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arc is a tactile instrument with dynamic visual feedback. Applications determine the interaction between movement, sound, and light. Some applications are shared here and we’ve built studies to help you create your own.

arc is a USB device. It sends serial data when knobs are turned, and changes lights according to incoming serial data.

specifications

  • high resolution knobs, 1024 ticks per revolution.
  • each knob is encircled by a sixty-four segment light ring, sixteen-step brightness per LED.
  • 2025 edition has a single pushbutton (see editions for more details).

with computers

First install serialosc. serialosc runs in the background and converts USB serial communication into Open Sound Control (OSC). Applications query serialosc to connect to a grid or arc.

applications

VCV Rack is a virtual modular synth. The Ansible module communicates with arc.

Max is a patching environment created by Cycling ‘74. A free runtime is available. Max for Live is a part of Ableton Live Suite. The following work with Max or Max for Live:

  • Max package – several patchers and tools for use within Max
  • returns – simple yet versatile cc output with LFOs and sensitivity control
  • capstarc – tactile sample scrubbing for arc
  • cascades – 65,536 combinations of 16th note patterns across seven tracks
  • pear – dual manual tape player
  • arc4live – simplified arc-as-four-knobs Max for Live patch featuring trimmers on modulation range
  • more patches can be found at the library of llllllll.co, the monome-community github and the collected repository

studies

monome libraries for other environments:

Note: the grid studies broadly apply to arc but the OSC patterns differ.

iii

iii allows scripts to be stored on the device itself and interfacing uses USB-MIDI.

  • cycles – rotating MIDI CC with friction
  • erosion – four by four meta CC with interpolation and scene recall
  • snows – very slow asynchronous arpeggiator

with norns

angl is the script used in this video. It is part of the ash collection from monome, which can be installed via maiden.

Selection of community contributed scripts that support arc:

with modular

Ansible (discontinued) connects an arc to the eurorack ecosystem. Note: be sure to get the latest firmware for complete arc support.

See VCV Rack to use a virtual version on your computer, which can then be interfaced to your modular synth in various ways.

further information