Studio design and build | Acoustic consultancy and treatment | Sound system design and installation | Distribution of high performance, innovative products | Own brand pro audio and custom products | Cabling | Demonstration studio and mastering facilities | Outstanding after sales service | Studio design and build | Acoustic consultancy and treatment | Sound system design and installation | Distribution of high performance, innovative products | Own brand pro audio and custom products | Cabling | Demonstration studio and mastering facilities | Outstanding after sales service | Studio design and build | Acoustic consultancy and treatment | Sound system design and installation | Distribution of high performance, innovative products | Own brand pro audio and custom products | Cabling | Demonstration studio and mastering facilities | Outstanding after sales service | Studio design and build | Acoustic consultancy and treatment | Sound system design and installation | Distribution of high performance, innovative products | Own brand pro audio and custom products | Cabling | Demonstration studio and mastering facilities | Outstanding after sales service | Studio design and build | Acoustic consultancy and treatment | Sound system design and installation | Distribution of high performance, innovative products | Own brand pro audio and custom products | Cabling | Demonstration studio and mastering facilities | Outstanding after sales service | Studio design and build | Acoustic consultancy and treatment | Sound system design and installation | Distribution of high performance, innovative products | Own brand pro audio and custom products | Cabling | Demonstration studio and mastering facilities | Outstanding after sales service | Studio design and build | Acoustic consultancy and treatment | Sound systemt design and installation | Distribution of high performance, innovative products | OwnTWO brand CHANNELpro audio and custom RING products MODULA | CablingTOR | Demonstration studio and mastering facilities | Outstanding after sales service | Studio design and build | Acoustic consultancy and treatment | Sound system design and installation | Distribution of high performance, innovative products | Own brand pro audio and custom products | Cabling | Demonstration studio and mastering facilities | Outstanding after sales service | Studio design and build | Acoustic consultancy and treatment | Sound system design and installation | Distribution of high performance, innovative products | Own brand pro audio and custom products | Cabling | Demonstration studio and mastering facilities | Outstanding after sales service | Studio design and build | Acoustic consultancy and treatment | Sound system design and installation | Distribution of high performance, innovative products | Own brand pro audio and custom products | Cabling | Demonstration studio and mastering facilities | Outstanding after sales service | Studio design and build | Acoustic consultancy and treatment | Sound system design and installation | Distribution of high performance, innovative products | Own brand pro audio and custom products | Cabling | Demonstration studio and mastering facilities | Outstanding after sales service | Studio design and build | Acoustic consultancy and treatment | Sound system design and installation | Distribution of high performance, innovative products | Own brand pro audio and custom products | Cabling | Demonstration studio and mastering facilities | Outstanding after sales service | Studio design and build | Acoustic consultancy and treatment | Sound system design and installationUSER | Distribution GUIDE of high performance, innovative products | Own brand pro audio and custom products | Cabling | Demonstration FREQue II Instructions for use and installation
Welcome At DACS we are very pleased that you have chosen to purchase one of our products. We take pride in our work and are sure that this FREQue II will give you years of exemplary service. If you have any suggestions or comments about this product please call, fax, write or e-mail us with your thoughts. Thank you.
Introduction Ring Modulation has been around for a long time. Its usefulness was always limited by the high level of breakthrough of the original signals. Some years ago we developed a device which reduced this breakthrough to levels compatible with digital technology. The FwS series of ring modulator based effectors retains the purity of the effect with breakthrough performance. With this unit and others in the range you will be able to transform your existing sound generators creating an almost infinite range of unique sounds using your hands and your ears. We’re not filled with nostalgia for the ‘good old days’, but do believe that programming has several limitations; human creativity and interaction can create a much more flexible and individual musical result than pre-sets.
We have included a number of possible setups and applications for you to try. They are intended as a starting point for your experimentation rather than an exhaustive list of possibilities.
If you come up with some particularly good or unusual way of using the FwS device, and are willing to share it with others, please send us your ideas and personal / professional details so that we can place them on our web-site and in subsequent editions of our application notes and manuals.
DACS LTD, Stonehills, Shields Road, PELAW, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear NE10 0HW Tel: +44 (0) 191 4382500 | Fax: +44 (0) 191 4382511 | www.dacs-audio.com | [email protected]
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DACS LTD, Stonehills, Shields Road, PELAW, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear NE10 0HW Tel: +44 (0) 191 4382500 | Fax: +44 (0) 191 4382511 | www.dacs-audio.com | [email protected] Using the DACS FREQue II Installation 1 Connecting the Power The unit will accept 240 VAC and 110 VAC mains supplies. The IEC inlet’s fuse holder is used as a selector as shown in Fig 2. The factory setting is for 240 VAC. Figure 2
240V 110V
V 0 1 1 V 0 4 2
Set for 240VAC Set for 110VAC 2 Control Voltage Inputs These inputs vary the frequency of the oscillator output over the range selected. These inputs can be used with, and will combine with, any internal modulation. It would thus be possible to use the OSC1 to frequency modulate OSC2 and to have separate CV inputs modulating each oscillator. They are Volts/Hz control voltages.
