Percussa SSP - Most powerful Eurorack module?

[@m.muller4025]

Technobear is the OG in the Percussa world! The modules he codes and support he gives are worth gold!

[@2disbetter]

My good sir, you have done an excellent job of articulating all of the pros and benefits of the Percussa SSP. I attempted to make a video myself, and I came no where close. It was a disservice to the module. Thanks for all of your modules! And great job once again on the video!

[@paolofanin]

A year has passed from the video.. I fell immediately in love with the PERCUSSA SSP but it took all this time to find one! Last week I found an ex-demo in an USA shop on ordered it immediately.. can't wait!

[@immersiveaudionft2203]

With the new update coming I can’t thank you enough as well as Bert and everyone else. This is one of those special times when the world just seams right and comes Together . Two supper brains melding. I know there are more then 2 but you and Bert are the only ones I know. Thank you again.

[@jedgould5531]

Mr. Bear, thanks for your video. I purchased the percussa ssp because of it, but think even with the update it’s an unfinished module. It is a terrific concept though. Because of the expense, I will be returning it to PC this weekend. Yes, I did mean a list of VSTs. There is always someone in modular trying to drag the format back to the computer, from which Döepfer set it free in 1995. You guys are welcome to it. I’m waiting for all the marvelous - or ANY - music to come of it.

[@No.0.o.0]

please do more videos on the SSP! great work

[@TheTechnobear]

thanks - I do plan to, just a matter of getting time :)

[@No.0.o.0]

@@TheTechnobear 🖤

[@MrBasic]

Amazing how much it can replace! Especially with people like you putting forth the effort to write modules like that. That Electra 1 is interesting too...

[@TheTechnobear]

true, the SSP can cover so much ground - and importantly for me, really ties a setup together. Electra One, yeah, I think I'll do a video on it, its a really useful controller for both hardware and software setups - and the dev is really pushing it forward.

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

Excellent demo of the Percussa! I've been curious on what it can do for such a large and expensive module. Seems like it would be perfect as a central brain controller for a large modular system.

[@kostantinosmag2986]

great work

[@gunnarwaage4343]

Thanks for the video. I would like to ask about latency, how does it perform ?

[@TheTechnobear]

@@gunnarwaage4343 It’s been a while since I measured - can' t remember what I came up with. From a theory side , it depends on a few things - but on the dap side typically you use 48k SR w/ 128 samples , so that gives you 2.67 ms. If you’re using as a usb audio interface you have a similar overheard, possibly double of doing full round trip. Though a bit dependent on your OS and daw etc.

[@gunnarwaage4343]

@@TheTechnobear yes with the usb connection, but apart from that you are able to record also directly on to the module ?

[@TheTechnobear]

@@gunnarwaage4343 yes, there is a recorder function, which can record inputs and outputs. honestly, its not something I use - but its there :)

[@manuelleedd]

I have to buy it: many modules at the some time??

[@DayflightTrok]

I not clear understand the device. Is it to integrate external gear (OT, Alpha Base, Blue Marvin) in one Box?

[@TheTechnobear]

no, its a multi-functional Eurorack module... so can operate as many different things... sound generation, fx process, modulation - in addition to this, it can also act as a USB class compliant audio interface - which enabled you to get eurorack signals to your computer/iPad whatever.

[@modularinspiration]

Now you've had the SSP for some time, what do you use it for as your go to functionality? I've been lent one to learn the sh1t out of and help the original owner understand it and I need a few use cases. For example, I have an ES-9 and 14 stems into Ableton is more than enough and I don't think the SSP is best used as a dedicated audio interface as that's needed for every patch I ever record. It looks like it makes a good effects rack or even a full full voices as long as you have external knobs to perform them? Enjoyed your walkthrough and would look your feedback now you've had it for a while, cheer Mark.

[@TheTechnobear]

YT comments are not a great place for lengthy discussions/replies... so I'll keep it short. I use it for a bit of 'everything' (voices, fx, sequencing, generative) just building stuff quickly according to ideas I have... rather than one particular use. though, I recognise, Im a bit different since, I can create new plugins where ever I feel a need etc. personally, I love the exploring different ideas , coming up with something new .. in the same way as you do with physical modular... I don't want to 'replicate' something, or use a just another fx/voice.... though it could be good for that..(after you develop a few skills in the patching area) so it all depends on your needs and direction, and for me, that's kind of the point of the SSP , its an open platform, it can be twisted and bent in many different directions... thats where (for me) its strengths lie. I recognise this is difficult, esp when you start out, as you cannot just turn it on, and get something 'wow'... so not saying my approach/use is typical. also I personally, don't think the factory patches are much more than 'examples' to learn from, they do NOT really demonstrate what the SSP is capable of. I know this has been a concern for many , who want a quicker way to get started, something to inspire them. I've been meaning to do a follow up (probably series) to this video, which gets more in to advance patching, and then could show more how I use it in practice... but of course, time is never on our side ;)

[@modularinspiration]

@@TheTechnobear that’s for this and I realise I need to start at the beginning and create something from scratch and see where it takes me.

