Tasty Chips GR-2 Black

The Tasty Chips GR-2 Black is a desktop granular synthesizer and stereo sampler in a black finish, combining granular, sampling, tape and spectral engines with four multitimbral layers, up to 16 voices per layer, 4,000 simultaneous grains, MPE expression and a 7-inch capacitive touchscreen.

GR-1 Heritage with Expanded Processing

The GR-2 Black develops the GR-1’s visual, hands-on approach to granular synthesis with greater processing capacity, additional sound engines and touchscreen control. Its maximum of 4,000 simultaneous grains provides approximately three times the GR-1’s grain capacity, supporting complex textures within a compact 250 × 190 × 70 mm enclosure.

The instrument transforms vocals, percussion, field recordings, synthesizers and acoustic sources into playable sounds. Stereo sampling and real-time audio processing also allow external instruments to feed directly into its sound-design workflow.

Four Complementary Sound Engines

The granular engine divides audio into small grains and recombines them into sustained clouds, rhythmic fragments and evolving textures. Each voice supports up to 128 grains, while granular chord mode accommodates up to 12 notes. Free rate mode provides independent grain-rate and grain-size control, alongside Sync-size and Scan & rate alternatives.

Bounce, wrap and kill loop modes govern playback at sample boundaries. Direct, gradual and recycle spawn modes offer different approaches to grain generation, while arpeggiator patterns include up, down, random, shuffle and play order.

The sampler engine provides sample playback with start, end and loop controls. Tape mode adds stretching, scrubbing and reverse playback. The spectral engine reshapes frequency content through phase-vocoder processing, with up to three voices, FFT sizes from 256 to 8,192 and chords of up to 12 notes per voice.

Layering, Sampling and Project Storage

Four independent multitimbral layers combine presets, engines, modulation and effects. The GR-2 Black supports up to 16 voices per layer, subject to engine-specific limits, with a shared maximum of 4,000 simultaneous grains.

Mono and stereo sample playback operates at 48 kHz, while 32-bit floating-point mixing handles internal audio summing. Maximum sample length reaches 60 minutes, with a separate limit of 5 minutes 50 seconds for granular playback.

Stereo inputs capture incoming audio for sampling and real-time transformation. Storage accommodates 50 projects, each containing 128 presets and 128 multitimbral combinations, allowing individual sounds and layered setups to remain together for recall.

Touchscreen and Hardware Control

A 7-inch capacitive touchscreen displays a 1024 × 600 true-colour interface, supported by precision endless encoders. High-contrast graphics provide visual feedback, while adjustable screen brightness suits studio and stage environments.

Quick Access pages organise key functions, with advanced controls no more than one menu level away. Touch X/Y gestures provide direct parameter control, and gesture recording captures movements for repeatable playback and automation.

Modulation and MPE Expression

The modulation system addresses more than 120 destinations through four LFOs per layer, four random generators, an auxiliary envelope, an envelope follower, key tracking, position tracking, MIDI control, touch gestures and two CV inputs.

Bipolar and unipolar modulation, adjustable curves and polyphonic routing refine each source’s response. Macro controls coordinate multiple parameter changes, while recorded gestures introduce repeatable movement into patches.

MPE compatibility supports expression across five dimensions, allowing compatible controllers to shape individual notes within a chord.

Per-Voice Filters and Envelopes

Low-pass and high-pass filters shape each voice with 12 dB-per-octave slopes. ADSR envelopes control pitch, filter and amplitude, alongside a freely assignable auxiliary envelope.

Envelope stages range from 0.1 milliseconds to 45 seconds, covering sharp attacks and slowly evolving textures. Adjustable logarithmic, linear and exponential curves refine the response of each stage.

Integrated Sound-Shaping Effects

The GR-2 Black offers four simultaneous effects. Standard and ping-pong delays produce rhythmic repeats and stereo movement, while reverb and large reverb create spaces ranging from defined ambience to extended soundscapes.

Chorus, flanger and vibrato add modulation. Cubic distortion and tanh saturation introduce harmonics, while bit reduction adds digital texture. A compressor controls dynamics, and a five-band parametric EQ adjusts tonal balance.

A resonator emphasises tuned frequencies, while ring modulation generates additional sum-and-difference frequency content for metallic and complex timbres.

Studio and Modular Connectivity

Balanced quarter-inch TRS stereo inputs and outputs connect the GR-2 Black to external instruments, mixers and audio interfaces. A 3.5 mm headphone output provides direct monitoring.

DIN MIDI In, Out and Thru, plus USB-C MIDI input and output, support hardware controllers and DAW-based MIDI setups. Two CV inputs accept signals from −5 V to +5 V, while a gate output extends modular integration.

USB-A 3.0 supports disks and USB sticks, and USB-A 2.0 accommodates a computer keyboard. Internal sample storage complements external USB storage. The black enclosure measures 250 × 190 × 70 mm, providing a compact format for desktop and performance setups.

Why Choose the Tasty Chips GR-2 Black?

• Transform existing recordings into playable instruments, evolving textures and rhythmic material.

• Combine multiple sound-design approaches within one compact hardware instrument.

• Build layered arrangements without relying on several separate synthesizers.

• Shape sounds directly through touch gestures and tactile controls.

• Add expressive detail to individual notes with a compatible MPE controller.

• Capture external instruments and reshape their audio in real time.

• Integrate with studio and modular equipment through audio, MIDI and CV connections.

• Choose a black finish for a cohesive studio or stage setup.

This item, like everything we supply, comes with the complete support of our expert team. Our excellent technicians have been specifying, building and supporting studios for over twenty years. If you have any problems with installation, setup or everyday use, they’re never more than a click away, and always happy to help.

You can contact them here.