flight of harmony V'Amp User manual

V’Amp
flight of harmony
Eurorack Module
~rev1.0~

Mod
2
Mod
2
Mod
1
Mod
1
OutputOutput
OffsetOffset
InputInput
V’Amp
OutputOutput
Audio inAudio in
Mod2Mod2
Env inEnv in Mod1Mod1
f(h)
Components
1 Assembled V’Amp module
1 DC power cable – 9” Ribbon cable (Doepfer standard)
2 M3x0.5x5mm Stainless-Steel machine screws
2 M3 Nylon washers
Specications
Module width 8 h.p.
Supply Voltage ±12VDC1
Supply Current (max draw @ ±12V) IV+= 33mA IV-= -11mA
Max. Input Voltage (@ ±12V) 10Vp-p
Max. Output Voltage 12Vp-p
Input & Output (I/O) coupling A.C.
Output Impedance 1kΩ
Control Voltage (CV) inputs ±Vsupply
CV input coupling Direct
CV input impedance 47kΩ
1 Has been tested and performs well with supply voltages from ±9VDC to ±15VDC.
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What is it?
 The V’Amp is a combined voltage-controlled amplier (VCA) and ring
modulator (A.K.A. ring “mod”), with a little bit extra. The effect of a VCA is known
as amplitude modulation (AM), while a ring mod is a frequency mixer, an effect
known as heterodyning.
Heterodyning takes two frequencies –– traditionally known as the “carrier”
and the “modulator” –– and mixes them, producing the frequencies that are sum
and difference of these two at the output, i.e., if the carrier is 220Hz and the input
is 400Hz, the sum frequency will be 620Hz and the difference frequency will
be 180Hz. Ring modulation is used to generate non-harmonic (not an integer
multiple of the base frequency –– 2x, 3s, etc.) frequencies, which are necessary
for, say, metallic sounds like cymbals. A perfect heterodyning will have neither the
carrier nor the modulator present in the output. While achievable on paper, this
isextremelydifculttoaccomplishinreality,sosomebleedthroughofoneorthe
other (or both) is often present to some small degree.
 Whiletypicalringmoddevicesaredesignedspecicallyforfrequency
mixing, the V’Amp allows you to not only change the degree of the mixing and
the level of the bleedthrough, but can also be used as a VCA at the same time.
The mixing can be varied from VCA (carrier only), into ring mod, then out of ring
mod into inverting VCA (inverted carrier).
Mod1 is the modulator. Envelope and Mod2 should be thought of as VCA
(AM) inputs, but separate. Envelope is a straight VCA control voltage (CV) input,
while Mod2 is an attenuated/variable CV input.
The morphing of the Mod1 function is not fully controllable by CV and
must be varied using the knob to access the full range of variation. However,
experimentation has shown that a control voltage applied to the second Mod1
input can be used to voltage-control a small range of the function morphing.
The two 7-pin headers on the back of the module are there for testing
and in case it turns out that there are other features that can be brought out in an
expansion module later in time.
As with all f(h) products, the V’Amp was engineered towards maximizing
functionality while keeping cost as low as possible. If some aspects of the unit
seem awkward, it is most likely due to this. The goal is to make unique, useful,
enjoyable, and affordable instruments, not just hoover1out your bank account, so
each module requires a little patience and experimentation before their secrets
become apparent.
And remember: every instrument has its quirks and unexpected aspects,
so RTFM2allthewaythrough!Specicquirksarementionedinthedescriptionof
the particular feature they apply to, so please read this through before emailing!
1) Hoover is a company that manufactures vacuum cleaners.
2) RTFM = Read The F*cking Manual!
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4/7
Controls
Mod
2
Mod
2
Mod
1
Mod
1
OutputOutput
OffsetOffset
InputInput
Mod1: This is the magic knob, controlling the
frequency mixing as described in the introduction.
Mod1 varies the amount that the Mod1 signal
modulates the input signal, as well as controlling the
polarity of the output: positive from 7:00 to 12:00,
negative from 12:00 to 5:00.
Mod2: This is the Mod2 input attenuator
control.
Offset: Think of this as an internal gain
control. The Offset can be used to raise or lower
the general level of the output signal, but it also can
beusedtone-tunetheinteractionofthevariousCV
inputs. Try it, you’ll understand.
Input: This is the input level control. Just like
a volume knob – clockwise increases level, counter-
clockwise attenuates the signal level.
Output: Output level control. Acts the same
as the Input control.
Jacks
The jacks are wired in pairs as “multiples”,
meaning that they are soldered together, but the
“teeth” are there for a reason: one jack is grounded,
the other is not. You must use the grounded jack rst,
or you will just ground your signal otherwise. The
grounded jacks are on the outside of the mouth, at
the widest point of each tooth.
Inputs
Env in: Unattenuated VCA CV input.
Mod1: Modulator signal and/or CV input.
Mod2: Attenuated VCA CV input.
Input: Signal (or carrier) input.
Output
Output: The output jack.
OutputOutput
Audio inAudio in
Mod2Mod2
Env inEnv in Mod1Mod1
f(h)
g.2
g.1

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Other connections
Power: The power connector header is a 2x5
shrouded box header which accepts the standard
Doepfer power cable. This header style is polarized,
meaning the connector can only be inserted one way,
to prevent connecting the power backwards and
damaging the unit.
This assumes that you are using either the supplied
cable or one manufactured by Doepfer.
Looking at the rear of the module, the negative
supply (red stripe) is on the left, positive supply is on
theright(seeg.2).
Additional Headers: These access the signals
that go to and from the front panel components. I
recommend that you leave them alone, but not all will
follow such a wish, so feel free to make use of them
for your own DIY3needs. However, if you do so, you
do this AT YOUR OWN RISK. We will not be held
liable for damage caused by misuse of this module.
For the adventurous, the table on the next page shows the header
legends for increased clarity, also the expanded text of the labels. There are no
denitions.Ifyoudonotunderstandwhatthelabelsmean,donottrytousethese
connections.
3) DIY = Do It Yourself
g.3

6/7
HDR2, top to bottom:
Mod1P2 Mod1 potentiometer wiper
Mod1In Mod1 Jack signal
Mod1P3 Mod1 potentiometer terminal 3 (fully CW)
Mod1P1 Mod1 potentiometer terminal 1 (fully CCW)
GND Common ground
AudioIn Audio input jack signal
EnvIn Envelope input jack signal
HDR1, top to bottom:
Mod2P2 Mod2 potentiometer wiper
OffsetP2 Offset potentiometer wiper
GND Common ground
OutLevP3 Output potentiometer terminal 3 (fully CW)
OutLevP2 Output potentiometer wiper
Audio Out To output jack
OffsetP3 Offset potentiometer terminal 3 (fully CW)

7/7
Stuff
There is a lot of discussion about the V’Amp on the Muffwiggler
forums, come check it out! People have posted some excellent demos on there.
I haunt the forums as well, and new things are posted there long before they
hit the f(h) website.
http://www.muffwiggler.com/forum/index.php
A big thank you to those who have sent in suggestions and comments,
keep them coming!
 Sendsamplesto:samples@ightofharmony.com
 Comments,suggestions,complaintsto:ight@ightofharmony.com
Drawingsanddesigns©2010ightofharmony/RedHandStudios
http://www.ightofharmony.com
RevisedAug,2010.(rstprinting)
no love for you
f(h)