ADDAC 310 (2024)

Plug in the tube, take a breath, and the synth responds.

Overview

The ADDAC 310 Pressure to CV is a Eurorack module you blow into. It has no knobs to twist or pads to tap for this job. It takes your breath and turns lung pressure into control voltages. Those can modulate filters, shape envelopes, or warp pitch in real time. It is not a sound generator. At first glance it looks like any other Eurorack utility, with a clean white panel, minimal labeling and two mirrored channels. The melodica-style tube sticking out of the front gives it away. It is a performance interface that treats your exhalation as a musical gesture, in the same family as a ribbon controller or a theremin.

ADDAC System is based in Lisbon, and the 310 sits in their 300 Series of "Expressive Controls." Most Eurorack players are tied to hands-on patching or MIDI controllers. The 310 frees up your hands completely. You can tweak a filter cutoff with one hand and adjust a delay feedback with the other, while breath pressure swells a reverb mix or morphs between waveforms. It feels almost biological once you dial in the response curve to match your natural breathing rhythm. There are two fully independent channels, so you can route breath pressure to two different destinations with separate attack, decay, offset, and gain settings. One channel might open a filter while the other modulates oscillator pitch, each with slightly different timing for a more organic, evolving texture.

You won't reach for it every day. When you do, you perform the modulation yourself instead of programming an LFO or recording an envelope. It takes a little practice, because controlling breath pressure evenly isn't as easy as turning a knob. It works especially well in ambient or cinematic patches, where subtle swells and fades matter more than rhythmic precision. The tube connects directly to a pressure sensor (not a microphone), so there's no audio signal involved. The output is pure control voltage, clean and stable, ready to be shaped by the onboard controls.

Specifications

Manufacturer	ADDAC System
Production Years	2024–present
Original Price	€340 / £344
Width	10 HP
Depth	45 mm
Power Consumption	70 mA (+12V), 40 mA (-12V)
Inputs	Hold CV, Gate CV (per channel)
Outputs	CV Out, Inverted CV Out, Gate Out (per channel)
Controls	Attack, Decay, Offset, Gain, Response Curve (exponential/logarithmic), Hold button (per channel)
Indicators	Three LEDs per channel: CV level, gate, and hold status
Interface	Front-mounted melodica-style breath pipe with internal pressure sensor
Construction	Aluminum faceplate, recessed jacks, secure tube coupling

Key Features

Two Independent Breath Channels

The 310 is a dual-channel system. Each side is self-contained, with its own controls and outputs, so one breath input can generate two different CV responses. One channel can trigger a gate when you inhale sharply, while the other slowly ramps up a filter cutoff on a long exhale. The independence extends to the response settings. You can set one side to react instantly with a short decay, while the other lingers and creates a swell that outlasts your breath. A single physical gesture ends up as layered, evolving modulation.

Response Curve Shaping

Breath doesn't always feel the same. Sometimes you want a linear response, other times an exponential swell that starts slow and accelerates. The 310's response curve knob blends between logarithmic and exponential response curves, which sets how pressure translates to voltage. Set it to logarithmic, and soft breaths create noticeable movement, which suits delicate ambient textures. Turn it toward exponential, and you need more pressure to get a response, which suits dramatic swells or percussive bursts. That one knob makes the 310 adaptable to different playing styles and musical contexts.

Hold Function with CV Control

The hold function latches the current CV level even after you stop blowing. That turns breath into a sustained control source, handy for holding a filter open or maintaining a drone without constant airflow. The hold can be toggled manually with a front-panel button or triggered via CV, which opens up sequenced or automated uses. A clock signal could trigger the hold at regular intervals and capture your breath pressure like a sample-and-hold, only driven by your lungs instead of random voltage.

Historical Context

Breath controllers have been around since the 1980s, most famously in instruments like the Yamaha BC1 or the Steiner EVI. They have always been niche: too expensive, too finicky, or too far from mainstream synth workflows. The 310 brings the concept to the Eurorack era, where modularity and experimentation are the norm. It is a utility module rather than a standalone instrument, designed to fit into an existing system. It arrives as modular synthesis moves beyond pure sound generation and into performance interfaces like touch plates, light sensors, and motion controllers. It offers a tactile, bodily way to interact with voltage that feels more immediate than a MIDI fader or a ribbon.

ADDAC System has always leaned into expressive control, from their muscle-sensing modules to their foot-operated interfaces, and the 310 follows that line. Unlike some boutique brands that prioritize complexity, ADDAC focuses on usability and immediacy. The 310 has no menus, no firmware updates, and no calibration routines. You plug in the tube and start breathing. That simplicity is deliberate, and it sets the 310 apart from digital alternatives that require setup and configuration. Many modular modules are becoming more software-dependent. The 310 feels analog in spirit, even if the signal path is technically electronic.

Collectibility & Value

As of 2026, the ADDAC 310 is still in production and available from authorized dealers and the manufacturer's direct store. The original price was €340, which puts it above a basic CV source. Used units are beginning to appear on the secondhand market, typically selling for €250 - €300 depending on condition. Supply remains limited because of its 2024 release date. It is not yet a "collector's item" in the vintage sense.

There are no known failure points specific to the 310. The pressure sensor is sealed and has no moving parts, and the tube coupling is built to withstand regular plugging and unplugging. The only real wear item is the silicone mouthpiece, which can degrade over years of use or with exposure to oils and moisture. Replacements are simple to source or 3D-print. The module draws modest current and doesn't generate significant heat, so power-related issues are unlikely. It is a relatively new design, so long-term reliability data is still emerging. Owners report no firmware bugs or design recalls, and ADDAC's customer support has a strong reputation for responsiveness.

If you're buying one, check the tube itself. Make sure it's not cracked or warped, and that it seats firmly in the front panel. The tube isn't removable in most listings (it ships pre-attached), so inspect photos carefully. The tube can also be awkward in a densely packed rack, and some users have already started designing 3D-printed brackets to secure it to the case or nearby modules. It's not a flaw, just a quirk of a design that prioritizes function over form. Live performers may care about this more than studio users.