S500 ADSR

Product Description

 

(This module is included in the System B)

 

Module S500 is an envelope generator featuring typical Attack, Decay, Sustain and Release manual parameters plus a few tricks that are useful in a modular setup along with a new unique time modulation feature that is developed at SoloStuff.

 

There are two choosable curves using a switch (linear and exponential**). A retrig input that will re-trigger the EG while the gate is high*. An EOD (End Of Decay) that outputs a trigger when the decay ends, and stays high until the gate is released. There is also a manual Trig meant for quick testing of the ADSR or even for performance. The Trig is also automatable in any DAW.

 

The S500 is meant to be punchy to smooth. Not too fast, not too slow. The A, D, R knobs feature a moderately wide time range without needing a slow/fast switch. This is because of the steeply curved exponential** response of knobs which prevent the knobs from being fiddly. This means you can dial both short and long times with ease. Here are times ranges:

 

Attack: From 1.1ms up to 22 seconds

Decay: From 2ms up to 22 seconds

Release: From 2ms up to 22 seconds

 

Faster times are possible but can make the ADSR clicky at minimum settings, which is not a good default setting to silently give to musicians. We’ll keep that for a different EG in future.

 

The Time input allows the user to modulate the, well, time through the ADS phase. When patched to say an LFO, this can have the effect of repeating the ADS shape back and forth. It can also have interesting drive results when modulated at audio rate. Tip: Try patching to the same VCO as the sound source.

 

Note: when a new gate is received, the S500 always picks up from it’s current output voltage. It does not return all the way to zero. This is a desirable feature for smooth responses. Still, the return to zero feature can be useful, this can be simulated using the time input by connecting it to the inverted gate.

 

 

*High Voltage in SoloRack is any voltage above (or equal to) 0.25V. Low Voltage is any voltage below (or equal to) 0.15V. Voltages in between 0.15V and 0.25V are used for special cases where a third choice is useful. Check the SA03 module for an example of such use.

**Exponential is approximated.