3 Outputs from Internal Oscillators These are the outputs from the oscillators as routed to the MOD inputs by the OSC switch, after any CV processing. This means that if the internal FM switch is activated, and additional control voltages routed to the CV inputs, OSC2 will be the much modulated oscillator output. They are present even when the front panel OSC switch is not activated.
4 MODule8or Input As a rule of thumb, both MUSIC and MOD inputs should be between +2dBu and +12dBu. This will give an output approximately equal to the two input signals, eg. +4dBu MOD and MUSIC input ~ +4dBu output.
The MOD input is used to modulate the signal going to the MUSIC input. In most cases the two inputs are interchangeable, but FwS series MODule8ors are configured to favour this method of operation (in particular see 5 below). Modulation tones or secondary signals should be fed into this input; if using subsonic LFOs to modulate, this input will accept them.
DACS LTD, Stonehills, Shields Road, PELAW, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear NE10 0HW Tel: +44 (0) 191 4382500 | Fax: +44 (0) 191 4382511 | www.dacs-audio.com | [email protected] 5 Music Input This input is for the main signal to come in.
6 Output This is the MODule8ed output. See the MODule8ion Techformation box on the next page for more information on what happens.
7 Input Level Meters These meters are based on the same PPM ballistic circuitry as our award winning MicAmp. They are calibrated to help ensure that you get the right signal level in to the unit. There are two LED’s, one above the other, for each input. The lower green one indicates the presence of signal above about -40dBu. The upper yellow one illuminates at around +2dB. For optimum sonic performance, the yellow LED should be illuminating with the stronger elements in the signal. NB Like many other features of the FwS series, this is not a hard and fast rule, but depends on the input signal.
8/9 Spectral Controls/ Activation Switch These controls allow variation in the spectral content of the MODule8ed output. They work on the MUSIC input signal adding OR subtracting WEIGHT at the bottom end, and adding OR subtracting EDGE at the top. In the centre position there is no change; clockwise adds, anti-clockwise subtracts. Their effect will vary depending on the relationship between the two inputs.
10-13 Oscillator Controls / Activation Switch The switch connects the internal oscillator to the MOD input of the MODule8or. The range switch selects one of four ranges: [0.2Hz-9Hz, 2Hz-90Hz, 20Hz-900Hz and 380Hz-11kHz]. The TUNE control varies the frequency over the full range and FINE over ca ±5% from TUNE’s position respectively.
14 OSC 1 Routing Switch This disconnects OSC1 and routes OSC2 to the MOD input of MODule8or 1, allowing the unit to be used as a stereo module with the same effect on each channel.
15 FM Switch and Potentiometer This routes OSC1 to the CV input of OSC2 via a potentiometer which allows you to control the amount OSC2 is modulated by OSC1, and thus the amplitude of the sidebands generated.
DACS LTD, Stonehills, Shields Road, PELAW, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear NE10 0HW Tel: +44 (0) 191 4382500 | Fax: +44 (0) 191 4382511 | www.dacs-audio.com | [email protected] 16 Frequency Shift Switch This switch activates the Frequency Shift circuitry, and de-activates the OSC1 switch. NB For this to work both OSC activation switches must be pushed in.
The two MUSIC input signals are mixed together then processed. The result is fed to the two main outputs as labelled. The amount of frequency shift is set by the frequency of OSC2. For example, if OSC2 was oscillating at 2Hz, the 2Hz would be added to and subtracted from the frequency components of the combined music inputs, and the results would appear at the FS UP and FS DOWN sockets respectively. In effect, this process separates the SUM and DIFFERENCE (see below - MODule8ion Techformation) frequencies of the input signals. As with standard ring modulation, when frequencies are shifted down below 0Hz, they rise up again 180° out of phase (see below - MODule8ion Techformation). See the application notes for things to try.
Earthing and Interconnection The audio 0V and the chassis/mains earth are not linked. If connected directly to a single device, eg. a mixing console, for its in’s and out’s, the unit will not be prone to hum loops.
MODule8ion Techformation Ring Modulation is theoretically a simple process but can result in very complex and striking results. The mathematics are very straightforward: Frequencies present in modulated OUTput= sum of frequencies in input signals + difference between frequencies in input signals
In practice let me offer two examples:
MUSIC and MOD input have a 100Hz sine wave going to them OUT = (100 + 100) + (100 - 100) => 200Hz + 0Hz Thus by sending the same signal to both inputs we add 2nd harmonic distortion to signals, warming them up the way valves do.
