Acoustic Electronic "synthesizer" and external audio effect processor with CV control. Little sister of the Resonant Garden.
The Nano Garden is an acoustic-electronic hybrid designed to create anything from beats and oddities to dense sound scapes. From its inception in 2006, the original garden has gone through many changes and refinements: micro garden, luminist garden and illuminist garden and finally this latest and likely final version of what is essentially an expanded micro garden.
The Nano Garden essentially utilizes a single Alter circuit with 7 effects selected specifically for this instrument. Each is also equipped with a mic pre-amp, and 2 garden (stringed) panels for generating acoustics. By plucking, rubbing, tapping or even bowing, those micro-acoustic sounds become amplified and effected by the Alter in any number of ways. In essence, the garden is a large microphone designed to pick up vibrations. Aside from the internal mic, the nano can be used to process external signals with any of the internal effects as well.
Note that the Nano is only available in gold.
MONOLITHIC VS DISCRETE
A Monolithic version of the Nano garden consists of a single faceplate for the entire instrument.
A Discrete version of the Nano garden consists of 3 faceplates, one for the Alter module and two for the sprouts. The discrete version allows for individual sprout and Alter module to be moved around or substituted with other modules. Keep in mind the power and audio distribution system is designed for the configuration shown here, but can easily be hand wired with standard cables (sold separately). The maximum depth for modules in the garden box is 33mm.
EFFECTS
There is a single Alter in the Nano which has seven different DSP effects, selected by touching the copper hexagon. The effect list is different than either Alter 1 or 2 - these are selected specifically for the Nano (this selection is subject to change):
1 - long delay (capable of near infinite feedback looping
2 - notated granular delay
3 - plate reverb
4 - choral reverb
5 - palindrome reverse delay - backward/forward repeat
6 - pitch delay
7 - time stretch/glitch
CONTROL
- Control for the gain of the mic pre-amp or any incoming audio.
- Controls for Mix, X, Y and Sift as well as clock.
- All effects have a variation of a filter which may change effect to effect.
- X and Y control various rates.
- Clock control adjusts the rate which controls the DSP which can drastically change the effect. In doing so it does slightly lower the quality of the output signal but the results are fantastic. This clock is not for synchronization.
- Mix, X, Y and Sift all have CV control inputs.
- Each control level or cv input is visualized on the control panel.
ACOUSTICS
Each sprout panel is equipped with a contact mic. A contact mic is designed to pick up vibration. The mic pre-amp is specifically designed to deal with the frequencies of the contact mic by boosting certain frequencies and dulling others in order to optimize the sound quality. The mic pre-amp has a gain control so the level can be adjusted according to how you intend to play.
DESIGN
The box is constructed with Sapele African hardwood and a white birch bottom panel. It features anodized black aluminum rails for mounting the faceplates. Each sprout of strings is bolted in from the back and held in place with a backing panel under the main board.
Each box has unique wood grain patterns. The wood grain shown in the images will appear different for each instrument we ship.
INCLUDED
- Power Supply: 12V positive tip AC Adapter (included) - US - 100-240V ~ 50/60Hz 0.6A
- Four (4) black 24" (60cm) 3.5mm TS mono patch cables
How much is my shipping?
Shipping is automatically calculated before you submit your payment information. Simply add items to your cart and proceed to the checkout page, where you'll be offered shipping options and their prices. In the UK it's normally around £4 for order values under £150, and free above that. Shipping to mainland EU is typically between £7 and £20, depending on the shipping method and the size and weight of the order.
Do you ship to my country?
Almost certainly - the site will give you an estimate of shipping costs if you add an item to the cart and then enter your country and postcode. If you have specific requirements (such as if you prefer UPS over FedEx, for example) then let us know in advance and we'll try to work something out for you.
Shipping methods
We use a combination of Parcelforce, DPD, Royal Mail and UPS for the UK, and for international orders it's either Royal Mail, UPS, DHL or FedEx depending on where you are in the world. If you have a particular preference then try to let us know BEFORE you order so we can look into it for you. Please note that there may occasionally be additional shipping charges if you live in a remote area, depending on what surcharges are applied by the shipper. We'll get in touch to discuss this with you in such cases.
Dispatch times
For UK orders, we normally dispatch the same working day if we get the order before 15:00. If you have a really urgent situation then of course drop us an email before ordering and we'll always do our absolute best to accommodate you.
For international orders, we normally dispatch the same day if we get the order before 13:00 but again, occasionally it might be the next day before we can send it out, and sometimes FedEx or UPS may come a little earlier than scheduled which would also push an order into the next day.
Shipping times
Since April 2020 the couriers we use have suspended guarantees for shipping times, so even though we're paying them for priority services - 24-48 hours for most of the world - in practice it's often an extra day on top and sometimes it can be longer.
There is absolutely nothing we can do about this unfortunately. If you are outside the UK and it's a life-or-death situation where you absolutely MUST have that passive mult for the next day then... it may be better to find a local supplier.
Saturday shipping
If you're in the UK and you order before 15:00 on a Friday then we can send something for a Saturday delivery (NB: this applies to UK mainland addresses only). The success rate with DPD is about 95% so it's worth a punt most of the time. Please note that if you select Saturday shipping on an order placed earlier in the week, we'll wait until Friday to ship it.
Pre-orders
If a product is listed as a pre-order, it means we've ordered it from the supplier but it's not physically in stock yet. The product listing will include an estimated shipping date based on the best information we have from the supplier, but do bear in mind this is subject to change and is not a guaranteed date.
If you place an order containing a mixture of in-stock and pre-order items, we'll normally hold off on shipping anything until the pre-order item(s) have arrived, rather than splitting it into multiple shipments. If you need the in-stock items sooner, we'd recommend placing separate orders. As always, please get in touch if you have questions.
