The ES-40 is a Eurorack format module which converts a standard S/PDIF input to five channels of expansion headers, which are used in conjunction with the Expert Sleepers ESX range of expanders (currently including the ESX-8GT, the ESX-4CV, the ESX-8CV and the ESX-8MD).

The ES-40 will connect to any audio device using the S/PDIF standard. This includes the digital audio output provided as standard on many recent Macs (more info here on the Mac connection).

The ES-40 also includes an S/PDIF output for sending data back to the computer. This output is used by expansion modules connected to the ES-40; currenty, the only such module is the ES-7 CV Input Expander.

The ES-40 is essentially an ES-4 with the DACs and CV outputs removed. Much of what has been written about the ES-4, and many tutorial videos etc., still apply to the ES-40.

Suggested combinations

The ES-40 does nothing by itself, but forms the basis of a very configurable system. Simply add the expansion modules you need. Here are some ideas:

• 8 general purpose CVs - an ES-40 plus an ESX-8CV gives you a flexible, general purpose modular controller.
• 8 CV/gate pairs - an ES-40, an ESX-8CV and an ESX-8GT gives you enough outputs for 8 classic monosynths - or to realise that 8 voice polyphonic modular you've been dreaming of.
• 8 drum triggers - an ES-40 and an ESX-8GT gives you 8 triggers for your rack of drum modules, for the ultimate in sample-accurate rhythm. Add up to four more ESX-8GTs for up to 40 triggers/gates/clocks!
• MIDI & DINsync - an ES-40 and an ESX-8MD form a sample-accurate, jitter-free, multi-port MIDI interface.
• digital audio - an ES-40 and an ES-7 gives you two channels of 24 bit analogue-to-digital conversion to get your modular audio into your DAW.

Specifications

The ES-40's specifications are as follows:

• Panel width: 6HP
• Module depth: 51mm
• Digital input: coaxial S/PDIF, standard rates up to 192kHz
• Digital output: coaxial S/PDIF
• Indicators: LED for S/PDIF sync lock
• Expansion
  • 5 headers for connecting ESX series modules
  • Digital audio I/O header (I2S format) for input expansion (e.g. ES-7)
• Current draw: 26mA on the +12V rail only (rises with sample rate; 26mA at 48kHz, 32mA at 96kHz etc.)

The front panel is drilled for both Doepfer and Analogue Systems mounting holes (using a 'slot' rather than a single round hole). The power connector is a Doepfer standard 16 way IDC, with -12V furthest from the top of the board.

Software Requirements

Unlike the ES-3, the ES-40 requires particular software in order to generate meaningful output signals. Currently, the only such software is the 'ES-4 Controller' plug-in, part of Expert Sleepers Silent Way, and our Max/MSP external (see below). Note that the ES-40 works with all software written for the (previously available) ES-4 - software-wise, the two are interchangable.

Silent Way is available in AudioUnit, VST & AAX formats for Mac OS X and Windows. Use of Silent Way therefore requires a compatible host application (DAW).

A Silent Way licence is not included with the ES-40 - however, the ES-4 Controller plug-in functions in a licence-free mode, so ES-40 users are not forced to buy Silent Way. Such users can than evaluate the rest of the Silent Way suite in demo mode.

See the tutorials page for a selection of videos that illustrate the software side of the ES-4.