The Complex Envelope Generator is a very versatile modulation source. It consists of four AD envelopes (i.e. there are only attack and decay phases), which can be cascaded in any combination, trigger each other or be operated in an “LFO” mode. Due to the complexity of the circuit and setting options, the A-143-1 requires a certain time to get used to, but it’s worth it!
Each of the four envelopes has an attack control and a decay control. The envelopes can be mixed positively or inverted to a sum. To trigger other envelopes (e.g. in the A-143-1 itself, but also for an A-140 etc.) two gate signals are generated: one at the end of the attack phase and a second in the decay phase.
Each AD generator can be switched between single pass and LFO mode.
User interface
Inputs:
EN-CTRL-A143-1-INOutputs (for each AD generator):
EN-CTRL-A143-1-OUTControls (for each AD generator):
EN-CTRL-A143-1-SWDrones
Complex envelope curves are of course very well suited to making slow sound progressions (e.g. drones) lively and varied.
Four mutually influencing “voices”
With somewhat more extensive modular systems, very interesting sounds can be produced with the individual outputs that are mutually dependent. You could use the envelopes for four “voices” (i.e. 4 independent combinations of VCO / VCF / etc.), which will then trigger each other again and again.
Inverted gates
A nice variation of mutual control is obtained when the gate signals from the comparator are inverted using an A-166 dual logic module.
Square LFO
The A-143-1 Complex Envelope Generator can also work as 4 square LFOs: Simply use the signal from the “Comp Out” output. The desired pulse width can be set with the “Threshold” controller.
Technical specifications
| Width | 28 HP |
| Depth | 50 mm |
| Power requirements | 70 mA (+12V) / -40 mA (-12V) |
