FLAME X-4 Quad Envelope VCA User Manual
- June 9, 2024
- FLAME
Table of Contents
Quad Envelope VCA
User Manual
Short description
four AD/AR envelopes and four separate VCAs in a very small space (10HP). The
module is a supplement for quad VCO’s (e.g. FLAME “4VOX”) and expands it by
four VCAs and envelopes in the smallest space. Each channel can be used
separately as an AD/AR envelope generator with VCA, or just as a VCA.
There are 3 operating modes:
AD: four separate attack/decay envelopes on four VCA channels (oneshot per
trigger)
AR: four separate attack/release envelopes on four VCA channels (per gate)
VCA: four CV controllable separate VCAs
A RATE switch is available for three ranges (1.5ms to 14 seconds). The
envelope shape is set morphing with the sliders (can also be controlled via
CV). The envelope can also be looped (gated AD/AR envelope loop).
Hardware / Connections
2.1 Connection to the modular system (Doepfer bus)
The module is delivered with a connected ribbon cable for the Doepfer bus. The
red lead marks -12 volt. Connecting the module please note the right polarity!
If the module is poled accidentally wrong safety diodes avoid the immediate
destruction of the module but further damages cannot be excepted.
So please pay attention: Check the connection various times before switching
on!
2.2 Modul overview
- Switch RATE (Envelope speed)
- Switch MODE (operating modes)
- Switch LOOP on/off
- Slider
- Trigger/Gate LEDs
- Trigger/Gate Inputs (0/5V)
- CV Inputs (0..+5V)
- Audio/Signal Inputs (+/-5V)
- Audio/Signal Outputs (+/-5V)
2.3 Module backside
On the back of the module, next to the connection for the Doepfer ribbon cable
(power supply) and the processor programming connection (please do not use),
there are four holes with the VCA offset controls. With these trimmers, the
offset voltage of the VCA outputs is calibrated to zero volts (at a zero volt
input level). The module is delivered calibrated, but can be readjusted
manually if necessary.
All you need is a voltmeter, which is connected to the signal output of the
channel. Set the mode to VCA and the slider to zero (position all the way
down). Then use the channel trimmer to adjust the output voltage to around
zero volts. (Values around plus/minus 5mV should be sufficient.)
Handling
3.1 MODE (operating modes)
The module includes four independent analogue VCAs and four simple digital
AD/AR envelopes. There are three different operating modes, which can be
selected with the MODE switch: two different envelope modes (AD and AR), as
well as a mode VCA, with which you can use the VCAs separately without the
internal envelopes.
MODE overview:
AD VCAs with attack/decay envelope control (via trigger)
AR VCAs with attack/release envelope control (via GATE)
VCA separately controllable VCAs (internal envelopes are inactive)
Comment:
The selected mode always applies to all four channels together. For example,
you cannot use channel 1 with AR envelope and channel 2 with AD envelope at
the same time.
The envelope shape of the channels is set with the sliders in the AD+AR modes.
In VCA mode, the sliders work as VCA controls.
The function of the slider can also be done via CV. If a cable is plugged into
the CV input, the sliders serve as an attenuator for the voltage at the CV
input.
The trigger/gate inputs are normalized. Is there e.g. only one cable in the
input of channel 1, then all four channels are triggered simultaneously by the
trigger/gate input 1.
Channel block diagram with envelope control (MODE: AD or AR)
3.2 MODE AD (Attack-Decay envelope per trigger)
Set the MODE switch to the “AD” position. Now an envelope with attack and
decay is generated. The envelope starts with a trigger pulse at the
trigger/gate input. The length of the impulse (gate) has no influence on the
envelope length (except when LOOP is switched on). The shape of the envelope,
i.e. the length of the attack and release times, are determined by the
position of the track slider and the RATE switch.
Set the MODE switch to the “AD” position. Now an envelope with attack and
decay is generated. The envelope starts with a trigger pulse at the
trigger/gate input. The length of the impulse (gate) has no influence on the
envelope length (except when LOOP is switched on). The shape of the envelope,
i.e. the length of the attack and release times, are determined by the
position of the track slider and the RATE switch.
If you move the slider further up, the times of the attack and decay phases
change unevenly and with it the shape of the envelope. At about two-thirds of
the way down on the slider, attack and decay are the same length. Higher up,
the attack continues to increase and the decay time drops to almost zero in
the top slider position (see graphic below).
