Qu-Bit Electronix Mojave User manual

Mojave
quickstart

Make It Grain.
Mojave is a granular sandstorm.
Drawing its inspiration from vast swaths of desert in
the American Southwest, Mojave is a live granular
processor that uses microscopic bits of audio to
create beautifully crafted sonic landscapes.
Whether you are constructing pebbles or sandstone
monuments, Mojave is the perfect balance between
exploratory sound design and harmonious sublimity.
• Live granular processor and stochastic event
generator
• Onboard high quality MEMS microphone
• Configurable Dune CV/Gate output
• Firmware updates & alternate firmware via USB
• Based on the Daisy platform
Description
Module Installation
1. Make sure there is appropriate
space (14HP) and power (167mA)
in your case.
2. Connect the ribbon cable
to Mojave (see right) and to
your power supply, matching
the red stripe indicators.
3. Power up your case, and
ensure your modules are properly
powered and operating.
+12V
-12V
1

Mojave
right
left
gen
rate
zone speed window freezemixlock
structdistdrift whirl
rate
whirldrift
tap
clockgen
gust size
distribute structure
left
right
dune
Initial Knob Positions
*These are the recommended initial knob positions, but who
are we to pigeonhole you? It’s your party, throw it how you
want it!
2

Mojave
right
left
gen
rate
zone speed window freezemixlock
structdistdrift whirl
rate
whirldrift
tap
clockgen
gust size
distribute structure
left
right
dune
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
4
5
5
6
6
7
7
Front Panel
Tactile Controls
CV Inputs/
Outputs
Audio Inputs/
Outputs
3
Gate Inputs/
Outputs

1Mix
Controls the balance between the dry and wet
signal.
Mix CV input. Range: -5V to +5V
2Tap/Clock
Sets internal clock rate by using tap tempo. Use
the gate input to sync Mojave to an external clock.
Clock gate input. Threshold: 0.4V
3Gen
Generates new granular events determined by the
module settings.
Gen gate input. Threshold: 0.4V
5Distribute
Introduces stochastic rhythmic displacement
to newly generated grains. This is your glitchy,
ratcheting, time-shifting knob.
Distribute CV input. Range: -5V to +5V
4Rate
Controls the rate of generated grains, from glacial
to audio rate.
Rate CV input. Range: -5V to +5V
6Structure
Introduces algorithmic melodic/harmonic
displacement to newly generated grains. Build
granular arpeggios, evolving harmonies, and more.
Structure CV input. Range: -5V to +5V
4
7Drift
Introduces random audio buffer positioning to
newly generated grains. Mojave sifts through the
audio buffer, and unearths new grains for you.
Drift CV input. Range: -5V to +5V

Mojave
right
left
gen
rate
zone speed window freezemixlock
structdistdrift whirl
rate
whirldrift
tap
clockgen
gust size
distribute structure
left
right
dune
8
8
9
9
10
10
11
11
12
12
13
13
Front Panel
Tactile Controls
CV Inputs/
Outputs
Audio Inputs/
Outputs
5
Gate Inputs/
Outputs

6
8Whirl
Introduces spatial displacement to newly generated
grains.
Whirl CV input. Range: -5V to +5V
9Gust
Introduces either feedback (left of center) or reverb
(right of center) to the dry and wet signals.
Gust CV input. Range: -5V to +5V
10 Size
Controls the size and playback direction of grains.
Reverse grains are to the left of center, and
forward grains to right of center.
Size CV input. Range: -5V to +5V
11 Zone
Sets the position within the live-streaming audio
buffer where Mojave will generate grains from.
Zone CV input. Range: -5V to +5V
12 Speed
Controls the pitch of new grains, and tracks 1V/
Oct. This knob acts as the foundation on which
Structure manipulates the grains.
Speed CV input. Range: -5V to +5V
13 Window
Selects the shape of the envelope applied to new
grains. Windows shown from left to right on knob.
Window CV input. Range: -5V to +5V

v
Mojave
right
left
gen
rate
zone speed window freezemixlock
structdistdrift whirl
rate
whirldrift
tap
clockgen
gust size
distribute structure
left
right
dune
14
14
15
15
16 17
Front Panel
Tactile Controls
CV Inputs/
Outputs
Audio Inputs/
Outputs
7
Gate Inputs/
Outputs

