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What it does:
The RK3 is an 8hp Eurorack version of our legendary R-53/TM-1 waveshaper and ring modulator circuit. The entire circuit is based
on a single tube, a 14BL11 dual triode plus pentode, and works in the same fashion as the R-53 circuit. It behaves as a primitive
pulse generator, adding badly-formed pulses which synchronize to the input waveform erratically. This circuit feeds a simple ring
modulator based on the tube's pentode. Main input signal enters the tube via the control grid, and the carrier modulation signal
effects the tubes' screen grid. The RK3 is optimized for general use in the professional modular synthesizer studio. All panel
inputs and outputs are compatible with other synthesizer modules, and cannot damage other modules connected to them.
The audio input and carrier/CV input are both 500k ohms impedance. The audio output is able to drive a 600-ohm load. The audio
input can accept any signal and cannot be damaged by overvoltage. The CV input can accept changing CVs (such as LFOs) or
audio signals, and is limited to +-10v range.
USAGE
To begin experimentation, adjust the RK3 controls approximately as shown:
Drive the input with a strong signal and adjust input and output volumes
as needed. Simple tube distortion can be obtained without using the pulser,
which will usually be disabled when TUNE is fully clockwise or counterclockwise.
Note that the output level may not be as “hot” as most conventional
Euro modules, but it should be enough to be usable with them.
The pulser circuit works best with waveforms having sharp
transitions, such as square or sawtooth waves or digitized audio. (Acoustic
instrument or electric guitar usually do NOT work well with the pulser.)
To explore the pulser, adjust the controls as shown:
Twiddle the TUNE knob while feeding signal to the input, and observe
how the pulser tries to "track" the input pitch. The markings on the TUNE
knob show roughly where the pulser starts to work. Some find the best setting
to be at the point where the pulser just begins to be noticeable –
turning it further clockwise will cause the pulser to break into oscillation,
which may or may not be useful, depending on personal preference
and the nature of the input signal. It will also interact with input level
settings.
You may try feeding the CV/carrier IN a strong audio signal. It modulates
the input signal via the pentode VCA, giving a unique ring modulation
effect. You can also feed a CV here. It interacts with the pulser circuit
somewhat so a CV fed to this input can also be useful for sound effects.
To experiment with the ring-modulator function, run a strong audio
signal into the CV/carrier INPUT and set the controls as above. Turn CARR LEVEL clockwise until you hear the carrier input
effecting the main signal. Changing the pitch of the carrier signal will cause a noticeable sum-difference cancellation effect. You
will hear heterodyne "beating" when the carrier pitch is close to the pitch of the input signal. (Note: the RK3 ringmod function is
not like other ring modulators -- it DOES NOT completely suppress the carrier signal, you will always hear some carrier mixed into
TUNE CARR LEVEL
OUT LEVEL
N LEVEL
TUNE CARR LEVEL
OUT LEVEL
N LEVEL