MUSIC in is 100Hz, MOD in is 75Hz OUT = (100 + 75) + (100 - 75) => 175Hz + 25Hz - Play with the MOD frequency to generate SUPER SUB BASS right down to the floor!!!
Another interesting feature of ring modulation is that negative frequencies re-appear as positive ones 180° out of phase ie MINUS 80HZ is 80Hz but out of phase. This means that if you slide the MOD frequency up against a steady music signal, you will get (as well as sounds going up) sounds going down to subsonic and then returning up again...
DACS LTD, Stonehills, Shields Road, PELAW, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear NE10 0HW Tel: +44 (0) 191 4382500 | Fax: +44 (0) 191 4382511 | www.dacs-audio.com | [email protected] Specifications for FREQue II
Spectral Controls on MUSIC input Weight Bass filter (shelving) ±12dB gain from around 80Hz@6dB/8ve Edge Treble filter (shelving) ±12dB gain from around 8kHz@6dB/8ve Switch Pressed in this activates Spectral Controls
Inputs Connectors ¼” jack, three pole, Tip /in phase, Ring cold/reverse phase ,sleeve 0V Levels Optimum results occur with input levels of +2dBu to +12dBu, maximum input level > +12dBu Freq Response Music inputs <20Hz to >35 kHz, modulator input DC to >35kHz Input Impedance >10k MOD Module8ion Input - this feeds one side of Ring Mod MUSIC Main Input - this feeds the other side of Ring Modulator if spectral controls are activated they vary the spectrum of this input. Breakthrough MOD in +10dBm with no MUSIC signal, MOD out <-65dBm maximum, typically <-70dBm, same for MUSIC signal with no MOD.
Outputs Connectors ¼” jack, three pole, as above OSC Oscillator output at ca +12dBu Levels For input levels of +4dBu to +12dBu output will be around² +4dBu - +12dBu, maximum output level around 65kHz Freq Response Flat from DC to a -3dB point at around 65kHz Signal to noise -82dB (equivalent to a good mic set to medium gain)
OSC Fine Varies around centre frequency by ca 5% Tune Varies centre frequency over selected range Range Selects from 4 ranges - [0.2Hz-9Hz, 2Hz-90Hz, 20Hz-900Hz and 380Hz-11kHz] CV Inputs CV Inputs to each oscillator on ¼” jacks (unbalanced), 0-15V, V/Hz characteristics OSC Outs Output for both oscillators @ +12dBu
² The modulation process involves the interaction of both inputs, and as such it is impossible to predict exact output levels
DACS LTD, Stonehills, Shields Road, PELAW, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear NE10 0HW Tel: +44 (0) 191 4382500 | Fax: +44 (0) 191 4382511 | www.dacs-audio.com | [email protected] Other Fine Hand Crafted Audio Products from DACS Ltd Clarity from DACS Ltd A new philosophy, a new range of devices
DACS’ range of high performance studio and stage devices embody our philosophy. We believe in simplicity, but above all else, Clarity; sonic Clarity and functional Clarity. The range includes the DACS MicAmp2, a two channel microphone¹ (see also reviews in Sound on Sound and Studio Sound, both November 1997 viewable on our web site), and the DACS HeadLite2, a four channel headphone amplifier. According to users, both units perform flawlessly AND sound fantastic. Our recently launched (Aug 2006) Eightch, an eight channel volume control, won the Pro Audio Review PAR Excellence award. For many years DACS have manufactured custom equipment for professionals the world over using a number of our own high performance audio building block circuits. The performance of these circuits has been honed over the years out in the field, and developed through fulfilling the changing professional requirements of their many customers in widely divergent sectors of the industry. DACS have crystallised these years of experience to bring you this range of elegantly simple high performance units, all hand made throughout. Where they benefit performance we use expensive components and time consuming processes, but do not spend prodigiously on ‘cosmetics’. Though we are bucking the trend towards downsizing work-forces and automating manufacturing processes, these units are very competitively priced. This is achieved by a combination of good design, good organisation, low overheads, and the use of standard housings and other components where possible. These visually striking, well engineered devices will last well into this century achieving levels of performance that digital technology, and much analogue technology, aspires to today.
YOU are what make your studio world class. Our equipment is designed to help you continue to produce fine music well into this century.
¹ We are proud to announce that the MicAmp won the Studio Sound Audio Industry Recognition Award in the Outboard Pre-amp category. This was voted for by registered readers of Studio Sound worldwide.
DACS LTD, Stonehills, Shields Road, PELAW, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear NE10 0HW Tel: +44 (0) 191 4382500 | Fax: +44 (0) 191 4382511 | www.dacs-audio.com | [email protected]