modern groovebox for an antique 8-bit machine

gb-zed sequencing an acid pattern across four channels, live
fig. 01: home sequencer160 × 144

four chip voices. sixteen‑step sequencing. acid basslines, live effects and midi sync. nothing but the game boy.

specifications

voices
4
sequencer
16 steps, 16 patterns, 2 live projects
effects
13 effects, 2 sends per project + sidechain
performance
live effects + live record
generative
auto ∞ mode
sync
midi clock in / out, midi notes in / out, game boy link
hardware
flashcart
format
gb & gbc
□

what it does

gb-zed sequencer
01 / 06

sequencer

program like your favourite groovebox: note, velocity, slide, conditional trigs, tables, and per-pattern polymeter.

gb-zed wave instrument and acid filter
02 / 06

sound

design your own kicks, drum kits and synths, or load samples. the wave channel carries various waveforms and a 303-style low-pass filter.

gb-zed live wall
03 / 06

live wall

switch between parts of patterns live across all four voices.

gb-zed mixer scope
04 / 06

mixer scope

mix and send effects live on each channel.

gb-zed mod
05 / 06

mod

arpeggiator and lfo share one full screen per voice (shape, steps, direction, rate, sync, depth, destination).

gb-zed send fx
06 / 06

send fx

thirteen effects to add live on each channel: delay, stutter, octave, wobble, drive, crush, etc.

it writes itself.

turn on auto ∞ mode and gb-zed composes on its own an endless acid set that evolves bar by bar and never repeats

□

the per-step lanes

every step carries six values, not one. tap the select button to cycle between lanes: duration, pitch, velocity, tables, commands and conditions.

gb-zed step lane
stepstep duration
gb-zed note lane
notepitch per step (or drum voice)
gb-zed velocity lane
velocity16 levels
gb-zed table lane
tablecreate melodies or chord progressions
gb-zed command lane
per-step command effectsadd flair to your steps with extra effect commands
gb-zed conditions lane
conditionsa trig condition: fire 1:2, 3:4, 1:8, etc.
trmtremolo per loopstubus stutterhldbus gate holdsctbus scatteroctoctave jumpdrvdriverolnote retrigger1:31st of threerolbus rollwobpitch wobblefilonly while fillhldgate hold3:43rd of fourtrmbus tremolodlybus delaydrvbus drive1:41st of fouroctbus octaveslideglide into the next noteflpwhole-tone trill2:32nd of threecrubus bit crush1:81st of eight1:21st of two loopssctrandom in scale3:33rd of threearpbus arpeggiodlyfalling echoarpscale arpeggiowobbus wobble2:22nd of twocrubit crush!filexcept on fill
trmtremolo per loopstubus stutterhldbus gate holdsctbus scatteroctoctave jumpdrvdriverolnote retrigger1:31st of threerolbus rollwobpitch wobblefilonly while fillhldgate hold3:43rd of fourtrmbus tremolodlybus delaydrvbus drive1:41st of fouroctbus octaveslideglide into the next noteflpwhole-tone trill2:32nd of threecrubus bit crush1:81st of eight1:21st of two loopssctrandom in scale3:33rd of threearpbus arpeggiodlyfalling echoarpscale arpeggiowobbus wobble2:22nd of twocrubit crush!filexcept on fill
□

inside gb-zed

gb-zed wave instrument and acid filter
wave instrument
gb-zed arp and lfo screen
arp + lfo
gb-zed 303 acid controls with cutoff resonance envelope decay and accent
acid controls
gb-zed perform screen cycling through four live glitch effects
perform
gb-zed project settings menu
project settings
gb-zed project library listing
project library
gb-zed live recording mode
live recording
gb-zed auto infinity mode
auto ∞ mode
gb-zed midi settings and channel routing
midi settings
gb-zed full-screen chord progression tables
chord tables
gb-zed full-screen 24-pattern chain
pattern chaining
gb-zed secret drone machine
secret drone machine
□

demo vs full

the free demo lets you jam, perform and design your own sounds without saving. the full version unlocks the complete workflow & tool suite.

demofull
synth engine✓✓
16-step sequencer✓✓
per-step command effects✓✓
live performance✓✓
save your projects✗✓
song mode✗✓
polymeter✗✓
arpeggiator✗✓
tables✗✓
send effects✗✓
dual lfo✗✓
master lfo✗✓
live wall✗✓
riff generator✗✓
auto ∞ mode✗✓
midi sync✗✓
web tools (skin maker, save manager, sample loader)✗✓
get gb-zed

three ways in

demo
free
the full engine, without saving
rom
$19
full rom + tool suite
cartridge
$65
updatable usb cartridge
+ midi adapter usb-c + trs $75
the full kit cartridge + midi adapter + printed booklet $150
where will you play?
contact

questions about gb-zed?

For hardware, compatibility or release questions, send us a note.

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