Muff's Modules & More

WMDevices · Last edited by WMDevices on Fri Oct 26, 2012 4:40 pm; edited 4 times in total

2012/10/25 EDIT: Just uploaded the below video. The TBVCAs have been shipped and are available immediately.

For the QAAF:

The expansion module for the PDO is finished and sounds great.

It consists of three individual bipolar (polarizing) linear VCAs. Each VCA has a bias control: Centered (0) is off, CW outputs non-inverted signal, CCW outputs inverted. The 2nd knob per VCA is a bipolar attenuator for CV control.

There is one output per channel, normaled to each phase input on the PDO.

Now, there are two inputs per channel. The one marked "+" is the normal input, and drives the input marked "-" through an inverter. Plugging into the "-" input produces a non-inverted signal on the CCW (or negative CV) direction, turning the VCA into a cross-fader. Neither signal will be inverted in cross-fade mode.

An alternative to cross-fade mode is blend mode, where the two signals would be blended without a dead center. This requires two resistors to be set at the factory per VCA. Unfortunately there was absolutely no room left on the PCB for switches for this functionality.

Please give me your feedback on how you'd like blend or crossfade to be on the final module. Options are: 1. All Crossfade, 2. All Blend, 3. one channel of one, two of the other.

Let me know what you would like to come stock. I'm leaning towards two crossfade and the bottom be blend.

There is also a MIX output of all 3 VCAs.

Additional specs are 8 HP, skiffable with a depth of about 24mm. Power consumption of about 90mA on both rails.

It was intended to be the PDO expansion, but I think a lot of wigglers can use this standalone.

We expect availability to be 3-5 weeks.

-William Mathewson / WMD

Al · Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 3:04 pm Post subject:

Looks great!

When used exclusively as a PDO expansion, would the crossfade/blend feature not apply? I ask because it seems that using the expansion jacks on the back of the PDO normals the signals to the expansion module. Does this make sense? I think you've explained it very well, I'm trying to wrap my head around it.

NV · Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 3:04 pm Post subject:

Great idea for a module, and a perfect expansion for the PDO. Bipolar VCAs are immensely handy - having a mix and crossfade within makes them even more so.

As for the options, personally I would choose 1. All Crossfade. Being able to crossfade between the signals sounds much more interesting and useful to me than a basic blending, and there are plenty of places in a modular where you can blend signals but generally not many where you can crossfade. Plus the crossfading sounds like it would yield some very interesting results when normalled to the PDO. Plus with the normalling I think having two different options would just confuse things - as a standalone module not so much, but normalled to the PDO I'd prefer them all the same.

Mitchk1989 · Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 3:53 pm Post subject:

So the options are A -> silence -> B (which you refer to as 'crossfade'?) or A -> B (which you refer to as 'blend')... I would take all 'blend' if so, as long as that doesn't fuck up it's use as a 'polarizing VCA'.

Also wouldn't audio rate modulation with a 'polarizing VCA' be ring mod?

blinosynth · Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 4:09 pm Post subject:

the pdo vco is one my next purchaise, now with this expander !
i also say option 1 : crossfade
a video with pdo and this expander would be perfect!

Mitchk1989 · Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 4:27 pm Post subject:

can someone explain to me why you'd want the silence at center?

NV · Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 5:25 pm Post subject:

WMDevices · Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 5:25 pm Post subject:

WMDevices · Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 5:30 pm Post subject:

I don't know that there are tight definitions. Cross fade to me is fade-out -> 0 -> fade in. Blend is fade into each other without drop in level.

NV · Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 5:45 pm Post subject:

WMDevices · Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 6:15 pm Post subject:

boramx · Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 6:28 pm Post subject:

uh, i'd buy this without having a PDO.

very nice feature set in 8hp.

Al · Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 6:31 pm Post subject:

demonamination · Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 6:50 pm Post subject:

That's a very cool new ^^ I love my PDO, that's an incredible module, very powerfull, but I've currently not enough VCAs (!) to explore the fifth dimension with him, so, thank for this release...
It's hard to choose between the two options !
Personnally I' prefer the blend option that give you -for what I've understood- the possibility to have 3 sort of "mini-mixer" for each pair of signals inputs, with smooth transition capabilities... (CCW= 100% In-, NOON= 50%In-, 50%In+, CW=100% In+, is that right ?)

bendedavis · Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 7:31 pm Post subject:

Looks great. I vote for crossfade on all channels.

WMDevices · Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 7:39 pm Post subject:

Drumdrumdrumdrum · Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 11:17 pm Post subject:

DrBerndtHoffmann · Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2012 12:54 am Post subject:

Damn - now how I am going to fit this in my rig!

A perfect addition to my favourite oscillator. Can't wait!

oskies · Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2012 1:47 am Post subject:

Blend (no deadzone), definitely love

blinosynth · Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2012 1:48 am Post subject:

if there is a dead point in the cente of crossfade i change my option Mr. Green

blend maybe is a better choise