From sngruhl@faui01.informatik.uni-erlangen.de Tue Aug 15 09:57:03 1995 15 Aug 95 12:56:58 +0500 14 Aug 95 18:08:30 +0500 From: "Stefan Gruhl (CIP 92)" Subject: EMU-modular - part I - VCO's Date: Tue, 15 Aug 1995 00:00:33 +0200 (MET DST) hi, here is a more detailed description for the archives and your interest: the VCO: as all modules with aluminium metal cover plate with blue colored frame. EMU modul sizes vary from 1,2,3 times 3" horizontally and fixed 5" vertically. this one is max sized 9". As most modules it is layouted pretty straight with a signal float path from left to right and contolling in the middle. Controll input are coming from the bottom. inputs: 3 times freq inputs. 2 of them with input attenuator. 1 V/oct. Pulse withs input with attenuator gate input. no other controlling inputs. As used in most modules, the system is "prepatched" in a nice way. all modules are connected in the back from a power system in the back, that also feed's the keyboared input to all modules. Where applicable, you may simply choose this input to be used. You got CV 1,2,off from a 3 position switch. I am planning to put a midi to cv on CV2 and also put a system toggle switch into this general path. this way, I have keyboard access to it right from it's front while designing a sound and than flipping with one switch to midi. another switch gives you the choice between high and low range. low range must be way lower than I can detach. high range goes as down as pure descrete clicks as audio out. coarse freq covers up to way over 20 khz and also into high audio freq in low setting. As the spectrum is that big there is the fine tune knob wich covers roughly several semitones. of course there is a pw initial knob. And a fixed Q point with no input for external controll. the sync 1,off,2 switch hasn't been exploited yet. there is no dedicated sync input, so I have no idea what is syncing to what right now. AT least my ears didn't hear any difference while simpy switching around. Finally the output stage, which features 4 seperate outs for sine,triangle,saw and square and 4 pots to mix them all to an extra mix out. Although some people doubt that there is a "typical" or "personal" sound in VCO's itself, I'd describe them as precise and clear. Their freq response is very wide and they are changing pitch almost as easy like beeing calculated. Resonance is similar to the mini moog filter to me, as res effect comes quick and leads into heavy self osc. This one is even more clear and stable as the one from the mini. AT least to me pure self osc is even "nicer" and more musical on a Roland SH101 - but that's personal. it's ability to cover wide freq range and it's behaviour to act without too much character will make it hopefully to a tool for lot's of different abuse. I plan to use other monosynth osc's with more own character for the standart cd freq in into filter sounds and keep this ones for the wilder, stranger things.