Metasonix R-55 Thyratron VCO Big City Music Special Edition 2012 - Yellow

I'm selling the Metasonix R-55 Thyratron VCO (BigCityMusic Special Edition) eurorack module in perfect working condition and excellent cosmetic condition (Please watch included video) . Paypal only please. This module was originally modified to include banana sockets instead of 3.5mm jacks. But now, brand new 3.5mm jacks of the same original brand and model have been clinically installed back. Please have a look at the included pictures and video. The hot glue remains you see on the back of the PCB are just what is left of the POWER SUPPLY CAUTION NOTE placed by the manufacturer. I had to remove it in order to be able to replace the jacks. It doesn't affect the operational condition of the module at all.

PLEASE BE AWARE THIS MODULE NEEDS +5 Volts in your Power Supply to be able to operate. More info bellow in the description. Also the R55 needs Hz/volts control voltage (not 1v/oct) in its input to be able to track pitch. A very good trick to avoid using Hz/v is to feed the input with a pitched square wave or saw wave from any oscillator you want. I've been using it like that all the time, as in the included video on this listing. You can use the same trick with the R54 Supermodule. It's the best and easier way to control pitch on every Metasonix oscillator. The Original trimmer tool that came with the module is also included.

( Because of the tubes and cost, I'll ship all my Metasonix gear by DHL only (double boxed, tracked and insured) and will provide pictures and videos of packing and DHL invoice/receipt. I'LL COMBINE SHIPPING COST FOR MULTIPLE MODULES. THE INCLUDED DHL SHIPPING CAN HANDLE UP TO THREE METASONIX R MODULES SO YOU ONLY HAVE TO PAY ONCE. PLEASE HAVE A LOOK TO MY OTHER R MODULES FOR SALE.

IMPORTANT INFO ABOUT THE SELLER:

As I'm a new seller on Reverb, please have a look at my Ebay UK seller feedback under the name: ritchierey. 

Please send me a message and I'll provide a link to my eBay account info.

Please have a look to my Reverb shop description for more info about me and get in touch with your questions. I've been selling electronic music instruments at Ebay UK since 2002 before moving to Lima - Peru in 2012, where I continued using my Ebay account for selling gear with no problem. But early this year (2024) Ebay changed their selling policies ( removing PayPal as paying method) making it impossible for me to continue selling in that platform. Again, feel free to get in touch with me with your questions. I'LL NOT DEAL OUTSIDE OF REVERB! I'LL NOT SELL MULTIPLE ITEMS TO GUEST BUYERS OR BAD FEEDBACK USERS, I MIGHT CANCEL TRANSACTIONS.

THANKS

R-55 Thyratron VCO

The R-55 is essentially one of the VCOs in our legendary S-1000 Wretch Machine, boiled down into a 22U Eurorack module. It produces the notorious “sharkfin” sawtooth waveform of thyratron VCOs, replete with the weird pitch variations and apparent “noisiness” of a thyratron oscillator.

Turn up the overdrive control, and the oscillator output clips the output amplifier pentode tube, for a unique soft-clipped square-wave sound. The simplicity of the R-55 will fool you--its behavior is erratic and weird, it always sounds “broken”, and the waveform is “deviated” in every way. You don't even need to feed it Hz/v CV: just run a square-wave or pulse signal from a conventional VCO into a pitch CV input, and it will “force” the R-55 to track along with the other VCO.

CV response: Hz/v, giving about 1.5 octaves of usable range with a Kenton Pro-Solo MIDI/CV. Span and offset trimpots on front panel, adjustable to make the R-55 track roughly along with the Metasonix R-54 Supermodule, or with other Hz/v VCOs. Maximum pitch range, 60 Hz to more than 3 kHz (approximate), range with CV typ. 2.5 octaves maximum. Octave switch raises pitch range about 2 octaves. Input jacks: two CV for pitch, plus one that optionally controls the gain of the pentode clipping circuit, acting as a VCA. Maximum output signal, 20 v p-p. Power requirement: +5v at 1.8 amps cold, 650 mA hot, plus +-12v dc, 50 mA.

(All specifications are approximate and may vary from sample to sample.) Tubes used: 2D21/5727 thyratron, 6AK5 pentode.

WARNING: the R-55 draws a LOT of power from the +5v line when first powered up. Your cabinet MUST be able to produce 1.8 amps at +5v to warm up the tubes in the R-55. Doepfer and Kilpatrick +5v power adapters cannot supply this much current. Addition of a large +5v supply to your Euro cabinet may be required. Monorocket now offers a special cabinet with +5v power sufficient to run at least three R-55 modules, plus +-12v power sufficient for many other Metasonix R modules plus modules from other manufacturers.

Dimensions

22 HP

25 mm deep

Current Draw

50 mA +12V

50 mA -12V

1800 mA 5V