ALRIGHT DEVICES Chronoblob User manual

Alright Devices
Chronoblob
User's Manual
Version 1.1.0
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Table of Contents
Description...................................................................................................................................................... 3
Features............................................................................................................................................................ 4
Specs................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Panel................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Settings / Firmware Update..............................................................................................................8
Firmware Changelog.................................................................................................................................. 9
Support............................................................................................................................................................ 0
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Description
Chronoblob is a digital delay module!
Unlike other delays, Chronoblob can sync to an external clock. Patch one to
the SYNC input and choose a multiplier/divider for rhythmic delays. Or don't
do that and just sweep TIME for traditional, continuously variable delay
times. Do you!
Chronoblob's OTA-based analog FDBK circuit is CV-controllable and can be
pushed up to and beyond unity for near-infinite decay or harsh saturating
feedback. The guts of the feedback loop are made available to you, the
discerning modular enthusiast, via the SEND and RETURN jacks. Patch in a
lowpass filter for smooth, shadowy echoes, or cop two blobs and get yr
pingpong on! Use the equal-power crossfading dry/wet control to dial in
your mix.
Chronoblob's mode switch selects its response to delay time changes. Throw
the switch up to select resampling mode and get sweeping pitch effects
reminiscent of a tape loop or BBD. With the switch down, Chronoblob
smoothly crossfades between delay taps for quicker, more subtle changes.
Patch in a clock and sequence the TIME CV input in this mode for rhythmic
ratcheting delays!
Chronoblob also uniquely features a HOLD switch and gate input to freeze
the audio buffer. Punch that shit and modulate TIME for mad stutter and
glitch!
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eatures
•Syncable delay time with clock multiplier/divider
•CV and manual control of buffer hold
•Feedback loop send and return
•Equal-power crossfading dry/wet control
•Input overload LED (20 Vpp max)
•Voltage control of delay time and feedback level
•Resampling and crossfading delay modes
•Settings for hold switch behavior and clock prescaler
•Audio bootloader for firmware updates
•Skiff friendly
Specs
•6-bit, 48 kHz audio
•+ 2V / 90mA, - 2V / 30mA
•0HP width, 30mm depth
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Panel
A. TIME knob
Set the delay time or clock divider/multiplier
when in SYNC mode.
B. Sync/overload indicator
If the module is synced to a clock and the
RANGE switch is set to LONG (up), then this LED
blinks at the selected multiple/division of the
clock. Otherwise, it lights up when clipping is
detected at the input. The maximum input signal
is 20Vpp.
C. DBK knob
Set the level of the feedback signal sent back
to the input. The maximum is about +2.6dB.
D. TIME CV attenuverter
Set how strongly the TIME CV input affects
the delay time. The response curve is scaled to
make small modulations easy to dial in, and
there is a small deadzone around the center
position.
E. DRY/WET control
Set the balance between the original and processed signals at the
output. This is an equal-power crossfader, so when set to its center
position, the dry and wet signals will each be at -3dB.
. HOLD button and indicator
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Press the button to manually toggle HOLD mode, which freezes and loops
the delay buffer. The LED lights up when HOLD mode is engaged. If
SYNC is active, the module waits until the next multiple of the clock
before activating HOLD. The LED lights dimly while it s waiting.’
G. RANGE switch
Select the range of delay times. In SHORT mode (down), the delay time
ranges from 5ms to 500ms. In LONG mode (up), it ranges from 50ms to
2.73 seconds. This switch also selects the behavior of the sync/overload
indicator when in SYNC mode.
H. MODE switch
Select how Chronoblob responds to changes in the delay time. RESAMPLE
mode (up) creates pitch shifting effects, while CROSSFADE mode (down)
simply fades between delay taps.
1. IN jack
The input signal goes here. The nominal level is 0Vpp and the maximum
is 20Vpp.
2. SEND and RETURN jacks
Use these jacks to patch the feedback loop through filters, effects, etc.
The RETURN input is normaled to SEND.
3. OUT jack
The dry/wet mixed signal is output here.
4. TIME CV input
Modulate the delay time with CV. The input is normalized to 5V. For
example, if the TIME knob is fully counterclockwise and the TIME CV
attenuverter is fully clockwise, 5V at this input will result in the
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maximum delay time.
5. DBK CV input
Voltage control of the feedback level. This signal is summed with the
FDBK knob setting. With the knob fully counterclockwise, 5V at this
input will give about + dB of feedback.
6. SYNC input
Use this input to sync the delay time to a clock signal. Chronoblob
detects when this input is patched, so even if the clock stops, it will
remain in SYNC mode until the patch cable is removed.
7. HOLD input
Voltage control of HOLD mode. The threshold is about .2V.
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Settings / irmware Update
Chronoblob has some available user settings and advanced functions. To
access them, set the RANGE and MODE switches to one of the following
configurations, then power up the module while pressing the HOLD button.
HOLD button behavior (SHORT / CROSS ADE)
This setting selects whether the HOLD button acts as a
toggling or momentary switch. Before powering on the
module, turn the TIME knob counterclockwise for toggling or
clockwise for momentary. The HOLD and OVERLOAD LEDs will flash three
times to indicate that the setting has been saved.
SYNC prescaler (SHORT / RESAMPLE)
This setting selects the factor to divide or multiply the
SYNC signal by before it is again divided/multiplied by the
TIME setting. Before powering on the module, turn the TIME
knob to your desired prescale factor. The HOLD and OVERLOAD LEDs will
flash three times to indicate that the prescaler has been saved.
TIME calibration (LONG / CROSS ADE)
This will calibrate the module to 0V at the TIME CV input.
Before powering on the module, make sure the TIME CV input
is unpatched. The HOLD and OVERLOAD LEDs will flash three
times to indicate that the module has been calibrated. Your module has
already been calibrated so there is generally no need for you to do this.
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irmware update (LONG / RESAMPLE)
This will run the audio bootloader in order to update the
module's firmware. The HOLD LED will glow dimly to indicate
that the bootloader is waiting for firmware data. Make sure
that the FDBK knob is fully counterclockwise, and play a valid firmware
audio file into the IN jack. The HOLD and OVERLOAD LEDs will pulse while
the firmware is being updated. If the update fails, the LEDs will blink
alternately until you press the HOLD button, at which point you can try
playing the firmware audio file again. If the update procedure succeeds, the
module will automatically restart itself. Updating the firmware will not
reset the user settings or calibration data.
irmware Changelog
You can always find the latest firmware version at alrightdevices.com.
Version 1.1.0 20 8-03-27–
•Reduced artifacting when the delay time is changed in resampling mode.
•In resampling mode, the delay time now changes at a slower, more
natural rate.
•Reduced noise in ADC reads.
Version 1.0.2 20 7-09-2–
•Fixed a bug where a sync signal with a period longer than 895ms would
result in an incorrect delay time.
Version 1.0.1 20 7-08- 8–
•Changed the behavior of the HOLD function to better emulate tape
delay and to remove the click when it loops.
•The HOLD function is now time-quantized to the SYNC clock if one is
present.
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•Improved the accuracy of the sync time measurement, so that when
HOLD is engaged, the buffer will stay in phase with the sync clock for
much longer.
•The overload LED now blinks in time with the divided or multiplied
clock if the module is in SYNC mode and the RANGE switch is set to
LONG (up).
Support
For news and info, visit alrightdevices.com and follow @alrightdevices on
Twitter. For technical support or other questions, contact
[email protected].
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