This is an introduction and overview of the SV1 Dual / Stereo Voltage Controlled Amplifier by Weston Precision Audio, available at Takazudo Modular.
The SV1 is a dual analog VCA module featuring both Clean and Vintage circuits per channel. It achieves both precise gain control and saturation effects, with zero-cross detection, stereo link, overdrive switch, and more packed into 12HP. Its intuitive operation and versatile output design provide flexibility for dynamics processing within your Eurorack system.
This product is available for purchase below.
Takazudo Modularではマニュアル等の日本語訳付きを作成し、公開しています。以下よりご参照下さい。
- Product Photos
- Dual Circuit Design
- Stereo Link and Click Noise Reduction
- Gain and Bias Adjustment
- Overdrive and Clip Indicators
- Use Cases and Versatility
- My Impressions
- Reference Videos
- Specifications
- Included Items
Product Photos
Dual Circuit Design
The SV1 features two different VCA circuits ("Vintage" and "Clean") in each channel, allowing flexible selection based on the desired tonal character. The Vintage circuit is transistor-based with a harmonically rich character, while the Clean circuit provides more accurate and transparent gain control. Both circuit outputs can be used simultaneously, making it easy to route or mix different textures.
Stereo Link and Click Noise Reduction
CH1 and CH2 can be stereo linked, with a mode where CH1's controls operate CH2 as well. This is convenient when applying the same envelope or CV to a stereo source. Additionally, the zero-cross detection feature suppresses click noise during rapid gain changes, particularly effective with patches that have sharp envelope attacks.
Gain and Bias Adjustment
Each channel is equipped with a CV attenuator and bias knob. The CV attenuator can be set up to 200% (2x) gain, with the center position being unity (100%) gain. The bias knob allows maintaining a certain gain level even when the CV signal is at zero, useful for level boosting or baseline volume adjustment with the module alone.
Overdrive and Clip Indicators
Enabling the overdrive switch adds 6dB of gain to the input signal. The internal circuit provides ample headroom, making it useful for intentional distortion or increasing the density of the input signal. Independent clip indicator LEDs for both input and output allow visual monitoring of signal levels.
Use Cases and Versatility
The SV1 can be used not just as a standalone VCA, but also for stereo source volume adjustment, parallel processing of clean and saturated signals, building sidechain-like effects, and gating CV signals. In particular, parallel mixing using the two VCA output types and click-free modulation leveraging the zero-cross feature are powerful tools for live performance and complex patching.
My Impressions
This VCA is, honestly, a rather unassuming module in terms of features. When working with modular, you might crave modules that produce impressive sounds on their own. In that sense, this is a VCA, so it's not that kind of module. However, it packs a variety of useful VCA-related functions into a single unit, and I imagine many users would find themselves reaching for it frequently if it were in their rack.
Analog Circuit Saturation
One highlight is the saturation/overdrive effect from the analog circuit. Many mixer-type modules share this characteristic, and we carry several modules with similar properties:
- ADDAC System: ADDAC802 VCA Quintet
- ADDAC System: ADDAC713 Stereo Discrete Mixer
- ADDAC System: ADDAC712 Vintage Pre
- ADDAC System: ADDAC714 Vintage Clip
- AI Synthesis: AI022 Harmonic Mixer
- AI Synthesis: AI106 West Coast Mixer
Like these modules, feeding a simple VCO output into the SV1 produces the effect of distorting the original audio signal and adding harmonic content. The inclusion of an Overdrive switch further signals that this module embraces saturation.
This module conveniently provides both the saturation circuit and a clean VCA output simultaneously. When you don't want to alter the original sound's character, or when you want a harder sound, you can properly separate the two. In practice, you'll be able to feel which output better matches your desired result.
Click Noise Avoidance
The zero-cross detection click noise avoidance is also a welcome feature. Honestly, I was aware that clicking noises sometimes mixed in when working with bass-like sounds, but I didn't fully understand the cause or how to address it.
The principle is that when a relatively clean, soft waveform like a sine wave is suddenly cut off, the waveform changes drastically in an instant, producing something close to a click noise. This phenomenon is encountered because modular synths frequently deal with raw waveforms directly. This VCA solves this problem.
Flexible Bias Knob
The level control assistance provided by the Bias knob is another welcome feature.
VCAs like this are typically used with Envelope Generators or LFOs such as:
For example, when connecting a gradually decaying envelope to this VCA, gradually raising the Bias creates a sound that doesn't fully decay, retaining some sustain.
High-Quality VCA
When building a modular synth system, you'll often use low pass gates or filters for synth sounds. There are many variations of low pass gate modules, and we carry two examples:
While low pass gates are attractive in terms of sound and convenience, their abundance can make it challenging to find a good dedicated VCA. This module is a strong candidate for such situations.
Reference Videos
Below is the official SV1 introduction video from Weston Precision Audio. It covers all the main features and shows the differences between the two VCA circuits with waveform visualization.
Specifications
- Width: 12HP
- Depth: 33mm
- Power consumption: +12V: 75mA / -12V: 70mA / +5V: 0mA
Included Items
- Power ribbon cable
- Screws
- Weston Precision Audio sticker
Weston Precision Audioについて
Weston Precision Audioはアメリカのノースカロライナ州で活動するモジュラーシンセメーカーです。
Weston Precision Audioのモジュールを取り扱わせて頂くことになった経緯としては、ファウンダーのDevin氏から代理店としての販売相談のメールを受け取ったのが始まりでした。そして実際のモジュールを見てみると、いずれも素晴らしい品質だと感じたことを覚えています。
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That concludes our introduction of the SV1 Dual / Stereo Voltage Controlled Amplifier.
Takazudo Modularではマニュアル等の日本語訳付きを作成し、公開しています。以下よりご参照下さい。
We hope you find this helpful.