NANO ONA User manual

ONA
Quick guide

Thank you for choosing ONA
for your Eurorack System.
NANO Modules - València 2020 ©
Powering up
Turn off the power of your modular synthesizer.
Double check the power cord polarity. If you plug the module backwards you might
damage its electronic circuits.
If you flip over your ONA, you will find the “RED” mark at the PCB power connector,
which must match the colored line on the ribbon cable.
Once you have checked all the connections, you can turn on your modular system.
If you notice any anomalies, turn your system off right away and check again your
connections.
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REDRED
ONA

NANO Modules - València 2020 ©
ONA is a Voltage-Controlled Analog Oscillator.
An Oscillator is a device that generates alternating electric currents by
non-mechanical means and its frequency depends on the components of the circuit.
It can work as an Audio Oscillator or as a Low Frequency Modulator (LFO) and it
provides control over all its parameters, making it a versatile, deep and easy-to-use
oscillator.
Voltage Controlled Oscillators (commonly referred to as VCOs) are used in
synthesizers to convert a DC signal from the power supply into an AC signal, where
the signal then oscillates at a certain frequency, generating a sound. The frequency
of a VCO can be adjusted via input voltage or current modulation.
ONA is an Analog oscillator, which means that no computer source code specifies
or emulates the transient response behavior of its analog circuits.
Core performance
The heart of the oscillator is based on a 3340 chip which uses a discrete pure
analog Triangle Core.
The 3340 is a high precision Voltage Controlled Oscillator, featuring both
exponential and linear control scales. Full temperature compensation makes this
VCO extremely stable.
Description
charging
TRIANGLE VCO
voltage
Capacitor
Charges
Capacitor
Charges
Capacitor
Discharged
Max. Threshold Voltage
Min. Threshold Voltage
Fig.1 Voltage-Charge in a Triangle VCO
ONA

NANO Modules - València 2020 ©
Thanks to this triangle-core oscillator and its wave-shapers you can choose between
a big palette of output waveforms to give shape to your ideas.
• Classic Waveforms. Sine, Triangle, Sawtooth, Pulse.
• 2 Complex Waveforms. Complex 1 & Complex 2.
• 2 Sub Waveforms. Sub -1 Octave & Sub -2 Octave.
Each waveform will be explained in detail later on.
ONA

Layout
This image will clarify the function of each of the elements of the module.
NANO Modules - València 2020 ©
FM OCT SYNC PW
1 2
OCT
FINE
1 4
PW
M
O
D
E
VCO
LFO
LIN
EXP
F
M
FM
ONA
ONA
Inputs
Octave Adjust
Sweep through 8 octaves.
Fine Adjust
±7 semitones
Mode Selector
VCO Audio Oscillator
LFO Low Frequency Oscillator
Pulse Width Attenuator
Classic Waveforms
If PW Input is not connected,
it behaves as a PWM adjust
between 1% - 100%
If PW Input is connected, it
behaves as an Attenuator.
From left to right:
Sine, Triangle, Saw and Pulse.
FM Mode Selector
Selects the mode of the FM input:
LINEAR / EXPONENTIAL Response
FM Attenuator
LED Level Indicator
Adjusts the amount of FM input.
FM Modulates the Oscillator’s Frequency
OCT Primary pitch input (1V/OCT Tracking)
SYNC Resets oscillator phase when triggered
PW Modulates the Pulse Width
OUTPUTS
Sub Waveforms
-1 Octave Square Waveform
-2 Octaves Square Waveform
OUTPUTS
1 2
1 4
Complex Waveforms
Complex Wave 1 with PWM
Complex Wave 2 with PWM
OUTPUTS

Controls
• Octave Adjust
The coarse tuning of the oscillator is set
by this 8-position switch knob. Each
position sums 1 octave to the main
oscillator’s frequency. (Fig. 2)
• Fine Adjust
This knob functions as a fine adjustment
for the tuning frequency in both modes,
LFO & VCO. The range is approximately
±7 semitones from the centre position.
(Fig. 3)
• FM Mode Switch
This switch allows you to select the FM
Input behaviour. FM Input can affect
the tuning in a linear (LIN) or
exponential (EXP) way. (Fig. 4)
• Mode Switch
This switch allows you to select
between ONA’s VCO and LFO Mode.
(Fig. 5)
/VCO Mode. It covers the needs of an
Audio Oscillator, with frequencies
between 20 Hz up to more than 40 kHz.
/LFO Mode. With frequencies
between +1 minute in length up to low
audio rates, it covers the needs of a
Low Frequency Modulator.
NANO Modules - València 2020 ©
ONA
FINE
-7 +7
0
Fig.3 Detail of FINE Knob
Fig.4 Detail of FM Selector Switch
Fig.5 Detail of MODE Selector Switch
Fig.2 Detail of OCT Knob
OCT
1 oct
M
O
D
E
VCO
LFO
LIN
EXP
F
M

Controls
• FM Attenuator
The FM control works as an attenuator
for the external voltages introduced in
the module through the FM input.
• PW Attenuator
This knob sets the Base Pulse Width
and also works as an Attenuator for the
PW Input if there is a cable connected.
/Fully counter clockwise. The output
produces a narrow 1% duty cycle pulse.
/3 o’clock position. A square wave is
produced (50% duty cycle).
/Fully clockwise. The output produces
a pulse with a 100% duty cycle.
NANO Modules - València 2020 ©
ONA
Fig.6 Pulse Width Modulation graphs.
5V
-5V
50% Duty Cycle
5V
-5V
80% Duty Cycle
5V
-5V
1% Duty Cycle
5V
-5V
100% Duty Cycle
PULSE WIDTH MODULATION

