instruo/arbhar

arbhar

Instruō

Granular audio processor with two engines supporting up to 88 polyphonic grains, six 10-second audio buffers, built-in condenser microphone, analogue input preamplifier and limiter, USB import/export, onset detection for automatic capture, Scan Mode, Follow Mode, and Wavetable Mode.1136

Capabilities 3

Audio Sample Playbackaudio-sample-playback
Six 10-second audio buffers (layers) for storing captured or imported audio, accessible for granular playback.1136
Granular Synthesisgranular-synthesis
Two granular engines (Continuous and Strike) supporting up to 88 polyphonic grains with per-grain parameter control for pitch, direction, window, and position.1136
Onset Detectiononset-detection
Analyses audio for sharp spectral changes to detect note attacks; can automatically trigger recording or generate Pulse Output signals depending on the selected Onset Control Mode.1136

Jacks 19 (16 in / 3 out)

NameSignalVoltageDescription
Inputs (16)
1V/Oct Inputcv-5V to 5V1136
Capture Pulse Inputgate—Activates recording or overdubbing on pulse signal; supports Momentary, Latching, and Retrigger capture modes.1136
Dry/Wet CV Inputcv-5V to 5V1136
Dub CV Inputcv-5V to 5V1136
Grain Direction CV Inputcv-5V to 5V1136
Grain Window CV Inputcv-5V to 5V1136
Inputaudio—AC coupled audio input; normalled from the Onset Input, which is in turn normalled from the built-in condenser microphone when no cables are connected.1136
Intensity CV Inputcv-5V to 5V1136
Layer CV Inputcv-5V to 5V1136
Length CV Inputcv-5V to 5V1136
Mod CV Inputcv—Bipolar CV input assignable (via preset.txt) to one of four targets: stereo panning, Hold duration/loop length, stereo reverb, or feedback/delay.1136
Onset Inputaudio—AC coupled audio input for onset detection analysis; normalled to the main Input, and can function as the right channel in Stereo Input Mode.1136
Pitch Deviation CV Inputcv-5V to 5V1136
Scan CV Inputcv-5V to 5V1136
Spray CV Inputcv-5V to 5V1136
Strike Inputtrigger—Generates a single grain from the Strike Granular Engine on receipt of a trigger or gate signal.1136
Outputs (3)
Output 1audio—1136
Output 2audio—Audio output normalled to Output 1 for mono use; connecting it enables stereo imaging; phase polarity is configurable (default phase-inverted relative to Output 1).1136
Pulse Outputmixed≤5VOutputs trigger or gate signals per the active Onset Control Mode; trigger pulses are 10ms wide at +5V.1136

Parameters 18

NameTypeRangeBehavior
Capture Buttonbutton—Activates recording of Input signal; recording continues until layer is full; pressing again stops recording early; button illuminates amber during recording.1136
Dry/Wet Knobknob—Equal-power crossfade between the dry input signal and the granular engine outputs.1136
Dub Knobknob—Controls attenuation of existing layer audio mixed with new recording: fully CCW replaces existing audio entirely; center mixes existing at 50% with new at 100%; fully CW sums both at full amplitude for accumulating layers.1136
Grain Direction Knobknob—Sets probability of grain playback direction: fully CCW = 100% forward, center = 50/50, fully CW = 100% reverse. In Wavetable Mode, influences wavetable interpolation speed.1136
Grain Window Knobknob—Sets grain amplitude envelope shape: center is Gaussian (smooth drones), CCW morphs toward square (sharp textures/loop effects), CW morphs toward descending sawtooth (percussive textures).1136
Zones
Square
Sawtooth
  • Square -100–0%Square-shaped amplitude envelope, suitable for sharper textures and loop effects at low Intensity settings.1136
  • Sawtooth 0–100%Descending sawtooth-shaped amplitude envelope, suitable for percussive textures.1136
Hold Knobknob5ms – 10000msSets minimum record time or minimum time between Pulse Output signals depending on Onset Control Mode; also controls loop length in Follow Mode when enabled.1136
Input Level Knobknob—Sets the level of the signal at the Input (including the normalled condenser microphone); the input stage features analogue limiting to saturate rather than digitally clip at high amplitudes.1136
Intensity Knobknob—Sets grain count and rate for the Continuous Granular Engine; center position maximises grains; turning CCW reduces count with synchronous patterns; turning CW reduces count with random amplitudes and asynchronous patterns; extreme positions disable the Continuous Engine entirely.1136
Layer Knobknob—Selects one of six named layers (alpha through zeta) or omega (all layers accessible via Scan Knob); each layer stores up to 10 seconds of audio.1136
Length Knobknob4ms – 3000msSets each grain's duration with an exponential distribution; turning fully anticlockwise crossfades into Wavetable Mode.1136
Output Level Knobknob—1136
Pitch Deviation Knobknob—Applies intervallic pitch offset to each grain; center is no deviation; turning CW applies quantized bipolar random pitch deviation of increasing intervals measured in semitones.1136
Zones
Random Pitch Deviation
Quantised Pitch Deviation
  • Random Pitch Deviation -100–0%Bipolar unquantized random pitch deviation per grain. Amount increases CCW from center.1136
  • Quantised Pitch Deviation 0–100%Bipolar quantized random pitch deviation of increasing intervals per grain. Intervallic offset increases CW from center; defaults are configurable via preset.txt.1136
Pitch Knobknob—Changes grain pitch; values set at grain start and held for grain duration, allowing polyphonic overlapping grains when modulated.1136
Scan Knobknob—In Scan Mode, sets the playback position within the layer to freeze audio at any point. In Follow Mode, becomes a speed control for grain progression through the recorded material.1136
Sensitivity Knobknob—In mono mode, sets responsiveness of Onset Input for detection; in stereo mode, functions as a level control for the right input (Onset Input / Input 2).1136
Shift Buttonbutton—Activates secondary features and modes when held; Granular Stream Display illuminates red with white sides when held.1136
Spray Knobknob—Randomly deviates grain start position rightward from the Scan Knob position; at maximum value, offset is completely random across the entire layer.1136
Strike Buttonbutton—Generates a single grain from the Strike Engine; grains are 15% louder than the Continuous Engine, acting as accents in dense textures.1136

Firmware history 2 versions

VersionReleasedNotes
2.1—1136
2.02023Complete rewrite of the entire codebase with both technical and conceptual improvements; expanded features including Scan Mode, Follow Mode, Wavetable Mode, USB import/export, scene management, and user-definable preset.txt configuration system.1136

References 3

  1. [1136]
    arbhar Granular Audio Processor Manual (Firmware 2.0)manual
    source 1136 canonical ↗ archived ↗
    ⚠ verified 2026-06-04 · manufacturer changed since last verified
  2. [1137]
    arbhar Quickstart Booklet (Firmware 2)manual
    source 1137 canonical ↗ archived ↗
    ⚠ verified 2026-06-04 · manufacturer changed since last verified
  3. [1138]
    Instruō arbhar product pageproduct_page
    source 1138 canonical ↗ archived ↗
    ● verified 2026-06-04