Boosting Low Output Level Modules?

cheapmachines · Post by **cheapmachines** » Fri Jun 30, 2017 5:47 am

I use the Epoch Modular Benjolin module but would like to be able to boost the levels coming from the filter outputs as they always seem rather low.

My VCA's all max out at unity, what are the clean level boost options in Euroland? Nothing outrageous, just to bump the signal up so it's comparable to other modules.

Any low hp clean level boosters out there? Not looking for overdrive / distortion modules.

dubstephead · Post by **dubstephead** » Fri Jun 30, 2017 6:13 am

Can't get it to modular level running through a vca at max?
What vca are you using?

mharpum · Post by **mharpum** » Fri Jun 30, 2017 6:14 am

I use streams for this but there is probably a cheaper option. I think blinds can do this as well.

cheapmachines · Post by **cheapmachines** » Fri Jun 30, 2017 6:19 am

It's at modular level alright, what I meant is the level from the module is low and my VCA's don't make it any louder. Some VCA's will boost but not all. Nothing wrong with the Benjolin, just how they are.

There are a few threads on Muffs already covering this and the advice seems to be the 4hp ADDAC Amplifiers, Circuit Abbey Gozinta or Doepfer A-183-3 for raising levels. Just wondered if there's anything else or if these three are still a good bet?

Avjr · Post by **Avjr** » Fri Jun 30, 2017 6:24 am

Had the same need so this is what i did: i ditched a couple of vca's and got a Intellijel Quad VCA instead that has boost switches on all channels. Works like a charm.

nimmen · Post by **nimmen** » Fri Jun 30, 2017 6:29 am

I'm also having similar problems, probably something like A-183-3 is made for that purpose?
http://www.doepfer.de/a1833.htm

Regarding modules with low output, one example would be j3rk dual bandpass filter I'm using.

abdul6 · Post by **abdul6** » Fri Jun 30, 2017 6:31 am

so for me two solutions for my Benjolin :

clean : Benjolin -> Gozinta

overdrived : benjolin -> TipTop Fold

SB-SIX · Post by **SB-SIX** » Fri Jun 30, 2017 8:29 am

Pico input might be a good option. 2 channels, 3hp and not too expensive.

cheapmachines · Post by **cheapmachines** » Fri Jun 30, 2017 8:57 am

Thanks for the suggestions, very helpful

abdul6 wrote:clean : Benjolin -> Gozinta

How do you have the jumpers set on the Gozinta to give a good clean boost for the Benjolin? Are you on 12, 24, or 36dB?

I have a 1u row and am thinking this might do the job if 26db max seems like it would be enough for most purposes?

http://pulplogic.com/product/gain/

Konrad Seifert · Post by **Konrad Seifert** » Fri Jun 30, 2017 9:20 am

I use this http://www.schneidersladen.de/de/erogen ... evit8.html

or this

http://www.doepfer.de/A133.htm

the latter if I need voltage control.

I also have the Vermona TwinVCamp which can boost a signal x4, but it distorts (in a good way) which is not always wanted.

kwaidan · Post by **kwaidan** » Fri Jun 30, 2017 9:39 am

MI Veils will give you a maximum gain of 2 (+6dB) in linear operation and 10 (+20dB) in exponential operation.

pricklyrobot · Post by **pricklyrobot** » Fri Jun 30, 2017 9:43 am

If you've got a 1U row that will accommodate it, the Pulp Logic 'Gain' tile is cheap and handy.

Edit: a closer read shows you've already beat me to this suggestion;)
Anyway, I have and recommend the Gain. Good, clean boost in a small package

cheapmachines · Post by **cheapmachines** » Fri Jun 30, 2017 10:28 am

pricklyrobot wrote:Anyway, I have and recommend the Gain. Good, clean boost in a small package

Ah, excellent - nice and quiet in operation and all that good stuff? Probably going to go this route as I like to keep utility stuff in the 1u line as far as I can.

pricklyrobot · Post by **pricklyrobot** » Fri Jun 30, 2017 10:56 am

cheapmachines wrote:nice and quiet in operation and all that good stuff?

Yep.

