Xaoc Devices TALLIN User manual
TALLIN
dual discrete
core voltage
controlled
amplifier
Model of 1956
operator’s manual rev. 1956/1.2
SALUT
Thank you for purchasing this Xaoc Devic-
es product. Tallin is a dual voltage
offering some unusual control features and a
range of attractive tonal characteristics. Each
of the two identical channels offers two simul-
taneously available inputs for voltage control
over signal attenuation or gain, with linear
and exponential response to CV. Volume con-
trol knobs offer manual gain settings rang-
color LED indicator displays output signal
levels. A soft-clip circuit avoids harsh clip-
ping distortion, while a switchable overdrive
circuit offers two carefully crafted distortion
responses, simulating the sound of classic tube
Since both CV inputs are simultaneously
active, they can be jointly exploited within
patches featuring more complex volume con-
trol that otherwise would require using two
traditional VCAs in series. As the signal path
is DC-coupled, Tallin can also be used for han-
dling the control voltages.
INSTALLATION
The module requires 6hp worth of free
space in the eurorack cabinet. The ribbon
type power cable must be plugged into the
bus board, paying close attention to polar-
ity orientation. The red stripe indicates the
negative 12V rail and is supposed to match
the dot, –12V, or red stripe marks on
both the unit and the bus board. The mod-
ule itself is secured against reversed power
connection, however, reversing the 16-pin
header may cause serious damage to oth-
er components of your system, because it will
short-circuit the +12V and +5V power rails.
The module should be fastened by mounting
the supplied screws before powering up. To
better understand the device, we strongly
advise reading through the entire manual
before using the module.
MODULE OVERVIEW
Tallin consists of two completely independent
but functionally identical channels, a and b
-
transistor pair and multiple feedback topolo-
present in other VCAs that use mathemati-
cally precise and sonically pure integrated
gain cell VCA chips. With Tallin, we opted for a
discrete core, to provide a thick and charming
The signal inputs 1 accept Eurorack signal
levels (typically 10Vpp, but capable of handling
-
reserve of up to +18dB. The knobs 2 control
the attenuation or gain by scaling the corre-
sponding control voltages. Thus, in a min posi-
tion, they fully silence the channel, regardless of
whatever control voltage is applied to the VCA.
Turning a knob up will gradually open the VCA,
o’clock position (depending on the control volt-
There are two CV inputs in each channel, re-
spectively featuring an exponential 3 and
linear 4 control response. Both controls
are available simultaneously, and they jointly
2
module
explained
3
controls
overview
1
6
2
7
5
3
4
determine the gain of the VCA. A CV of 0V at
either jack will close the VCA entirely, however
both jacks are internally normalized to a con-
stant voltage, so it is possible to use both, just
one, or—for manual control only—neither. It
is convenient to think of each channel of Tallin
as consisting of two VCAs in series (exponen-
-
nal implementation is a single circuit. Both
CV inputs are optimized for voltages up to 8V,
however they can handle envelopes as hot as
10V, or as low as 5V (although the VCA may
normalization of both CV inputs is set to 8V.
Tallin’s response to combined CV and manual
settings is discussed in next section.
Each channel of Tallin features a 3-position
drive switch 5 that selects between the
non-distorted linear operation (switch in mid-
mostly 3rd harmonic distortion (switch in up
-
ing mostly 2nd harmonic distortion (switch in
more details.
output jacks 6. Signals that would exceed
18Vpp are subject to internal soft clipping to
avoid harsh distortions due to the limited dy-
The multi-color LEDs 7 indicate output sig-
nal levels in four stages, from silence to the
-
and engaging the soft clipping circuit (by
OPERATING THE VOLUME CONTROL
The volume knobs are scaled so that the central
position yields 0dB, or 100% of original ampli-
tude, provided there is either nothing patched
to the CV inputs, or there is a control voltage
position will engage a boost allowing the am-
-
els. Keep in mind that if the input is a modular
level signal you should expect soft clipping to
engage quickly and provide a heavy distortion
by the end of the knob’s travel.
