Xaoc Devices Minsk 1949 User manual
MIŃSK
stereo image
processor
Model of 1949
operator’s manual rev. 1949/1.0
Salut
Thank you for purchasing this Xaoc Devices
is a hybrid tool that combines digital and ana-
log processing to facilitate advanced mid/side
allows for separate treatment of the mid and
side components, which affects the depth and
width of the auditory scene.
of the stereo width, as well as two dimension
effects for enhancing the existing stereo im-
age or creating a faux stereo image based on
the stereo or mono input source. Because it
can eliminate out-of-phase low-end frequen-
preparation of a vinyl release or before a club
concert.
INStallatION
The module requires 6hp worth of free space
in the Eurorack cabinet. Before powering on,
the ribbon-type power cable included with the
module must be plugged into the bus board,
paying close attention to polarity orientation.
The red stripe indicates the negative –12v
rail and should point in the same direction on
-
ternally secured against reversed power con-
may cause serious damage to other com-
ponents of your system because it will short
pay particularly close attention to the proper
orientation of your ribbon cable on both sides!
The module should be fastened by mounting
the supplied screws before powering up. To
better understand the device, we strongly ad-
vise the user to read through the entire man-
ual before use.
MODule OVerVIeW
The stereo pair of signal inputs 1is AC-cou-
pled and accepts all Eurorack signal levels
The left/right signal pair is translated to
a mid/side pair, and subject to an optional
stereo enhancement process engaged by the
3-position dimension slider switch 2. The
width of the stereo image is controlled by the
image knob 3and external CV patched into
the image jack 4
signal and enabled by the side hpf switch
5. The processed and enhanced pair of mid
and side signals is available at the send pair
of jacks 6. You can apply various external
processing to either of these and patch the
resulting signals to the return jacks 7.
There is an internal normalization from
send to return. If the mid return and/
or side return jacks are left unpatched,
the signal from the send outputs is sent
straight to the return inputs. The mid and
side pair is converted back to normal stereo
and is available at the bottom pair of left
and right jacks 8. The position knob 9
adjusts the left and right output balance.
A set of six LEDs arranged in a setup similar
to the traditional goniometer 10 indicates
the strength of the signal along virtual spa-
tial axes.
MID/SIDe PrOCeSSING
The principle of M/S processing is simple. The
M signal is obtained by a scaled sum of both
left and right signals, while the S signal is a
scaled difference of them. Precision is need-
2
module
explained
ed for the exact cancellation of components
that are identical, but out of phase. What is
sometimes surprising is that applying the
same sum and difference to M and S reverts
the whole process—which is precisely how we
Bear in mind that M/S representation will
not magically separate sounds that are center
panned from those which are off-axis. The S
signal contains only those components of the
audio signal that are in opposite phase in the
left and right channels and that are canceled
out when the audio is reduced to mono. It
mostly represents the part of the stereo signal
which differentiates it from mono audio. If a
sound is hard-panned, i.e. it is present only in
Nevertheless, having the mid and side infor-
mation separated allows for dynamic pro-
cessing, equalization, and other effects to be
independently applied across the depth and
width of the auditory image. Besides special
effects, an important advantage is that sepa-
rate or even completely different treatment of
both mid and side signals retains the overall
balance and symmetry of the scene.
Patch a stereo signal into the left and right
inputs. Take the M and S signals from the send
pair of jacks, process both M and S signals and
feed the resulting pair into the return jacks.
The processed stereo pair will be available at
the bottom left and right jacks.
You can also experiment with replacing one
-
tirely different.
3
4
2
1
7
3
front panel
overview
9
5
6
8
10
4
DIMeNSION effeCt
of dimension to the audio signal. It may be
used either for enhancing the existing ste-
reo pair or for creating a faux stereo image
from a mono source patched into the left/
mono input. Please note, the effect is most
noticeable with complex and dynamic audio
content.
The dimension avariant is based on the Haas
effect. A short and very slowly varying delay is
introduced between the left and right channels.
This varying delay confuses the human audito-
ry system that relies on an inter-aural time dif-
practice, it translates to a subtle animation of
the stereo image that is in constant motion and
thus perceived as “ethereal”.
The dimension b variant is based on early
spaces. In recording techniques that capture
an acoustic scene by using multiple micro-
phones, the perception of spaciousness relies
network from popular algorithmic reverbs.
Its output is mixed with the side signal and
the degree of spaciousness is adjusted with
the image control.
lOW Cut fIlter (SIDe HPf)
Eliminating off-axis low end is a common re-
quirement for vinyl cutting and other media.
three settings: 300, 50 and off. At 300Hz,
setting uses a steeper 24dB/oct slope. Please
component, therefore its impact on the tonal
is rather unorthodox).
StereO IMaGe WIDtH CONtrOl
The center image knob and the respective CV
input control the width of the stereo image
by applying a variable gain to both the M
and S components.
With no CV at the input, the middle position
mid+side) does not af-
fect the signal. When turned CCW it reduces
the amplitude of the S component thus nar-
rowing the perceived image down to mono.
When turned CW from the middle, it increases
the gain of the S component while simultane-
ously reducing the gain of the M component to
-
cially widens the stereo image while creating
a hole in the middle of the scene. At the maxi-
2∙side) position there is only S and no
M, which translates to the L and R signals be-
ing entirely out of phase. This setting should
be used very carefully because such a signal is
not compatible with mono reproduction and
will sound bad on many PA systems.
