The Unperson Unleashes the Maneco Labs Groan: Eurorack Mayhem for the Brave

Right from the get-go, The Unperson introduces the Maneco Labs Groan as one of the strangest modules to ever hop into a Eurorack case. This isn’t just another oscillator—it’s a dark drone machine with a mind of its own, packing an oscillator section, LFO, MS-20 inspired filter, and even a full Mutable Instruments Clouds clone. Mate, it’s like someone crammed a haunted house and a rave into a single module.

The Groan is described as a self-contained instrument, and it’s clear The Unperson’s keen to let it do its own thing rather than force it into the usual synth voice box. The approach here is all about listening and responding to what the module wants to do, not trying to wrangle it into submission. If you’re after polite, predictable sounds, you might want to look elsewhere—this one’s got more surprises than a Melbourne weather forecast.

Digging into the Groan’s guts, The Unperson shows off its 16 wild algorithms, each with three tweakable parameters. There’s a sample rate control, a CV input for modulation, and a noise level that can go from subtle grit to full-on static avalanche. The sounds range from digital, circuit-bent chaos to gritty, distorted drones that’d make your neighbours question your life choices.

What’s wild is how the Groan refuses to play by the usual rules. It doesn’t track one volt per octave like a traditional oscillator, but that just adds to its unpredictable charm. The filter adds a dirty, distorted edge, and the LFO can morph its shape for extra movement. And then there’s Clouds, ready to mangle everything further—mate, it’s like a sonic cyclone tearing through your patch cables.

The Unperson doesn’t just talk the talk—he dives into a montage of patches that show off Groan’s knack for creating evolving textures and ambient backdrops. Instead of sticking to a couple of jams, he lets the module run wild, capturing its weirdest and most wonderful moments. It’s a smorgasbord of drones, glitches, and textures that would fit right in at an outback bush doof.

One standout patch blends Groan with the OP-1, using it as a MIDI controller to add melodic layers while Groan provides a shifting, characterful background. There’s even a moment where frozen audio from Groan gets processed through Beads, creating a lush, evolving soundscape. It’s proof that this module isn’t just for noise heads—it’s a secret weapon for anyone chasing unique atmospheres and experimental flair.

The Unperson doesn’t sugarcoat it: the Groan isn’t for everyone. Its flavour is strong, weird, and unapologetically niche. If you’re into sound design, experimentation, or just want to get lost in a rabbit hole of textures, you’ll have a blast. The only real gripe is the limited modulation inputs—more would make it even wilder. But for those who love modules with personality (and a bit of chaos), Groan’s a ripper addition to any rack.