Chromagnon Update: September 2026
Hello video friends. Sorry this is late! August was a scramble, with multiple projects rolling here, and a family trip back to Texas to meet my first grandchild.
Both assembled Chromagnon RevJ prototype cores arrived in mid-August and are in the latter stages of validation. Firmware is running. UI control is working. There are a couple of pinout errors to correct before production, but nothing so far blocking me from finalization. Next up is reviewing the signal processing path, and once that is looking good I'll be able to record some demo clips for you -- and take the steps to get unit #1 out the door. I still plan to hit that goal by the end of October, with batch production plans in place in November. If I get some clips recorded within the next 2 weeks I'll send a second update this month. Otherwise, I will plan to show them in October's update.
Chromagnon
Schedule
Here is the updated plan. The work between here and October is finish review, order RevK with the pinout issues corrected, and finalize other details like packaging, silkscreened and die-cut LED window film, and enclosure. Most of the other design details are already wrapped (CNC windows, knobs, enclosure, etc.)
| Milestone | July target | Status now |
|---|---|---|
| Prototype boards (2 pcs) | Ordered Jul 21, ETA ~Aug 4–9 | Both assembled RevJ cores on the bench (arrived August) |
| Validation | Starts after assembly | Underway — app firmware running; pinout/footprint errors logged |
| First demo clips | Late August if the board looks good | Not in this post. Next: a later September note if footage lands, otherwise October |
| Production-ready | August target | September target |
| Production order | Revenue-dependent | After validation, and still revenue-dependent |
| Ship Unit #1 | October 2026, pending validation | Unchanged |
| Fulfillment at scale | November target | Follows Ship Unit #1 |
Check your place in line
Chromagnon status page is live. You can locate the serial number assigned to your order number on this page. We'll use this URL to communicate about shipping batches once we get closer. You don't need to contact us about your shipping address -- we'll still be reaching out to confirm orders with everyone before any shipments are sent.
Visionary & Expedition restocks
I'm plugging thru this project, although it took a while to source a few of the last components. I'm waiting on one assembly and a few ICs at this point, then can start shipments if you are waiting.
There are a few modules still available, in the table below: email sales@lzxindustries.net with the modules you want and your shipping address if you'd like to claim any of them.
| Module | Qty left | MSRP |
|---|---|---|
| Video Blending Matrix | 2 | $899 |
| Curtain | 2 | $369 |
| Pendulum | 2 | $309 |
| Shapechanger | 2 | $899 |
| Video Waveform Generator | 3 | $579 |
| Marble Index | 2 | $899 |
| Color Chords | 1 | $439 |
Sold out of the July leftover: War of the Ants, Triple Video Multimode Filter.
Videomancer 1.0.0 release and demo videos
There has been steady progress with beta testing and bug fixes leading up to the formal 1.0.0 release of Videomancer firmware. I'm very excited about it, and by all the programs I have seen users make so far. In August I implemented some automated testing that has helped sped up a few of the last goals, like an RGB mode for program cores, and smooth audio-rate modulation. Scripts and shot plans are ready for new demo and walkthrough videos -- I just need to find a window in September to shoot them.
New products
As time allows, I've been making some progress on new releases. I can't speak to price points or launch dates yet, but can tell you there are two new series in development for a while. One is a revised set of core IO modules introducing HDMI to the modular environment, and the other is something different: a low cost Composite-only video device series available in both desktop and EuroRack form.
Thanks for reading,
Lars