Tags: Distortion module

Notes: Five-channel mixer with mutes, built-in VCA, switchable overdrive and LED level meter. Simple, straightforward, high-quality stuff from AJH.

Supplier's Notes:
The MiniMod Muting Mixer & VCA is a 10HP wide, five channel audio mixer with many useful features. It is available with either a black (Dark Edition), or a silver front panel.

The mixer section has five input channels, and each channel includes a bi-colour tactile LED switch that can instantly mute or un-mute the channel, replicating the oscillator on/off switches on the original Model D synthesiser. This arrangement is more convenient than regular switches as each illuminated switch shows the on/off status of the associated channel and multiple buttons can be pressed at once, making it very useful for live performance.

AJH have also included a four segment LED level meter so that the overall level can be seen at a glance and adjusted to prevent the output from getting too "hot" and causing distortion in other modules further downstream.

It also features a VCA that is integrated into the output section, and this can be switched from linear to exponential response - this allows it to be used as a voltage controlled sub mixer or as a stand alone VCA with five inputs.

Lastly, AJH added a wonderfully soft and warm sounding overdrive circuit that can be switched in to add smooth, tube like distortion. This works in a similar fashion to a master volume guitar amplifier, so the amount of overdrive can be varied widely with different settings of channel and master output levels.

Module Width: 10hp
Module Depth: 26mm (Including power lead)
Current Usage: 55mA Positive, 25mA Negative

Notes: Stereo Strip takes the idea of a channel strip and makes it modular. By bringing this long-established component of the audio engineering world into the Eurorack environment and by adding CV control over its key parameters, you will find new, creative ways to use it in your patches!

It features stereo inputs and outputs for audio or CV with EQ, voltage controlled panning, stereo VCA, performable mute and input/output level switching for Eurorack or line level uses. Abusing the input level switching allows for some musical, modulate-able and highly shapeable distortion sounds too.

Stereo Strip was designed to be a creative part of a modular patch. Creating stereo images from mono sources, shaping and modulating existing stereo images, synthesising stereo pseudo ring modulation, sweetening FX with EQ or drastically wave shaping your oscillators, creating send FX routings with benefits or it can simply be used as a channel strip at the end of chain in a patch.

The addition of line level gain boosting (for the input) or reduction (for the output) allow it to work as a stereo input or output interface for external gear with the advantage of the VCA, panning and the EQ to shape the sound. Experiment with bringing external gear into the Eurorack format and then shape and modulate those sounds them on the way in!

Try patching Stereo Strip anywhere you would place a VCA in a system and/or explore its EQ and voltage controlled panning, which are rarer additions to the sound sculpting options for the Eurorack format.

Specs

Current Draw: +12: 63mA -12: 63mA 5v:0
Width: 6HP
Depth: 33mm including power connector
Aluminium, heat-treated front panel.
Designed and assembled in Barcelona.

Notes: Arkan

Dual Voltage Polarizer

You may have heard this before: "You can never have enough VCAs". A voltage polarizer (also known as a bipolar VCA or a 4-quadrant multiplier) is often viewed as the VCA better suited for CV. As it can be used as a unipolar VCA and it allows you to invert a signal when it is modulated with a negative voltage. Resulting in interesting movements in your modulations.

What sets Arkan apart from other voltage polarizers is the curvature control, a feature usually only seen in unipolar VCAs. By taking a different approach to the classic voltage polarizer circuitry, Malstrom have devised a unique solution that provides a new way to shape your audio and CV. The non-linearity of the polarizer also makes Arkan really good at reaching silence when presented with a 0V CV signal.

At audio rate, Arkan acts as a ring-modulator with four controls to change timbres.

Boosting adds odd harmonics (symmetrical distortion), while offsetting adds even harmonics (asymmetrical distortion). The modulation curve changes ring modulation sharpness, and modulation strength determines the carrier dominance.

Two identical channels with carefully selected features will make Arkan your go-to modulation control hub. Arkan is especially useful for common utility duties such as mixing, scaling, inverting and offsetting. As well as CV modulation, feedback patching, and waveshaping. All this makes Arkan a very versatile tool that will certainly have a place in your patch!

