ANIMAL FACTORY Orobas Eurorack Dual Valve Vca Module Instruction Manual
- June 5, 2024
- ANIMAL FACTORY
Table of Contents
ANIMAL FACTORY Orobas Eurorack Dual Valve Vca Module Instruction Manual
Congratulations – you are now the proud human to this limited edition Orobas module, a dual vacuum tube VCA/saturator like no other.
This module is the culmination of a journey we began around eight years ago, and is truly a labour of love. While we can understand you would like to plug in and begin summoning sonic entities from other realms, we urge you to read this manual thoroughly and carefullly to get the most out of it.
WARNING – PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!
This module uses vacuum tubes that are exposed – these will heat up, and you will likely come in contact with them. While they do get hot, they are not hot enough to burn or injure you, or melt plastic or insulation. Be prepared to feel their heat and do not panic – a sudden panic reaction is more likely to cause damage and/or injury!
While the voltage and current inside the device are generally considered safe, please do not touch any of the connections on the PCB when the device is turned on and drawing power.
Insert the vacuum tubes carefully and slowly using a rocking motion. Do not push them in vertically with force. The tube sockets are manufactured to be intentionally tight, providing a secure grip and electrical contact for decades to come. Watch the unboxing video on our Orobas playlist (QR code on last page) to understand this better.
IMPORTANT: The Orobas requires a voltage supply for the tubes, which connects to the HEATER input on the panel. The module WILL NOT WORK without a heater supply. We have provided you with an adapter for this purpose. While you may use a different adapter, the voltage MUST be 12V – higher voltages will kill the tubes immediately! The adapter used MUST be able to supply 1A peak and 300mA continuous current!
PACKAGE CONTENTS
- 1x Orobas Module
- 2x 6SJ7 Metal Can Pentodes
- 1x Velvet carry bag
- 1x 12V DC 1A Power Adapter (CE/FCC/UL/BIS certified)
- 1x Eurorack 10-to-16 pin power connector
- 8x M3 Screws and washers
- This Manual
- Stickers
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Eurorack Space Requirements: 28 HP
- Power Requirements: +12V 100mA / -12V 40mA
- Heater Power Requirements: 12V DC 1A, center positive
TUBE REPLACEMENT
In case you ever need to change your tubes (you ideally shouldn’t): A quick Google search will show you that the 6SJ7 tube can be found fairly easily and inexpensively with tube vendors across USA and EU. We do not stock or sell replacement tubes. We request you to buy from these vendors.
Drop-in replacements for the metal can 6SJ7 tube are the 6SJ7-GT and 5693 Special Quality tube. We have no experience with either, but both should work in the circuit with some tonal differences.
Check out the video playlist above for a tube replacement guide.
AUDIO AND CONTROL SIGNAL FLOWS
IN 1 and IN 2 on each channel receive the audio signal. Please keep in mind
that the Orobas cannot process CV signals. Each channel has two inputs and one
output. In
PARALLEL mode, IN 1 of the LEFT channel is sent to IN 1 on the RIGHT channel
only if nothing is connected to the latter! This does not work in reverse.
In SERIES mode, the output of the LEFT channel is sent to IN 1 (which goes to
GAIN 1) on the RIGHT channel only if nothing is connected to the latter. This
mode of operation is great to cascade gain and distortion over two stages, or
to use one stage as a saturator and the other as a VCA.
The LEFT channel output can be used independently for other purposes without affecting the output of the RIGHT channel, or the amount of distortion available. Get creative!
OUTPUTS can get VERY loud with maximum voltage swings well beyond 25V p-p for a 10V signal. Be careful with your levels! Keep in mind that each channels output is phase-inverted relative to its inputs.
If HEAT is not powered using the supplied 12V 1A DC adapter, the module will not work! Do not use different voltages or power ratings!
CONTROL VOLTAGES AND SPECIAL FEATURES
PLATE BIAS affects the headroom but will introduce very loud and unfortunately
unavoidable pops into the sound. This is not intended to be a performance
tool, but more of a “set and forget” switch.
SCREEN CV controls the pentode screen grid and thus the gain and distortion of each VCA. In the FIX setting of the SCREEN CTRL switch, the gain is set to an internal fixed level. In CV mode, the SCREEN CV OFFSET sets the base level for the gain. Even at the maximum setting, this will be quieter than the FIX setting. Adding SCREEN CV will increase gain and distortion. Use SCREEN CV carefully in tandem with input GAIN controls to dial in cleaner sounds.
SUPPRESS CV controls the suppressor grid. Its functioning is harder to explain
but easy to use. If you add a positive CV, it will have little to no effect.
Adding a negative CV will decrease the gain or shut off the VCA. It is also
receptive to audio signals and can be used as an additional input and may have
strange interactions with IN 1 and IN 2, causing faux-octave effects.
EVOCATION is a CV controlled feedback loop that sends the output of the right channel to IN 1 of the left channel. It is extremely sensitive in SERIES mode, and you may need to attenuate CV signals. In PARALLEL mode it is useful for cross modulations, adding harmonics, waveshaping and folding and other such niceties. It only responds to unipolar CV. It is also extremely interactive, and all other controls will affect it.
With a module as deep as Orobas, a lot relies on your imagination and innovative signal routing – it would be impossible to summarize all the sonic possibilities that this module offers into a manual.
We are constantly looking for new ways to play with this very special Animal, and will post patch ideas and longer videos on our Youtube channel from time to time. Make sure you subscribe to our Orobas playlist and stay updated when a new video drops. To access the playlist, scan the QR code on the right.
As always, do not eat this (or any other) module. And adopt a cat.
VIDEO PLAYLIST
TESTED BY:
TEST DATE:
SERIAL: AFA-EM5-OR-
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ENVIRONMENT & DISPOSAL
Do not dispose of any part of the Orobas in household waste.
Electronics must be disposed of safely according to the electronics disposal norms in your country.
Your Orobas module was constructed using lead-free solder.
Our packaging is designed to last long and uses minimal plastic. Use it to keep other things safe.
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