Isobar Umbra: a stereo feedback accumulator for Eurorack
Gearnews.fr introduces Umbra, the latest module from Isobar Industries, and I find the idea very appealing for anyone who enjoys experimental patching: a stereo or dual-mono feedback accumulator.
The module has three pairs of VCAs (Input L/R, Send-Return L/R and Feedback L/R) and an output clipping stage with asymmetric soft clipping. The L output is normalled to the R input, so if you want to process a single mono signal you get six aligned VCAs. It is built entirely from discrete components.
The idea is to create feedback loops with the module of your choice: filters, delays, reverbs, waveshapers and so on. Each VCA pair is voltage controlled through three dedicated attenuators named Imbue, Drain and Feed. It takes up 10 HP in the rack and draws 102 mA from +12 V and 44 mA from -12 V, with nothing on the 5 V rail.
It is announced at a manufacturer's list price of 250 euros.
Personally, I like this kind of utility module. A module that makes no sound on its own but changes how you use all the others is very interesting to me, especially for working with loops that run away in a controlled way.
The article is from September 2025. I am sharing it anyway, because the principle still applies to anyone building their own system.
Source: gearnews.fr
The module has three pairs of VCAs (Input L/R, Send-Return L/R and Feedback L/R) and an output clipping stage with asymmetric soft clipping. The L output is normalled to the R input, so if you want to process a single mono signal you get six aligned VCAs. It is built entirely from discrete components.
The idea is to create feedback loops with the module of your choice: filters, delays, reverbs, waveshapers and so on. Each VCA pair is voltage controlled through three dedicated attenuators named Imbue, Drain and Feed. It takes up 10 HP in the rack and draws 102 mA from +12 V and 44 mA from -12 V, with nothing on the 5 V rail.
It is announced at a manufacturer's list price of 250 euros.
Personally, I like this kind of utility module. A module that makes no sound on its own but changes how you use all the others is very interesting to me, especially for working with loops that run away in a controlled way.
The article is from September 2025. I am sharing it anyway, because the principle still applies to anyone building their own system.
Source: gearnews.fr
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