IMPULSE DYNAMICS
- LEVEL Controls the signal level and BIAS of the VCA
- DYNAMICS Switch selects input to the Dynamics VCA
- Controls the CV level applied to the LEVEL CV input.
- LEVEL CV Dynamics VCA CV Input. (S&H Input)
- Envelope Output.
- STEP: Sampled LEVEL CV Output
- DYN OUT Output for the Dynamics VCA (Digital VCA)
- EXT IN Patch in external signals for processing through the Dynamics VCA. (Normalized to TRIG)
- TRIG INPUT Excites the PULSE and ENV Convert any 0V+ signal into a variable width Gate and Decay Envelope. Main input to trigger S&H.
- PULSE Converted Trigger/GATE Output.
- WIDTH CV Pulse-Width and Envelope Decay CV Input.
- Controls the CV level applied to the WIDTH CV input.
- WIDTH Sets the width of the Gate-Pulse and Decay of the Envelope.
- RANGE Switch selects range of the width control.
SYNOPSIS
Impulse Dynamics offers a simple way to produce discrete, dynamic transients within your modular system. The effect of the dynamic transient, or impulse, is synonymous to controlling the velocity within a DAW or keyboard synthesizer. However, achieving this utility within the modular ecosystem has not been streamlined into a single module, until now.
APPLICATIONS: Velocity control for LPGs, Drums, SLEWs, Envelopes, VCFs, VCAs. Pulse Width Modulation, Synchronizing CV and Audio and other Digital VCA duties.
This 6hp utility offers a few additional useful features including the ability to convert any positive transition into a positive trigger or gate with manual and voltage-controlled WIDTH, as well as a simultaneous decay envelope that tracks the WIDTH controls.
While dedicated PULSE and ENV outs provide the static Gate and Decay Envelope, an integrated digital VCA offers the ability to control the velocity dynamics of these signals individually via a dedicated Dynamics Output (DYN OUT). The Dynamics VCA is not limited to operating on the integrated PULSE or ENV. Any external signal may be velocity controlled via the EXT IN jack and toggling to the proper selection via the DYNAMICS switch.
A fourth handy sample-and-hold output labeled STEP, returns the instantaneous voltage sampled directly from the Dynamic VCA’s LEVEL control voltage input.
The digital VCA is triggered whenever the signal patched into TRIG or EXT IN (via normalization) exhibits a positive zero crossing, which then synchronously samples the CV patched into the LEVEL input. The voltage controlling the VCA is held for the duration until the next trigger or zero crossing is detected. Therefore, any signal’s velocity may be discretely amplitude controlled using the Dynamics VCA.
VARIABLE PULSE and ENV CONVERSION:
To produce a variable width Gate Pulse or Decay Envelope Patch any signal that passes through zero volts in the positive direction into the TRIG input.
Select the range of duration for your desired Gate Pulse or Decay Envelope via the RANGE switch.
SHORT = 0.1ms to 40ms
MED = 10ms to 2.25s
LONG = 50ms to 15s
Use the WIDTH slider to set your desired Gate Pulse-Width or ENV Decay time. You may apply voltage control for this feature via the WIDTH CV input. Use the attenuator to trim the CV. The WIDTH slider behaves as an offset control: WIDTH generally responds to positive CV, bipolar CV sources may also be fully utilized by providing offset via the associated slider.
The static amplitude Gate Pulse and Decay Envelope are simultaneously available by patching out of the respective PULSE and ENV outputs.
The full range of the WIDTH control is operable on TRIG input frequencies up to about 5kHz. Higher frequencies will exhibit less range via the WIDTH control.
TIP: You can patch audio rate signals into TRIG to achieve PWM effects from the PULSE output. Also try the ENV output for a softer sounding PWM effect.
IMPULSE DYNAMICS
The right side of the module governs the digital VCA. Select the input to the VCA using the DYNAMICS switch. You may choose to route the internally produced PULSE or ENV into the VCA, or any external signal patched into the EXT IN jack.
The Dynamics VCA static level can be manually controlled using the LEVEL slider.
Patch a dynamic signal into the LEVEL input. Use the attenuator to trim the applied CV and LEVEL slider to offset. The VCA responds to positive voltages. You can use the LEVEL control to bias the VCA with an offset to fully utilize bipolar control voltages. The VCA exhibits a linear response to CV.
Use the DYN OUT jack to grab your dynamic signal and patch out.
Impulse Dynamics utilizes an analog implementation of a digital VCA, it does not exhibit zipper noise associated with low resolution sample rates. Therefore, the VCA serves well as a general amplifier for audio.
You may also choose to use the STEP out for additional S&H modulation for external modules. The sample source will be whatever you have patched into the LEVEL jack.
To SYNC the S&H trigger to an external signal such as a VCO or external modulation signal; leave the TRIG input un-patched while the EXT IN is being utilized.
TIP: You can use the Dynamics VCA to sync external CV or audio so that the VCA is only active during the external signal’s positive zero crossing. For example, patch CV or audio into the EXT IN. Set the DYNAMICS input to EXT IN. Patch an envelope into LEVEL. The result from DYN OUT will be synced to the external input’s positive zero crossing allowing for one sample per wave cycle.
Please note that patching a signal into TRIG will disrupt this process.
TIP: Following from the patch example above; you can use Impulse Dynamics as a traditional S&H by patching your sample into the LEVEL input, and sample trigger into the TRIG input. Patch the sampled voltage out of the STEP output.
TECHNICAL
CONNECTING POWER
Connect the supplied power cable to the module by aligning the RED STRIPE with the Power Header side labeled RED on the PCB. You cannot break the module by applying power in reverse – the module just wont do anything if you do. Just unplug it and attach the power cable correctly if this happens.
Maximum Power Consumption: +38mA, -15mA
Documents / Resources
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Steady State Fate Impulse Dynamics [pdf] Instruction Manual Impulse Dynamics, Impulse, Dynamics |