Effect of the slider on the attack and decay times (0=slider down MAX=slider up)
AD ENVELOPE
The envelope consists of two phases:
Attack Rise to maximum voltage after start by trigger
Decay Voltage falling to zero
FASTEST TIMES OF ENVELOPE PHASES
Slider position zero
| RATE | ATTACK | DECAY | gesamt |
|---|
FAST
MEDIUM
SLOW| 1,5ms
9ms
54ms| 5,5ms
33 ms
198ms| 7ms
42ms
252ms
RETRIGGER
If the trigger pulse train is faster than the envelope, the envelope is
restarted (automatic retrigger):
3.3 MODE AR (Attack-Release envelope per gate)
Set the MODE switch to the “AR” position. Now an envelope with attack and
release curve is generated. The envelope starts with a positive gate at the
trigger/gate input. The length of the impulse (gate time) determines how long
the envelope remains high after the attack phase. The release phase only
begins at the end of the gate.
The graphic below illustrates the behavior of the envelope. To do this, switch
off the LOOP function!
COMMENT: With LOOP on, the AR envelope behaves the same as a looped AD
envelope (both modes are identical with LOOP=on).
AR ENVELOPE
The envelope consists of three phases:
Attack Rise to maximum voltage after start by gate
Hold Holding the voltage after the attack phase as long as the gate is on
Release Voltage drop to zero at Gate=0
AR ENVELOPE WITH DIFFERENT GATE LENGTHS
3.4 LOOP Function
LOOP
Normally the AD envelope is started by a trigger and then runs once until a
new trigger pulse arrives. The gate time (i.e. the length of the pulse) is not
evaluated. However, if the LOOP function is on (LOOP
switch up), the envelope will restart as long as the gate is on. If the gate
is generated by an external key, the envelope loops as long as the key is
pressed. When the key is released again, the envelope is set to zero.
The function behaves the same in both AD and AR modes.
The following graphic illustrates the behavior of the envelope when LOOP is
switched on:
Comment:
If only short triggers are sent with the LOOP switched on, the envelope curve
will not take effect because it is triggered too briefly!
3.5 MODE VCA (Envelopes inactiv)
Set the MODE switch to the “VCA” position. Now the internal envelopes are
switched off and the four VCAs can be used directly and controlled externally
via CV.
You can now use the module as a simple quad VCA module.
The sliders work as VCA controls or as attenuators for the CV input. The RATE
and LOOP switches as well as the trigger/gate inputs have no function.
Channel block diagram without envelope control (MODE: VCA)
The signal inputs and outputs of the VCA work in the range of +/-5v without
distortion. They are DC-coupled and can therefore be used to control CV
signals in addition to audio signals. The CV inputs work in the range from
zero to +5V.
Appendix
4.1. Technical details
Connections:
Ribbon cable adapter for Doepfer bus +/-12Volt.
Inputs: 4x Audio/Signal (+/-5v), 1/8th inch mono jacks.
4x Trigger/Gate (0/+5v..10v), 1/8th inch mono jacks.
4x CV (0..+5v), 1/8th inch mono jacks.
Outputs: 4x Audio/Signal (+/-5v), 1/8th inch mono jacks.
Control elements:
3 switches
4 Slider
4 LED’s
Current consumption: max + 60mA / – 30mA
Size: Euro rack format 3U / 10HP 51×128,5×42 mm
4.2 Warrenty
Beginning from the date of purchase a 2-year warranty is guaranteed for this
device in case of any manufacturing errors or other functional deficiencies
during runtime.The warranty does not apply in case of:
– damage caused by misuse
– mechanical damage arising from careless treatment (dropping, vigorous
shaking, mishandling, etc)
– damage caused by liquids penetrating the device
– heat damage caused by overexposure to sunlight or heating
– electric damage caused by improper connecting (wrong power supply/ jacks/
MIDI connections/ voltage problems).
If you have any complaints please contact your dealer or send an e-mail to:
service@flame-instruments.de
4.3 Terms of production
conformity: CE, RoHS, UL
4.4 Disposal
The device is produced with RoHS-conformity (subject to the regulations of the
European Union) and is free of hazardous substances (like mercury, plumb,
cadmium and hexavalent chrome). But electronical scrap is hazardous waste.
Please don’t add this to consumer waste. For an environment friendly disposal
of waste please contact your distributor or specialist dealer.
4.3 Support
Updated and additional informations, updates, downloads and more see: www
.flame-instruments.de
4.4 Acknowledgment
For help and assistance big thanks to: Alex4 and Schneiders Büro Berlin, Shawn
Cleary (Analogue haven, Los Angeles), Thomas Wagner, Robert Junge und Anne-
Kathrin Metzler.