Hello world! And a big thank you to our many subscribers, for your patience for over nearly 2 years of punctuated development. We’re writing to share with you the latest updates on Quadrant, and - we hope you’ll agree - it was well worth the wait.

Evolution of the Quadrant

The new Quadrant (rev 5.0) PCB features a long list of exciting improvements:

• Upgraded time-of-flight sensors to the new VL53L0x from ST, featuring longer range, better accuracy, and higher sample rate
• Upgraded microcontroller to the RP2040 (same as the Raspberry Pico), with a higher clock speed, more memory, and multicore processing
• Added hardware MIDI input and output (1/8" TRS)
• Added 4x CV + gate outputs (1/8" TRS)
• Updated to USB-C connector
• Added DIP switches for selecting between configurations on-the-fly
• Added 4x GPIO

With the RP2040 under the hood, the new Quadrant is fully Arduino-compatible, and we’ve even developed an official open-source firmware library to help you customize Quadrant for your specific use case. Adjust thresholds, detect gestures, fine-tune the sample rate vs accuracy, and more using our simple, high-level API.

Quadrant code for Arduino

We’re also developing cross-platform software that will allow you to easily map signals and events from Quadrant to your DAW or other applications using MIDI, OSC, etc.

Quadrant Bridge Control Software

But by far, the feature we’re most excited about is the hardware MIDI and CV + gate outputs, which allow you to connect Quadrant directly to your hardware synths - no computer required!

Quadrant sending CV to a modular synthesizer

All in all, the new Quadrant is a quantum leap improvement over its predecessor, and we can’t wait to get it into the hands of the community, to see what you all come up with. So, stay tuned for the upcoming launch of our crowdfunding campaign, and thank you again for all your support!