17 things to know about Radio Music

  1. Radio Music mk2 is a virtual radio module. It's a sample player that behaves a bit like a radio, a bit like a tape loop and a bit like an old sampler.
  2. Think of it as a fun, playable source of unexpected audio in a Eurorack system.
  3. The audio is the fun bit. 'Radio' can be anything you like: field recordings, drum loops, stems, speeches, acappellas, found cassettes, radio stations, shortwave scans, one-shots. Start with the Suggested Audio pack.
  4. The Station knob picks a sample, just like tuning a radio. The Reset button retriggers the sample from the start. The Start knob sets the start point.
  5. Tap the Start knob to enter pitch mode. Then that knob sets playback speed and direction. That's all you need to get started.
  6. Samples are arranged into banks — folders on the SD card. Each of the 16 banks can contain many different stations. Choose a bank by pushing and turning the Station knob, or by holding down the reset button.
  7. Radio Music works by itself, with all options available on the settings file on the SD card. The optional Radio Remote gives tactile, playable access to many of those settings.
  8. Dig into the Reference Guide to see just how deep Radio Music can go with customisation, v/oct calibration, folder sequencing and many other wonders.
  9. Radio Music has been a popular DIY project since 2014. This 2026 mk 2 version is completely new: New hardware, new software, the same simplicity but lots more depth. mk2 has a USB-C socket on the front, mk1 does not.
  10. Unlike the rather noisy mk1, Radio Music mk2 now sounds gorgeous. Playback is hi-fi, speed changes are smooth and tape-like, unless you want them gnarly like an old Akai.
  11. Specs:
    • Extremely low latency (<2ms) playback of WAV, AIFF and RAW files up to 24-bit / 96kHz
    • Better than 86dB measured noise floor
    • Multi-hour file playback
    • Fluid forward and reverse playback from +2 oct to -2 oct
    • Supports microSD cards up to 2TB, up to 800 files on each
    • Calibrated v/Oct chromatic pitch mode
    • Speed modes: Tape, Chromatic, '90s
    • Tuner modes: Sharp, Soft, Radio
    • Loop modes: Off, Forward, Ping-pong
    • Pulse In becomes pulse out in clock divider mode
  12. Radio Remote is simply an 8mu USB MIDI controller with an alternative front panel, so you can also use it as a normal MIDI controller. Other midi controllers will not work with Radio Music.
  13. When Radio Remote is plugged in, the START/PITCH knob on Radio Music is ignored. The Remote takes over the performance controls and makes several settings immediately playable.
  14. If you already have an 8mu MIDI controller, you can update the firmware so it will work as a Radio Remote, and you can buy a Radio Remote panel from Thonk.
  15. Like mk1, Radio Music mk2 is designed to be hackable, with alternative firmware development actively encouraged. It runs on the same RP2040 processor as Workshop Computer and 8mu. I'll soon be sharing documentation and Hello World files demonstrating file access and playback.
  16. Sadly it is not possible to update a mk1 Radio Music to add the features in mk2, or to use Radio Remote with mk1 as it has no USB-C port. However, SD Cards from mk1 are fully compatible with mk2, so all your old .raw and .wav files will play happily. Mk1 documentation is here.
  17. Radio Music mk2 is a collaboration between Tom Whitwell of Music Thing Modular and Chris Johnson of Plus Minus Audio.

Videos

Mk2 Quick Start guide from Dots
Molten Modular's build video and deep dive
Wirebaby's build video first patch
Chris Carter's Rig Rundown
Perfect introduction to DIY Eurorack via Radio Music by MylarMelodies for Future Music

Resources

Request Design Files Request Schematic

4 HP 25mm deep 60mA +12V current draw, 85mA with Remote Designed 2014 Updated 2026