Morgasmatron Dual Multimode Self-Oscillating VCF and Crossfader Manual (English) Revision: 2021.08.
TABLE OF CONTENTS COMPLIANCE 2 INSTALLATION 3 Installing Your Module 3 OVERVIEW 5 FRONT PANEL 6 Controls for Filters A & B 6 Controls for Filter Interaction 8 Inputs & Outputs For Filters A & B 10 Inputs & Outputs For Filters Interaction 11 PATCH EXAMPLES 12 Dual Sine Wave Oscillator 12 Synth Voice 13 Ringmod 14 Overdrive With Tone Control 15 Overdrive With Wet/Dry Control 16 SIGNAL FLOW 17 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS 18 Morgasmatron Manual 1
COMPLIANCE This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. Changes or modifications not expressly approved by Intellijel Designs, Inc. could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
INSTALLATION Intellijel Eurorack modules are designed to be used with a Eurorack-compatible case and power supply. We recommend you use Intellijel cases and power supplies. Before installing a new module in your case, you must ensure your power supply has a free power header and sufficient available capacity to power the module: ● Sum up the specified +12V current draw for all modules, including the new one. Do the same for the -12 V and +5V current draw.
orientation. Be aware that some modules may have headers that serve other purposes so ensure the cable is connected to the right one. The other end of the cable, with a 16-pin connector, connects to the power bus board of your Eurorack case. Ensure the red stripe on the cable lines up with the -12V pins on the bus board.
OVERVIEW This is the third generation of Intellijel’s legendary Korgasmatron filter designed in collaboration with David G. Dixon. For obvious reasons, we considered naming it the Korgasmatron III.
FRONT PANEL Controls for Filters A & B The following controls are identical for both Filter A (left side, labeled in red) and Filter B (right side, labeled in blue): [1] CUTOFF - Sets the cutoff frequency of the filter. The knob position is combined with the FM1 and FM2 inputs. [2] FM1 - Controls the amount of attenuation for the FM1 input. Although the FM1 input tracks 1V/Oct when this knob is fully clockwise, each filter features a dedicated 1V/Oct input.
Resonance in the classic MS-20 filter reaches its maximum output at lower input volumes, which means — as you continue to add gain — you begin to drown out the resonance. To negate this effect, Morgasmatron feeds resonance back into the filter at an amount determined by the Q-DRIVE knob, thus preventing resonance from being “drowned out” at higher amplitudes. If Q is turned down, then Q-DRIVE will have no effect. You need to have some amount of resonance in order for Q-DRIVE to work.
Controls for Filter Interaction The following controls change the way in which the two filters interact, are routed to the crossfader or provide features unique to either Filter A or Filter B, and are thus located in the middle of the panel and labeled in green in the previous diagram: [9] OVERDRIVE - Turn this on (switch in the up position) to activate the overdrive circuit for Filter A.
[12] PHASE INVERT - Switch this to the up position to invert the phase of Filter B signal being fed to the XFADE. The most obvious use of phase inversion is to create ring modulation (as described later in the manual), but you can also use it to create subtly different timbres when combining the two filters and monitoring the MIX output. [13] XFADE - When monitoring the MIX output, this knobs sets the balance between the two filters. At 12 o’clock, Filters A and B are equally present at the MIX output.
Inputs & Outputs For Filters A & B The following inputs and outputs are identical for both Filter A (left side, shown in red) and Filter B (right side, shown in blue): [A] IN - Audio input to the filter. [B] Q - CV input for controlling the filter resonance (Q). Use an external attenuverter (such as an Intellijel Triatt or Quadratt 1U) if you wish to invert the modulation or reduce its effect on resonance. [C] OUT - Audio output of the filter.
Inputs & Outputs For Filters Interaction The following inputs and outputs relate to the interaction of the two filters, and are thus located in the middle of the panel and shown in green in the previous diagram: [G] MIX OUT - Outputs a blend of Filter A and Filter B, with the relative amount of each determined by the position of the XFADE knob and its corresponding CV input.
PATCH EXAMPLES With two separate multimode filters that can also be combined and routed in either series or parallel, there’s a wealth of dual-filtering effects just a tweak away. Among them are the ability to independently filter two entirely separate audio sources; or to stack two same-mode filters together in series (to steepen the cutoff slope).
Synth Voice Since Morgasmatron feature two filters, you can use one as an oscillator and the second as a filter, thereby turning Morgasmatron into a stand-alone synth voice. 1. Follow steps 1-5 in the Dual Sine Wave Oscillator section (above) to configure Morgasmatron’s Filter A to function as an oscillator. 2. Set the SERIES / PARALLEL SWITCH to the up (Series) position, such that the output of Filter A feeds directly into Filter B. 3.
Ringmod Morgasmatron makes an outstanding Ring Modulator: 1. Patch an audio signal into Morgasmatron’s IN A. 2. Patch the Morgasmatron’s MIX output into your audio monitoring system. 3. Set the Morgasmatron to Parallel mode (Series/Parallel Switch in the down position). 4. Bypass both filters by setting the DRY switch to the up position. 5. Phase invert Filter B by setting its Phase switch to the up position. 6. While sending audio into IN A, set the XFADE knob to the straight-up (noon) position.
Overdrive With Tone Control If you flip on the Overdrive circuit for Filter A, connect it in series with Filter B, and monitor the OUT B, then you can use Level B for controlling the distorted signal level and Filter B as a tone control for “taming” the aggression — modulating the tone over time or adjusting the overall amount of overdriven signal present in the mix. 1. Patch an audio signal into Morgasmatron’s IN A. 2. Patch the Morgasmatron’s OUT B into your audio monitoring system. 3.
Overdrive With Wet/Dry Control If you flip on the Overdrive circuit for Filter A, connect it in parallel with Filter B (with DRY active so it unfiltered), and monitor the MIX out, then you can use the XFADE for adjusting the overall amount of overdriven signal present in the mix. 1. Patch an audio signal into Morgasmatron’s IN A and nothing plugged into IN B. 2. Patch the Morgasmatron’s MIX output into your audio monitoring system. 3.
SIGNAL FLOW Morgasmatron Manual 17
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Width 20 hp Maximum Depth 38 mm Current Draw 113 mA @ +12V 102 mA @ -12V Morgasmatron Manual 18