[@beatnikcafe]

Do you think it's possible to create a surround auto panning mixer with the SSP? I've been looking for a solution where I could take 8+ inputs, add effects, and pan them to up to 8 channel surround. If there's DSP left over, I'd like to make a couple polysynths or multitimbral patches where the voices (after adding effects) get distributed out to different surround outputs. I'd want to use internal LFO's to automate the panning and other parameters to make a very immersive soundscape mixing device. Externally, the sound sources would come from my live looping setup, mostly guitar/bass/cello as well as a few synths. Also, did I hear that correctly somewhere mentioned that you can stream 24 channels of audio to and from the SSP and a computer over USB?

[@TheTechnobear]

hmm, very interesting... so with current modules, you could probably do something (basically just use vcas) - the 'difficulty' is getting the levels right ... e.g. transforming an x/y placement, into the levels for each of the vcas. I did look at doing quad a while back (on a different platform), and realised it would be relatively simple to do this, where you could place inputs in an x/y space, and do things like rotation (you have likely seen this with bucla and also komas mixer) I must say, I kind of shelved the idea, as I dont really have a place to setup a quad system ro enjoy it.... but its not hard to implement, nor is it particularly computationally expensive. the main issue is its quite a unique use-case... as I dont think many have multi channel output systems. yes, SSP acts as an audio interface with 24 channels of audio (or cv) in and 24 channels out.

[@TheTechnobear]

btw: if you dont need any 'fancy' placement in space features, then sure this is easy to do, basically its just mixers/vcas which you can manually adjust levels of to place where you want. of course you can also modulate this, but tieing this precisely to spatial parameters is what i was referring to in previous reply

[@beatnikcafe]

@@TheTechnobear Thank you for the reply. Do you think CV created in VCV rack could be used to control the SSP (sending the CV over the USB). I'm trying to avoid having to buy external physical modules not only for cost, but for portability, and that I want to save the vast majority of the analog inputs on the SSP for audio sources.

[@beatnikcafe]

If I go the computer route, I could of course do the mixing of the audio in Logic or Reaper and then send the stems back to SSP for further processing before connecting to the speakers but one thing against that option is I'd rather not use the DAW for surround mixing, since this is for a live music experience. I've used surround panning in the past and it's not a problem for playback but for live performance, I don't want to have any significant latency. I do live looping, so it can be an issue.

[@beatnikcafe]

@@TheTechnobear and for my use case specific placement isnt important but movement and the sense of space is.

[@cassildaandcarcosa294]

I bought this because of this video!

[@TheTechnobear]

is that a good or bad thing? -jk :) I really hope you enjoy it as much as i do.

[@TheTechnobear]

oh, btw... Im sure you already know, but the percussa forum is a great source of information and help, especially when you are just getting started.

[@rhampton1914]

i just ordered a SSP and i also ordered the 4ms Pod 64x with the $15. power supply from perfect circuit audio. i haven't gotten in mail yet but just wanted to ask you. did you use the generic power supply that goes with the 64x? it's model BX-150300 15vdc....The SSP is going to be in that same pod you have all by itself, so just curious to see if you experienced any problems or is this power supply sufficient..

[@TheTechnobear]

I got 1503000 45w that 4ms stock - no issue. recently, Ive been also using the bigger 90w, and chaining the Pod64x with a rack using a 4ms row power 25 - thats working nicely too. (obviously, if chaining, keep an eye on overall current draw)

[@TheTechnobear]

btw: I don't use the extra 4hp in the pod64x, I leave that free... which I think keeps a nice airflow for the SSP

[@rhampton1914]

@@TheTechnobear I just got in mail..yeahhh,,😀,,.I haven't received 64x Pod yet,,,,will get that tomorrow but I did try to connect cable from SSP to one of my smaller 20hp pods and it was just rebooting over and over,,,,,hmmmm,,,I wonder if it's because a 20hp Pod doesn't have enough power in the actual Pod. ? As a 64x Pod..?...I would have to imagine that's why it kept rebooting over and over....

[@TheTechnobear]

@@rhampton1914 don’t know specs of pod20, but ssp needs quite a bit of power 850mA 12v , 250mA -12v … so, in practice you’d not want less than 1a on 12v … And yeah mcus tend to reboot continuously if not fed enough power ( and the tend to pull most power at startup)

[@casualdub8001]

Do you think I could use it as an audio interface on my computer to record guitar and voice?

[@TheTechnobear]

Im not really that knowledge on guitar/mic inputs... on the physical side - not sure about things like impedence thats something you shoud check with Percussa. also ​levels would probably be a bit low... so you'd probably need to amp them. you can do digital gain, but then the signal to noise ratio would be likely bad. I think most likely you'd end up using some kind of preamp

[@NeilParfittMusic]

@@TheTechnobear he'll still need a pre-amp and something that brings audio to euro levels for proper gain staging

[@beatnikcafe]

There are a few modules on the market that address this. One option is to use the Strymon AA.1 to get your guitar/line level audio in and out of the SSP.

