Amps Dual, Chainable VCA Manual (English) Revision: 2023.03.
TABLE OF CONTENTS COMPLIANCE 3 INSTALLATION 4 Installing Your Module 5 OVERVIEW 6 Features 6 FRONT PANEL 7 Controls 7 Inputs & Outputs 9 CHAINING AMPS 10 ADVANCED PATCHING IDEAS 11 Ring Modulator 11 Crossfader (Unipolar CV) 12 Crossfader (Bipolar CV) 13 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS 14 Amps Manual 2
COMPLIANCE This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. Changes or modifications not expressly approved by Intellijel Designs, Inc. could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
INSTALLATION Intellijel Eurorack modules are designed to be used with a Eurorack-compatible case and power supply. We recommend you use Intellijel cases and power supplies. Before installing a new module in your case, make sure your power supply has a free power header and sufficient available capacity to power the module: ● Sum up the specified +12V current draw for all modules, including the new one. Do the same for the -12 V and +5V current draw.
Installing Your Module When installing or removing a module, always turn off the power to the case and disconnect the power cable. Failure to do so may result in serious injury or equipment damage. Ensure the 10-pin connector on the power cable is connected correctly to the module before proceeding. The red stripe on the cable must line up with the -12V pins on the module’s power connector.
OVERVIEW The Intellijel Amps is a versatile dual channel linear VCA. It features cascaded CV inputs and cascaded mix outputs allowing it to be used in a number of versatile configurations. A boost switch enables you to amplify each VCA’s input by either +6dB or +20dB — ideal for boosting low level signals or pleasingly overdriving audio. The addition of a phase inversion switch for the second channel allows Amps to function as a ring modulator.
FRONT PANEL Controls [A] VCA A LEVEL slider - Sets the base level (or bias) of the A channel’s VCA. When fully up, this is approximately equivalent to applying a +5 V voltage at the CV input, which results in unity (1:1) gain. The slider level is summed with the channel’s CV input. [B] VCA B LEVEL slider - Sets the base level of the B channel’s VCA. [C] CV A Attenuator - Controls the amount by which the CV A [1] input governs VCA A’s amplification amount.
[F] BOOST B switch - Same as BOOST A [E] switch, but allows for VCA B amplification in excess of unity gain. [G] CV A POLARITY switch - inverts the voltage arriving at the CV A [1] input, so that positive voltages affect the VCA negatively, and vice versa. [H] CV B POLARITY switch - inverts the voltage arriving at the CV B [2] input. [I] CV A LED - Displays a visual representation of the voltage currently modulating the VCA A level.
Inputs & Outputs [1] CV A IN - The voltage patched in here controls the level of VCA A. Patching a +5 V input into this jack (with the CV A Attenuator [C] fully clockwise, the VCA A LEVEL [A] slider all the way down, and the BOOST A [E] switch in the center “0” position) results in approximately unity (1:1) gain, which is sent to OUT A [5]. [2] CV B IN - The CV input for controlling the level of VCA B. If nothing is connected to this jack, the CV is taken from CV A [1]. [3] IN A - The input to VCA A.
CHAINING AMPS Multiple AMPS modules can be chained together to create a larger, multichannel ‘automatable’ VCA/mixer. To do so: 1. As shown in the illustration below, connect the CHAIN OUT connector on the back of the first AMPS to the CHAIN IN connector on the back of the second AMPS (using the supplied 4-wire cable). When you chain two AMPS modules, it functions exactly as if you owned a 4-channel, 12 hp version of AMPS (as illustrated to the right).
ADVANCED PATCHING IDEAS Aside from the obvious uses as a dual VCA, the polarity and phase switches provide AMPS with a couple of additional capabilities, which are often not part of standard VCAs. Ring Modulator To use AMPS as a ring modulator: 1. Set the CV A POLARITY [G] switch to +, and the CV A attenuator [C] fully clockwise. 2. Set the CV B attenuator [D] fully counterclockwise. 3. Set the VCA B PHASE INVERT [K] switch to the UP (invert) position. 4. Patch external waveform 1 into IN A [3]. 5.
Crossfader (Unipolar CV) To use AMPS as a crossfader with a unipolar CV input that crossfades between two incoming waveforms. 1. Set the CV A POLARITY [G] switch to —, and the CV A attenuator [C] fully clockwise. 2. Set the CV B POLARITY [H] switch to +, and the CV B attenuator [D] fully clockwise. 3. Set the VCA B PHASE INVERT [K] switch to the DOWN (in-phase) position. 4. Set the VCA A LEVEL [A] at the top, and set VCA B LEVEL [B] at the bottom. 5. Patch external waveform 1 into IN A [3]. 6.
Crossfader (Bipolar CV) To use AMPS as a crossfader with a bipolar CV input that crossfades between two incoming waveforms. 1. Set the CV A POLARITY [G] switch to —, and the CV A attenuator [C] to the noon position. 2. Set the CV B POLARITY [H] switch to +, and the CV B attenuator [D] to the noon position. 3. Set the VCA B PHASE INVERT [K] switch to the DOWN (in-phase) position. 4. Set the VCA A LEVEL [A] and VCA B LEVEL [B] to the same height, halfway up the sliders. 5.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Width 6 hp Maximum Depth 36 mm 42mm with 4-pin Link cable attached Current Draw 40 mA @ +12V 46 mA @ -12V Amps Manual 14
