Expander

A small companion box for the M-Vave FM-1. It plugs into the FM-1’s USB port and takes over as USB host, letting you do things the FM-1 can’t do on its own — all without a computer.

Features

Firmware switching, no computer needed.
Install custom firmwares (SLOOP, X0X, CTL-1…) or go back to stock, straight from the box. Handy when the browser installer won’t cooperate, or when you’re nowhere near a computer.

Song & project library.
Back up what’s on the FM-1 and reload it later (on firmwares that support it). Keep several songs on the box and switch between them, so changing firmware never costs you your work. Built with live sets in mind: queue your songs and load the next one between tracks, no laptop on stage.

Two MIDI outs (TRS).
Whatever the FM-1 sends over USB — notes, CC, clock — comes out of two TRS jacks, so its sequencer can drive a hardware synth.

Sync out.
Clock profiles for Pocket Operator, Volca, Eurorack (1/16 and 1/4) and 24 PPQN.

Sync in.
Feed it an analog clock (1, 2, 4 or 24 PPQN) and it becomes MIDI clock for the FM-1, so the FM-1 can follow your modular or drum machine. It also has an internal clock, so the box can be the master instead.

Open source

Expander will be open source: once it’s finished, the schematics, PCB and firmware go public.

Built on the open protocols and installers of the SLOOP, Felucca, X0X and CTL-1 developers — the box only works because of their work.

Prototype

What you see is a working prototype, user interface included. We’re currently designing the PCB, front panel, enclosure and UI.