Squinky Labs (Bruce Frazer & Lloyd Cole) have released ThisThing - a full alternative firmware with 16 new algorithms for our disting module.

Downloads, installation instructions and source code are all here.

Discussion and videos are here.

Tags: disting

Silent Way v2.5.3 (Windows VST format only) is released.

Changes in this version:
• Fixed crash when closing the UI using the Windows ‘X’ button after adjusting plug-in parameters.

Download now from the downloads page.

Tags: silent way

We’re proud to announce a major update to our popular disting Eurorack module - the disting mk3.


The main changes as compared to the disting mk2 are:
* Smaller - now 42mm deep (from 53mm)
* Over 50% less power consumption - now 70mA combined draw (from 148mA)
* User-updatable code - via Micro SD card
* More algorithms - no longer limited to 16
* More functionality - new encoder and push buttons give more control options

New algorithms shipping with the disting mk3 include a voltage controlled delay, a tape delay, and a resonator/drum synthesizer. Many existing algorithms have been enhanced - with extra parameters, manual tap tempo (for the clockable LFO and delay modes), and a ‘knob recorder’ function. Refer to the updated user manual for details.


The disting mk3 is expected to ship in November 2015.

Tags: disting

Silent Way v2.5.1 (all platforms and formats) is released.

Changes in this version:
• Fixed UI behaviour in multiple monitor setups with a mix of Retina and non-Retina displays.
• Fixed MIDI output on Gates 6/1-6/8 in Silent Way ES-5 Controller.
• Enabled full support for the Expert Sleepers MIDI & OSC Lua scripting system.

Download now from the downloads page.

Tags: silent way

A new version of the USAMO software is now available, v1.0.8.

Changes in this version:
• Fixed UI behaviour in multiple monitor setups with a mix of Retina and non-Retina displays.
• Fixed the rendering of the message history windows on Retina displays.
• Added the ‘Delay Start/Stop’ buttons (for compatibility with Live’s External Audio Effect).

Download now from the downloads page.

Tags: USAMO

A note to Expert Sleepers customers thinking of upgrading to Windows 10:

There appear to be various incompatibilities between Windows 10 and Expert Sleepers plug-ins at the moment. If you rely on Expert Sleepers software, you are recommended not to upgrade at this time.

We are working on resolutions to these issues.

The FHX-1 Output Expander for FH-1 is now available. Look for it in your favourite modular synth store or see Where To Buy.

Tags: fhx-1, fh-1

Silent Way v2.5.0 (all platforms and formats) is released.

New in this version:
• Added exponential envelope shapes to Silent Way Voice Controller and Silent Way Trigger.
• Added FSK (‘tape sync’) support to Silent Way Sync.
• Silent Way Learner now supports MIDI channel pressure (aftertouch).
• Fixed an issue with MIDI clock generation in Silent Way ES-4 and ES-5 Controllers.
• Fixed the behaviour of the Offset control in certain circumstances in Silent Way ES-4 and ES-5 Controllers, and Silent Way Sync.

Download now from the downloads page.

Tags: silent way

Crossfade Loop Synth v3.2.7 is released. The Mac OS X AAX version only is updated.

This version fixes an issue where the sample file path would not be stored with the plug-in preset settings.

Download now from the downloads page.

Tags: crossfade loop synth

A new version of the USAMO software is now available, v1.0.7.

This version fixes a bug in the generation of MIDI clock at certain tempos, and fixes the behaviour of the Offset control in certain situations.

Download now from the downloads page.

Tags: USAMO

A couple of new FH-1 demo videos:

Tags: fh-1

Augustus Loop v2.4.4 (Mac OS X versions) is released. This version fixes some distortion issues that could occur when changing the tape speed away from zero.

Download now from the downloads page.

Tags: augustus loop

We’re glad to announce the FHX-1 Output Expander for FH-1.

The FHX-1 is an expansion module for the FH-1 'faderHost' USB MIDI Host Eurorack module, adding 8 more outputs to the FH-1’s own. Up to 7 FHX-1s can be added to an FH-1, for a total of 64 outputs controlled from the one USB device.

The FHX-1 is showing for the first time today at the Brighton Modular Meet and is expected to be available in July 2015.

Tags: fhx-1, fh-1

A new batch of distings are starting to ship this week. These are ‘mk2’ versions, offering over twice the delay time in Clockable Delay/Echo mode - now over 1600ms.

Tags: disting

Here’s a brief video demo of the forthcoming FH-1 module working with a Novation Launchpad Mini:

Tags: fh-1

Expert Sleepers does not have a booth presence at the show this year. However Os will be at the show on Saturday. Get in touch if you’d like to chat.

