Batumi II

Review

In modular synthesis, modulation is everything. Batumi II is a ground-up redesign of XAOC's original Batumi — already the gold standard for compact LFO modules — preserving the beloved 10HP form factor while adding audio-rate operation, 1V/Oct tracking, frequency multiplication, more waveforms, and integrated Poti controls.

Four independent channels, each with three simultaneous waveform outputs (sine, square, and assignable), give you 12 modulation signals from a single module. The four synchronisation modes are where the real depth lies. Free mode is straightforward independence. Quadrature locks the four channels 90° apart — perfect for spatial panning or phasing effects. Phase mode lets you set arbitrary phase offsets. Divide/Multiply creates frequency ratios between channels for complex rhythmic modulation.

The frequency range is remarkable: from cycles lasting over 28 hours to full audio-rate with accurate volt-per-octave tracking. At the slow end, Batumi II can produce glacial modulations for generative patches; at the fast end, it's a quad oscillator. The adaptive analog output filters eliminate digital stepping artefacts, giving clean, smooth waveforms regardless of frequency.