The velectronic A-Envelope is a highly versatile and configurable Eurorack module that offers four independent channels of ADSR envelopes with association capabilities. With this functionality, users can define channel groups that share configurations and define polyphonic configurations of up to four voices. The module offers a wide range of controls, including the ability to modulate every ADSR stage independently, control the shape of the attack, decay, and release stages, and configure the input activation mode as gate, trigger, or re-trigger.
The A-Envelope's user interface is intuitive and provides fast and direct access to every feature of the module. Specific LED monitoring of the signal and BEOS outputs make it easy to monitor each channel group's performance and progress. There are also indicator scales and LED arches that provide instant visualization of each channel group.
The module has a time range of 400 microseconds to 20 seconds, accommodating input signals from -10 to 10 volts with a bandwidth from DC up to 20kHz. Additionally, the A-Envelope has protection features against human body model electrostatic discharge (ESD) of 2kV, power connector reverse protection, and protection against power polarity inversion.
The Eurorack module can operate in three different channel configuration modes, including single, loop, and auto-loop configurations. While in these modes, the envelope can be triggered manually using the test button. The A-Envelope also has attenuverters that allow you to adjust the amount of modulation using stage knobs.
Each channel of the A-Envelope has a range of time and voltage controls that offer precise and accurate results. The ADSR modulation inputs accept signals from -10 to 10 volts and have a bandwidth from DC up to 20kHz. They also feature attenuverters that can amplify/attenuate the input signal from 0 to x2. The trigger/gate inputs react to pulses of at least 2.5 Volts and 20us.
The ADSR envelope outputs have a voltage range of 0-10 volts, and a minimum period time of 400 microseconds using only the Attack stage. The ADSR envelope outputs are doubled to offer both direct and inverted outputs. Both sets have the same characteristics. Meanwhile, the BEOS (Begin-End Of Stage) outputs have a voltage range of 0 volts when inactive and 10 volts when active.
With a power consumption of 170 mA at +5V, 35 mA at +12V, and 23 mA at -12V with all LEDs on, the A-Envelope is an efficient and reliable choice for your Eurorack system. The module's accuracy for all specified values is < 1%.
Overall, the velectronic A-Envelope is an impressive and feature-rich Eurorack module that offers flexibility, accuracy, and precision in a compact form factor. Its polyphonic configuration capabilities and associative envelope functionality make it an ideal choice for users looking to expand their modular synthesizer's capabilities.
Example Usage
If you want to create a polyphonic configuration using the velectronic A-Envelope, all you have to do is define the channels that will share the same configuration by pressing the button below the corresponding LED arches and set the desired parameters such as the time range, modulation, and shaping according to your preference. By doing this, you can create up to 4 voices easily. After configuring each channel group, you can trigger it manually using the test button or use the trigger, gate, or re-trigger input activation modes.
A great example of using the velectronic A-Envelope for polyphonic configurations is in a live performance setting. Let’s say you're performing with a modular synth set up with a sequencer triggering four different voices. Rather than having four individual ADSR envelopes, you can use the A-Envelope to define channel groups that share configurations. This will allow you to define polyphonic configurations on the go, up to four voices, in a simple way. You can control every one of the ADSR stages in time or shape (Exp, Lin, Log) independently and adjust the amount of modulation using the stage knobs when acting as attenuverters. Plus, the interface is designed to give fast and direct access to every feature, including instant visualization of each channel group through the scale indicators and LED arches.
Further Thoughts
To use the velectronic A-Envelope for polyphonic configurations, start by defining the channel groups that will share configurations. This can be done easily with the association capabilities of this four independent channels ADSR envelope, allowing for up to 4 voices.
Modulate every ADSR stage in time or shape (Exp, Lin, Log) independently and adjust the amount of modulation using the stage knobs acting as attenuverters. Control the duration of each stage from 0 to 20 seconds using the stage knobs; the minimum amount of time for each of the attack, decay, sustain, and release stages is 400 microseconds, with omitted stages becoming the maximum voltage defined by sustain.
Configure the input activation mode as Gate, Trigger or Re-Trigger, as well as the channel in single, loop or auto-loop mode, and the BEOS (Begin and/or End Of Stage) outputs for each stage. Additionally, you can manually trigger the channel using the test button.
With the scale indicators and LED arches, you can have an instant visualization of each channel group, and specific LEDs allow for direct monitoring of the signal and BEOS outputs.
Finally, take advantage of the ADSR modulation inputs accepting signals from -10 to 10 volts and a bandwidth from DC up to 20kHz, with attenuverters associated to the inputs that can amplify/attenuate the input signal from 0 to x2. This module has multiple outputs, including ADSR envelope outputs with a voltage range of 0-10 volts and minimum period time of 400 microseconds using only the Attack stage, and BEOS outputs that have a voltage range of 0 volts when inactive and 10 volts when active.