Boomstar Modular - Utility Modules

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SOUNDCLOUD VIDEOS BOOM☆ MODULAR MAIN TONESTAR

UTILITY MODULES - ATTENULAG, MIX4, R (Router), VCA2

Basic but indispensable through-hole synthesizers necessities designed (there's that word again) and assembled in-house. Augment efficiency and expressiveness starting with our handy R (Router) and ascending to its larger and more complex ATTENULAG companion—solidly entertaining to sleep-depriving voltage controlled switching, gliding, combining and amplitude limiting begins here:

ATTENULAG - $135PURCHASE

Multi-purpose heavy lifter. The attenuators reduce level, audio or CV, when switch is set to off. With the switch up the audio/signal passes through at full level. The inputs are linked together: patching into channel 1 drives both attenuators; patching into channel 2 breaks the link. Experimentation with key tracking to create alternative tunings, or interaction with audio inputs that don't afford attenuation—does good things. The two lag circuits provide a handy CV mult/hub for oscillator and filter tracking (perfect for CV-ing up our OSCILLATION module with its switchable one in/three out structure for both attenuation and slewing—x2) and are linked together: if you patch into channel 1 only, the outputs of both channels are driven (just like the attenuation circuit); patching into channel 2 breaks the link and they become two separate CV mult/lag circuits—envelopes look out.

Four Pots

ATTENUATE 1, ATTENUATE 2, LAG TIME 1, LAG TIME 2.

Four Switches

OFF: the top two handle attenuation duties; the bottom are wired to lag time.

Ten Patch Points

ATTENUATE 1: IN, OUT; LAG TIME 1: IN, OUT 1A, OUT 1B, OUT 1C; ATTENUATE 2: IN, OUT; LAG TIME 2: IN, OUT 2A, OUT 2B, OUT 2C

Common Controls and Patch Points

Attenuation

ATTENUATE – Level reduction.
IN – Attenuation input.
OUT – Attenuation output.
OFF – Bypass is in up position.

Lag

LAG TIME – Exponential slewing amount—still affectionately called glide in some quarters.
IN - Lag input.
OFF – Lag bypass.
OUT A – Lag output A.
OUT B – Lag output B.
OUT C – Lag output C.

Vitals

Size - 10hp
Depth - 25mm with ribbon cable attached
Power Usage - 7mA, 8mA (+12 / -12)

MIX4 - $125PURCHASE

Space conscious, 4 in/1 out, high quality audio and CV mixer. Originally set at unity gain (along with the VCA2), but tinkering provided useful intell and design changes. Upshot: With the pot set at 3:00 you are at unity, fully clockwise, expect a 2 Volt increase.

Four Pots

LVL 1, LVL 2, LVL3, LVL 4.

Five Patch Points

OUT, IN 1, IN 2, IN 3, IN 4.

All Controls and Patch Points

LVL 1 – Adjusts the level of IN 1.
LVL 2 – Adjusts the level of IN 2.
LVL 3 – Adjusts the level of IN 3.
LVL 4 – Adjusts the level of IN 4.
OUT – Composite output.
IN 1 – Audio/CV input 1.
IN 2 – Audio/CV input 2.
IN 3 – Audio/CV input 3.
IN 4 – Audio/CV input 4.

Vitals

Size - 6hp
Depth - 25mm with ribbon cable attached
Power Usage - 4mA (+12 / -12)

R (ROUTER) - $65PURCHASE

Two audio or CV routers—bidirectional—despite what the nomenclature states. Bring a signal in and switch between two desirable destinations. Center off switch. Great for instantaneous audio or CV effects: flip your wilson between polar opposites, or subtly nebulous contrasts with your fingers... mainly.

Two Switches

1-2, 1-2

Six Patch Points

OUT 1, OUT 2, IN A (top), IN B, OUT 1, OUT 2 (bottom).

All Controls and Patch Points

OUT 1 – Output #1.
OUT 2 – Output #2.
IN A – Input A.
1-2 (IN A) – Switch between output 1 and 2.
1-2 (IN B) – Switch between output 1 and 2.
IN B – Input B.
OUT 1 – Output #1.
OUT 2 – Output #2.

Vitals

Size - 2hp
Depth -15mm with ribbon cable attached
Power Usage - Passive

VCA2 - $129PURCHASE

Two quality VCAs for audio or CV with level control—advantageous for creating a CV modulation chain: Patch the 1st (controlling) modulator into the CV input, and the 2nd and 3rd (the controlled) modulators into inputs A and B; the output can then be patched to a modulation destination such as an oscillator or filter frequency. The same approach is effective for enveloping an LFO, or dynamically modulating an LFO or envelope with key velocity, modwheel, key tracking, etc. One can even escape the highly colored Mini-flavord character of our AMP with this quad op-amp alternative for cleaner, sharper tonality in the near final stages of synthesis.

Originally set at unity gain (along with the MIX4), now units with a January 16 (2016) and greater marking will exceed unity and clip the op-amp, past 3:00 on the dial. Upshot: Fully clockwise the gain is doubled. Distortion of audio and modulation signals never hurt anyone, and add another tool to the box.

Note: In the audio realm clipping may occur sooner dependent up signal input level.

Two Pots

LEVEL 1, LEVEL 2.

Eight Patch Points

CV 1, IN 1A, IN 1B, OUT 1; CV 2, IN 2A, IN 2B, OUT 2.

Common Controls and Patch Points

LEVEL – Level/Mix adjustment.
CV – Controlling CV modulation input.
IN A – Controlled Input 1A.
IN B – Controlled Input 1B.
OUT – Output.

Vitals

Size - 6hp
Depth - 25mm with ribbon cable attached
Power Usage - 5mA, 4mA (+12 / -12)