Features (per channel)

- Input attenuation with inverter switch gives you more precision and range, with voltage inversion and quick silencing.
- Bias input with attenuverter control to offset your input signal or mix/invert another signal.
- CV input with curvature control allows you to shape the polarizer and improve its 0V attenuation.
- CV modulation control to fade in the modulator, allowing you to determine the amount of modulation.
- Voltage gain and polarity led indicators showing you exactly what is happening under the radar.
- Output normalled internally and externally (to other Arkans) to easily mix signals.

Additional features

Optional signal boost (x4 / +12dB) via switch on the PCB to increase voltages when needed.
5V or 10V voltage reference selection for bias voltage and CV input range to adjust Arkan to your system.

Dimensions
- 8HP.
- 28mm, Skiff-friendly.

Power consumption
- 90mA @ +12V.
- 85mA @ -12V.

I/O specs

- All inputs DC coupled.
- All inputs handle audio signals.
- All inputs have 100k input impedance. - All inputs have +-10V Input range.
- CV range +-5V or +-10V.
- Bias Voltage range +-5V or +-10V.
- Boost gain x1 or x4.
- All inputs are overvoltage protected.
- Keyed power header.
- Reverse power protection.

Notes: This module is designed to generate a multitude of aggressive, punchy, violent and absolutely bonkers variations of the original unprocessed sound,

Transform any clean sound into a distorted monster, using 2x drive stages per channel with a wide range of distortion flavors ranging from subtle saturation to extreme fuzz.

Process two channels at the same time and create balanced and smooth or raw and rough transitions between them.

Allow the kick drum and bass line to coexist effectively in the mix, avoiding conflicts in the low-frequency range with env. follower and sidechain.

Shape any sound with 3 band adaptable EQ.

Function as a signal generator as well, this module can be pushed into self-oscillation at any frequency even with no input.

Add sub-octave tones to melodies and bass lines.

Preserve the dynamic range and clarity of the sound through parallel processing, ensuring that the original characteristics are not lost even when applying heavy distortion.

Add character, flexibility and madness to any source that sparks your imagination.

Notes: This module is designed to generate a multitude of aggressive, punchy, violent and absolutely bonkers variations of the original unprocessed sound.



Transform any clean sound into a distorted monster, using 2x drive stages per channel with a wide range of distortion flavors ranging from subtle saturation to extreme fuzz.



Process two channels at the same time and create balanced and smooth or raw and rough transitions between them.



Allow the kick drum and bass line to coexist effectively in the mix, avoiding conflicts in the low-frequency range with env. follower and sidechain.

Shape any sound with 3 band adaptable EQ.

Function as a signal generator as well, this module can be pushed into self-oscillation at any frequency even with no input.

Add sub-octave tones to melodies and bass lines.



Preserve the dynamic range and clarity of the sound through parallel processing, ensuring that the original characteristics are not lost even when applying heavy distortion.



Add character, flexibility and madness to any source that sparks your imagination.

Notes: Alpha Duo is a stereo precision VCA with ring modulation, overdrive and distortion.

Alpha Duo's VCAs have three modes:

1) Two quadrant, for classic VCA behaviour
2) Four quadrant, where the VCA responds to both positive and negative Gain CVs. This creates a classic ring modulator.
3) In four quadrant separate (4S) mode, each of the two VCA channels is controlled by separate gain CVs, turning Alpha Duo into two independent VCA/ring modulators.

Alpha Duo also features three drive modes.

1) In Drive Mode zero the overdrive circuit is not active, giving a clean signal.
2) Drive Mode One is a tube style soft overdrive. Like a tube, the positive and negative parts of the waveform are distorted differently, producing a pleasing, warm fuzz.
3) Drive Mode Two is a harder clip - more like a transistor amplifier - for a harder edged distortion.

Alpha Duo's signal path is DC coupled, so it's great for processing CVs as well as audio.

Specifications:
Width: 10HP
Depth: 22mm excl. power cable. Approx 32mm inc. shrouded power cable
Power Requirements:
+12v: 200mA
-12v: 50mA
+5v: 0mA

Inputs:
Signal (Zero attenuation): +/-5v nominal, +/-12v max
GainCV [Zero attenuation]: +/-5v nominal
Pan CV [Zero attenuation]: +/-5v nominal

Outputs:
Dual/Stereo: +/-5v nominal, +/-11v max