Grendel Drone Commander DC-2E Manuel utilisateur
Grendel | DC-2E | Drone Commander 2 Eurorack | User Guide 1.1 (2015) Rare Waves L.L.C., USA rarewaves.net
Grendel | DC-2E | Drone Commander 2 Eurorack | User Guide 1.1 (2015) Rare Waves L.L.C., USA rarewaves.net
Drone Commander 2
DC-2E
for Eurorack modular synthesizers
Main Module Expander
Grendel | DC-2E | Drone Commander 2 Eurorack | User Guide 1.1 (2015) Rare Waves L.L.C., USA rarewaves.net
Contents
Whats Included?
Precautions
Main Module
Installation
Expander Module
Signal Diagram
Oscillator controls
LFO controls
Modulation controls
Filter controls
Synchronization
Service information
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Main Module
Drone Commander DC-2E Main module
Power Cable type 16-26
Mounting hardware kit, M2.5 threads
Expander Module
Drone Commander 2 Expander module
Tether Cable, 26 pin ribbon
Power Cable, standard 16 pin
Mounting hardware kit, M2.5 threads
Features
2 x Voltage controlled oscillator
Square, saw, & PWM waveforms
Pitch modulation effects
2 x Voltage controlled LFO
Tempo generator & clock-dividing sawtooth LFO
Bipolar depth control
2 x Fixed frequency LFO
Sine wave LFOs dedicated to pulse width modulation
1 x Slew-limited clock divider
Pitch slide + trapezoidal lter modulations
2 x Voltage controlled lter
Original Grendel Drone Commander lter
4-Pole low pass gate (-24dB/oct VC-LPF)
1 x Envelope generator
Attack-release envelope, linear slope
Symmetrical attack and release times
The Grendel Drone Commander 2 was designed to continue the legacy of its
predecessor, the Drone Commander classic, which we manufactured in a
volume of about 750 units between 2008-2015.
Over the years of feedback from dedicated musicians we collected a short list
of features that were most frequently requested.
As a result, Drone Commander 2 contains many key upgrades including
voltage-controlled oscillators, synchronization to external clock, and an LFO
that can reach slower tempos. And of course, the numerous requests from
the Eurorack community of musicians for a modular rack version have been
honored with the design of the DC-2E Drone Commander 2 Eurorack +
Expander module.
Naturally, we kept the features that we felt dened the best quality of the
original. The lter is almost identical, with the addition of voltage control. In
addition, Drone Commander 2 retains the solid aluminum knobs, handy push-
pull switches, and sturdy metal construction that characterized the original.
Thank you kindly for your purchase, and we wish you many years of rewarding
creative music.
Rare Waves LLC
Grendel | DC-2E | Drone Commander 2 Eurorack | User Guide 1.1 (2015) Rare Waves L.L.C., USA rarewaves.net
Precautions
Fragile
The synthesizer modules are designed to be durable under normal use and should last many years.
Never drop the equipment onto a hard surface.
When shipping the synthesizer modules, please package them carefully to avoid shipping damage. An outer cardboard box is required for protection - the
boxes included with the modules are not meant to be shipped without additional packaging. Use at least 2 inches (5 cm) of packing material on all sides.
Only use bubble wrap as cushioning material - avoid newspaper or styrofoam peanuts as packing material.
Humidity and Moisture
It is not recommended to operate the synthesizer modules outdoors unless mild conditions with moderate humidity are assured.
If you are in a tropical climate or are experiencing wet weather conditions, there is a risk of humidity affecting the performance of the synthesizer modules. If
you notice your glasses, camera lens, or other optics are becoming fogged, the same may be happening inside the synthesizer’s circuitry. This typically
happens when transporting equipment from an air conditioned room or vehicle to the outdoors on a wet day, such as loading gear into a vehicle just after a
rainstorm.
Simply put, don’t expose this equipment to high humidity, especially if it has just come from air conditioning. It is best to protect it inside a sealed case if
gigging and travel are planned.
If condensation of moisture occurs, it is recommended to leave the equipment in a warm, dry indoor location for 48 hours before powering it up again.
When storing or shipping the modules, keep them inside sealed anti-static bags with a packet of moisture-absorbent material (included).
Temperature
For normal performance, keep this equipment in a climate controlled indoor space in the range of 55 - 95 degrees F (12 - 35 degrees C).
Grendel | DC-2E | Drone Commander 2 Eurorack | User Guide 1.1 (2015) Rare Waves L.L.C., USA rarewaves.net
Main Module
Tempo LED
LFO LED
Gate LED
1/4” Audio Line Out
ŸMixer input
ŸFX processor
ŸVolume pedal
ŸInstrument amp
ŸDigital audio interface
ŸGate LED shows
the envelope
generator status
ŸPull up ENV to hold
Gate open. The LED
will remain on.
