AURIS

After Later Audio Auris is an amplifier module with built-in contact microphone, based on the clever “Ears” module from Mutable Instruments.

Just scratch, rub or tap around on the front panel and enjoy fascinating sounds and percussion timbres. Besides audio signals, the Eurorack module also outputs gate and envelope signals. So Auris can also be used as an analog controller. Thanks to a high-impedance input, it is also possible to use the amplifier for external microphones, guitars or line equipment. A maximum level boost of 40 dB is possible.

Auris, like Ears, is modeled after Tom Whitwell’s microphone module. Compared to the prototype, tit is characterized by an improved signal-to-noise ratio and lower distortion. The integrated mic is located behind the front panel area marked as a golden beating surface. Besides drumming, many other hand movements lead to interesting sounds. Using objects such as a sheet of paper also lead to exciting results. A little tip: The consistently noisy results are ideal source material for physical modeling stages such as Resonate from ALA, which is based on the classic Rings, originally also made by Mutable.

The level of the amplifier can be controlled with the help of a potentiometer, maximum boosts of 40 dB are feasible. Thanks to a high-impedance audio input, the circuit can also be used for many other microphones, instruments and players. Even the connection of a guitar is possible. After amplification, the processed material is available for tapping at the Out jack. Another output provides a gate voltage of +8V as soon as the internal audio level exceeds the threshold of 1V, 2V or 4V. A jumper is used to select the desired value. On top of that, an envelope follower is included in Auris which generates CV signals and provides them at the connector of the same name. Here the operating speed can be selected via jumper. In detail, three time values are available.