[@maiastniki]

i have zero experience with euroracks are you able to use this standalone?

[@TheTechnobear]

Yes, though you need a case - something like a pod64x with power is ideal

[@kisho2679]

can the ER-301 keep up with Percussa?

[@TheTechnobear]

Technically not really, no audio over usb, less cpu/mem, a bit less io, smaller screen, no vst support. But lots of people like it , and find it very useful - could be ‘enough’ for your needs?! Note : I don’t have an er301 , so can’t really compare , or say where it’s limits are felt. The OD do have a good forum, so I’m sure others there can discuss pros/ cons , no doubt with some natural bias, as you’d might also get on the Percussa forum :)

[@lab-by-the-sea]

great, what you implemented, is this somewhere available as a firmware etc.?

[@TheTechnobear]

all my VSTs are available (free) on the Percussa SSP forum. note: I make beta versions of my vsts available to my ko-fi supports as 'early access'... then shortly after are release free/publically for all.

[@lab-by-the-sea]

@@TheTechnobear that is great - thank you!

[@TheSwircle987]

@@TheTechnobear I checked the forum for the Data VST, but did not see it. Is it still under development?

[@TheTechnobear]

@@TheSwircle987 my vsts are all in the same zip file on the forum. So download from any of the module posts.

[@TheSwircle987]

@@TheTechnobear oh wow, awesome. Might there be, per chance, a plan to split the screen up so that there are 3 or 4 Datas at one time? Or would I just run 3 or 4 instances of the Data VST on separate pages?

[@tylerg2679]

Does the ssp do midi to cv interface? Could it replace a hermod?

[@TheTechnobear]

Yes, can do midi 2 cv. Replace Hermod, well you’d be using ( potentially) all 8 cv outputs , also the sequencer is not as ‘hands on’. So depends on your use case.

[@tylerg2679]

@@TheTechnobear could I hook an iPad up to the ssp to send midi to cv signals into eurorack through ssp?

[@TheTechnobear]

@@tylerg2679 no, the SSP is a usb midi host, not a usb midi device (like the iPad with CCK). however there are a couple of options: (again assuming you have the CCK) - use a device that allows hosts to be connected , or bridging by using 2 usb to MIDI DIN converters. (this is the same as trying to bridge a computer and an iPad via midi, same 'issue') - don't use midi, instead use cv ! the CCK will allow your iPad to use the SSP as an external audio interface, so with the an appropriate app , you can send CV directly to the SSP. (of course the app needs to support cv output)

[@tylerg2679]

@@TheTechnobear I saw someone connect an ipad to modular using a hermod and Es9. The ipad was sending data into eurorack and audio was coming back into the ipad. Can the SSP replace those two modules? Thanks for your help btw

[@TheTechnobear]

@@tylerg2679 yeah, that's because Hermod provides usb device and host support... that said if you have an ES9 why not send cv/gate via its inputs ;) generally, I find there is always a way to do things, just sometimes you have to get creative. (that said, I don't really use iOS for music making)

[@cdcdplayer]

Are you sending directly to the octatrack or is the SSP going through a VCA or mixer module

[@TheTechnobear]

In this case, I’m going directly into the octatrack. But of course, you can also send back to modular.

[@cdcdplayer]

@@TheTechnobear okay! Thank you. I tried sending directly to my analog mixer and the signal was pretty low. Just wasn’t sure if I needed specific cables or not before sending to my OT Mk2.

[@TheTechnobear]

@@cdcdplayer actually, if anything , its pretty hot...as its at +/-5v , so much hotter line level. often you'd engage pad. are you sending a mono jack (ssp) to a balanced mixer input? - this could potentially cause issues. I also send the SSP output directly to my audio interface, and again its pretty hot.

[@cdcdplayer]

@@TheTechnobear Yeah they're balanced TRS phone-jack line inputs. :O .. Got a bit hasty perhaps. Too much SSP excitement. Everything still sounds fine, however. Nothing damaged. Although, I was using a 1/8" TRS to Dual 1/4 Stereo Audio Cable from OUT 1 into a L/R channel on the mixer. Are you using 1/8" to 1/4" cables for going out? Thanks for the info, I appreciate your insight!

[@TheTechnobear]

@@cdcdplayer its ok, you wont damage anything.. the way balance cables works, is they send the signal invered on tip vs ring - thus knowing any difference is the noise. the issue is, if you use a mono cable, it basically cancels most of the signal out :) I use (2) mono 1/4 to mono 1/8 - which works for me (i think others use a float ring cable) I think the key is to use a mono at the mixer end, so that it doesnt thnk its a balanced cable. the other way, if short of cables... is to try pull the cable half out at the mixer end - this sometimes works.

[@NeilParfittMusic]

what's on the bottom right?

[@TheTechnobear]

Electra One midi controller