The expo input offers an exponential control
of the output amplitude, which means the am-
plitude will decrease rapidly as the voltage ap-
to sound intensity is nearly exponential, this
exponential input yields a natural sounding
loudness decrease when using CV sources that
-
cant variety of envelope amplitudes in eurorack,
the sensitivity of this input can be adjusted to
adapt to the provided control source by using
the knob. It is optimally suited to 8V envelopes
be turned down to the 10 o’clock position when
using a 10V envelope. Using 10V envelopes
without turning down the knob will result in a
severely compressed response, that delivers a
thick, and somewhat unnatural, sound which
can be creatively abused if that’s your prefer-
ence. For 5V envelopes, the output will be very
quiet. This can be compensated with the boost
range of the knob, however you may be unable
to reach overdrive levels in this case.
The linear input offers linear control, which
means the output amplitude will scale propor-
-
4
ASYM
5
control
characteristics
nential envelope, it’s a good idea to use this
input, because it will result in signal amplitude
that follows the envelope, decaying towards
zero with a natural exponential tail. Envelopes
with amplitude different from 8V can be easily
used here, requiring only a small adjustment of
the knob to compensate.
OVERDRIVE OPERATION
The overdrive circuit in Tallin offers two distinc-
tive distortion characteristics switchable via the
drive toggles. The symmetric position acti-
vates a bi-polar parabolic distortion curve that
-
ed by 3rd order harmonic overtone. The result-
ing slightly brightened sound is modeled after
asymmetric position of the switch activates
a distortion curve that is more concave in one
direction while it is convex in the opposite di-
by 2nd order harmonic overtone. The resulting
mellow and warm sound is modeled after a
ACCESSORY
Our Coal Mine black panels are available for
all of Xaoc Devices modules. Sold separately.
Ask your favourite retailer. •
8
4
0
-4
-8
Output signal [V]
Time [ms]
0 2 4 6 8 10
20
10
0
-10
-20
-30
-40
-50
-60
-70
-80MIN MAXBOOST 7 8 91 2 3 4 5
Gain [dB]
Volume knob position
gain vs volume knob gain vs volume knob
position with position with
exponential cv exponential cv
and linear cv at 8vand linear cv at 8v
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
10
0
-10
-20
-30
-40
-50
-60
-70
-80
-90
gain vs exponential gain vs exponential
control voltage control voltage
with linear control with linear control
voltage at 8v voltage at 8v
Gain [dB]
Exponential control voltage [V]
gain vs linear control gain vs linear control
voltage with centered voltage with centered
volume knob volume knob
position position
Gain [%]
Linear control voltage [V]
8V
6.5V
7V
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
00 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
SYM
two types two types
of overdrive of overdrive
applied applied
to a sineto a sine
MAIN
FEATURES
Discrete core
analog VCA
circuitry
Simultaneous
linear and expo-
nential voltage
control
DC-coupled for
control voltage
processing
Multi-color signal
level indication
Two distinct
amp overdrive
characteristics
TECHNICAL
DETAILS
Eurorack synth
compatible
6hp, skiff friendly
Current draw:
+50mA / –50mA
Reverse power
protection
EASTERN BLOC TECHNOLOGIES MADE IN THE EUROPEAN UNION
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. CONTENT COPYRIGHT ©2022 XAOC DEVICES. COPYING, DISTRIBUTION OR ANY
COMMERCIALUSEINANYWAYISSTRICTLYPROHIBITEDANDREQUIRESTHEWRITTENPERMISSIONBYXAOC
DEVICES. SPECIFICATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE. EDITING BY BRYAN NOLL.
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AND TO CONFORM WITH THE SPECIFICATIONS AT THE TIME OF SHIPMENT FOR ONE YEAR FROM THE
DATE OF PURCHASE. DURING THAT PERIOD, ANY MALFUNCTIONING OR DAMAGED UNITS WILL BE
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COVER ANY PROBLEMS RESULTING FROM DAMAGES DURING SHIPPING, INCORRECT INSTALLATION OR
POWER SUPPLY, IMPROPER WORKING ENVIRONMENT, ABUSIVE TREATMENT, OR ANY OTHER OBVIOUS
USER-INFLICTED FAULT.
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