The module is no longer in production.
The A-129 / 4 is purely an add-on module for up to three A-129 / 3 Vocoder Slew Limiters.
This can be used to control the speed with which the control voltages are passed on from the inputs of an A-129 / 3 to the outputs (slew limiter function). This goes as far as completely “freezing” the current frequency band control voltages on the connected A-129 / 3 modules.
The delay (slew rate) of the control voltages and the freeze function can both be controlled externally via a control voltage or via a gate signal, e.g. from a sequencer etc.
Using the A-129 / 4 Slew Limiter Controller without at least one connected A-129 / 3 module is not possible. Conversely, the slew rate and freeze function in the A-129 / 3 cannot be used without the slew limiter controller, since both functions are controlled via a single cable connection.
User interface
Inputs:
- Freeze Ctr. Input: With a gate signal at this control input, the A-129 / 3 slew limiters connected to the A-129 / 4 “freeze” their currently applied control voltages (this corresponds to a track & hold function). To do this, the switch next to it (“Freeze” / “Slew” / “Follow”) must be in the “Slew” position. If this switch is set in “Follow” position, the gate signal has no influence.
- Slew CV: Control voltage input that slows down the transfer of voltages between CV inputs and outputs on the connected A-129 / 3 slew limiters.
Outputs:
- The Slew Control outputs (3 sockets) are used to connect up to 3 A-129 / 3 slew limiters, which can then be controlled centrally by the A-129 / 4. An LED next to it indicates the activity of the module.
Controls:
- Freeze / Slew / Follow switch: When the switch is in the “Follow” position, the control voltages on the connected A-129 / 3 Slew Limiters are passed on from the CV inputs to the CV outputs without slowing down. With “Slew” there is a deceleration that can be set manually on the A-129 / 4 (“Manual Slew Rate”) and via the control voltage “Slew CV”). With “Freeze” the connected A-129 / 3 Slew Limiters “freeze” their currently applied control voltages.
- Manual Slew Rate: Control for the amount of slowing down between CV inputs and CV outputs of the connected A-129 / 3 Slew Limiters.
- Slew CV: Attenuator for the “Slew CV” control voltage input (controlling the deceleration between CV inputs and outputs of the connected A-129 / 3 Slew Limiter).
Freezing of control voltages
In particular, the freezing of the control voltages is quite useful: In the vocoder, for example, you can record the control voltages of a spoken “aaaahh” (in the Analysis Section) and use them permanently in the Synthesis Section to “emboss” the sound of an instrument (or voice).
Possible uses outside of the vocoder
Since the Module A-129 / 3 can already be used very well as a “tool” outside of vocoders, this also applies in connection with the Controller A-129 / 4. In this way, a five-fold attenuator becomes a five-fold voltage-controlled slew limiter or a five-fold track & hold module.
See also the descriptions of the A-171-2 VC Slew Processor and the A-152 Voltage Addressed Track & Hold / Switch.
Sound examples
-
A-129/4 / Drums in vocoder with slew limiter and freeze
In this sound example, the basic vocoder modules A-129/1 & 2 are additionally connected to three A-129/3 vocoder slew limiters. The three A-129/3 Vocoder Slew Limiters are jointly controlled by one A-129/4 Slew Limiter Controller. Carrier is colored noise from an A-118-1, “Voice” signal is a drum sequence from the “Easy Drummer” plugin. Some reverb and delay, as well as compression from the DAW.
I start without smoothing the control voltages with “Manual Slew Rate” = 10, the 15 bands of the slew limiters are all active. I slowly turn the controller towards 0 and thus increase the smoothing of the 15 control voltages. Then back to 10 and repeated manual activation of the “Freeze” function.
Drums in the vocoder with slew limiter and freeze.
Technical specifications
| Width | 8 HP |
| Depth | 40 mm |
| Power requirements | 30 mA (+12V) / -10 mA (-12V) |
