Befaco Ark Eurorack Voice & Sequencer Module (Pre-order)

This is pre-order - stock is expected in November.

Manufacturer's description

ARK is a music production computer where algorithms, chance, and signals converge in a single creative workspace.

A 16-track canvas where you can place CV generators, drum voices, synth voices, and different types of samplers, including drum players, slicers, and granular samplers.

At its core is a powerful composition system built around scales, chords, and harmonic relationships. Build progressions, generate melodies, and develop musical ideas that stay connected to the harmonic context of your track.

Create evolving chord progressions. Generate melodies that follow them. Introduce chance, variation, and algorithms without losing the musical structure underneath.

Be prepared to rethink your system.

One module split in two

ARK is a single, unified system, sold together with two distinct components: ARK-Core and ARK-Controller.

The Core is the engine, managing and generating all signals, while the Controller is where you compose your music.

For extra flexibility, the Core and Controller can be placed separately in different rows or arranged in any layout you like. The ARK-Controller can also be housed in an external enclosure that you can print yourself and connected to the ARK-Core with a single USB cable for both power and data.

Everything connected

ARK is designed to work as the hub of your entire system.

Send audio and CV from every channel to your modular, analog synthesizers or MIDI instruments.

Build complete tracks inside ARK. Control your hardware directly and bring external signals back.

Route audio, MIDI, CV, and control signals into ARK and use them as part of the composition. Incoming signals can be transformed into melodies, sequences, and other musical material—all shaped by your scales, chords, and progressions.

Fully Integrated Instruments

All devices all FX and the Mixerare tightly integrated with the sequencer, allowing real-time gesture recording and per-step parameter locks for most available parameters.

This integration also allows you to assign any parameter to the internal modulation system in just two movements, or set parameters across multiple steps at once by simply holding them and turning the corresponding encoder.

CV generators follow the internal harmony, so your external voices will automatically follow internal Scales and chords.

ARK Controller

ARK Controller is where you introduce musical events, such as notes, and edit their nuances. It provides access to a wide range of step- and track-related actions, including slides, rolls, divisions, Smart Group selection, and more.

It is equipped with hot-swappable mechanical keyboard buttons, delivering an exceptional tactile experience while also providing long-term durability and easy serviceability.

Triplets can be forced or unforced on the fly, while Random Generators can be accessed directly from the ARK Controller. Chance and conditional parameters can also be applied to individual steps or entire patterns.

The ARK Controller is also the interface for muting and unmuting tracks, as well as calling patterns.

ARK Core

ARK Core is the engine of the system, managing and generating all signals.

All DSP processing is handled here, providing the main interface for operating devices, FX, modulation, and mixing, as well as creating and managing signal routing.

It also provides the interface for accessing and editing the parameters of the internal synthesizers.

The front-panel USB port provides both power and MIDI connectivity while supporting USB drives for backing up your work and importing samples.

Features

• 6+1 Tracks sequencer with Random and Probability
• 12 parameter locks per pattern/track
• 1 device + 1 effect per track (subject to CPU load)
• 16 internal modulation sources / arpeggiators
• 16 Scenes for instant sound recall
• 255 Projects of 64 patterns, with 64 notes per pattern
• 16 Parts with complex pattern chaining (Song Mode)
• Note data generation from CV, LFOs, and other sources
• Advanced note repeater
• Harmony tools based on chord progressions and scales
• MIDI generation, recording, and parameter control
  
• MIDI File Player
• 8 CV/audio outputs and 8 gate outputs with flexible routing
• 6 CV inputs, freely routable to multiple parameters
• 16 × 2 × 2 stereo digital mixer with reverb, delay, and dynamics
• 8 banks of 128 samples each

Audio & Digital

• Audio Quality: 16-bit/44.1 kHz
• Internal Processing: 32-bit floating point
• DACs: 8 × 16-bit, DC-coupled
• CPU: ARM Cortex-M7, 600 MHz (overclockable)
• SRAM: 16 + 1 MB (~12 MB available for sampling)
• Display: 1.77″ TFT color display (160 × 128 pixels)

Connections

• 8 × CV/Audio Outputs: ±10 V DC (20 Vpp)
• 8 × Gate Outputs: +10 V
• 6 × CV Inputs: −5 V to +10 V DC (8-bit resolution)
• Gate / Reset / Clock Outputs: +10 V
• Clock / Reset Inputs: 10 V tolerant; >1 V = ON
• MIDI I/O: TRS, USB-A, USB-C (class-compliant)
• Expander Port: For future expansion modules