while turning a destination knob on another channel to assign A or B as cross-modulation source.
hotkey modifier · source for mod matrix
CH C C knob Single knob for channel C. Default: coarse frequency. Other parameters accessed via button-combo hotkeys (hold combinations to scan Amplitude, Waveform, Fine Tune, Phase, Bank).
multi-function · hotkeys select parameter
CH D D knob Single knob for channel D. Same hotkey scheme as C knob but requires the Tap button as an extra modifier to reach D parameters.
multi-function · Tap button extends hotkeys
CH C, D C/D button Shared channel button for C and D. Hold + other buttons to reach C or D parameter slots. Scrolls past C into D options in the channel menu.
shared hotkey modifier
Global Encoder (push) Rotary encoder with click. Turns to navigate menus and change values. Holding and turning a knob assigns that channel's CV input to that parameter as an attenuverter.
navigate · assign CV · center=no mod
Global Preset / Edit button Enables the 8-slot preset manager. Press again for Morph mode (smooth CV-driven interpolation). Double-click encoder while preset is active to enter edit-save mode.
off / Preset / Morph
Global Tap button Master tap-tempo button. Tap rhythmically to set global BPM. Hold encoder + press Tap to re-sync all tempo-aware channels on the next event.
tap tempo · sync reset combo
Global Preset CV attenuator Attenuates or offsets the Preset CV input — behavior set by CTL menu (CV+Offset, CV+Atten, Trig+Offset, Trig Random).
role set by global CTL option

I/O

IN · 5

  • 1V/Oct (CH A, B) 1V/oct in Osc, trigger in other modes GATE
    Per-channel 1V/oct input in Oscillator modes. In LFO Reset or Tempo mode acts as sync trigger. In Envelope/S&H modes acts as gate/trigger input.
  • CV (CH A, B) ±10V (±5V musically optimal) CV
    Per-channel assignable modulation input. Hold encoder + turn destination knob to route CV to Frequency, Amplitude, or Waveform with attenuverter amount.
  • CV (CH C, D) ±10V (±5V musically optimal) GATE
    Shared CV input per channel. Assignable via hotkey combos. In Envelope/S&H modes doubles as trigger/voltage-to-sample input.
  • Tap trigger/clock GATE
    External clock input for global tempo. Feeds into the tempo-aware modes across all four channels.
  • Preset CV ±10V GATE
    Scans through the 8 preset slots. Behavior set by CTL option: direct CV scan, trig-advance, or trig-random.

OUT · 4

  • A ±6V (12Vpp) typical
    Main output for channel A. Voltage range set by Voltage Range menu (12Vpp bipolar, 0-6V unipolar, or 1Vpp video).
  • B ±6V (12Vpp) typical
    Main output for channel B. Voltage range per channel-B menu setting.
  • C ±6V (12Vpp) typical
    Main output for channel C.
  • D ±6V (12Vpp) typical
    Main output for channel D.