Workshop Computer

Music Thing Modular 8HP
SEQUENCER UTILITY MIDI EFFECTS RANDOM

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Programmable 8HP music computer with hot-swappable program cards. Three knobs and a mode switch control cards that turn the module into sequencers, effects, MIDI bridges, or custom code.

Patch Ideas · 5

★ Turing Machine bassline
Load the Turing Machine card · tap a clock or feed one in · use the CV lane for pitch and the pulse lane for drum accents · one module becomes a repeatable random sequencer.
▸ Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 8 modules and 8 connections. Signals: 2 audio, 1 cv, 2 pitch, 2 trigger, 1 clock.Workshop ComputerClockQuantizerVCOEnvelopeVCAKickOutputCard: Turing MachineMode switch: defaultPulse In 2clkPulse Out 1trigPrecision CV Out 21v/octPulse Out 2trigOutclkIn1v/octOut1v/octV/Oct1v/octOutaudioTrigtrigOutcvInaudioCVcvOutaudioTrigtrigInaudioaudiocvpitchtriggerclock
★ Reverb freeze wash
Load Reverb+ · feed stereo audio into the top row · freeze with a pulse into the freeze input · modulate decay and wet mix from slow CV for evolving frozen pads.
▸ Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 5 modules and 7 connections. Modules: Workshop Computer, Pad, LFO, Clock, Mixer. Signals: 4 audio, 2 cv, 1 gate.Workshop ComputerPadLFOClockMixerCard: Reverb+Main knob: wet/dryKnob X: decayKnob Y: toneAudio/CV In 1audioAudio/CV In 2audioPrecision CV In 1cvPrecision CV In 2cvPulse In 1gateAudio/CV Out 1audioAudio/CV Out 2audioOut LaudioOut RaudioOutcvOutgateIn LaudioIn Raudio11. freezeaudiocvgate
USB-to-modular bridge
Load Simple MIDI · send note, gate, and controller data from a computer into the modular · use the precision CV lanes for pitch and the pulse lanes for envelopes and drum hits.
▸ Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 7 modules and 7 connections. Signals: 3 audio, 2 pitch, 2 trigger.Workshop ComputerMIDI ControllerQuantizerVCOEnvelopeDrumOutputCard: Simple MIDIAudio/CV In 1audioPulse In 1audioPrecision CV Out 11v/octPulse Out 1trigPulse Out 2trigNoteaudioGateaudioIn1v/octOut1v/octV/Oct1v/octOutaudioTrigtrigTrigtrigInaudioaudiopitchtrigger
★ Toolbox utility card
Load a utility program card from the library · use the computer as a small source bank for clock, noise, and sample-and-hold duties · fold it into a bigger modular patch.
▸ Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 7 modules and 7 connections. Signals: 3 audio, 2 cv, 1 trigger, 1 clock.Workshop ComputerFilterVCAClockNoiseEnvelopeOutputCard: ToolboxPulse Out 1clkAudio/CV Out 1audioAudio/CV Out 2audioPrecision CV Out 1cvPulse Out 2trigCutoffcvInaudioCVcvOutaudioInclkInaudioTrigtrigOutcvInaudioaudiocvtriggerclock
Bytebeat percussion
Load a bytebeat-style card · run it at audio or clock rate · treat the computer as a compact digital percussion source with built-in modulation and pulse outs.
▸ Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 6 modules and 7 connections. Modules: Workshop Computer, Clock, Filter, VCA, Envelope, Output. Signals: 3 audio, 2 cv, 1 trigger, 1 clock.Workshop ComputerClockFilterVCAEnvelopeOutputCard: BytebeatPulse In 2clkAudio/CV Out 1audioPrecision CV Out 1cvPulse Out 1trigOutclkInaudioCutoffcvOutaudioCVcvInaudioOutaudioTrigtrigOutcvInaudioaudiocvtriggerclock

Behaviors

Hot-swappable cards insert a new program card

The active firmware changes immediately when a different card is loaded, so the same 8HP panel can behave like a sequencer, reverb, utility rack, or synth voice.

Reverb+ card load the Reverb+ card

The card exposes a CV-controllable hall reverb plus random pulse and CV utilities, including freeze and Turing-Machine-style behavior.

Turing Machine card load the Turing Machine card

The module becomes a random looping sequencer with tap-tempo clocking, multiple scales, pulse outputs, and CV lanes that can lock or drift.

Simple MIDI card load the Simple MIDI card

The computer acts as a USB MIDI bridge that moves note, gate, and controller data between the modular and a host device.

Blank-card programming write a blank card

Blank cards store user code, so the module can run custom RP2040 programs instead of only the shipped card set.

Card memory as firmware boot with any installed card

The card contains the program image rather than the panel hardware itself, which makes the module effectively reconfigurable software in Eurorack form.

Controls

Global Main knob Primary card-controlled parameter.
large knob · card-defined function
Global Knob X First auxiliary parameter for the active program card.
small knob · card-defined function
Global Knob Y Second auxiliary parameter for the active program card.
small knob · card-defined function
Global Mode switch Three-way switch used by many cards to select operating state or alternate behavior.
ON · OFF · MOMENTARY
Global Program card slot Hot-swappable firmware slot. The inserted card defines the module's current personality.
card is the firmware
Global Card load / reset button Reboots or loads the inserted card after power cycling or a manual reset.
recessed button

I/O

IN · 6

  • Audio/CV In 1 card defined CV
    Card-configurable lane for audio or control voltage.
  • Audio/CV In 2 card defined CV
    Second card-configurable lane for audio or control voltage.
  • Precision CV In 1 card defined CV
    Precision control-voltage lane, typically used for pitch or exact parameter tracking.
  • Precision CV In 2 card defined CV
    Second precision control-voltage lane.
  • Pulse In 1 card defined GATE
    Card-configurable trigger or gate lane.
  • Pulse In 2 card defined GATE
    Second trigger, gate, or clock lane.

OUT · 6

  • Audio/CV Out 1 card defined CV
    Card-configurable lane for audio or control voltage.
  • Audio/CV Out 2 card defined CV
    Second card-configurable lane for audio or control voltage.
  • Precision CV Out 1 card defined CV
    Precision control-voltage lane, typically used for pitch or exact parameter tracking.
  • Precision CV Out 2 card defined CV
    Second precision control-voltage lane.
  • Pulse Out 1 card defined GATE
    Card-configurable trigger, gate, or clock output.
  • Pulse Out 2 card defined GATE
    Second trigger, gate, or clock output.