Erica Synths Black 3109 VCF/VCA Quick Start Manual

BLACK 3109 VCF/VCA
THANK YOU FOR PURCHASING THIS
ERICA SYNTHS BLACK SERIES MODULE!
The Erica Black Series includes high-end modules with unique functionality
and superior build quality. Only the best, highest quality components are used,
all inputs and outputs are protected against undesired overvoltage. When
designing the Black Series, we placed an emphasis on usability with the goal
of providing an enjoyable user experience. Big knobs are assigned to functions
that make di erences in sound. The Erica Black Series consists of a range of
modules that are needed to put together an entire synth. Enjoy!
The Erica Synths Black 3109 VCF/VCA is a lowpass filter and voltage-con-
trolled amplifier combo built around the AS3109 VCF integrated circuit, a
contemporary version of the IR3109 chip, found on vintage Roland synths
such as the Jupiter series, Juno series and the SH-101. The 3109 VCF/VCA is our
attempt to recreate the iconic sound of these synths, but we also aim to
improve upon it. Filters based on IR3109 had several drawbacks, including
a volume drop when the resonance is increased so we added a volume drop
compensation as well as a built-in VCA for more versatility in compact setups.
Additionally, 1V/oct tuning is implemented so you can use this module for
perfect VCF keyboard tracking and also as a VCO.

FEATURES:

24dB/oct lowpass VCF
Volume drop compensation
Built-in VCA
Cuto level attenuverter
1V/oct tracking

SPECS:

Audio level 10Vptp
Cuto CV level (full span) -5V - +5V
VCA CV level 0 - +10V
Max power consumption 25mA@+12V, 25mA@-12V
Module width 10HP
Module depth 35mm

CUTOFF

VOL COMP

CV2 CV2
ON
OFF

AUDIO LVL

RESONANCE

VCF CV1 LVL

VCA CV LVL

INPUT

VCF CV IN

VCA CV IN

OUTPUT

BLACK 3109 VCF/VCA
CUTOFF
This is the manual cuto control. An external CV is added
to the knob position.
CV2
This is the second cuto CV input. It applies the CV
without attenuation, therefore here you can connect the
CV for 1V/oct tracking.
VOL COMP
This is the volume drop compensation switch. When it is
ON, the volume will not drop when resonance is increased.
AUDIO LVL
This is the audio signal level attenuator.
RESONANCE
This is the resonance control. In "classic" mode (VOL COMP
switch set to OFF), the volume will drop slightly when the
resonance is increased. If you set the VCF to self-oscillate
and apply 1V/oct CV, you can use the module as a VCO. It
works particularly well as bass drum synthesizer when
punchy envelopes are applied to the CV input.
VCF CV1 LVL
This is the cuto CV attenuverter. At 12:00 no CV is applied,
turning the knob clockwise increases the CV amount,
turning it counter-clockwise, the incoming CV is inverted.
VCA CV LVL
This is the VCA CV attenuator. If nothing is patched
into VCA CV IN, it acts as VCA bias control – you need
to dial it all way clockwise in order to open the VCA.
INPUT
This is the audio input of the module.
VCF CV IN
This is the cuto CV input with the attenuverter.
VCA CV IN
This is the VCA CV input. Please, note that the input is
normalled to +10V and you need a 0 - +10V envelope to
fully open the VCA.
OUTPUT
This is the audio output.