ŸLED also lights
to indicate GATE IN
activity on the
Expander module.
ŸRepresents LFO
activity with varying
brightness
ŸIndicates the tempo
of the internal clock
Grendel | DC-2E | Drone Commander 2 Eurorack | User Guide 1.1 (2015) Rare Waves L.L.C., USA rarewaves.net
Main Module
The Main Module’s width is 28HP (~ 142 mm). Its depth behind the mounting rails is
about 78 mm (3.07”), with its cable attached. There must be at least 113 mm vertical
clearance between the mounting rails, in order for the module to t properly. (Figure 1)
The Main Module has one connector on its rear panel. You should connect it to your
system power supply bus using the type 16-26 cable (included), or connect it to the
Drone Commander 2 Expander Module using the 26 pin tether cable that comes with the
Expander. And, while we’re on the subject, we might as well remind you...
Don’t experiment with connecting the main module’s rear panel port to other
equipment that happens to have a similar 26-pin connector.
To use the DC-2E Main Module on its own as a manually controlled instrument,
connect it to your system power supply bus with the 16-26 pin ribbon cable provided.
(Figure 2). Orient the red stripe on the cable toward pin 1 on your power bus connector,
in the usual manner.
When unplugging the ribbon cable, pull with a slow steady pressure, grasping the
housing of the connector and applying a gentle rocking motion.
In stand-alone mode, the DC-2E uses 80mA at +12V (+15V). The negative supply rail
is not used.
The cable port is designed to prevent the plugs from being inserted the wrong way.
The Main Module has reverse polarity protection (backwards diode type). In case of
faulty connection, the module will not power up, but your power supply’s fuses will not
blow.
Installation
Main Module (no Expander)
Power supply bus
+12(+15)volts DC -12(-15)
80mA 0
28 HP
Figure 2. Cable connections for Main Module
without Expander
> 113mm
Figure 1. Minimum clearance for mounting
Flat washers are included with the mounting hardware. It is recommended to
mount the washers on the screws. The washers protect the control panel from
being scratched by the screws.
Grendel | DC-2E | Drone Commander 2 Eurorack | User Guide 1.1 (2015) Rare Waves L.L.C., USA rarewaves.net
The optional Expander module opens up your options for CV-Gate control,
synchronization, and processing external audio through Drone Commander 2’s lters.
The Expander Module’s width is 7HP (~36 mm), and its depth behind the mounting
rails is about 45 mm (1.75”) with ribbon cables attached.
The rear panel has two ports (Figure 3). The 16-pin port is for standard DC power, and
the 26-pin port connects to the Main Module.
The Expander Module comes with a 26-pin tether cable. Use it to connect between the
Main Module and Expander. (Figure 4)
Then connect the Expander Module to your modular case’s power supply bus using a
standard 16-pin ribbon cable (included). Orient the red stripe on the cable toward pin 1
on your power bus connector, in the usual manner.
The tether cable has enough length to locate the Expander on a different row of your case,
or several modules away. This allows you to choose the best spot for it in your system.
Together, the complete system with Main Module + Expander uses 120mA at +12V
(+15V), and 2.5mA @ -12 V (-15V).
The cable ports are designed to prevent the plugs from being inserted backwards.
The Expander has reverse polarity protection (short-circuit / crowbar type). In case of
faulty power connection, your power supply may blow a fuse.
Main Module + Expander
Main Module and Expander
Power supply bus
+12(+15)volts DC -12(-15)
120mA 2.5
28 HP7 HP
Figure 4. Cable conguration for Main Module with Expander
Installation
Figure 3. Expander module rear panel ports
to Main Module
to Power Supply
Flat washers are included with the mounting hardware. It is recommended to
mount the washers on the screws. The washers protect the control panel from
being scratched by the screws.
Grendel | DC-2E | Drone Commander 2 Eurorack | User Guide 1.1 (2015) Rare Waves L.L.C., USA rarewaves.net
Expander Module
Gate Input
Trigger Input
Clock Input
Clock Output
LFO Output
Sweep LFO Output
Pulse LFO Output
Slide LFO Output
Audio Line Output
VCO 1 CV Input
VCO 2 CV Input
VCO 1+2 CV In
Mix CV Input
LFO CV Input
Sweep CV Input
VCF 1 CV Input
VCF 2 CV Input
Audio Line Input
Patch cable type: 3.5mm mono
1v/oct
0 .. +5 V range
SW.1
0..5 or +/-2.5V
SW.3
0 or -6dB
threshold =+2.5V
5 V, 5 ms positive pulses
0..+5 V rising sawtooth wave
SW.2
0..5 or +/-2.5V
SW.4
0 or +6dB
+ 6 dB
0 dB
+/- 2.5 V
0..+5 V
SW.1
SW.2
SW.3
SW.4
CV in
CV out
Audio in
Audio out
Figure 5. The rear panel of the Expander Module
has four slide switches that select the voltage
ranges of the inputs and outputs.
