4ms Unveils Three New Eurorack Modules For Monitoring Your System

These three modules - Listen 4, Listen 4Q and Listen IO for Eurorack, provide flexible ways to monitor, mix and record sound from your system. Here's what you need to know about them.  

In the scramble to produce ever-more weird and wonderful Eurorack modules to mash and mangle your bleeps and squeaks, sometimes the basics can get overlooked. And one thing that's very basic is how on earth do you listen to the sound that's output by your setup? Hardware specialists 4ms have come out with three new modules that provide different ways to monitor your Eurorack system - Listen 4, Listen 4Q and Listen IO.

Listen 4

The Listen Four is a four channel stereo mixer with line, modular, and headphone outputs. Two mono channels with Pan knobs and two stereo channels with dual inputs provide optimal compatibility with both stereo and mono signals. The Listen Four can be daisy-chained to other Listen modules to create a larger mixer with sub-mix outputs.

Features

  • Four input channels (two with stereo inputs, two with mono inputs and a Pan knob)
  • Headphone and main 1/8" outputs, each with separate Level knob
  • Line level output driver with zero impedance, capable of driving long cables
  • Output can be switched between line and modular level
  • Low noise, cross-talk, and bleed-through
  • Anti-pop feature that silences pops and thumps when the power is turned on
  • Headers in back allow for connecting to other Listen Four or Listen Four Quarters modules to create a mixer with 8, 12, 16, or more channels and multiple sub-mix outputs
  • Connects via headers to WAV Recorder module for recording final mix without using patch cables
  • Signal lights for each channel and output mix
  • Clipping lights with adjustable level

Listen 4Q

The Listen Four Quarters is a four channel stereo mixer with 1/4" (6.35mm) TRS balanced outputs and 1/8" (3.5mm) headphones output. Two mono channels with Pan knobs and two stereo channels with dual inputs provide optimal compatibility with both stereo and mono signals. The Listen Four Quarters can be daisy-chained to other Listen modules to create a larger mixer with sub-mix outputs.

Features

  • Four input channels (two with stereo inputs, two with mono inputs and a Pan knob)
  • Headphone and main 1/4” outputs, each with separate Level knob
  • Balanced TRS outputs, switchable to stereo
  • Line level output driver with zero impedance, capable of driving long cables
  • Low noise, cross-talk, and bleed-through
  • Anti-pop feature that silences pops and thumps when the power is turned on
  • Headers in back allow for connecting to other Listen Four or Listen Four Quarters modules to create a mixer with 8, 12, 16, or more channels and multiple sub-mix outputs
  • Connects via headers to WAV Recorder module for recording final mix without using patch cables
  • Signal lights for each channel and output mix

Listen IO

The Listen IO is a simple module which gets signals in and out of a Eurorack system by converting to and from normal modular levels. The top section converts any external signal to modular levels by providing up to 30x gain (+30dB), allowing you to use table-top synthesizers, keyboards, phones/tablets, computers, toys, microphones, etc. in your patches. The bottom section does the opposite: modular signals are converted to normal line level signals. The bottom two jacks can be used as line outs or as headphone jacks, so you and a friend can listen in stereo at the same time. Each section has two inputs and outputs for use with a stereo signal or two mono signals. An LED bar graph for each output shows the signal level and clipping.

Features

  • Line to modular conversion, and modular to line/headphone conversion
  • Works with guitars, table-top synths, effect pedals, keyboards, groove boxes, and many microphones
  • Dual mono or stereo conversion
  • LEDs show signal level and clipping
  • Gain knob allows for wide range of boost or cut
  • Headers in back for connecting to Listen Up or DIY adaptor module (1/4”, banana, etc.)
  • Two headphone outputs and stereo inputs for use as a compact headphones module

Hollin Jones was classically trained as a piano player but found the lure of blues and jazz too much to resist. Graduating from bands to composition then production, he relishes the chance to play anything with keys. A sometime lecturer in videographics, music production and photography post production, Hollin has been a freelance w... Read More

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