Installation / Safety Notice

Thank you for buying SLEDGEHAMMER! We at SYNTHFOX want people to have as much fun with and make as much good use out of our gear as possible. But first, we want users to be safe and their synthesizer systems to be fully functional. This device is not a consumer piece of electronics. This is a specific part (module) that is to be installed into a Eurorack system and interfaced with other parts of it. The user handles the installation process - extra care should be taken!

SLEDGEHAMMER has a keyed connector. The included ribbon cable is tested to comply with standard Eurorack boards, and it cannot be inserted the wrong way into the module. However, the power distribution boards may vary, and it is up to the user to understand which way to connect the ribbon to the distribution boards. The red line on the ribbon cable marks the -12 volts line. The module should be connected like in the picture below: on the left side is the bus board connector, and on the right side is the connector on SLEDGEHAMMER.

image by David Haillant

When installing the module:

• Disconnect the system from power - pull the wire, don't just switch it off
• Connect the module to the bus board, keeping the ribbon orientation in mind
• Install the module into the rack by screwing in all the included screws
• Turn on the system for 10-20 seconds. If anything seems wrong, turn it off and check the installation.

The module should now be ready to play. Have you any troubles, feel free to reach out to SYNTHFOX through synthfoxmodular@gmail.com.

About

Meet SLEDGEHAMMER, a vactrol gate core experimental dynamics and harmonics processor. This module serves many needs, such as mixdown, wavefolding, waveshaping, distortion, VCA, suboctave generation, and much more. The three signal inputs - one with a dedicated thru-zero VCA, and four differently processed outputs provide endless tonal possibilities and a core module for creative patch-programming.

SLEDGEHAMMER is intended for heavy feedback usage. The INPUTS section mixes down three signals (audio or CV) for further processing. The first and second inputs have dedicated attenuators. The third input is special: it is a voltage controlled crossfader that fades between the negative and positive copy of the input signal. The FOLD output is normalized to input 2, and the SHARP output is normalized to input 3, so patching audio to input 1 and adjusting other inputs' volumes already creates a self-patched feedback loop.

The heart of this module is a vactrol-based dynamics processor ('gate') similar to the widely known low pass gates. It processes the mixdown of the three inputs from the INPUTS section: the big LEVEL knob, two Level CV (LCV) inputs and the PING input control both the amplitude and the slight filtering of the signal: from quiet and dark to loud and bright. The first LCV input has a dedicated attenuverter; the second one has a simple attenuator. The PING input expects a gate, and upon receiving one, will strike the gate with a sharp decay-only envelope. This input has a simple passive circuit behind it, which can be creatively exploited: for example, striking it with stepped voltages, e.g. a S&H output, will make the circuit skip some strikes, and the remaining strikes will have different velocity. The DULL / VIVID switch on the left chooses the type of the response: the DULL setting yields darker, quieter tones, while the BRIGHT setting makes the gate sound more open and loud. Both modes are useful in different applications.

Finally, the output of the gate core is passed through different harmonic processors to create the four SLEDGEHAMMER outputs: GATE, FOLD, BEND and SHARP.

• GATE is a buffered pure output of the vactrol gate. It's the most harmonically unaltered output of the module, and usually has a nice smooth tone.
• FOLD output is the GATE output processed through a number of wavefolding units, resulting in a slightly amplified and mangled version of the signal. The color and depth of the wavefolding effect can be altered via feedback looping from mild to harsh.
• BEND output is the GATE output after an esoteric transistor waveshaper/wavefolder setup. It does multiple harmonics-related actions at once, sounding like a combination of mild wavefolder, waveshaper, and - sometimes - distortion.
• SHARP outputs a result of comparison of the BEND output with an arbitrary voltage, resulting in all sorts of pulse waves. This output goes almost rail to rail for it to be able to trigger envelopes etc, so attenuation is required for audio usage. The threshold is set at the SHARP SENS. section with the sum of the knob and the unattenuated CV input. Modulating this threshold often results in PWM-like sounds.

The module has immense feedback capabilities and self-patching possibilities. To ease the process, FOLD output is normalled to Input 2, and SHARP output is normalled to input 3. Just put some audio to Input 1, and a multifeedback circuit is ready to go. But - don't stop just there. Patch and explore!

Controls

Flowchart

Pin headers and calibration

V1.4+

This version of SLEDGEHAMMER reverts to the original single pin jumper on the back, either unlabeled, labelled SHARP OUTPUT COUPLING. Put the jumper to the position marked DC (to the right, towards the board center) on the silkscreen to have the SHARP output be a direct, DC coupled, almost rail to rail pulse wave. To have it AC-coupled for better audio use and less feedback lock-ups, set the jumper to the position marked AC (factory default setting, towards the board edge). Setting it to AC will, however, make this output lose the possibility to be used as a logic signal, e.g. clock a sequencer, or gate an envelope. Realistically, this is not a major tradeoff.