Normally, set all four switches to up position for
compatibility with standard +/-2.5 V control
voltages.
Try the 0..5 volt range when connecting to MIDI-CV
converters and tabletop analog gear (including
Grendel Drone Commander classic and Grendel
RA-9 Grenadier)
If SW.3 is down, the AUX IN gain is + 6dB.
If SW.4 is up, the MAIN OUT level is + 6dB.
It is OK to experiment. All jacks are protected
against short-circuit and overvoltage. Never apply
more than +/-15 volts to any patch point.
The VCO CV inputs work with signals in the range of 0 to +5 volts only. Voltages outside this range are limited
by internal protection circuitry. That means:
ŸVCO CV inputs work ideally with MIDI-CV converters or CV-Gate keyboards that use the 0-5 volts range.
ŸTo connect a bipolar LFO for vibrato or FM effects, its output should to be offset by +2.5 volts with a utility
module (not included). This can be accomplished with a DC-coupled CV mixer and bias voltage source.
OSC1 - OSC2 crossfade
LFO rate (clock divider)
Filter modulation depth
Band pass frequency
Low pass frequency
Post- PULSE knob
Post- SWEEP knob
Trapezoidal waves
Grendel | DC-2E | Drone Commander 2 Eurorack | User Guide 1.1 (2015) Rare Waves L.L.C., USA rarewaves.net
OSC 1
OSC 2
Voltage
Controlled
Mixer
VCF 1
“D.C.Classic”
BPF
VCF 2
4-Pole
LPF
Audio
Out
Tempo
Generator
Main LFO
Clock
Divider
Slide
Generator
(slew-limited
divide-by-2)
Envelope
Generator
SWEEP
depth
PULSE
depth
MOD
depth
SHAPE
control
PWM
LFO (1)
PWM
LFO (2)
Voltage
Controlled
Amplifier
Sum
AUX IN
trigger
frequency
doubler
f 2f 2f / n
Tempo
LED
LFO
LED
Gate
LED
f/ n
f
Figure 6. Main Module signal flow diagram
Grendel | DC-2E | Drone Commander 2 Eurorack | User Guide 1.1 (2015) Rare Waves L.L.C., USA rarewaves.net
OSC 1
The OSC 1 knob manually controls the pitch of oscillator 1.
The pitch of OSC 1 is modulated by the MOD knob.
OSC 1’s waveform is selected by the built-in push/pull switch.
Push = square/PWM, Pull = sawtooth
Pulse width modulation (PWM) for both oscillators is activated by
pulling up the TEMPO knob. Pulse width modulation is provided by
a pair of dedicated sine wave LFOs at the frequencies of 0.55 Hz and
0.75 Hz. These are summed together to provide a smoothly varying
PWM waveform, without a strongly implied tempo.
OSC 2
The OSC 2 knob manually controls the pitch of oscillator 2.
Its functions are identical to OSC 1.
MIX
The MIX knob controls the blend ratio of oscillator 1 and 2.
The mixer’s output normally feeds the input of VCF 1. Pull up the
SLIDE knob to send the mixer’s output direct to VCF 2, bypassing
VCF 1.
When the MIX knob is pulled up, oscillator 2 is muted. This lets you
work with the pure sound of the lter’s self-oscillations.
Expander: The MIX CV input allows voltage control of the blend ratio.
The MIX knob remains active when MIX CV is patched.
An external audio signal patched to AUX IN will take the place of
oscillator 2 in the mix when the OSC 2 knob is pulled up.
Oscillator Controls
Expander: Each oscillator has its own CV input (1 v/oct). A third
input, VCO 1+2, controls both oscillators simultaneously.
The CV input range for OSC 1 and OSC 2 is xed at 0..+5 volts.
A MIDI-CV converter with clock outputs is ideal for controlling your
Drone Commander 2.
There are two trim controls on the right side of the main module that affect the
oscillators’ tuning accuracy. The oscillators are temperature compensated.
OSC 1 SCALE : V/oct adjust for oscillator 1
OSC 2 SCALE : V/oct adjust for oscillator 2
2 x sine LFO PWM waveform
OSC 1, 2
TIP: You can also use the MIX CV input as a VCA for OSC 1. This is useful if
you need fast attack sounds, or more complex effects from an external
envelope generator module.
ŸConnect an envelope generator to MIX CV input
Ÿ(Don’t patch to AUX IN)
ŸPull up the MIX knob and position it straight up (12 o’clock)
When your envelope generator is triggered, the mixer will respond by
controlling the volume level of OSC 1. (Self-oscillation from the lter will
remain at full volume.)
Table des matières
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