JOLIN ASCOLTA Dual Preamp Follower User Manual

: June 13, 2024
: JOLIN

Table of Contents

JOLIN ASCOLTA Dual Preamp Follower
Product Information
Product Usage Instructions
Using Instructions
Features
Specs
References
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JOLIN ASCOLTA Dual Preamp Follower

Product Information

The ASCOLTA is a dual high fidelity input preamp with an envelope follower and peak detector output for each channel. It is designed to amplify stereo signals without the need for external splitters and allows for individual gain control of each channel. The second amplifier doubles the amplification of the first, resulting in a gain range of 80dB – 10,000x. The gain stage of the ASCOLTA utilizes two Texas Instruments LM4562 chips in a two-pole inverting amplifier configuration. More information and details about the chip can be found on its datasheet. Demos and build documentation for the ASCOLTA can be accessed at jolin.tech/ascolta.

Product Usage Instructions

Connect the first input (I1) of the ASCOLTA to a stereo 3.5mm standard cable from any source.
The ASCOLTA will split the left and right channels of the input signal and output them as O1 and O2 respectively.
To directly amplify the stereo signals, connect your desired output devices or audio systems to O1 and O2.
Adjust the gain of each channel individually using the ASCOLTA’s controls.
If desired, connect the second amplifier (G) to further increase the amplification. This will double the amplification of the first channel.
Ensure that the gain range is set appropriately for your needs, ranging from 80dB to 10,000x.

ASCOLTA is a dual high fidelity input preamp with envelope follower and peak detector output for each channel.

Using Instructions

why

To amplify stereo line level signals up to modular levels – 100x (40dB).
To extract an envelope and a peak detector CV from any given signal.
To integrate into your system two separate sources requiring dedicated gain compensation.
To side-chain and compress using the two audio-follower CV out and an external VCA/LPG.

with

Laptop / phone – plug a stereo cable directly from their output and integrate that to your modular.
Dynamic microphones – amplify two of them individually and sing with a friend.
External synths – take those weak signals and warm them up to modular levels.
Passive instruments – sing and play the guitar while affecting them with your spaghetti monster1.

how

Ascolta consist of two individual high quality preamp2 connected to an envelope follower and a peak detector output.
On the back of the module you can select the behaviour of its internal normalization when no cable is plugged into I2:

S: the first input I1 will accept stereo 3.5mm standard cables from any source and split L and R to output O1 and O2 respectively. This way you can directly amplify stereo signals without the need of external splitters and regulate the gain of each channel individually.
G: the second amplifier will double the amplification of the first totalling a gain range of 80dB – 10.000x.

Envelope E and peak P outputs are strictly related to the gain level of their corresponding amplifier and will follow the dynamic of any input plugged.

Features

Two high quality 40dB amplifiers.
Customizable internal normalization.
Audio graded potentiometers.
“Whatever” power connector a.k.a. don’t mind the polarity.

Specs

dimensions width 4HP, depth 25mm
current draw +12V 50ma, -12V 30ma.

Demos and build documentation at: jolin.tech/ascolta

That’s actually how Ascolta came to be. I was in need of a small module capable of amplifying two sources simultaneously while being able to extract their dynamics to control the rest of the system.
Nerd stuff here: in the gain stage Ascolta uses two Texas Instruments LM4562 in a two pole inverting amplifier configuration. More info and detail about the chip can be found on its datasheet.