Xaoc Devices Sofia User manual
transcendent
waveform
analog
oscillator
Model of 1955
operator’s manual rev. 1955/1.0
SOFIA
SAlut
Thank you for purchasing this Xaoc De-
-
age-controlled oscillator (VCO) based
on an original waveforming principle.
It features a modern, well-calibrated,
temperature compensated triangle core
and two elaborate waveshaping and
modulating sections. The sound is a mix-
ture of a warm, saturated base tone and
two ripple components. Besides its main
components of the sound plus a multi-
tude of modulation inputs allowing for
extensive self-patching and animation
of the waveform. To better understand
the device, we strongly advise the user to
read through the entire manual before
using the module.
InStAllAtIOn
The module requires 24hp worth of free
space in the Eurorack cabinet. Always
turn the power off before plugging the
module into the bus board using the sup-
plied ribbon cable. Pay close attention to
power cable pinout and orientation. The
red stripe indicates the negative rail and
should match the dot or –12V mark on
is internally secured against reversed
power connection; however, rotating
the whole 16-pin header may cause se-
rious damage to other components of
your system, because it will short circuit
the +12V and +5V power lines. Always
pay close attention to the proper orien-
tation of your ribbon cable on both sides!
The unit should be fastened by mounting
the supplied screws before powering up.
OPerAtInG PrIncIPle
computer music method for synthesis
of formant sounds called FOF (fonction
d'onde formantique), which uses a com-
bination of simple, time-domain com-
ponents (decaying sinusoidal waves) to
achieve desired spectral characteristics
(see infobox, page 7).
added on top of a slightly saturated sinu-
soidal base tone. Each new cycle of the
2
module
explained
0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02
Time (s)
example waveforms
3
front panel
overview
base tone spawns a new pair of ripple
elements. The ripples’ density and decay
rate may be adjusted over a wide range.
Additionally, the elements may be warped
so that their density accelerates or decel-
erates within the cycle. Finally, their basic
waveform may be switched from sine-like
to square-like for additional richness.
Despite the seemingly divergent fre-
quencies present in the signal, it re-
mains strictly harmonic due to how all
elements are waveshaped from the core
tone and therefore phase coherent. Thus,
Buchla sense; however, it goes beyond
the traditional set of primary waves and
wavetables, hence the name.
mOdule OVerVIeW
direct access to all parameters in a one-
knob-per-function arrangement. The big,
central pitch knob 1offers continuous
pitch control in the range of two octaves,
while the rotary octave switch above it
2offers eight additional octaves with
the lowest lo position referring to sub-
sonic frequencies. The pitch frequency is
also controlled via the pitch cv v/oct
input 3, which accepts voltages from
–10V to +10V. However, the usable range
of voltages depends on the position of the
manual controls. The entire frequency
13
12
1
3
15
619
14
16
4
4
17
2
18
11
10
23
6 897
21204 5
22
front panel
well into ultrasonic range (over 120
elements. Besides
-
justable CV inputs for modulating pitch
frequency: pitch fm 4and global fm
5with their corresponding attenuators.
The main difference between these two is
that pitch fm preserves the shape of the
waveform, while global fm preserves
the overall spectrum, mainly affecting
the frequency of the base tone.
Situated on each side of the pitch con-
trols are two knobs dedicated to com-
ponent mixing. The left knob 6adjusts
the mix balance between the two ripple
elements (aand b), offering 1:1 pro-
portions in the middle. The correspond-
ing CV input labeled elements mix 7
accepts voltages in the -5V to +5V range,
adding an offset to the manual setting.
The right knob 8controls the balance
between the fundamental tone and the
ripple elements. There is just the base
tone in its minimum position and just
the elements without the base tone in
the maximum position. The correspond-
ing CV input labeled fund·elem mix 9
accepts voltages in the -5V to +5V range,
adding an offset to the manual setting.
Most of the remaining potentiometers
and jacks correspond to individual rip-
ple elements (aand b) and offer iden-
tical controls over their parameters on
each side of the panel. The red ratio
knobs 10
are relative to the fundamental tone. At
the minimum position, there is no ripple,
just a single parabolic fold squashed by
the decay curve. Increasing the ratio
adds more cycles to the wave, thus shift-
ing the frequency of the corresponding
formant further from the fundamental
frequency. At the maximum position,
about 240 ripples yield a spectral peak 8
octaves above the fundamental frequen-
cy. The two ratio inputs 11 with their
corresponding attenuators 12 faciliate
continuous modulation with external
bipolar control voltages.
