ANIMAL FACTORY EF86 Vacuum Tube Dual VCA Saturator User Manual

: July 5, 2024
: ANIMAL FACTORY

Table of Contents

ANIMAL FACTORY EF86 Vacuum Tube Dual VCA Saturator User Manual
EF86 Animal Orobas II Eurorack Module
CHANNEL ROUTING
TIPS & TRICKS
SAFETY
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Read More About This Manual & Download PDF:
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

ANIMAL FACTORY EF86 Vacuum Tube Dual VCA Saturator User Manual

‘

EF86 Animal Orobas II Eurorack Module

Congratulations!
You are now the proud human to this EF86 edition Orobas II 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 carefully to get the most out of it.

IN 1 and IN 2 on each channel receive the audio signal. Please keep in mind that the Orobas is AC coupled and cannot process CV signals.
GAIN 1 and GAIN 2 on each channel control the amount of audio signal that is sent to the VCA from IN 1 and IN 2 respectively.
VOLUME controls the final output signal of the corresponding VCA.
OUTPUTS can get VERY loud with maximum voltage swings well beyond 25 V p-p for a 10V signal. Keep in mind that each channels output is phase-inverted relative to its inputs
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.
The SCREEN CV OFFSET sets the base level for the gain when the SCREEN CTRL switch (9) for that channel is set to CV mode . Even at the maximum setting, this will be quieter than the FIX setting.
SCREEN CV controls the pent ode screen grid and thus the gain and distortion of each VCA. 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. 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.
SCREEN CTRL will switch the behavior of the module between acting as a VCA on the CV setting and as a mixer/saturator on FIXED.
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.
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 extremely interactive, and all other controls will affect it.
SUPPRESS SWITCH turns the suppress circuit (8) on or off.

In order for the module to work at all, the provided 12V adapter MUST be connected to HEAT!!!

CHANNEL ROUTING

SIGNAL FLOW

TIPS & TRICKS

Insert a jumper on the QUAD header at the back of the module (with the module turned off) to use it as a dual output, 4 channel mono mixer/VCA.
Plug in the stereo output from a mixer send to the Orobas to get some parallel distortion processing going. (Note that the outputs are phase inverted!)
1. You may note that the SCREEN CV and SUPPRESS CV potentiates sometimes light up with no CV connected – interestingly, the output of each channel is connected internally to the jack of these CV inputs for additional mayhem. This is only really audible on very high gain, some amount of feedback and utter devotion.

SAFETY

As the tubes are operated at approximately 65 V and low current, the module is generally designed to be electrically safe. Nevertheless, we clearly recommend that rack power be turned off, the module be disconnected and no LEDs be visibly illuminated before handling the module.
Do not eat the Orobas.
Do not shower with the module.
Your cat may take offence to the sounds made by Orobas. This is normal. If you do not have a cat, please adopt a cat.
While it is safe to leave the heater adapter plugged in, it will be beneficial for tube life if you don’t.

ENVIRONMENT
Do not dispose of any part of this module in household waste.
Electronics must be disposed of safely according to the electronics disposal norms in your country.
This module was constructed using lead-free solder and observes compliance with the RoHS directive.
All parts of our packaging are designed to use minimal or no plastic.
Please re-use the box and the velvet bag to keep other things safe.