The Quad Pingable LFO is a compact, playable four-channel tap-tempo, clock-syncable LFO with variable skew and reset.
The QPLFO is designed to be useful in small portable systems that require maximum functionality in minimal space, as well as large systems that need maximum modulation sources.
Features:
Quad "pingable" LFO's -- frequency is set by time between pulses ("ping")
Each of the 4 channels is an independent LFO
Can produce a variety of waveshapes: "Pluck," to ramp-down, to triangle, to ramp-up, and all shapes in between
Channels can easily modulate, trigger, and reset each other for complex and slowly morphing outputs
Slowest period is about 71 minutes (0.0002 Hz), fastest speed is about 500Hz (marginal tracking up to 1kHz)
Tap tempo button is free-running (LFO runs indefinitely), but external clock/Ping is auto-stopping (LFO stops when external clock stops)
Controls and jacks • Tap tempo button ("Ping") for manually setting the tempo
Ping jack sets tempo with an external clock (any complex signal can be used as a clock)
On/mute button enables or mutes the output (latching button)
Skew knob and CV jack control the waveshape by altering the ratio between rise and fall times ◦ At 0% Skew (0V of CV), the shape is a "plucky" near-expo curve
At 1% Skew (just over 0V of CV), the shape is ramp-down
At 50% Skew (about 5V of CV), the shape is a triangle
At 100% Skew (about 10V of CV), the shape is ramp-up
Skew knob provides offset to the incoming CV signal, so any range of CV is acceptable
Reset jack restarts the LFO without changing the tempo (rising edge triggered)
OUT jack outputs either a 0 to 10V waveshape, or a -5V to +5V waveshape (jumper selectable)
LED flashes and dims to the signal on the OUT jack
Tap tempo button flashes to the internal tap-tempo clock or to incoming pulses on the Ping jack
On/Mute button lights up when channel is On
Advanced
Ping and Reset inputs use comparators, so any waveshape can be used for triggering (audio waves, complex LFOs, even the QPLFO itself!)
Trim-pot on PCB allows for adjustment of comparator threshold value
"Fire-on-unmute" jumper per channel: ◦ When this optional jumper is installed, pressing the On button to turn the channel on will reset the LFO.
If the jumper is not installed (factory default), pressing On will unmute the LFO without resetting (LFO runs in the background when muted)
Bipolar/Unipolar jumper: ◦ Setting jumper to Bipolar makes the outputs -5V to +5V
Setting jumper to Unipolar makes the outputs 0V to +10V
One jumper controls all four channels
One-shot mode: Reset jack can be used to trigger a one-shot envelope if the external ping clock is stopped. See manual for detailed discussion
Floating Reset mode: Holding a high gate on Reset jack allows the waveshape to run freely without automatically re-syncing to the ping clock. A bare cable plugged into the jack causes a high gate
Connects to other modules using ribbon cables: Outputs can connect to the 4ms VCA Matrix, or the 4ms SISM, the Circuit Abbey Intermix or the Toppobrillo Mixiplexer
Normalization of ping jacks can connect to the 4ms Quad Clock Distributor