Product Overview
Acoustic Electronic "synthesizer" and external audio effect processor with CV control. Little sister of the Resonant Garden.
The Nano Garden is an acoustic-electronic hybrid designed to create anything from beats and oddities to dense sound scapes. From its inception in 2006, the original garden has gone through many changes and refinements: micro garden, luminist garden and illuminist garden and finally this latest and likely final version of what is essentially an expanded micro garden.
The Nano Garden essentially utilizes a single Alter circuit with 7 effects selected specifically for this instrument. Each is also equipped with a mic pre-amp, and 2 garden (stringed) panels for generating acoustics. By plucking, rubbing, tapping or even bowing, those micro-acoustic sounds become amplified and effected by the Alter in any number of ways. In essence, the garden is a large microphone designed to pick up vibrations. Aside from the internal mic, the nano can be used to process external signals with any of the internal effects as well.
Note that the Nano is only available in gold.
MONOLITHIC VS DISCRETE
A Monolithic version of the Nano garden consists of a single faceplate for the entire instrument.
A Discrete version of the Nano garden consists of 3 faceplates, one for the Alter module and two for the sprouts. The discrete version allows for individual sprout and Alter module to be moved around or substituted with other modules. Keep in mind the power and audio distribution system is designed for the configuration shown here, but can easily be hand wired with standard cables (sold separately). The maximum depth for modules in the garden box is 33mm.
EFFECTS
There is a single Alter in the Nano which has seven different DSP effects, selected by touching the copper hexagon. The effect list is different than either Alter 1 or 2 - these are selected specifically for the Nano (this selection is subject to change):
1 - long delay (capable of near infinite feedback looping
2 - notated granular delay
3 - plate reverb
4 - choral reverb
5 - palindrome reverse delay - backward/forward repeat
6 - pitch delay
7 - time stretch/glitch
CONTROL
- Control for the gain of the mic pre-amp or any incoming audio.
- Controls for Mix, X, Y and Sift as well as clock.
- All effects have a variation of a filter which may change effect to effect.
- X and Y control various rates.
- Clock control adjusts the rate which controls the DSP which can drastically change the effect. In doing so it does slightly lower the quality of the output signal but the results are fantastic. This clock is not for synchronization.
- Mix, X, Y and Sift all have CV control inputs.
- Each control level or cv input is visualized on the control panel.
ACOUSTICS
Each sprout panel is equipped with a contact mic. A contact mic is designed to pick up vibration. The mic pre-amp is specifically designed to deal with the frequencies of the contact mic by boosting certain frequencies and dulling others in order to optimize the sound quality. The mic pre-amp has a gain control so the level can be adjusted according to how you intend to play.
DESIGN
The box is constructed with Sapele African hardwood and a white birch bottom panel. It features anodized black aluminum rails for mounting the faceplates. Each sprout of strings is bolted in from the back and held in place with a backing panel under the main board.
Each box has unique wood grain patterns. The wood grain shown in the images will appear different for each instrument we ship.
Technical Specs
Shipping Details
How much is my shipping?
Shipping is automatically calculated before you submit your payment information. Simply add items to your cart and proceed to the checkout page, where you'll be offered shipping options and their prices. In the UK it's normally around £4 for order values under £150, and free above that. Shipping to mainland EU is typically between £7 and £20, depending on the shipping method and the size and weight of the order.
Do you ship to my country?
Almost certainly - the site will give you an estimate of shipping costs if you add an item to the cart and then enter your country and postcode. If you have specific requirements (such as if you prefer UPS over FedEx, for example) then let us know in advance and we'll try to work something out for you.
Shipping methods
We use a combination of Parcelforce, DPD, Royal Mail and UPS for the UK, and for international orders it's either Royal Mail, UPS, DHL or FedEx depending on where you are in the world. If you have a particular preference then try to let us know BEFORE you order so we can look into it for you. Please note that there may occasionally be additional shipping charges if you live in a remote area, depending on what surcharges are applied by the shipper. We'll get in touch to discuss this with you in such cases.
Dispatch times
For UK orders, we normally dispatch the same working day if we get the order before 15:00. If you have a really urgent situation then of course drop us an email before ordering and we'll always do our absolute best to accommodate you.
For international orders, we normally dispatch the same day if we get the order before 13:00 but again, occasionally it might be the next day before we can send it out, and sometimes FedEx or UPS may come a little earlier than scheduled which would also push an order into the next day.
Shipping times
Since April 2020 the couriers we use have suspended guarantees for shipping times, so even though we're paying them for priority services - 24-48 hours for most of the world - in practice it's often an extra day on top and sometimes it can be longer.
There is absolutely nothing we can do about this unfortunately. If you are outside the UK and it's a life-or-death situation where you absolutely MUST have that passive mult for the next day then... it may be better to find a local supplier.
Saturday shipping
If you're in the UK and you order before 15:00 on a Friday then we can send something for a Saturday delivery (NB: this applies to UK mainland addresses only). The success rate with DPD is about 95% so it's worth a punt most of the time. Please note that if you select Saturday shipping on an order placed earlier in the week, we'll wait until Friday to ship it.
Pre-orders
If a product is listed as a pre-order, it means we've ordered it from the supplier but it's not physically in stock yet. The product listing will include an estimated shipping date based on the best information we have from the supplier, but do bear in mind this is subject to change and is not a guaranteed date.
If you place an order containing a mixture of in-stock and pre-order items, we'll normally hold off on shipping anything until the pre-order item(s) have arrived, rather than splitting it into multiple shipments. If you need the in-stock items sooner, we'd recommend placing separate orders. As always, please get in touch if you have questions.