This version of SLEDGEHAMMER has no trimming potentiometers.

V1.1, V1.2

An octal dip switch has been introduced to this version of SLEDGEHAMMER to facilitate the setting selection. It's the red box with white switches next to the power header. Five of the switches are used, three are reserved for future updates. The table below lists what each switch does. Other settings may give nice, but different results. This version of SLEDGEHAMMER has no trimming potentiometers.

V1.0

This version of SLEDGEHAMMER has one pin jumper on the back, labelled SHARP COUPLE. Put the jumper to the position marked DC (factory setting) on the silkscreen to have the SHARP output be a direct, DC coupled, almost rail to rail pulse wave. Would you, for example, like to have this output more prepared for classic audio usage - then set the jumper to the position marked AC. This output will then be passed through a DC decoupling capacitor. This will, however, make this output lose the possibility to be used as a logic signal, e.g. clock a sequencer, or gate an envelope.

This version of SLEDGEHAMMER has no trimming potentiometers.

Patch Ideas

SLEDGEHAMMER is about mixing and feedback: both FOLD and BEND processors are easily overdriven and 'overlapping' signals through them usually results in crazy stuff. A basic multifeedback loop is already set up: FOLD output is normalled to Input 2, and SHARP output is normalled to Input 3. It's always a good idea to mix different sound sources with the three inputs, or set up a more complicated feedback loop through the voltage controllable input (Input 3) using other sound processor modules like filters or delays. The ideas below do not require external modules and are aimed at simpler sounds, like standard waveforms. However, I encourage you to also experiment with more complex sounds and patches!

Note: on V1.0 SLEDGEHAMMERs, the SHARP output is inverted, hence the feedback loop pre-patched through Input 3 has an inverse control. Keep this in mind while trying out these notes.

Screechy Resonance

Set the DULL/VIVID switch to VIVID. Set the potentiometers to default values (like in the image at the beginning of the manual). Patch a sound to Input 1 and bring the volume up to around 3 o'clock. Patch the BEND output to your system's output. Raise the LEVEL knob to noon, and play with Input 3 manual fade and sharp sensitivity - and at some point you will get a loud, screechy peak similar to the resonance on filters. Start off from there for even more wicked resonant feedback - and don't forget that Input 3 has a thru-zero VCA on it, so you can voltage control the amount of feedback!

Peaking Wavefolder

Put a signal (preferably something simple like a triangle or a sinewave) into Input 3. Set the tone switch to DULL. Set the Sharp Sens. manual control to 1 o'clock and put the Sharp output to Input 1. Raise Output 1 volume to about 10 o'clock. Set volume of Input 2 to fully CCW to cut out the FOLD feedback path. Patch the FOLD output to your system's sound output. The module now acts as a gentle wavefolder with peak amount determined by Input 1 volume. The best part is that the processed signal now goes to Input 3 - strike it with envelopes and LFOs for awesome wavefolding effect, and let the LEVEL knob and its LCV inputs control the timbre of the wavefolding instead.

Suboctaver

Source signal - again, simpler waves work best - goes to Input 1. Set its volume full CW. Input 2 volume - full CCW, Input 3 manual control to noon. Patch the GATE output to your system's out. Patch the BEND output to Input 3. Raise the LEVEL knob full CW. Now slowly move the Input 3 manual control knob clockwise: the sound starts getting more harmonically rich, then at some point drops out. When it does, very, very carefully go back up: you will start hearing squarewaveish suboctaves building up. When it reaches the same tone as the input, leave the Input 3 manual control alone. Now, turning LEVEL down will make the output go through a few suboctaves!

Steppy Distorting Waveshaper

Put the source waveform to Input 1, set the volume somewhere from 3 o'clock to full CW. Cut the second input's volume out. Put Input 3 manual control to noon, LEVEL to noon, Sharp Sens. manual setting to noon, and the tone switch to vivid. Patch the SHARP output to the SCV input. Then, patch the BEND out to your system's output. Slowly turn Input 3 manual control to full CCW, then back to noon. Steppy ringing appears, until it becomes a screech at full CCW. Going full CW will cut out the sound. Now use the Input 3 CV to modulate rolling over these steps. This patch works best on higher pitched waves.

Revisions

Module

v1.0: initial module release

v1.1: added more fold stages and DC decoupling caps, uninverted the SHARP output

v1.2: moved to SMD, even more fold stages, minor improvements

v1.3: not released

v1.4: fixed 1.2 and 1.3 errors, reverted to original fold stage count and kind, minor improvements

Manual

[20210530] 1.0.0: initial document

[202105XX] 1.1.0: minor typo fixes: special thanks to Forestine and Tim Cox

[20210709] 1.1.5: Updated suggested patches and added pin header configs for V1.1 PCBs

[20220430] 1.2.0: Updated missing info