Intro

Eurorack brand Intellijel, run by Danjel van Tijn and associates, is based in Vancouver, British Columbia in Canada. These branded add-on modules from Intellijel are for purchase at http://softube.com/buy.

The Intellijel modules are RUBICON THROUGH ZERO OSCILLATOR, KORGASMATRON II and the µFOLD II. These three modules all make a fine addition to the more traditional subtractive basic system of Softube Modular, as well as a step towards more west-coast thinking in terms of synthesis.

 

Intellijel Rubicon

The Rubicon is David Dixon’s masterpiece bringing a new approach on thru-zero frequency modulation into the Eurorack world. Rubicon exclusive tone and extreme tracking (0.1% over 8 octaves) is ideal for experimenting with FM synthesis.

1.rubicon.jpg

Parameters

Fine: This is the fine tuning knob, ranging up and down six semitones.

Exp FM: This knob sets the amount of exponential frequency modulation to be applied by the signal coming from Exp FM input jack (see below).

Sine Type: This switch changes the shape of the sine output jack between sine, sigmoid and double sigmoid.

Coarse: This knob is coarse tune that ranges from a few Hz to above hearing range.

Pulse Type: This switch determines the shape and phase of the Pulse output jack. It switches between CENTERED, EDGE ALINED and EDGE ALINED, DOUBLE FREQUENCY.

Index: This is the offset gain of the signal connected to the through zero FM (TZFM) jack.

Symmetry: This sets the symmetry offset of the output waveforms. Normal forward position is preset to the right, center position is 0% which means waveforms are slowed down to a stop. Left position is completely reversed. Note that Symmetry affects 1V/Oct tracking! For the best tracking keep the Symmetry knob in full clockwise position.

Pulse: This knob set the pulse width offset for the pulse output.

[index CV amount]: This knob sets the index CV amount of the incoming signal at the index jack affecting the amplitude of the through zero frequency modulating signal.

TZFM Exp/Lin: Switch which determines the response of the through zero frequency modulation, exponential or linear.

[symmetry CV amount]: This knob sets the symmetry CV amount of the incoming signal at the symmetry jack.

SUB: This switch determines whether the sub output will be one or two octaves below Rubicons main pitch.

Soft Sync CV: This attenuator is to adjust the incoming signal at the soft sync input jack (flip).

Dir: Reset direction. This switch selects whether the hard sync input will reset the VCO to a rising or falling direction.

PWM CV: This knob controls the amount of pulse width modulation on pulse waveform by incoming CV at PWM jack.

Inputs

1V/oct: CV control of pitch, full range 1V/ octave. Connect your note CV from MIDI to CV converter module to this jack in order to get your Rubicon to track pitch.

Index: The incoming signal at the index jack affects the amplitude of the through zero frequency modulating signal.

TZFM: The signal input here, through zero frequency modulates the Rubicons waveforms. Connected with TZFM Exp/Lin switch described above.

Sym: The CV signal input modulates the symmetry setting, and is equivalent to turning the symmetry knob back and forth.

Flip: This is the soft sync input. The triangle core of the Rubicon reverses on the incoming sync pulse and the attenuator sets the probability that a pulse will cause reversing. This jack requires edge-y waveforms like square or sawtooth (sawtooth is best). There is a mini attenuator on this input (see above).

Sync: Hard sync jack input. Use the reset switch (Dir, described above) to select if the waves will reset on rising or falling edge.

PWM: CV input controlling the pulse width of the pulse output.

Exp FM: Exponential CV input of the Rubicon. Fully clockwise is 1v/octave tracking.

Outputs

[sine]: Sinewave output, but also of the sigmoid and double sigmoid if the Sine type switch is used.

[triangle]: Triangle wave output.

[saw wave]: Saw wave output.

[double saw wave]: Saw wave output one octave above Rubicon fundamental frequency.

[zig-zag]: Output of the zigzag wave, a cross between upwards and downward sawtooth.

[square]: Square wave output. This output is unaffected by PWM

[pulse]: Pulse wave output.

[sub]: Sub oscillator output. This output is unaffected by PWM.

In Use

The Intellijel Rubicon can flip all waveforms backwards using the symmetry function, all except the zig-zag, strangely enough. Really cool waveforms can be achieved by sweeping symmetry while Rubicon is being hard synced by another oscillator. Also very ear-pleasing is using the TZFM input by another oscillator in linear mode to create classic “icy” FM timbres.

 

Intellijel Korgasmatron II

The Korgasmatron II takes its name from the classic Japanese MS series from the early 80s. While the Korgasmatron II is still as gritty as the original hardware, it is also more flexible than its predecessor. The dual filter channels A and B can be set as 2-pole high pass and low pass in series, just like the original, but can also be set to work in parallel and in a whole variety of other modes.

2.korgasmatron-II.jpg

Parameters

Korgasmatron has two identical channels, A and B, with the same basic functionality in both channels. The parameters below controls the patching and blend between channel A and B.

