ALM PEXP-2 (2016–)

Two HP that turn your Pamela's New Workout into a master clock for the whole studio - MIDI, DIN Sync, and all.

Overview

Picture a modular that is cooking, everything locked in, and then a Digitakt drifts half a beat ahead. The ALM PEXP-2 fixes that problem. It is not a standalone module. It is a tiny 2HP expansion that snaps onto the back of your Pamela's New Workout and turns a good internal clock into a full sync hub for the rest of your gear.

Pamela's New Workout (PNW) is known in Eurorack for its steady timing, swing algorithms, and a feel that is both mechanical and alive. Out of the box, though, its external sync options are limited. The PEXP-2 adds a dedicated 3.5mm MIDI clock output, a buffered x24 pulse clock, and a run/stop gate, each on its own 3.5mm jack. They are meant to be the last clock source you need for outboard drum machines, samplers, or sequencers. The MIDI clock output has a neat trick. Flip the internal connector on the module's rear and you switch between Korg/Make Noise and Arturia pinout standards. That saves you from buying multiple cables or frying gear with mismatched wiring.

Its sibling, the PEXP-1, adds CV/Gate outputs for melodic control. The PEXP-2 is all about rhythm and synchronization. It is the one you reach for when you want your Elektron box, your Roland Boutique, or your Teenage Engineering deck to lock to Pam's timing. It doesn't generate notes or modulate filters. It keeps time. It is 2HP wide and draws only 15mA from the +12V rail (none from -12V or 5V).

Specifications

Key Features

Switchable MIDI Output for Cross-Brand Compatibility

The PEXP-2's most underrated feature is that it speaks two different 3.5mm MIDI dialects. Not all manufacturers wire their 3.5mm MIDI jacks the same way, and a mismatch can mean silence or damage. The PEXP-2 handles this by letting you physically reverse the internal TRS connector. Align the indicator with the '*' on the PCB and it matches Arturia's pinout. Flip it and it works with Korg and Make Noise gear. There is no software configuration and no menu diving. It is a hardware fix, and ALM clearly understood real-world modular integration when it did it.

Buffered x24 and Run Outputs for Reliable Sync

The x24 clock output is a buffered, low-impedance signal designed to drive long cable runs and multiple inputs without degradation. That matters when you sync gear that expects a clean, strong pulse, like older Roland DIN Sync devices or modern boxes with finicky clock inputs. The run/stop gate gives a solid high/low signal to start and halt external sequencers in step with PNW's internal state. These outputs also free up Pamela's front-panel jacks for modulation, gates, or CV duties.

Seamless Integration with Pamela’s NEW Workout

The PEXP-2 draws power and data from the dedicated expander header on the back of PNW, so it needs no additional cables or power strips. It is not hot-swappable, and once installed it stays put. Only one expander can be used at a time, PEXP-1 or PEXP-2, so you have to pick. For rhythm-centric setups, the PEXP-2 is the obvious choice. It doesn't alter PNW's behavior.

Historical Context

The PEXP-2 emerged in 2016, as Eurorack was moving from niche curiosity to mainstream force. Modular was being integrated into hybrid setups with digital workstations, grooveboxes, and DAWs. That created demand for reliable, bidirectional sync, especially from a module as widely trusted as Pamela's New Workout. ALM, already known for no-nonsense, utility-first designs, responded with a pair of expanders: the PEXP-1 for melodic control, and the PEXP-2 for rhythmic command.

At the time, many clock modules either lacked MIDI output or required additional interfaces. The PEXP-2 offered a direct, hardware-level solution. It wasn't flashy, but it was effective, the kind of module that suits professional environments where reliability matters more than novelty. Competitors like Intellijel's Metropolis or Make Noise's Mimeophon offered complex timing features, but none matched the PEXP-2's focused utility. It wasn't a sequencer or a modulation source. It was a sync bridge.

Collectibility & Value

The PEXP-2 has never been rare, but it is consistently in demand. New units typically sell for $75, and used ones trade between $60 and $85 depending on availability. It has no moving parts and minimal circuitry, so failure rates are extremely low. The most common issue reported by owners is incorrect MIDI cable pinouts. Users plug in a cable wired for the wrong standard and assume the module is broken. The fix is to reverse the internal connector or use the correct cable. There is no firmware, no updates, and no software quirks.

When buying used, verify that the module powers up when connected to a PNW. It draws power through the expander header, so it won't light up on a test bench alone. Check for bent pins on the header. Make sure the MIDI output switch works by testing with both Korg and Arturia-compatible devices if possible. It is a passive expander, so there is no calibration or alignment to do.

The PEXP-2 holds its value well. It is not a must-have for everyone, but for anyone running a hybrid setup, it is close. ALM continues to produce it, so there is no scarcity premium.

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