ADDAC 111 (2018)

A no-nonsense Eurorack sample player that trades flashy features for rock-solid, hands-on control—when it works, it sings; when it doesn’t, blame the SD card.

Overview

That first click when you press play and nothing happens—that’s the sound of a badly formatted Micro SD card talking back at you. The ADDAC 111 doesn’t yell, but it sure lets you know when things aren’t right, blinking its ERROR LED like a disapproving librarian. This isn’t some menu-diving, touchscreen-laden sample module built for granular wizards or glitch artists. It’s a workhorse, a direct descendant of the beloved ADDAC 101, upgraded with more hands-on control and a smarter layout, but still rooted in the same philosophy: play back clean, mono .WAV files with minimal fuss and maximum reliability—when you do it right.

ADDAC, the Lisbon-based modular outfit known for blending vintage sensibilities with modern utility, built the 111 to answer the real-world complaints of 101 users. The original was praised for its simplicity and solid sound, but lacked CV control over core functions and had awkward file navigation. The 111 fixes that. It keeps the same warm, uncolored playback path—no DSP coloring your samples unless you want it—but adds dedicated knobs for loop size, start point, sample rate, and file selection, each with CV inputs and attenuators. It even allows bipolar CV for sample rate, letting you sweep from -4 to +1 octave with a single LFO or sequencer. That’s the kind of thoughtful upgrade that doesn’t just add features—it makes the module feel like it was always meant to be this way.

It’s not a looper, not a granular processor, not a resampler. It’s a player. You load up to 72 mono .WAV files (though the manual recommends no more than 36 for reliability), name them A.WAV through 9.WAV in strict order, drop them on a FAT16-formatted Micro SD card, and the 111 plays them back with a clarity that belies its modest footprint. The front panel is clean, logical, and skiff-friendly at just 3 cm deep—rare for a module with this much I/O. Every function has a dedicated knob or switch, and the patch points are laid out so you can actually reach them without contorting your patch cables. It’s the kind of module you can use blindfolded after a week, which is saying something in a format where too many designs feel like they were made by engineers who’ve never touched a live patch.

Specifications

Key Features

Hands-On Control Without the Menu Maze

The 111’s biggest upgrade over the 101 is the sheer amount of direct control. Where the 101 forced you to use external modules or awkward CV manipulation to adjust loop points or change files, the 111 puts everything on the front panel. Loop size? Dedicated knob. Start point? Dedicated knob. Sample rate on/off? Toggle switch with CV input. File selection? Individual up/down buttons with state indicators. This isn’t just about convenience—it’s about performance. You can tweak a loop in real time, adjust the playback speed with a twist, and jump to the next sample without breaking flow. The CV attenuators are separate from the initial pot, so you can blend manual and automated control seamlessly. It’s a module built by people who’ve actually used one on stage, not just in a lab.

Smart Expansion with the 111B

While the base 111 is fully functional, the optional ADDAC111B expansion module unlocks a powerful performance feature: instant recall of the first eight files via trigger inputs. This turns the 111 into a rudimentary sample sequencer. Want to trigger a kick, snare, and hat in order? Map them to A, B, and C, then use a clock divider to step through them. The 111B doesn’t add more memory or processing—it just adds trigger ins for files 1 through 8. But that’s often all you need for rhythmic patterns or live switching between key sounds. It’s a modular solution to a problem that too many sample players solve with screens and menus: fast, reliable access to your most-used files.

The SD Card Quirks You Can’t Ignore

Here’s the thing about the 111: it’s only as reliable as your SD card. And not all Micro SD cards play nice. The module requires FAT16 formatting, which limits card size—typically 2GB or smaller. Larger cards may format as FAT32 and won’t work. Even within compatible cards, build quality varies. Some users report flawless operation for years; others get constant ERROR LED blinks from cards that “should” work. ADDAC’s own guidance is refreshingly honest: try different cards, use the SD Formatter app, and avoid cards with built-in write protection switches. And for Mac users, beware—OS X likes to dump hidden files (.DS_Store, etc.) onto cards, which can trigger errors. The solution? Use ADDAC’s own “ADDAC Cleaner” app (in beta at time of writing) or manually clean the card using terminal commands. It’s a pain, but it’s the price of using consumer storage in a pro audio context.

Historical Context

The ADDAC 111 arrived in 2018, a time when Eurorack was exploding with complex, screen-based sample modules—think the Critter & Guitari Organelle, the Qu-bit Nebulae, or the Mutable Instruments Clouds (and its many clones). These were powerful, yes, but often required deep menu diving, had steep learning curves, and consumed massive panel space. The 111 was a counterpoint: a return to simplicity, to “just play the damn sample” functionality. It wasn’t trying to be everything. It wasn’t doing granular synthesis or spectral mangling. It was doing one thing—sample playback—and doing it well, with the kind of tactile control that modular users crave.

It also reflected a broader trend in the modular world: the rise of Portuguese and European boutique manufacturers filling niches that bigger brands ignored. ADDAC wasn’t competing with Make Noise or Intellijel on voice design—they were building utility modules with personality. The 111 fit perfectly into that ethos. It wasn’t flashy, but it was solid, well-engineered, and built to last. And by basing it on user feedback from the 101, ADDAC showed they were listening—a rarity in a market where too many modules feel like solutions in search of a problem.

Collectibility & Value

The ADDAC 111 isn’t a “collector’s item” in the traditional sense—there’s no gold panel run, no limited edition, no celebrity endorsement. It’s a tool. But that doesn’t mean it’s not valuable. On the used market, expect to pay between $350 and $450 depending on condition and whether it includes the 111B expansion. Units with both modules and a known-good SD card can fetch closer to $500. It’s not a flipping piece, but it’s also not something people rush to sell—owners tend to keep them.

Failures are rare but predictable. The most common issue? The SD card slot. It’s a small, surface-mount component, and rough handling or repeated insertions can loosen it. If the module powers on but won’t read any card, that’s likely the culprit. Repairable, but not DIY-friendly. The second most common issue is firmware-related—older units may need a flash update if they’re acting up, though the E0 firmware from 2018 seems stable. Power issues are uncommon, but always check the IDC connector for bent pins before buying used.

When buying, test it with a known-good card. Ask the seller if they’ve used it recently and what card they used. Avoid units described as “untested” unless priced aggressively. And if you’re buying new, consider springing for the 111B at the same time—getting them as a pair often saves on shipping and ensures compatibility.

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