The USAMO is now released. At this time it is available for purchase direct from our store only.

The Expert Sleepers USAMO (Universal Sample-Accurate MIDI Output) provides a sample-accurate, jitter-free MIDI output from your DAW.

The MIDI signal is generated by the USAMO software, a plug-in which runs as a virtual instrument (AU/VST/AAX, Mac & Windows), as audio in your DAW. The DAW sends MIDI to the plug-in; the plug-in translates that to audio and sends it to the USAMO hardware, via an output on your computer's audio interface. The USAMO then reconstructs the MIDI and outputs it on a standard 5 pin DIN MIDI socket.

In addition to MIDI note and controller data from the DAW, the USAMO software also generates MIDI clock, Song Position Pointer etc. It can also handle Sysex.

Because the MIDI signals are generated and transported as audio, they are guaranteed to be sample-accurately synced with your audio, and free of the jitter often associated with computer-generated MIDI.

Tags: USAMO

The entire range of Expert Sleepers plug-ins is now available in AAX format, for Mac OS X and Windows.

Download now from the downloads page.

Tags: crossfade loop synth, little spacey, meringue, minky starshine, oomingmak, spectral conquest, warbler

All Expert Sleepers plug-ins are now available as 64 bit VST plug-ins for Windows. The plug-ins which are new to 64 bit support are:
Crossfade Loop Synth v3.2.6
Little Spacey v1.1.1
Meringue v2.1.1
Minky Starshine v1.1.0
Oomingmak v1.1.2
Spectral Conquest v1.0.4
Warbler v1.2.0

Download all the above from the downloads page.

Tags: crossfade loop synth, little spacey, meringue, minky starshine, oomingmak, spectral conquest, warbler

All Mac OS X versions of Expert Sleepers plug-ins have today been updated again. All have the same small fix applied for compatibility with some older OS X installs. The new versions are:
Augustus Loop v2.4.3
Crossfade Loop Synth v3.2.6
Little Spacey v1.1.2
Meringue v2.1.2
Minky Starshine v1.1.1
Oomingmak v1.1.3
Silent Way v2.4.4
Spectral Conquest v1.0.4
Warbler v1.2.1

Download all the above from the downloads page.

Tags: augustus loop, crossfade loop synth, little spacey, meringue, minky starshine, oomingmak, silent way, spectral conquest, warbler

All Mac OS X versions of Expert Sleepers plug-ins have today been updated. This is primarily a maintenance update to allow an update to the Licence Manager, but there are new additions too.

The Licence Manager is updated to v1.1.0, with changes for compatibility with recent OS X releases. With this Licence Manager, please use the versions of the plug-ins listed below (or later). If you update any of your plug-ins to these new versions, please be sure to update all of them, and the Licence Manager. If you subsequently have activation issues, please work through the suggestions on the Licence Manager page before contacting us.

Silent Way is updated to v2.4.3. Changes in this version:
• Added support for MIDI output of Song Position Pointer.
• Added support for MIDI output of sysex data to the AAX version.
• Fixed a possible crash when using the OSC browse dialog in 64 bit hosts.
• Added ‘Match Note Offs’ feature to Silent Way ES-4 Controller and Silent Way ES-5 Controller.

Minky Starshine is updated to v1.1.0 and Warbler is updated to v1.2.0. These are the first 64 bit releases of these two plug-ins (happily bringing the full Expert Sleepers line to 64 bit; adding AAX compatibility for everything is next on the list).

The following releases are for Licence Manager compatibility only, and add no new features:
Augustus Loop v2.4.2
Crossfade Loop Synth v3.2.5
Little Spacey v1.1.1
Meringue v2.1.1
Oomingmak v1.1.2
Spectral Conquest v1.0.3

Download all the above from the downloads page.

Tags: augustus loop, silent way, little spacey, spectral conquest, oomingmak, meringue, crossfade loop synth, minky starshine, warbler

Expert Sleepers are going to NAMM! We’ll be part of the Muffwiggler booth, Booth# 1371 (Hall E), next to Pittsburgh Modular and Make Noise, amongst others.

Tags: NAMM

We’re pleased to announce our latest Eurorack module, the FH-1 ‘faderHost’ USB MIDI Host.


The FH-1 'faderHost' is a USB MIDI Host in an 8HP Eurorack module, allowing you to directly connect a USB MIDI controller to your modular synthesizer. Using a suitable connector box "USB MIDI controller" here includes an iPad or plain old computer.

As well as simple direct control of the output CVs from MIDI CCs, the FH-1 also offers
* LFOs on each output
* Step sequencers
* Polyphonic MIDI/CV conversion
* and much more

The FH-1 will be unveiled at the NAMM show, January 2015.

Tags: fh-1