WMD Digital VCA MKIII Dual Zero-Crossing VCA and Polarizer

Description

I've done several designs of this circuit over the years, the first one had no knobs, the second was too small, the MKIII is finally how this circuit should be packaged. This module does some really cool stuff and is super useful in any system.

The Digital VCA lets signal through like a normal VCA, but the CV and attenuation level is controlled digitally. This lets us do things like wait until there is a zero crossing to change the amplitude, resulting in clickless amplitude changes.

The Trigger mode causes the VCA to only update when a trigger is received. The addition of a noise circuit for each side let us do a very quick and easy sample and hold that never droops. With no input, 5V is normaled to the attenuator, so you get a 0-5V sample and hold. In Bipolar mode, you can get -5 to +5V.

Both sides have bipolar VCA mode (polarizer), which lets them invert the signal when negative CV comes in. Also known as ring modulation. With the zero crossing detector, this can produce some super wild wave shapes.

Limited run of 410 units for Eurorack Modular Synthesizer systems. I won't be making more or doing another version in the future.

Features

Dual VCA Design

Unipolar or Bipolar Operation

DC Coupled Analog Signal Path

Low Distortion / Low Noise

VCA Closes Completely

Zero Crossing Detector Mode

Trigger Mode

Two Independent Noise Sources

8 bit CV resolution

Great for Fast Envelopes and Sine Bass Sounds

Specifications

Power: +65mA, -45mA

Width: 8HP

Depth: 35mm with cables

Height: Eurorack 3U (128.5mm)

Board Height Behind Panel: 112mm

CV/Signal Input Impedance: 100k

Output Impedance: 1k

UPD in 3.3V Threshold Schmitt Trigger

ZCD produces 15µs 5V pulse

5V CV to fully open VCA

Linear VCA response

20Vpp signal handling