NANO Modules - València 2020 ©
• Inputs
/FM
When a voltage is applied to this input it varies
the oscillator’s frequency. This can be
regulated with the FM Attenuator.
The behaviour of this input is determined by
the position of the FM Mode switch.
/OCT
Primary Frequency voltage control.
When applying a positive voltage to this
input, it raises the oscillator pitch at the rate of
one octave for each volt applied.
When applying a negative voltage, it will
reduce the pitch by one octave per volt.
/SYNC
An external waveform of ±5V can be applied
to this input to reset the oscillator‘s waveform
for interesting sound results or synchronizing
purposes.
/PW
It varies the PWM duty cycle of the Pulse
and Complex outputs.
The control voltage range should be between
[0, 5]V and the intensity can be controlled
between 0% to 100% with the PW knob.
Inputs & Outputs
Fig.7 Inputs & Outputs Close-up View
ONA
FM OCT SYNC PW
1 2 1 4
PWFM

NANO Modules - València 2020 ©
• Outputs
/Basic Waveforms
Make it sound classic.
Sine. It sounds as it looks: smooth and clean.
It is sound at its most basic.
Triangle. It looks like an angular sine wave,
and it sounds somewhere in between a
square wave and a sine wave.
Sawtooth. It is the buzziest sounding of them
all, sounding even harsher than a square
wave, and that’s because it’s the richest in
terms of harmonics.
Pulse. Ii is essentially a square wave with an
adjustable amount of time in between each
cycle before the voltage drops from maximum
to minimum. The percentage of time that the
signal is high is known as a duty cycle.
ONA
Fig.8 Detail of Basic Waveforms
TRIANGLE
time
0V
voltage
SINE
0V
time
voltage
PULSE
time
0V
voltage
SAWTOOTH
time
0V
voltage
Fig.9 Basic Waveforms Representation

NANO Modules - València 2020 ©
/Complex Waveforms
Make it sound unique.
Complex 1.
A triangle wave mixed by a PWM pulse.
Complex 2.
A saw wave mixed by a PWM pulse.
/Sub Waveforms
Make it sound fatter.
Sub -1 Octave.
A square wave that goes 1 octave below the
main tuning of the oscillator.
Sub -2 Octave.
A square wave that goes 2 octaves below the
main tuning of the oscillator.
ONA
Fig.10 Detail of Complex & Sub Waveforms Outputs
Fig.11 Complex & Sub Waveforms Representation
1 2 1 4
SUB -1 OCTAVE
time
0V
voltage
SUB -2 OCTAVE
time
0V
voltage
COMPLEX 2
time
0V
voltage
COMPLEX 1
time
0V
voltage
1 2
1 4

NANO Modules - València 2020 ©
Calibration
ONA is factory calibrated with precision sources. The following procedure is for
adjusting inaccuracies or tuning problems in your system:
Turn on your modular with ONA connected and let it heat for 5 to 10 minutes.
Put the Octave Knob in 0 position, and Fine Knob at 12 o’clock.
Send voltages corresponding to 1V steps, go some octaves up and check if it
maintains the expected frequency intervals.
If ONA does not follow the 1V/Octave rule, adjust the Scale Multiturn Trimmer 1.
Repeat steps 3 and 4 until ONA follows perfectly the 1V/Octave rule.
Moving the Scale Multiturn Trimmer will cause to change the base frequency, so
you’ll have to adjust the Base Frequency Trimmer 2in order to adjust a perfect C note
into the Fine Knob at 12 o’clock.
Disconnect the CV source and move the Octave Knob to the highest octave (7), if it
doesn’t track well, adjust the Octave Switch Trimmer 3in order to have a perfect C in
every position of the switch.
Now ONA is tuned!
ONA
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
BASE FREQ OCT SWITCH
SCALE TUNING
1
3
2

NANO Modules - València 2020 ©
Compliance
This device complies to the EU guidelines and is manufactured RoHS conforming
without use of led, mercury, cadmium and chrome. Nevertheless, this device is special
waste and disposal in household waste is not recommended.
This device meets the requirements of the following standards and directives:
• EMC: 2014/30/EU
• EN 55032. Electromagnetic compatibility of multimedia equipment.
• EN 55103-2. Electromagnetic compatibility - Product family standard for audio, video,
audio-visual and entertainment lighting control apparatus for professional use.
• EN 61000-3-2. Limits for harmonic current emissions.
• EN 61000-3-3. Limitation of voltage changes, voltage fluctuations and flicker in
public low-voltage supply systems.
• EN 62311. Assessment of electronic and electrical equipment related to human
exposure restrictions for electromagnetic fields.
• RoHS2: 2011/65/EU
• WEEE: 2012/19/EU
ONA

NANO Modules - València 2020 ©
This product is covered by 2 years of guarantee on purchased goods, which begins
when you receive your package.
• This guarantee covers
Any defect in the manufacturing of this product.
Replacement or repair, as decided by NANO Modules.
• This guarantee does not cover
Any damage or malfunction caused by incorrect use , such as, but not limited to:
-Power cables connected backwards.
-Excessive voltage levels.
- Unauthorized mods.
-Exposure to extreme temperature or moisture levels.
Please contact our customer service - jor[email protected] - for a return
authorization before sending the module. The cost of sending a module back for
servicing is paid for by the customer.
Guarantee
Dimensions 8HP 40x128,5mm
Current 50 mA +12V / 30 mA -12V / 0 mA +5V
Output Signals ±5V
Impedance Input 10k - Output 10k
Materials PCB and Panel - FR4 1,6mm
Depth 20mm - Skiff friendly
Modules are designed and assembled in València.
Technical Specifications
Bravo!
You have learned the basic
fundamentals of your ONA Module.
If you have any doubts, please feel free
to contact us.
nanomodul.es/contact
Contact
ONA