Maplet: Integrating Distributed Data Signal Mappings for Performative Interactions Within the Eurorack Modular Synthesizer Ecosystem

Publication Details

This paper appeared at the 2024 edition of Audio Mostly in Milan, Italy.

Paper Link: https://dl.acm.org/doi/abs/10.1145/3678299.3678333

Summary

This paper presents a prototype Eurorack module that brings libmapper functionality to a modular synthesizer workflow. We present this as a tool that allows musicians to incorporate performative continuous interactions as part of their Eurorack set up, a feature not typically seen in the traditional patch-cable scenarios. We also offer some potential use-cases as well as a direction forward for future work.

This project is open source, both hardware and software. Take a look at this link for more information.

Authors

Matthew Peachey and Joseph Malloch

Abstract

Eurorack is a popular format of modular synthesizers that allow users to customize their instruments by swapping in various modules and creating patches based on their specific needs. While these instruments are very effective at creating a wide range of timbres, the way they in which they are typically performed is not always engaging to an audience or even to the performer. This paper present an initial prototype of Maplet, a module for integrating the libmapper project into the world of Eurorack. libmapper is an open-source project built to support the creation of mappings between components of Digital Musical Instruments. Decades worth of literature has shown how effective mappings are the backbone of the way both performers as well as their audience engage with the output of a digital instrument. With this in mind, we hypothesize that by introducing this mapping-first approach to performing with Eurorack synthesizers that musicians will be empowered to experiment with novel interfaces and techniques for performing with their instrument.