XAOC Ostankino II Expander Device Instruction Manual

: June 12, 2024
: Xaoc

OSTANKINO

XAOC Ostankino II Expander Device A0

SEQUENCE COMMANDER II

Model of 1965

MODULE EXPLAINED

SALUT

Thank you for buying this Xaoc Devices product. Ostankino II [stankin] is an expander for the Moskwa II sequencer module. It greatly augments Moskwa II’s connectivity giving the user the ability to use CV to change most parameters. Ostankino II also adds quite a few outputs including access to the Leibniz Binary Subsystem.

INSTALLATION

The module requires 8hp worth of free space in the Eurorack cabinet. Always turn the power off before connecting the module. DO NOT CONNECT THE MODULE TO THE POWER BUS! Instead, use the supplied ribbon cable to connect Ostankino II to a Moskwa II module. The 16-pin expander connector is marked on the back of the Moskwa II module. Pay close attention to the cable pinout and orientation. The red stripe should match the dot on both modules. The module should be fastened by mounting the supplied screws before powering up. To better understand the device, we strongly advise the user to read through the entire manual before using the module. Please note that Ostankino II is not compatible with the first Moskwa module.

MODULE OVERVIEW

There are ten sockets in the upper half of the panel: nine inputs and one output (fig. 1).

The first row features inputs for the RANDOM (random play) (1) , SLEW (2) , and PROB (probability) (3) parameters of Moskwa II.

In the second row, there is a TRANSPOSE (4) input (quantized to semitone steps, 1V/ oct, +/-5 octaves, transposition takes place before quantization; therefore, the TRANSPOSE input affects pitch values within the quantization scale set in Moskwa II), internal CLOCK OUT (5) , and CV input for the RANGE parameter (6) .

The middle input in the third row allows the user to control the internal clock’s RATE (7) with continuous voltage (with no external clock patched into the ext clock input) or change the division/multiplication settings (with an external clock patched into the EXT CLOCK input). The left and right inputs control the FIRST STEP (8) and the LAST STEP (9) of the sequence respectively. The LAST STEP input adds offset to the value set by the RESET knob on the connected Moskwa II unit in 1V increments, i.e. 1V moves the last sequence step setting by one position. At 0V there is no change to the sequence length. Negative voltage shortens the sequence, positive voltage lengthens the sequence with the starting point defined by the position of the RESET knob. We have added the FIRST STEP input so the user could modulate the first step as well. Voltage in the range +/-10V moves the first step in a circular motion. To move it to the last (eighth) step, one needs 7V (1V per step).

FRONT PANEL OVERVIEW

fig. 1: INTERFACE
XAOC Ostankino II Expander Device A1

With careful planning (attenuating and offsetting the incoming CV) one can move the shortened sequence around, which greatly enhances Moskwa II’s already vast sequence mangling functionality.

The fourth row deals with one function only. The STEP REPEAT (10) input and button (11) control the step repeat function. When the button is pressed and held, or the input receives a gate, the currently active step is repeated until the button is released or the gate at the STEP REPEAT input is low.

All inputs accept CV in the +/-10V range. The exact range of voltages needed to sweep the full range of the parameter depends on the position of the knob on the connected Moskwa II unit. For example, with the RATE knob set in the middle position, a +/-5V LFO will sweep the whole range. On the other hand, with the knob set at minimum, one would need a 0-10V signal to sweep the entire range.

The bottom half of the front panel is occupied by eight STEP TRIG/BIT OUT outputs (12) and respective switch (13) . Their functionality is explained in the section below.

OUTPUTS 1-8

The eight STEP TRIG/BIT OUT outputs correspond to the Moskwa II sequence steps 1-8. The switch alternates between gate output and bit output modes. In the gate output mode, the outputs send gates for the corresponding steps 1-8. When the step is inactive, there is no signal at its corresponding Ostankino II output 1-8 (depending on the setting on the Moskwa II module). The outputs send voltages within the range of 0-5V.

In the bit output mode, outputs 1-8 assume a very different role (see: “Expandability: Leibniz Subsystem” section below).

EXPANDABILITY: CHAIN MODE

When two Moskwa II units are chained together, the Ostankino II expander controls only the one to which it is connected. Also, the CLK , STEP TRIG , and BIT OUTPUTS correspond to the parameters of the Moskwa II module to which the Ostankino II expander is connected.

EXPANDABILITY: LEIBNIZ SUBSYSTEM

At the bottom of the back of the module, the user will find a 10-pin connector for the Xaoc Leibniz Binary Subsystem (see: fig. 2). It sends CV set by Moskwa II’s potentiometer but converted to 8-bit values for further processing, e.g. by Xaoc Drezno module. The signal present at the Leibniz Binary Subsystem connector depends on the position of the STEP TRIG/BIT OUT switch on the front panel.

With the switch set to the STEP TRIG position, the Leibniz connector outputs gates for each sequence step consecutively.

CONNECTING THE EXPANDER

fig. 2: Connecting the Ostankino II to Moskwa II and Drezno

With the switch set to the BIT OUT position, each Ostankino II bit output (both on the panel and the Leibniz connector) sends a digital value (on/off) of the bit corresponding to the CV set for the currently active sequence step. Starting with the least significant bit at output 1 (bit 0) and ending with the most significant bit at output 8 (bit 7). The values present at the outputs change when the sequence is advanced to the next step to reflect the currently active sequence step. The bit output mode is especially suitable for use with the Xaoc Devices Leibniz Binary Subsystem, but it will work with any module accepting voltages in the range 0-5V.

ACCESSORY

Our Coal Mine black panels are available for all of Xaoc Devices modules. Sold separately. Ask your favorite retailer. •

WARRANTY TERMS

XAOC DEVICES WARRANTS THIS PRODUCT TO BE FREE OF DEFECTS IN MATERIALS OR WORKMANSHIP AND TO CONFORM WITH THE SPECIFICATIONS AT THE TIME OF SHIPMENT FOR ONE YEAR FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE. DURING THAT PERIOD, ANY MALFUNCTIONING OR DAMAGED UNITS WILL BE REPAIRED, SERVICED, AND CALIBRATED ON A RETURN-TO- FACTORY BASIS. THIS WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER ANY PROBLEMS RESULTING FROM DAMAGES DURING SHIPPING, INCORRECT INSTALLATION OR POWER SUPPLY, IMPROPER WORKING ENVIRONMENT, ABUSIVE TREATMENT, OR ANY OTHER OBVIOUS USER-INFLICTED FAULT.

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RETURN POLICY

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GENERAL INQUIRIES

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ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. CONTENT COPYRIGHT ©2022 XAOC DEVICES. COPYING, DISTRIBUTION OR ANY COMMERCIAL USE IN ANY WAY IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED AND REQUIRES THE WRITTEN PERMISSION BY XAOC DEVICES. SPECIFICATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE. EDITING BY BRYAN NOLL.