Bela introduces touch-based control for Eurorack systems, Trails

Bela has released Trails, a Eurorack module built around recording touch and turning it into musical control.

Rather than relying on steps or grids, the four-channel polyphonic touch recorder focuses on finger movement as the starting point for patterns, modulation and rhythm.

As mentioned on its website, Trails “lets you compose melodic, harmonic, rhythmic, and control data at the same time, by recording the movement of your fingers”.

The module features a large touch surface and a pressure-sensitive slider. Together, they allow you to record up to four separate touch tracks, each lasting up to 40 seconds.

As you draw or press on the surface, Trails captures that motion and outputs control signals and gates. These can be used to play notes, shape sounds or trigger events.

Gestures can stay smooth and continuous, or be snapped into notes when more precise pitch control is needed.

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After recording, gestures remain flexible. Trails lets you change how they play back without starting over. Patterns can loop, restart with a clock signal or react to incoming timing.

You can also stretch, shift or rotate the recorded movement, changing how it affects your patch while it runs. Speed and smoothness are easy to adjust in real time.

A dedicated touch bar gives quick control over rhythm, including ways to spread beats evenly across a pattern.

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Additional touch faders allow hands-on control and smooth blending between settings.

With both CV and MIDI outputs, Trails connects easily to modular systems, hardware synths and software.

Gestures can also be saved into 16 scenes, supporting studio work and live performance alike.

Trails is set to start shipping out in June for the cost of US$449; pre-order here.

Amira Waworuntu is Mixmag Asia’s Managing Editor, follow her on Instagram.

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