LZX COLOR CHORDS User manual

COLOR CHORDS
OWNER’S MANUAL

RED, GREEN & BLUE TRIPLETS
i
COLOR CHORDSLZX INDUSTRIES
The name Color Chords is a reference to the work of video synthesis pioneer Stephen Beck, who developed the Direct Video Instrument
One (DV #1) in 1971. Beck’s work has been a tremendous source of inspiration to us over the years, especially his conceptual thinking
about the video synthesizer as an artistic instrument. Rather than a focus technical and engineering functional blocks such as mixers,
VCOs, and so on, he created an instrument with artistic principles in mind: form, texture, and color. It is with this same mindset that we
are designing our current series of video synthesis modules.
The “color chord” modules in Beck’s instrument introduced the video synthesis concept of a shape being mixed to Red, Green & Blue
color channels using a matrix mixer as a compositional tool. While our design is quite different from the modules in the Direct Video
Instrument One, the spirit of the idea lives on through Color Chords.
Lars Larsen
December, 2016

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COLOR CHORDSLZX INDUSTRIES
LZX Industries
814 SE 14th Ave.
Portland, OR 97214
USA
www.lzxindustries.net
[email protected]
Creative tools for video synthesis
and analog image processing.
COLOR CHORDS
OWNER’S MANUAL
Written by Lars Larsen
Published December, 2016.
LZX-CC-OM-V1.0

FEATURES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
iii
COLOR CHORDSLZX INDUSTRIES
SPECIFICATIONS
USER CONTROLS & CONNECTIONS
BLOCK DIAGRAM
1
1
2
3
MANUFACTURER WARRANTY 6
EXAMPLE PATCHES 5
INSTALLATION 4

Color Chords is a four channel summing matrix designed to mix shapes, patterns and keys into a color output image. RGB mixing is a
foundational building block of video synthesis, and Color Chords introduces a new feature to the traditional workflow with the addition of
opacity controls and layer priority. When the opacity of one layer is turned up, the brightness of the previous layers decreases, allowing
mix elements to sit on top of, beneath, or in between each other.
FEATURES
1
COLOR CHORDSLZX INDUSTRIES
Three monochromatic signal inputs with red, green, blue and opacity level controls.
Single RGB input channel allows endless chaining of multiple Color Chords or other RGB processing modules.
All signal paths perform at high frequency, video rate speeds.
SPECIFICATIONS
EuroRack Synthesizer Module
16HP
1.25 inches (31.75 mm)
60mA
60mA
Format
EuroRack Width
Mounting Depth
+12V Power Consumption
-12V Power Consumption
3.185 inches (80.9 mm) * 5.059 inches (128.5 mm)Frontpanel Dimensions
499 ohms
100K ohms
Series Output Resistance
Input Termination Resistance
0-1V DCVoltage Levels (Expected)
+/-12V DCVoltage Levels (Absolute Maximum)

USER CONTROLS & CONNECTIONS
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COLOR CHORDSLZX INDUSTRIES
Red channel level controls for layers 1, 2 and 3.
Set fully clockwise, the layer input is mixed into
the Red output (8) at 100% gain. Fully
counter-clockwise, and the input is at 0%.
1
Green channel level controls. Functions as (1)
for the Green output mix (9.)
2
Blue channel level controls. Functions as (1) for
the Blue output mix (10.)
3
Opacity controls for layers 1, 2 and 3. When
fully down, opacity is set to 0% for the associat-
ed layer. This layer’s input will overlap with the
previous layers and create an additive mix.
When fully up, opacity is set to 100%. The
associated layer input will be subtracted from all
previous layers allowing the selected layer to
appear on top of those layers below it. For
example, layer 2 input will be subtracted from
layers 3 and 4 with opacity control at 100%.
4
Red channel input to layer 4. 0-1V DC expected.
5
9
10
1
2
3
2
3
1
6
7
1
4 4 4
11 12 13
2
58
3
Green channel input to layer 4. 0-1V DC expect-
6
Blue channel input to layer 4. 0-1V DC expected.
7
Red channel mix output. 0-1V DC typical.
8
Green channel mix output. 0-1V DC typical.
9
Blue channel mix output. 0-1V DC typical.
10
Layer 3 source input. 0-1V DC expected. This
layer subtracts from layer 4 when opacity is up.
11
Layer 2 source input. 0-1V DC expected. This layer
subtracts from layers 3 & 4 when opacity is up.
12
Layer 3 source input. 0-1V DC expected. This layer subtracts from layers 2, 3 & 4 when opacity is up.
13