The damp parameters control the decay
rates of the ripples, which are adjusted by
the slider potentiometers near the edges
of the panel 13 and their corresponding
CV inputs 14 , which act as offsets. At the
minimum position, narrow spikes are
generated (about 1% of the fundamental
period), while at the top position, the de-
-
plitude decreases only slightly along the
cycle. note: while these controls behave
-
onant frequency and resonance/ damp-
ing), the actual signal is not obtained
5
The warp knobs 15 affect the ripples’
uniformity during the wave’s fundamen-
tal period. In the middle position, the
density of the ripple is constant (if not
modulated by the ratio parameter).
Turning this up bends the wave so that
the density is higher at the beginning of
the period and gradually decreases to-
wards the value set with the ratio knob
warp
knob CCW from the middle bends the
wave in the opposite direction: the den-
sity is decreased at the beginning of the
period and gradually rises to the value
set with ratio at the end of the decay
warp parameter can also
be modulated with bipolar CV plugged
into the corresponding jacks 16 .
The two miniature switches for each
element, ratio track 17 and damp
track 18 , allow one to choose wheth-
er or not the density of the ripples and
the decay rate are proportional to the
length of the fundamental period. In oth-
er words, they allow switching between
constant spectrum of the elements (not
tracking the pitch) and constant overall
waveform shape (tracking the pitch).
The shape switches 19 select between a
sine-like and square-like waveform for
each element. The square wave’s richer
spectrum offers a more aggressive sound
of that particular signal component.
main out jack 20
of the fundamental wave and ripple ele-
The fundamental tone (a pure sinusoid,
not affected by the saturation) is avail-
able at the fund out jack 21 . The two in-
dividual element a and b out jacks 22
6
1
0.5
0
-0.5
-1 0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000
Amplitude (V)
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
-0.2
-0.4
-0.6
-0.8 0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000
Amplitude (V)
effect of the warp knob turned cw effect of the warp knob turned ccw
7
offer the ripple waves at full amplitude,
without the decay response. The decay
curve is individually available for aand
bat the impulse outputs 23 .
mOdulAtIOn And SelF PAtchInG
wide range of acoustic, woody, organic,
from being animated through its multi-
ple CV inputs. Patching complex modu-
lations, e.g., envelopes from Xaoc Devices
Zadar, some audio signals, or even white
noise to various parameter inputs, adds a
whole new dimension to the sound.
The user is encouraged to try various
self-patches from the individual outputs
to inputs within and between elements
aand b, which sometimes transforms So-
AcceSSOrY
Our high quality Coal Mine black panels
are available for all Xaoc Devices mod-
ules. Sold separately. Ask your favorite
fof
synthesis
-
the time, were expensive to implement. Rodet observed that the complex response of a
sinusoidal tones (ripples) in response to each pulse of air pressure from the larynx. There
is a direct relationship between the density and decay rate of the decaying sinusoid and
the frequency position and spectral width of the formant.
1
0.5
0
-0.5
-1 0 1000 2000 3000 40000
Amplitude (V)
1
-10
-20
-30
-40 0 20 30 40 60
Spectrum (dB)
Harmonic No.
mAIn
FeAtureS
Analog VCO
with complex
waveforms
Extended FOF
synthesis
3 frequency
control inputs
8 parameter
control inputs
6 signal outputs
technIcAl
detAIlS
Eurorack synth
compatible
24hp, 30mm deep
Current draw:
+90mA/-80mA
Reverse power
protection
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 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 INSTALLATION OR
POWER SUPPLY, IMPROPER WORKING ENVIRONMENT, ABUSIVE TREATMENT, OR ANY OTHER OBVIOUS
USER-INFLICTED FAULT.
leGAcY SuPPOrt
IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG WITH A XAOC PRODUCT AFTER THE WARRANTY PERIOD IS OVER, 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 AND MUST INCLUDE A COMPLETED RMA FORM. XAOC DEVICES CAN
NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR DAMAGES CAUSED DURING TRANSPORT. SO BEFORE SENDING
UNSOLICITED PARCEL WILL BE REJECTED AND RETURNED!
GenerAl InQuIrIeS
FOR USER FEEDBACK SUGGESTIONS AND DISTRIBUTION TERMS, FEEL FREE TO CONTACT XAOC DEVICES AT
THE CURRENT PRODUCT LINE, USER MANUALS, FIRMWARE UPDATES, TUTORIALS, AND MERCHANDISE.
EASTERN BLOC TECHNOLOGIES MADE IN THE EUROPEAN UNION
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. CONTENT COPYRIGHT © 2022 XAOC DEVICES. COPYING, DISTRIBUTION, OR
ANY COMMERCIAL USE IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED AND REQUIRES THE WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM XAOC
DEVICES. SPECIFICATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE. EDITING BY BRYAN NOLL.
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