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Notes: Building on the familiar dual VCO core arrangement of Carrier and Modulator, Mindphaser is a complex oscillator which departs from this bit of ancestral DNA with a modern toolkit focused on searing, phase-modulated leads, percussive basslines and other-worldly effects!

A diverse palette of intermodulation and harmonic experimentation is offered through the Modulation Bus, its unique Waveshaper and the dedicated Thru-zero Phase Modulation Bus. An intuitive interface provides colour-coded visual feedback and responsive indication while performing in dimly-lit environments.

Two precision analogue oscillator cores

Precision, wide-range V/oct ramp cores, each ranging from deep subsonic to supersonic frequencies (ramp cores, and not triangular, deliver the ideal waveforms for analogue phase accumulation in the TZ-PM Bus)
Each core generates fundamental waveshapes which interact and mangle one-another through the complex Modulation Bus and TZ-PM bus
Simultaneous waveform outputs for each base shape
Dedicated button to toggle between RAMP or SAW for each core, inverting the phase of the ramp output
V/oct, linear FM and exponential FM inputs which are all independent of the TZ-PM functionality. The Carrier's FM occurs inside the core itself, separate from the TZ-PM bus.
DC-coupled linear FM

Carrier

The heartbeat of Mindphaser, focused on audio-rate generation. Drives the WAVESHAPER and TZ-PM bus. This core's frequency range spans the audible spectrum.

- An external hard SYNC IN forcibly resets the core, useful for punchy sequences, percussive basslines and drum synthesis -- or to sync to another VCO.

- Coarse and fine controls conveniently span the audible spectrum. Ranges further with external CV.

Modulator

An extremely wide range oscillator, spanning from deep LFO frequencies all the way up to supersonic sound! Four base waveforms and diverse internal routing options form a versatile palette of modulations for the CARRIER to feed on.

- Activating hard SYNC on the Modulator locks its core to the Carrier's heartbeat. The effect can be dramatic. Try this while phase modulating!

- Octave RANGE switch lets you quickly flick up and down between octaves. All the way beyond audio-rate and LFO speed octaves. Perfect for experimenting with different PM sidebands and taming the wide frequency range of the Modulator.

- Manual PW (Pulse Width) control and dedicated CV input for PWM.

Waveshaper

This isn't a classic waveshaper! Developed anew from the ground up, this waveshaper is focused on deep harmonic experimentation and audio obliteration. Each waveshaper parameter is capable of being "turned up to 11".

FOLD up to 5 octaves above the fundamental Carrier frequency. A ceiling forms at maximum, imparting additional harmonics.

FEEDBACK the waveshaped and phase-modulated audio through a signal path internal to the waveshaper.

AMPLITUDE modulation spans thru-zero, allowing for full-range ring modulation effects with bipolar CV or audio signals.

CLIP the final stage of amplitude with the switch to introduce a last stage of harmonics before the complex signal exits through the final OUT.

Switchable inverting attenuators on each CV input, for quickly inverting the behaviour of your modulation. The indicator illuminates red to tell you the attenuator has been inverted.

Two distinct waveshaping modes

A press of the shape switch toggles Mindphaser between RAMPOID (green) and TRIANGULAR (yellow) waveshaping modes.

These modes have a remarkable effect on the behaviour of wavefolding and overall character of the final complex OUT, in addition to TZ-PM Bus character.

RAMPOID mode folds more asymmetrically, with raucous, buzzing harmonic artefacts as you sweep and introduce TZ-PM

TRIANGULAR mode folds more symmetric, splitting the complex sine wave at its peak centre of the waveform. TZ-PM character is less raucous, and more smooth.

TZ-PM Bus

Thru-zero phase modulation in the ANALOGUE realm! Unlike its digital counterpart, analogue TZ-PM has its own character we've come to expect from analogue circuitry!

A dedicated, voltage-controlled phase modulation bus completely separate from the Mod Bus
Modulator's SINE wave normalled to the PM SOURCE input
SOURCE input allows you to modulate phase with any signal you patch in
Dedicated voltage-controlled INDEX (amount)
Manual phase lets you zero in (or not!) on the base phase before introducing modulation
Independent of the Linear FM circuitry in the Carrier core

Mod Bus

The internal modulation powerhouse, normally fed by the Modulator core, but external signals are patchable as well.

Select from the PULSE, RAMP/SAW or SINE output of the MODULATOR, or inject your own SOURCE to the bus.

Voltage-controlled INDEX behaves like a macro control when combined with various amounts and polarities dialled in at each CV destination.

Internal sends include the Carrier's classic Linear FM, Amplitude, Feedback and TZ-PM Index, with variable amounts and polarities!

Modulator waveforms internally feeding the Mod Bus behave unipolarly, for predictable modulation of every Mod Bus destination, without external patching. By patching in one of the Modulator's bipolar waveform outputs manually (or any external signal), you can override this behaviour.

Dimensions
30 HP
24 mm deep

Current Draw
110 mA +12V
100 mA -12V

Notes: A unique analogue percussion module, based on principles from the legendary 909 twisted into new sonic territory. Capable of everything from classic kicks and snares to more experimental hits and complex VCO effects.

Supplier's Notes:
A machine is born

The Machine began as a quest to create a rich-sounding eurorack snare drum synthesis module to complement the existing Mutant Drums. The project quickly became too large and costly to justify the module being capable only of snare drum sounds. So, the decision was made to learn from the architecture of the TR-909's snare and kick circuits, in order to develop a module capable of generating multiple forms of analogue percussion, and various other effects.

Like the other Mutant Drums, the Machine has its roots in classic analogue percussion synthesis. Even though it can create totally alien sounds, it still has the capability to deliver those classic 909 house snares and kicks if you want them. There are no microcontrollers in the Machine. The signals and waveforms are all generated by discrete components and ICs, for a distinctly analogue sound, and user experience.

Features

Microcontroller-free analogue percussion synthesis engine
Unique Inverter Core oscillators form the MEMBRANE. Each analogue oscillator has three waveforms to select from
Capable of synthesizing everything from heavy-hitting bassdrums to classic 909-style snares and other complex timbres
Modular design gives the Machine many auxiliary purposes, great for modular sound design of many varieties, and not just percussion
The SNAPPY section is comprised of a voltage controlled noise oscillator, for modelling the noisy part of drum timbres
Both MEMBRANE and SNAPPY elements have an external input for replacing the built-in sound sources, opening up many avenues of possibility
13 control voltage and audio inputs, for a fully modular drum experience
7 audio and CV/gate outputs for maximum integration with other modules
Dedicated outputs for each WAVE and NOISE oscillator mean you can use the Machine as a complex VCO in your system, when not synthesizing percussion
Waveform scanning feature generates complex timbres from analog waveforms
The MEMBRANE's waveforms can be scanned through automatically by the wavescanner's voltage controlled clock generator, or an external clock or VCO can be used
SCAN FREQ CV forms a unique form of timbre control, making the Machine act like a complex oscillator at its WAVES output
The ENABLE input allows you to gate the wavescanner on and off with a CV or gate signal

Technical specifications

Width: 29HP | Depth: 30mm
Current draw: +139mA, -115mA @ 12V