8
14 Lock
Activating this function preserves the audio in the
buffer, preventing the live input from being read
in. Grains are generated from this locked buffer,
which can be scrubbed using the Zone control.
Lock gate input. Threshold: 0.4V
15 Freeze
While active, all existing grains loop, and no new
grains are generated while the audio buffer
continues to refresh.
Freeze gate input. Threshold: 0.4V
17 Clock Mode
Sets the Clock Mode:
Name Color Description
Free (Default) Blue Rate knob adjusts grain rate
across a smooth range
Quantized Gold Rate knob selects division/
multiple of the clock rate
16 Gen Mode
Sets the grain generation mode, cycling between
3 types:
Mode Color Description
Erode Blue
(Default)
Grains are generated automatically
with each clock pulse
Shear Green Incoming audio stream is monitored,
and grains are generated when audio
hits a determined threshold
Chisel Gold Gen must be triggered to generate
grains

v
Mojave
right
left
gen
rate
zone speed window freezemixlock
structdistdrift whirl
rate
whirldrift
tap
clockgen
gust size
distribute structure
left
right
dune
18
Front Panel
Tactile Controls
CV Inputs/
Outputs
Audio Inputs/
Outputs
9
Gate Inputs/
Outputs

10
18 Sky Mode
Determines macro control behaviors on these
functions:
• Distribute
• Structure
• Drift
• Rate
• Speed
• Zone
Dawn Color: Blue
Mojave generates grains within a major scale.
Day Color: Green
Mojave generates grains within a minor scale.
Dusk Color: Gold
Mojave generates grains within a chromatic scale.
Twilight Color: Purple
Mojave generates grains with no adherence to
any scales or synchronous rhythms.
Want something other than the default Sky Modes?
Use Narwhal to customize the behaviors of each
mode to your taste!
Change scales, temporal characteristics, and
more! See the manual for more info.

v
Front Panel
Tactile Controls
CV Inputs/
Outputs
Audio Inputs/
Outputs
11
Gate Inputs/
Outputs
Mojave
right
left
gen
rate
zone speed window freezemixlock
structdistdrift whirl
rate
whirldrift
tap
clockgen
gust size
distribute structure
left
right
dune
19
20

12
19 Dune Output
CV Output (Default): Variable modulation source
generated by the environmental conditions at play
in Mojave. Range: 0V to +5V.
A configurable CV/Gate output that is algorithmi-
cally generated by Mojave. Swap between output
options via the Narwhal web app. See the manual
for a full list of available outputs!
20 Microphone
Become the wind itself with Mojave’s onboard
microphone! The mic normals to the left input
by default.
Control the input level by holding the Clock Mode
button and turning the Mix knob.
Reset the input level settings by holding the Clock
Mode and pressing the Freeze button.
Avoiding Feedback: Minimize completely dry mix
and original Speed settings.
Mic Mode
Sets the mic relationship with the audio input.
Hold the Clock Mode button and press the
Lock button to cycle modes:
Mode Color Description
Normalled Blue Mic is normalled to the left input
Off Green Mic is turned off
Summed Gold Mic is summed with the audio inputs

v
Front Panel
Tactile Controls
CV Inputs/
Outputs
Audio Inputs/
Outputs
13
Gate Inputs/
Outputs
Mojave
right
left
gen
rate
zone speed window freezemixlock
structdistdrift whirl
rate
whirldrift
tap
clockgen
gust size
distribute structure
left
right
dune
21
22
23
24
25

22 Audio Input Left
Audio input for the left channel. Normals to
the right input when no cable is present in
Audio Input Right.
Range: 10Vpp (AC-Coupled)
23 Audio Input Right
Audio input for the right channel.
Range: 10Vpp (AC-Coupled)
24 Audio Output Left
Audio output for the left channel.
Range: 10Vpp (DC-Coupled)
25 Audio Output Right
Audio output for the right channel.
Range: 10Vpp (DC-Coupled)
14
21 USB Drive
Used for firmware updates, alternate firmware,
configurable settings, and more! See the manual
for full details.
Congurable Settings App
Head to Narwhal to configure your Mojave’s
internal settings:

Mojave
right
left
gen
rate
zone speed window freezemixlock
structdistdrift whirl
rate
whirldrift
tap
clockgen
gust size
distribute structure
left
right
dune
15
Patch:

Mojave
right
left
gen
rate
zone speed window freezemixlock
structdistdrift whirl
rate
whirldrift
tap
clockgen
gust size
distribute structure
left
right
dune
16
Patch:

Mojave
right
left
gen
rate
zone speed window freezemixlock
structdistdrift whirl
rate
whirldrift
tap
clockgen
gust size
distribute structure
left
right
dune
17
Patch:

Mojave
right
left
gen
rate
zone speed window freezemixlock
structdistdrift whirl
rate
whirldrift
tap
clockgen
gust size
distribute structure
left
right
dune
18
Patch:

Make it grain.
Learn More.
https://qubitelectronix.com
The Mojave desert has always been a special place
for Qu-Bit team members. A place of rest, a place of
renewal, and a place for invigorating the creative
mind.
We hope the sonic possibilities of Mojave instill those
same feelings in you. With every Mojave sold a portion
of the proceeds will go to the Joshua Tree National
Park Association, and will help to preserve a portion
of the Mojave desert that we hold dear to our hearts.
Happy Patching,
The Qu-Fam