Flame X-4 User manual

MANUAL
Version 1.00
FLAME
X-4 QUAD ENVELOPE VCA

MANUAL FLAME X-4 Version 1.00
Contents
1. Short description ................................................................ 3
2. Hardware / Connections ..................................................... 3
2.1 Connection to the modular system (Doepfer bus) 3
2.2 Module overview 4
2.3 Module backside (offset calibration of the VCAs) 5
3. Handling ............................................................................. 6
3.1 MODE (operating modes) 6
3.2 Mode: AD (Attack-Decay envelope, Retrigger) 7
3.3 Mode: AR (Attack-Release envelope, Gate) 9
3.4 LOOP Function 10
3.5 Mode: VCA 11
4. Appendix and technical informations .............................. 12
4.1 Technical details
4.2 Warrenty
4.3 Terms of production
4.4 Disposal
4.5 Support
4.6 Acknowledgment
2

1. Short description
2. Hardware / Connections
The FLAME "X-4" is a compact, multifunctional quad envelope/VCA module, which combines
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
ARATE 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).
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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 destruc-
tion of the module but further damages can-
not be excepted.
So please pay attention: Check the con-
nection various times before switching on!
-12V
Ground Ground Ground
+12V

4
2.2 Modul overview
u
w
x
y
z
{
v
|
}
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)
u
w
v
x
y
z
{
|
}

2.3 Module backside
5
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.)
4 Offset trimmers

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3. Handling
The module includes four independent analogue VCAs and four simple digital AD/AR envelo-
pes. 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.
3.1 MODE (operating modes)
Audio/Signal Input
Trigger/Gate Input
CV Input
Audio/Signal Output
Channel block diagram with envelope control
(MODE: AD or AR)
CV
Slider
RATE
LOOP
ENVELOPE
GENERATOR

7
Set the MODE switch to the “AD” position. Now an envelope with attack and decay is genera-
ted. 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.
Toggle the LOOP switch down (LOOP=off).
Push the slider all the way down. In the RATE setting "FAST" you get the shortest (fastest) enve-
lope with an attack of 1.5ms and decay of 5.5ms (so a total of 7ms). With RATE = ”MEDIUM”
the envelope lasts approx. 42ms and with “SLOW” approx. 250ms. Changing the RATE will
change the attack and decay times proportionally.
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).
3.2 MODE AD (Attack-Decay envelope per trigger)
0MAX
Effect of the slider on the attack and decay times
(0=slider down MAX=slider up)
Morph

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 DECAYgesamt
FAST 1,5ms 5,5ms 7ms
MEDIUM 9ms 33 ms 42ms
SLOW 54ms 198ms 252ms
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Attack Decay
Level
Time
RETRIGGER
If the trigger pulse train is faster than the envelope, the envelope is restarted (automatic retrig-
ger):
Trigger
Level
Level
Time
Time
Trigger

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 func-
tion!
COMMENT:With LOOP on, the AR envelope behaves the same as a looped AD envelope (both
modes are identical with LOOP=on).
3.3 MODE AR (Attack-Release envelope per gate)
9
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
Attack Release
Level
Time
Hold
Gate
Off
On
AR ENVELOPE WITH DIFFERENT GATE LENGTHS
Gate
On
Off
Level
Time

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 func-
tion 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!
Gate
Loop
Level
Gate=off
Gate=on
Time
Loop
3.4 LOOP Function
10

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 swit-
ches as well as the trigger/gate inputs have no function.
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.
3.5 MODE VCA (Envelopes inactiv)
11
Audio/Signal Input
CV Input
Audio/Signal Output
CV
Slider
Channel block diagram without envelope control
(MODE: VCA)

4. 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 51x128,5x42 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:
[e-mail]
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.
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