Polyphonic Touch Controller
Trails is a four-channel X/Y/Gate controller that turns touch into musical signals. With a large illuminated capacitive touchpad and slider, it lets you draw modulation and sequence paths by hand — capturing the nuance of gesture and translating it into evolving patterns of control voltage.
Designed for musical performance, Trails enables the creation of interwoven melodic lines, layered rhythmic structures, and slowly phasing patterns that drift against each other in musically meaningful ways. You can transform and manipulate the gestures you draw, shaping gradually changing control signals and interleaved harmonies.
In conversation with DivKid #
A first look at Trails, recorded in Bristol at Machina Bristronica. DivKid interviews the Bela team and explores the ideas behind the instrument.
Full details about the module coming very soon.
Features #
Draw Modulation #
Record gestures on the large capacitive touchpad. Each stroke becomes a loopable path: your own custom-shaped LFO, envelope, or melodic phrase.
Multi-Channel Output #
Four channels that can run independently or in sync.
Each channel includes:
- Dual CV outputs (X & Y) with configurable voltage range
- Gate output
- CV input for reset, clock, modulation, or playhead control
Gesture-Based Transformation #
Pinch, nudge, twist, and reshape your paths live. All transformations are non-destructive and can be sampled, layered, looped, or re-triggered during performance.
Spatial Sequencing #
Map pitch and rhythm to a drawn path. Split gestures into discrete steps, create sequences with hand-shaped flow, quantise per channel, adjust divisions, duplicate patterns, and build counterpoint or generative structures.
Illuminated Feedback #
Light follows your gestures in real time, leaving a soft fading trail that reveals motion, rhythm, and shape.
Playback Modes & Temporal Control #
A 4-position switch selects between:
- Input — Record paths in real time
- Adapt — Apply gesture-based transformations
- Meter — Control timing, loop points, direction, phasing
- Fader — Eight faders with automation and interpolation
Synchronisation & Phasing #
Channels can run in sync or at divisions/multiples of a global clock, enabling structured rhythms, phase-shifting patterns, polymeters, and polyrhythms.
Scene Management #
Store and recall up to 16 scenes.
Making music with Trails #
| Polyphonic Sequencing | Complex Modulation | Rhythmic Interplay | Live Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generate up to eight V/oct sequences with independent loop lengths and quantisation. | Create evolving CV contours, synced or free-running. | Build shifting or interlocking rhythmic patterns using gates and slicing. | Trigger, loop, sample, undo/redo, and transform gestures during performance. |
Specifications #
Size
- 22HP module + 4HP output breakout
- Optional 22HP (3U) + 22HP (1U) output breakout
Inputs
- 4 × CV inputs (one per channel)
- 1 × Clock input
Outputs (via breakout)
- 8 × CV outputs (X/Y per channel)
- 4 × Gate outputs (one per channel)
- MIDI TRS
Interface
- 85 × 85 mm multitouch capacitive touchpad with shine-through LEDs
- 10 × 85 mm capacitive slider with shine-though LEDs
- 6 illuminated control buttons (record, play, quantise, S&H, undo/redo, shift)
- 4 channel select/mute buttons
- 4-position mode selector
- USB-C port on back for USB MIDI
Includes
- Power ribbon cable
- Alternative 1U faceplate for output breakout
- Mounting screws
Pricing & Availability #
More information on availability coming soon.
