ALM/Busy Circuits Axon-2 ()
Four extra CV inputs, two big stompy buttons, and offset knobs that make your SQUID or Pamela’s feel like a whole new machine—this is the utility upgrade you didn’t know you needed until it’s on your rack.
Overview
The Axon-2 isn’t flashy. It doesn’t make sound. It doesn’t even have a display. But if you’re running a SQUID SALMPLE, MFX, or Pamela’s PRO Workout in your Eurorack system, this 8HP expander is the kind of behind-the-scenes hero that changes how you interact with your gear. Built by ALM/Busy Circuits, it’s a direct evolution of the AXON-1, but with meaningful upgrades that owners actually use: manual offset controls for those four assignable CV inputs, and two large ‘performance’ buttons that beg to be mashed during live sets. This isn’t just an expansion—it’s an interface rethink, giving you tactile, immediate access to functions that would otherwise live buried in menus or require patching gymnastics.
It’s the kind of module that reflects ALM’s no-nonsense philosophy: functional, efficient, and built for people who treat their modular systems like instruments, not curiosities. The Axon-2 doesn’t add new features to your host module—it unlocks more expressive, hands-on control over the ones already there. Whether you’re tweaking a sequence parameter on the fly or using the buttons as transport controls, the design assumes you’re playing, not just programming. And while it doesn’t do anything a clever patch couldn’t simulate, the convenience and speed it offers are exactly what separates a lab setup from a performance-ready rig.
Specifications
| Manufacturer | ALM/Busy Circuits |
| Dimensions | 8 HP |
| Depth | 38 mm |
| Current Draw | 10 mA +12V, 0 mA -12V, 0 mA 5V |
| Function | Provides 4 additional freely assignable CV inputs, manual offset controls, and 2 additional ‘performance’ buttons for the SQUID SALMPLE, MFX, and Pamela’s PRO Workout modules. |
Key Features
Four Assignable CV Inputs with Manual Offset
The Axon-2 gives you four extra CV inputs that can be mapped to almost any parameter on supported host modules. That alone was true of the AXON-1, but here’s where it gets useful: each input now has its own manual offset knob. This means you can dial in a base value without touching your CV source—say, set a default filter cutoff or LFO rate—and then modulate around it. No more relying solely on external sources or menu diving to adjust static values. It’s a small addition that massively improves workflow, especially in performance.
Two Large Performance Buttons
These aren’t just buttons—they’re *performance* buttons. Big, clicky, and mounted front and center, they’re designed to be used aggressively. Assign them to stop a sequence, toggle a mode, or trigger a scene change, and you’ve got immediate physical control without reaching for a mouse or encoder. The Axon-2’s large buttons are great for controlling select functions in a live performance environment or adding convenient quick navigation shortcuts when making edits. Just remember: their functionality and assignability are dependent on the host module. The SQUID might use them for pattern switching; Pamela’s PRO Workout could map them to clock division or reset. The power is in the flexibility.
Successor to the AXON-1 with Real Improvements
It’s rare for a revision to feel genuinely meaningful, but the Axon-2 earns its place. Like the AXON-1, it provides 4 additional freely assignable CV inputs, but the addition of manual offset controls and two extra performance buttons turns it from a simple expander into a performance interface. If you already own an AXON-1, the upgrade path makes sense. If you’re buying new, there’s no reason to settle for the older version. ALM didn’t just iterate—they listened.
Collectibility & Value
Original pricing for the Axon-2 was $189, according to listings on ModularGrid. Current market prices vary, with listed prices ranging from $196.90 to $247.51 on ModularGrid’s marketplace. Additional listings show $209.35 on Reverb (from NIGHTLIFE ELECTRONICS, listed over a month ago) and $225.60 on ModularGrid. One listing shows $236.14, though it’s unclear if this reflects a typical sale price. These are listed prices, not confirmed sale prices, and no dates are provided, so demand trends are difficult to assess. Given its utility and niche application, the Axon-2 holds value well among users of compatible modules, but it’s unlikely to become a collector’s item outside of ALM-centric systems. No information on common failures, maintenance, or repair is available, though digital expanders of this type are generally reliable if kept within power and environmental specs.
eBay Listings
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