With a CV source patched to the image in-
put, the image knob acts as an offset, i.e.
the incoming CV adds to the position of the
knob. The range of 0-10V corresponds to
turning the image knob from mid through
mid+side to 2∙side. With the knob in the
mid+side
needed for full range modulation. With the
knob set at mid, bipolar modulation moves
the side component through zero—negative
5
SYMMetrY CONtrOl
The position knob allows for manual ad-
stereo output seem skewed. For the sake of
precision, the range of operation is limited to
+2/–12dB.
GONIOMeter
A stereo image indicator with six LEDs ar-
ranged along vertical, horizontal, and diago-
nal axes offers an important insight into poten-
tial problems in the signal. For a proper stereo
signal, all six LEDs should be lit or blink. If the
horizontal pair of LEDs remains dark, it means
other words, the signal is mono, or the stereo
image is very narrow). If the pair of vertical
LEDs is dark, this means the channels are out
of phase. The two yellow LEDs at the diagonal
SIGNal leVelS
In general, mixing two hot signals may yield
clipping distortion due to the low headroom
conversion is quite safe due to scaling by ½.
However, be careful with the image control
as it introduces up to 2x gain to the S compo-
nent. This may cause distortion if the original
L and/or R signals transmit out of phase com-
On the other hand, conversion from M/S to
L/R does not involve scaling. This part of the
circuit is fully analog and it may clip if the
M and S signals patched to the respective in-
puts are over 10Vpp. Also, extreme symmetry
correction may introduce distortion due to
the additional gain. To avoid compromising
audio quality, please observe the amplitude
of the input and output signals.
aCCeSSOrY
Our Coal Mine black panels are available for
all of Xaoc Devices modules. Sold separately.
block
diagram
ER
HPF
l/r m/s
image
LEFT OUT
LEFT IN
RIGHT OUT
RIGHT IN
MID SEND SIDE SEND
MID RETURN SIDE RETURN
position
l/r
m/s
main
featureS
Stereo image
manipulation tool
Mid/Side
processing
Mono to faux ste-
reo conversion
Stereo dimension
enhancement
Manual and CV
stereo width
control
Low cut on side
component
Visual stereo
image indicator
technical
DetaIlS
Eurorack synth
compatible
6hp, skiff
friendly
Current draw:
+140mA/–40mA
Reverse power
protection
EASTERN BLOC TECHNOLOGIES MADE IN THE EUROPEAN UNION
written by M. bArtKOwiAK. prOOfreAding And editing by b. nOll. deSigned by M. ŁOjeK. All
RIGHTS RESERVED. CONTENT COPYRIGHT © 2021 XAOC DEVICES. COPYING, DISTRIBUTION, OR ANY
COMMERCIAL USE IN ANY WAY IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED AND REQUIRES WRITTEN PERMISSION BY XAOC
deViCeS. SpeCifiCAtiOnS Are SUbjeCt tO CHAnge witHOUt priOr nOtiCe.
WarraNtY terMS
XAOC DEVICES WARRANTS THIS PRODUCT TO BE FREE OF DEFECTS IN MATERIALS OR WORKMANSHIP
AND TO CONFORM WITH THE SPECIFICATIONS AT THE TIME OF SHIPMENT FOR A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR
FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE. DURING THAT PERIOD ANY MALFUNCTIONING OR DAMAGED UNITS
WILL BE REPAIRED, SERVICED, AND CALIBRATED ON A RETURN-TO-FACTORY BASIS. THIS WARRANTY
DOES NOT COVER ANY PROBLEMS RESULTING FROM DAMAGES DURING SHIPPING, INCORRECT INSTAL-
LATION OR POWER SUPPLY, IMPROPER WORKING ENVIRONMENT, ABUSIVE TREATMENT, OR ANY OTHER
OBVIOUS USER-INFLICTED FAULT.
leGaCY SuPPOrt
IF SOMETHING WENT WRONG WITH A XAOC PRODUCT AFTER THE WARRANTY PERIOD HAS EXPIRED,
nO need tO wOrry, AS we’re Still HAppy tO Help! tHiS ApplieS tO Any deViCe, wHereVer, And
WHENEVER ORIGINALLY ACQUIRED. HOWEVER, IN SPECIFIC CASES, WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CHARGE
FOR LABOR, PARTS, AND TRANSIT EXPENSES WHERE APPLICABLE.
returN POlICY
THE DEVICE INTENDED FOR REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT UNDER WARRANTY NEEDS TO BE SHIPPED IN
tHe OriginAl pACKAging Only, SO pleASe Keep it jUSt in CASe. AlSO, A COMpleted rMA fOrM
MUST BE INCLUDED. XAOC DEVICES CAN NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR DAMAGES CAUSED
DURING TRANSPORT. PRIOR TO SENDING US ANYTHING, PLEASE CONTACT US AT SuPPOrt@
XaOCDeVICeS.COM. nOte tHAt Any UnSOliCited pArCel will be rejeCted And retUrned!
GeNeral INQuIrIeS
FOR USER FEEDBACK, SUGGESTIONS, AND DISTRIBUTION TERMS, FEEL FREE TO CONTACT XAOC DE-
TION ABOUT THE CURRENT PRODUCT LINE, USER MANUALS, FIRMWARE UPDATES, TUTORIALS, AND
MERCHANDISE.
Table of contents
Other Xaoc Devices Music Equipment manuals
Xaoc Devices
Xaoc Devices JENA User manual
Xaoc Devices
Xaoc Devices ODESSA User manual
Xaoc Devices
Xaoc Devices ZAGRZEB User manual
Xaoc Devices
Xaoc Devices BYTOM User manual
Xaoc Devices
Xaoc Devices Ostankino II User manual
Xaoc Devices
Xaoc Devices ERFURT User manual
Xaoc Devices
Xaoc Devices TIMISZOARA User manual
Xaoc Devices
Xaoc Devices TIRANA II User manual
