#66

Sorry in advance if this is. dumb/obvious question, but what’s the difference between the Quadratt (1U version) and the quad VCA? Obviously, the Quadratt can do a bit more (inverting, constant voltage generation), but it seems like both have 4 attenuators that can be knob controlled AND CV controlled. With that in mind, what would make the Quad VCA the right choice? Is it better for envelopes or something? Or is it really just that boost switch?

#67

I don’t believe the Quadratt allows you to attenuate with CV control (Don’t own it, but don’t see any inputs on the module for this).

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#68

Correct, the quadratt does not have CV control.

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#69

Ahh, I just have to use my head a bit more and I can answer these questions for myself. Thanks!

#70

Also, the Quadratt has no VCAs, just attenuation/attenuvert…ion?

#71

It seems Intellijel have quietly launched their passive LPG 1U (or I missed the ruckus).

3 Likes
#72

Wow, interesting to see a manufacturer going toward vactrols instead of away from them.

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#73

yeah I’ve never been able to wrap my head around “vactrols are rare components, we can’t find enough” since there’s folks 3D printing them these days. I expect there’s something I’m missing.

#74

It’s not availability, as I understand it. The first issue was that they are inconsistent in performance from one to the next, which can lead to customers always sending in units to “make them better”.

More importantly is their use of cadmium which raises tricky compliance issues:

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#75

You can see more context in this thread The end of vactrols

Basically the vactrols that used to be used in LPGs had a lot of cadmium in it. European law banned the sale of electronic equipment that exceeded the threshold of a certain amount of cadmium.

A few makers get around this with their LPGs by creating circuits that have a similar response to using a vactrol but with custom circuitry. Pittsburgh Modular and Rabid Elephant do this.

I’m not sure how Intellijel handles it, but the cost of this module probably means they found a compliant vactrol rather than using custom circuitry.

3 Likes
#76

I ordered 2 of them to fill the remaining 12hp of 1U space in my Intellijel case.

#77

I had no idea cadmium was historically involved, thanks @maztik8r & @hermbot for the links.

3 Likes
#78

I don’t see anywhere whether these nice looking little 1U LPGs are DC coupled or not. I can’t imagine why they wouldn’t be. Are LPGs normally DC coupled?

#79

All of the Make Noise LPGs I have are DC Coupled: Optomix, Dynamix, LxD, RxMx.

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#80

Thanks! I suspect that would be the norm.

#81

But those are all powered, this one is passive. I could be mistaken, but I didn’t think it was possible to DC couple passive?

Edit: I happily stand corrected.

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#82

Good point.

Ctrl-Fing the manual for DC doesn’t bring anything up, and it only calls out the following:

“Any audio signal patched into here will be
gated by the voltage arriving at the CV IN [3]
jack, and sent to the LPG OUT [2] jack.”

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#83

Yes, it is DC coupled. The manual and web page will be updated to clarify.

8 Likes
#84

Any other Morgasmatron owners out there? I’d be interested in hearing about some of your favorite ways to use it. I feel like this is one of those modules that I haven’t tapped it’s full potential yet.

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#85

If you’re looking for a little more intellijel history and insight. :slight_smile:

11 Likes