BLOCK DIAGRAM
3
COLOR CHORDSLZX INDUSTRIES
4-Channel
RGB Matrix
Mixer
Red Out
Green Out
Blue Out
Opacity
Processors
Layer 1 In
Layer 2 In
Layer 3 In
Layer 4 In

4
INSTALLATION
COLOR CHORDSLZX INDUSTRIES
Remove the module from its packaging and connect the 16-pin power cable to the keyed power entry header on the rear of the module as
shown. Connect the other end of the power cable to an empty connector on your EuroRack power distribution busboard. Ensure pin 1
(-12V, with the red stripe) is oriented as indicated on your power distribution busboard.
After connecting the power cable, mount the module frontpanel flush to your enclosure's EuroRack mounting rails and secure the module
with the mounting screws provided by your enclosure's manufacturer.
Power down your EuroRack case and disconnect it from AC power outlet while installing new modules.
CV
Gate
+5V
+12V
0V
-12V
EuroRack module. EuroRack 16-pin
power cable.
EuroRack power distribution
bus board.
Power input header.
Red stripe on cable lines up
with -12V on bus board.
EuroRack rail
mounting screws.

EXAMPLE PATCHES
COLOR CHORDSLZX INDUSTRIES
Color Chords’ primary intended usage is to create a full color RGB mix of various pattern, shapes, and keys that exist in a monochromatic
state. For example, waveform outputs from oscillators to create patterns, or key generators being fed ramp signals to generate shapes.
This patch sets up Color Chords to output to the A channel input of Visual Cortex’s output compositor. Not shown are signals to be input
to Color Chords. If Visual Cortex is your only source, try feeding Color Chords with ramp generator outputs, external video signals from the
Cortex input decoder, or a key/shape being generated from the animation and key generator section.
Output to display.
COLOR ShAPE, KEY & PATTERN MIXER
5
Further exercises and experiments to explore using this patch as a starting point:
Start experimenting with opacity controls all the way down, at 0%. The RGB controls will mix the inputs on top of each other. Then
play with the opacity controls to see how they effect the lowers below the one being adjusted.
Don’t restrict yourself to static elements, also try patching low frequency control signals from Sensory Translator or Prismatic Ray (in
LFO mode) to modulate the depth of an element in the mix.
The layer 4 inputs allow you to pass another full RGB mix into Color Chords as a background layer. This feature unlocks the ability to
chain multiple Color Chords modules together in parallel, creating a 7-layer mixer, 10-layer mixer, and so on.
Use two Color Chords, each feading the A and B input channels of Visual Cortex, but send them the same layer inputs in parallel. This
allows you to program 2 alternate using the same sources and composite between them using Cortex.
Passage makes a great pre- or post-processor for Color Chords. Try patching its three outputs into layer 4, or patch Color Chords’
three outputs into the IN or THRU inputs on Passage.
Mapper also makes a great companion to Color Chords. As a pre-processor, it allows layer 4 to operate in the hue, saturation and
brightness colorspace instead of the RGB colorspace. As a post-processor, the RGB controls on Color Chords will define hue, satura-
tion, and brightness values instead of RGB.

COLOR CHORDSLZX INDUSTRIES
6
MANUFACTURER’s WARRANTY
Fully assembled versions of this product are covered by our manufacturer warranty for one year following the date of manufacture. This
warranty covers any defect in the manufacturing of this product., such as assembly errors or faulty components. This warranty does not
cover any damage or malfunction caused by incorrect use – such as, but not limited to, power cables connected backwards, excessive
voltage levels, or exposure to extreme temperature or moisture levels. The warranty covers replacement or repair, as decided by the
manufacturer. Please contact customer service via our website at www.lzxindustries.net for instructions on returning the product. The cost
of returning a product for repair or replacement is paid for by the customer.
DIY kits and bare printed circuit boards are not covered under any warranty and come with no guarantee of assembly troubleshooting or
customer support. However, we are nice and will help you when possible. Please contact us if you have questions about or problems with
your build.