ADDAC System ADDAC111 (2018–Present)
A Eurorack module that plays .WAV files from a micro SD card, with voltage control over the playback.
Overview
You plug in a micro SD card, hit reset, and the rig plays found sounds, field recordings or glitchy percussion loops. That is the ADDAC111. It isn't a full sampler or a granular machine. It's a playback engine for .WAV files, and it's built like a tank. The original ADDAC101 was already respected, but the 111 gave patchers what they'd been asking for: front-panel controls for loop start, loop size, sample rate and file navigation, all with CV inputs, so there's no need to patch through external attenuators for basic functions.
The 111 plays .WAVs, and it also gives you a lot of control over playback without a second module to manage it. Want to sweep the playback speed from sub-audio warble to chipmunk frenzy with a slow LFO? The 1v/oct sample rate input handles that cleanly across a ±4 octave range. Need to jump between files from sequencer triggers? The dedicated forward/backward gate inputs do it. For live performance, the loop point function lets you press a button to set start and end points on the fly, like a DJ's cue loop. Few other digital playback modules offer that. It has no recording capability, and it doesn't pretend otherwise.
File management is strict. The module won't read your .mp3s and won't auto-detect sample rates. If you name a file "kick_01.wav" instead of "a.wav," it ignores it and lights the ERROR LED. The naming convention is rigid - A through Z, then 0 through 9 - and it feels archaic in 2026. Once you get used to prepping cards properly, it becomes second nature. You will also forget to clean hidden OSX files off your card at least once, and spend 20 minutes finding out why the ERROR LED won't turn off. This isn't plug-and-play. It's for people who want to know what their gear is doing down to the filesystem level.
Specifications
| Manufacturer | ADDAC System |
| Production Years | 2018–Present |
| Format | Eurorack |
| Width | 16 HP |
| Depth | 3 cm |
| Power Supply | ±12V or ±15V |
| Max Current Draw | 150mA |
| Bus Board Connector | 8×2 IDC (Doepfer style) |
| CV Inputs | ±5V |
| CV Outputs | 0 to +10V |
| Audio File Format | .WAV only |
| Sample Rate Support | 22.050 kHz (mono, required); other rates may work but behavior not guaranteed |
| Max Files per Card | 72 |
| Minimum Files Required | 2 |
| SD Card Type | Micro SD |
| SD Card Format | FAT16 |
| File Naming Convention | A.wav, B.wav, ..., Z.wav, 0.wav, ..., 9.wav |
| Sample Rate Control | 1V/oct from -4 to +1 octave, bipolar CV input |
| Loop Points | Yes, with external control and on/off state |
| Expansion Module | ADDAC111B (enables trigger-based recall of first 8 files) |
Key Features
Loop Points That Feel Like Performance Tools
Most digital playback modules in Eurorack treat looping as a static setting, with start and end points defined in software or through menus. The ADDAC111 puts loop point assignment under your fingers. Press the "Loop Pt" button once to set the start, press it again to set the end and engage the loop. It's immediate and tactile, and it suits live sets where you want to isolate a fragment of audio on the fly. The loop state can be toggled by front-panel switch or CV. The loop size and start point each have their own attenuated CV inputs, so you can modulate the length of a loop with an envelope or shift the playback window with a random voltage.
Micro SD for Depth, Not Just Convenience
The switch from full-size SD to micro SD in the 111 was a design choice to keep the module's depth down to 3 cm. That makes it skiff-friendly and good for compact systems. It also means a finicky little card slot that doesn't like rough handling. Owners report that repeatedly swapping cards can wear out the socket over time, and cheap micro SD cards are notorious for failing in the field. The fix is a high-quality, name-brand card (SanDisk, Samsung), dedicated to the 111, with no hot-swapping unless absolutely necessary. There's no battery backup or file caching. What's on the card is what you get, the moment you press reset.
Expansion That Turns Files Into Sequences
The ADDAC111B expansion module adds trigger inputs for the first eight files on the card. With a simple clock and logic module, you can sequence entire sets of samples, triggering a different vocal snippet, drum hit or ambient texture on each step, with no MIDI and no computer. The base 111 works fine without it. The B module is a separate purchase, adds another 8 HP and needs its own power connection, so it isn't for casual users. For anyone building a sample-based performance rig, it's essential.
Historical Context
When the ADDAC101 launched, it was one of the first Eurorack modules to offer straightforward .WAV file playback without a computer in the loop. At the time, most digital modules were either obscure DIY projects or complex samplers with steep learning curves, and the 101 stood out for its simplicity. Users quickly hit limitations: no front-panel loop controls, no 1v/oct sample rate, and minimal CV integration. The ADDAC111, released around 2018, was the direct response to years of user feedback. It arrived during a boom in hybrid modular setups, where performers blended acoustic sources, field recordings and precomposed audio with analog synthesis. Competitors like the Critter & Guitari Organelle or the Teenage Engineering OP-1 offered more features but lacked the deep voltage control modular users wanted. The 111 is not a standalone instrument. It's an embeddable audio engine that speaks CV and gates.
Collectibility & Value
The ADDAC111 isn't a vintage item in the traditional sense. It's still in production, and ADDAC System maintains active support, firmware updates, and custom faceplates in a range of colors (for a €75 premium and a 4-6 week wait). So it doesn't trade like a rare Roland or a discontinued Moog. It has become a staple in serious Eurorack builds, especially among experimental and live-performance users. Used units typically sell between $250 and $350, depending on condition and whether they include the ADDAC111B expansion. Mint units with original packaging and firmware updated to E0 (February 2018) command a slight premium, but well-maintained used examples perform identically to new ones.
The biggest failure points are mechanical: the micro SD card slot and the front-panel buttons. The card slot is surface-mounted and tiny, and it can crack or desolder if a card is inserted at an angle or forced. The button switches are high-quality, but they can develop crackles over time, especially if used hard in live sets. Power issues are rare, but technicians note that older units with frayed ribbon cables should be inspected. ADDAC uses standard Doepfer-style 8×2 IDC connectors, so replacements are easy, but a loose connection can cause intermittent resets or audio glitches.
If you're buying used, test every CV input and output with a multimeter if possible. Verify that the firmware is up to date (E0 is current), and ask the seller if they've had any SD card read errors. Bring your own pre-formatted card (FAT16, files named a.wav, b.wav) to test on the spot. If the ERROR LED stays lit or blinks four times without turning off, something's wrong. Either the card isn't clean, the files are misnamed, or the module has a deeper issue.
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