Notes: The VSYSTEM-1 is a complete synth in a case of exactly the size of the Korg Volca synths. It contains the following AE modules:
2OSC/d (dual oscillator)
The 2OSC/d module contains two 1V/octave hybrid oscillators.
Each of them has:
one frequency knob plus a range switch +2 octaves
CV input (1V / octave)
PWM input
SYNC input
Sawtooth / Square / Sub-octave output
The pulse width knob controls either the pulse width of the first oscillator (with the second one having a fixed pulse width), or via a switch the second oscillator is also controlled by the pulse width knob. Both oscillators can be pulse width-modulated independently by their PWM inputs.
The module is designed as a hybrid digital/analogue module; the oscillator frequencies are determined digitally and are therefore quite stable and have a good tracking; the output waveform itself is created analogue. It's a new idea/concept that I have implemented here; the design causes the waveform to gets a bit gritty at higher frequencies (but not "digital noise") - it's the character of this thing!
WASP FILTER
This filter module is a variant of the Wasp filter, a quite strange circuit used first in the EDP Wasp synth end of the seventies, which abuses digital chips in an analogue way leading to the characteristic sound of this filter type. In this module, vactrols are used for controlling the filter frequency.
MODULATORS (containing LFO, envelope, random voltage, VCA)
MODULATORS is a multifunctional module offering different kinds of modulation sources in a 1U module. It is designed especially with very small AE systems in mind.
You get:
An AD envelope generator
an LFO with adjustable rate, square wave and triangle/sawtooth output, pulse width knob and CV control
a random CV source working in different modes (stepped, smoothed, quantized) and a VCA
4ATTMIX
A versatile mixer / quadattenuator.
4ATTMIX offers four input channels which can be level controlled / attenuated by the corresponding knobs. The attenuated signals are sent to four outputs.
Additionally, each channel can be sent to an internal mixer by the switches beside the knobs. The mix signal is then sent to the mix output.
An additional switch selects the general operation mode for the mixer, for DC/CV signals or for audio signals.
SEQ8 (8-step sequencer)
The SEQ8 is an 8-step sequencer for controlling oscillator pitch and triggering envelopes.
Compared to "classic" analogue sequencers it works a bit different: Instead of setting the CV for each step independently (which means in fact "tuning" each step which can be a bit tedious), the SEQ8 has 4 knobs for presetting different CV's (= notes); each of the 8 step knobs selects one of these CVs, plus 0V (=base note) plus Pause (no trigger output). So some CVs have to be fine-tuned once; with the step knobs you can focus entirely on the sequence itself and you can even modify it on the fly, still remaining in tune.
Additionally, to the selected CV presets, the "raw" value of the step knobs is also accessible at an extra output.
DELAY
This module is a standard mono delay with the usual parameters
delay time
feedback
dry/wet mix.
It sounds not as clean and polished as a usual digital delay, but has quite a character on its own. High feedback settings allow endless and distorting loops.
(For the techies: It is based on the well-known PT2399 chip.)
Stereo Headphone amplifier, 2 IN/OUT sockets via a stereo minijack
It is delivered completely with power wall adapter and patchwires; everything needed to get the modular system started!
This is a REAL modular synth system; all modules can be rearranged and swapped as you like!
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