Eowave's Quadrantid Swarm arrived as a bold answer to a specific question: what if you could pack a complete hybrid synthesizer voice into a single Eurorack module without sacrificing character or hands-on control? The result is a 41HP semi-modular instrument that blends digital oscillators with analog filtering and a genuine spring reverb tank, creating textures that feel both precise and organic.
At its core sits a triangle wave oscillator with spread wavefolding paired with a dedicated percussive voice element, both running through two cascaded 12dB analog filters where the first can toggle between high-pass and low-pass modes while the second stays locked in low-pass. An eight-waveform LFO with slew limiter handles modulation duties, while a two-stage envelope controls the VCA and filter cutoff simultaneously. The eight touch-sensitive keys work in three distinct modes: monophonic for melodic playing, polyphonic for chords, or as an eight-step sequencer with internal or external clock sync. MIDI Type B input lets you sequence from external controllers, and the semi-modular design means everything is pre-patched and ready to sound immediately, but extensive CV and trigger inputs invite deeper exploration through patch cables.
The Swarm found an appreciative audience among sound designers and modular enthusiasts drawn to its ability to generate everything from subtle, shimmering textures to outrageous, nebulous timbres. The spring reverb became a signature element that sets it apart from purely digital competitors, and the combination of the percussive voice with the main oscillator proved genuinely useful for creating complex, evolving patches without needing additional modules. Some users noted the 41HP footprint is substantial for a single voice, but most felt the sonic range and integrated feature set justified the space. The module draws 170mA at 12V and 70mA at 5V, and ships with a separate reverb tank, patch cables, and MIDI-to-CV converter.
