ADDAC System 308

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ADDAC System 308 £140

Rob Redman explores this light-based modulation module

CONTACT WHO: ADDAC WEB: addacsystem.com KEY FEATURES Light sensor, two channels of CV out, Offset controls

odulation modules come

in so many varieties and

ﬂ avours it can be hard to

keep track, let alone

decide what suits your style, or ﬁ ts

best with your existing rig. Most

modular musicians have at least a

couple of modulation sources but

they’re very often fairly predictable

and standard options. ADDAC have

introduced the 308 which looks to

change this, by using light as the

input source for the change in CV, as

opposed to LFOs and other more

traditional methods.

Using light in modules isn’t a new

thing but it’s usually used in a

different way, say behind the panel in

certain low-pass gates. The 308

ships with a light sensor that

connects to the module using any

standard patch cable, opening things

the sensor, while the second is

inverted, making this more versatile

than if it has been two of the same

with a simple inversion switch. There

are attenuators for each channel,

which act on the outgoing voltage, so

you can dial in precise amounts of

CV without needing an extra module.

In use, the module takes a little

experimentation to learn how it

responds but it’s a fast and fun

process of discovery. With the

response set to fast it’s easiest to see

what is happening. Point the sensor

at a light source like a big window

and the reaction is very snappy,

although you need to consider the

angle you point the sensor at, as it

seems to drop off quite fast as you

move from straight on. This is a good

thing as it means you can be quite

deliberate with it. Leaving it near

your rig and sending the CV to

something as simple as a ﬁ lter cutoff

or a phaser’s depth (my favourite use

for this) can lead to some interesting

results as the ambient light changes.

However, what it will be used for

most is in conjunction with controlled

lighting. I used this with some

cinema lighting that has effects like

party, ﬁ replace or patrol car. In this

setup, you can have your CV respond

to speciﬁ ed scenes. Extrapolating

this idea to live venues or sets for

theatre opens up some fascinating

scenarios.

up for lots of ﬂ exibility. The sensor

gets patched into the tiny (at 4hp)

but, typically of ADDAC, module. The

308 is 4.5cm deep so should be a

good ﬁ t for most rigs. The front panel

is simple but powerful, dominated by

a large sensitivity knob. This has a

large range but seeing as light itself

comes in such a huge range of

strengths, this is ideal. There is also

a three-way response toggle, which

determines how fast the CVs react to

changes in light captured by the

sensor, with settings for medium, fast

and slow. At ﬁ rst I was confused that

fast is the centre setting but after

tinkering more it makes sense, as I

think that will be the most commonly

used setting.

The ADDAC 308 has two output

channels. The ﬁ rst increases the

control voltage when more light hits

THE PROS & CONS

Excellent modulation

per hp

Great build quality

Simple to master

Results depend on

user’s local lighting

FM VERDICT

9.0

I t may appear limited in

use but the reality is very

different. This is a typically

solid and well thought out

ADDAC module, with huge

room for experimentation

and rig control that’s rare to

ﬁ nd in this market