Xfade: This knob sets the cross-fade offset between channel A and channel B.

Xfade CV Amount: This knob controls the CV amount from the XFade CV input.

Xfade Dir.: This switch sets the polarity of the XFade CV Amount input. When set in the left position, polarity will be positive (cross fade will go from channel A to channel B). When set in the right position, polarity will be negative (the cross fade will go from channel B to channel A).

[filter configuration]: This switch sets the Korgasmatron II’s filter configuration of channel A and B. Set to the upper position for a serial filter configuration (one filter after the other), or the lower position for a parallel configuration. The serial path is disconnected if INPUT B is used in serial mode

The parameters below are identical in both channel A and B.

Clip Type: This switch toggles the channel’s clipping type between HARD (upper position) and SOFT (lower position).

Cutoff: This is the cutoff frequency

Q: This knob controls the Q value (feedback) of the filter. Often called emphasis or resonance.

Q-Drive: Adjusts headroom in feedback loop, in effect adjust the volume of the resonance when self-oscillating.

FM1: This knob controls the CV amount from the FM1 CV input to Cutoff frequency.

FM2: This bipolar knob controls the CV amount from the FM2 CV input to Cutoff frequency. Center position is zero amount, while turning the knob clockwise from center will yield positive modulation and counterclockwise will yield negative modulation.

Mode: This switch sets the filter topology and filter type.

The different modes are described on the next page.

In: This is the input volume of the filter.

Inputs

FM1: This is the CV input jack for the Cutoff frequency. The FM1 CV input jack is connected to FM1 CV Amount knob (described above).

FM2: CV input jack for the Cutoff frequency. The FM2 CV input jack is connected to FM2 CV Amount knob (described above).

Xfade: CV input jack for cross fade sweep

In: Audio input jack.

1V/Oct: 1V/octave CV-control for the cutoff frequency. Connect your note CV from MIDI TO CV converter module to this jack in order to get your Korgasmatron II to track playable pitch for approximately two octaves (see in use below).

Outputs

Out: Output jack.

Mix: Output from both channels, determined by the XFade configuration.

Filter Modes

LP2: 2-pole low pass (12dB/octave slope)

LP1: 1-pole low pass (6dB/octave slope)

BP1: Band pass, cuts away low and high frequencies and leaves a narrow area around cutoff frequency. The narrowness is set by the Q value.

HP1: 1-pole high pass (6db/octave slope)

HP1: 2-pole high pass (12db/octave slope)

BR1: Band reject, also called notch. Cuts away frequencies in a narrow area around cutoff and leaves low and high frequencies.

In Use

The output jacks on the Intellijel Korgasmatron II is marked with by a square to make it easier to find them. Output A and B are marked by black squares and the Mix output is marked by a blue square.

Korgasmatron II is an excellent filter for distortion combined with colorful filtering duties. 1V/Octave tracking makes it possible to use the Korgasmatron II as a dual sine-oscillator when self oscillating. However, just like the hardware, tracking stretches more or less 1 and half octave which limits its scope as oscillator. The Korgasmatron II is tracking best when Q knob is set fully clockwise.

The highly flexible Xfade in combination with different filter modes makes it a easy to create moving and interesting filtering.

 

Intellijel μFold II

Collaborated design with David Dixon, modeled after the some of the most beloved timbre shaping modules in classic synth modules; both in terms of how the were designed electronically as well as how they sound. The µFold II is one big sweet-spot for shaping your oscillator or feedback loop for filtering.

4.ufold-II.jpg

Parameters

Stages: This switch selects the number of stages of folding used, 2, 4 or 6.

Folds: This knob controls the folding offset (initial level).

[Folds CV amount]: This knob controls the folding amount scaled from Fold CV input.

Symmetry: This knob sets the through-zero symmetry offset.

[Symmetry CV amount]: This knob controls the symmetry amount scaled from Sym CV input.

Inputs

Fold: CV input for controlling folding, closely linked with the Fold CV Amount knob (see above).

Sym: CV input for controlling Symmetry, closely linked with the Symmetry CV Amount knob (see above).

In: This is the audio or CV input for the µFold II. Insert whatever signal you want to fold here.

Outputs

Out: This is the output of the µFold II.

In Use

Connect your oscillator to the µFold II input jack and out comes a folded signal. The µFold II also works nice to fold low-frequency signals such as LFOs. A neat trick is to connect input to output to create a white noise source with full range.

 

Credits

Oscar Öberg – Concept, modeling, sound design
Kristofer Ulfves – Concept, marketing, presets, user's guide
Björn Rödseth, Kim Larsson – Modeling
Arvid Rosén – Modeling and validation
Patrik Holmström – Graphics programming
Niklas Odelholm – Graphic design, programming, model validation
Paul Shyrinskykh – Quality assurance
Torsten Gatu – Programming
Henrik Andersson Vogel – Marketing
Danjel van Tijn – Hardware design and model validation
David Dixon – Hardware design