BelaGliss Open-Source Touch Controller

Bela Gliss

Bela's Gliss is an open-source touch controller for Eurorack modular synthesizers—leveraging their own Trill technology to do everything from signal visualization to expressive performance control, modulation recording, and more. It packs a surprising amount of functionality into a mere 4hp, making it a valuable addition to even the smallest of modular systems.

Gliss uses Bela's high-resolution position and pressure detection technology to create a surprisingly responsive playing experience. Combined with the internal Cortex-M4F microcontroller, this enables everything from simple expressive performance control all the way to gesture recording, custom envelope creation, keyboard-like behavior, and more. It can even be used to visualize and process external CV and audio.

Gliss is an open-source design, with ample opportunity for customization, hacking, or community-sourced firmware updates. Featuring a single CV input, two outputs, a bi-color illuminated button, 24 addressable RGB LEDs behind the panel—and of course, the touch surface itself—Gliss can be programmed to be very nearly anything you might desire.

Gliss Features

• Open-source touch controller & gesture recorder for Eurorack modular synthesizers
• Based on Bela's renowned Trill touch sensing technology
• Touch surface is sensitive to touch position and surface area ("pressure")
• Ships with four basic modes:
  • Control: generates CV and gates based on finger position and touch size/"pressure"
  • Record: draw modulation via gesture recording, with a record buffer of up to 60 seconds
  • Signal: visualize, scale, offset, and smooth external voltages
  • Notes: produces five fixed, user-configured voltages—like a pseudo-keyboard or step sequencer!
• Includes second faceplate, allowing for jacks-on-top or jacks-on-bottom orientation
• STM32 Cortex-M4F microcontroller for robust programmability and control
• 24 RGB LEDs behind the panel for signal visualization
• Micro USB socket for firmware updates and customization
• Learn more about how to use and customize Gliss at bela.io