I use it mainly to boost the output of my OP-1 so I can patch it into the modular. Haven't ever noticed any excess noise.

cheapmachines · Post by **cheapmachines** » Fri Jun 30, 2017 11:07 am

Thanks for the other suggestions in this thread, quite a few I haven't come across before.

dubstephead · Post by **dubstephead** » Fri Jun 30, 2017 12:17 pm

cheapmachines wrote:It's at modular level alright, what I meant is the level from the module is low and my VCA's don't make it any louder. Some VCA's will boost but not all. Nothing wrong with the Benjolin, just how they are.

There are a few threads on Muffs already covering this and the advice seems to be the 4hp ADDAC Amplifiers, Circuit Abbey Gozinta or Doepfer A-183-3 for raising levels. Just wondered if there's anything else or if these three are still a good bet?

Yeah I understood what you meant originally

It is not working at a normal modular level though, Eurorack's nominal operating level is very high, (professional line level is +4dBu and euro's easily operate 6 more dBu than that) so if it was operating in this range it should be as loud as you could ever want (unless your main out or speaker were the problem, which they obviously aren't)

The reason I asked what Vca you were using is because most vca's should provide a decent amount of gain. They are voltage controlled amplifiers after all

The amount of gain in dB's each vca provides can almost always be found in in the description or documentation for the module.

I have a Folktek Matter which also has a very low output and I can turn its volume down by more than 50% till its very quiet, then run it through a channel of my Zlob vnlcursal vca and just by turning up the vca I can get it too loud for comfort.

Also for a temporary fix, if you are able to get some gain out of your current vca, you can run you its out directly into another vca (repeat if needed) till the levels are good.

Hope that's helpful..

hippasus · Post by **hippasus** » Fri Jun 30, 2017 12:24 pm

I use optodist from RYO it works great with the benjolin.

cheapmachines · Post by **cheapmachines** » Fri Jun 30, 2017 1:09 pm

dubstephead wrote:The reason I asked what Vca you were using is because most vca's should provide a decent amount of gain. They are voltage controlled amplifiers after all

Yeah, know what you mean - mine (Ladik and 2hp) run from zero signal passed with the gain fully anti-clockwise to unity fully clockwise as far as I can tell i.e. the same as the original input level. Some VCA's like the Intellijel uVCA for instance can boost beyond the original signal level but mine don't do that.

Chaining VCA's together is a good temporary fix, thanks.

strangegravity · Post by **strangegravity** » Fri Jun 30, 2017 1:18 pm

PGH INOUT has a gain switch. These can be had for under $70 used.

Aaronautical001 · Post by **Aaronautical001** » Fri Jun 30, 2017 1:22 pm

Another vote for veils.

Shledge · Post by **Shledge** » Fri Jun 30, 2017 5:33 pm

I've a few old doepfer filters which are very quiet in comparison to other modules, and Veils does a good job on amplifying them.

I asked Dieter on mods for them, but all seemed to be in regards to increasing their inputs - not ideal because they'll get easily overdriven.

Post by **Paranormal Patroler** » Wed Jul 05, 2017 7:40 am

I went for Ladik for this usage. He has two 4HP options (maybe more?) which can bring line to modular level. One is with attenuation, one is without but has four inputs/four outputs which I think is really nice. You can attenuate post the drive.

EDIT

cheapmachines wrote:There are a few threads on Muffs already covering this and the advice seems to be the 4hp ADDAC Amplifiers, Circuit Abbey Gozinta or Doepfer A-183-3 for raising levels. Just wondered if there's anything else or if these three are still a good bet?

I always considered the ADDAC202 to amp my 302 to +10V but I never got one. They are on sale though

Here's the link to the Ladik A-520: http://ladik.ladik.eu/?page_id=1143

abdul6 · Post by **abdul6** » Wed Jul 05, 2017 8:09 am

for Gozinta jumper :

24db is fine for Benjolin, always works

Shledge · Post by **Shledge** » Wed Jul 05, 2017 10:54 am

What about Ears? Apparently it's good for this, amongst other things.

Pighood · Post by **Pighood** » Wed Jul 05, 2017 11:46 am

Had no idea Gozinta even had a jumper until just now.

MOD WIGGLER

MOD WIGGLER

Boosting Low Output Level Modules?

Boosting Low Output Level Modules?