Intellijel Hexvca User Manual

HexVCA Manual v1.0

The HexVCA contains six separate DC coupled logarithmic VCAs that have their outputs
normalled to two outputs. The front panel outputs of each VCA is a switching jack which
breaks the normal to the mix out when it is patched. This design allows the HexVCA to be used
as 6 individual VCAs, a 6 input voltage controlled mixer or any combination e.g. 2 patched
VCAs and a four input VC mixer.

At the rear of the HexVCA You will find a six pin header that carries the outputs of the six
VCAs. This can be used to normal the outputs of the HexVCA to the Intellijel Mutagen mixer.

Front Panel

1 - VCA Offset

CV offset, also referred to as bias
knob. CV indicator LED.

2 - IN 1-6
The signal input of the VCAs.

3 - CV 1-6
The control inputs of the VCAs.

4 - Out 1-6
The output of the individual VCAs.

5 - SUM+
The output of the VCAs mixed
together.

6 - SUM­This is the same as SUM+ except it
has inverted phase.

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HexVCA Manual v1.0

Front Panel Controls in Depth

1 - VCA offset/bias knob and CV indicator LED.

The knob offsets the level of the VCA by injecting 0-5v in to the CV input. This opens the VCA
and acts as an initial level control. For traditional VCA operation this knob should be left at 0
(fully counter clock wise).

2 - IN 1-6
The signal input of the VCAs. Patch audio or CV signals here to be controlled by the VCAs. In
a traditional VCA patch you would patch the output of your filter here.

3 - CV 1-6
The control inputs of the VCAs. Control voltage or audio rate signals patched here will control
the level of the VCA. In traditional VCA use you would patch the output of a envelope
generator here.

4 - Out 1-6
The output of the individual VCAs. Patching into these outputs will remove its VCA from the
SUM out.

5 - SUM+
The output of the VCAs mixed together. All of the VCAs are mixed together and output here. If
using the HexVCA as a mixer this is your output. Patching into the VCA individual outputs will
remove VCAs from this mix.

6 - SUM­This is the same as SUM+ except it has inverted phase. This is useful when constructing feed
back patches. Since the signal is inverted from SUM+ mixing it with SUM- will result in no
signal as the two waves will cancel each other out.

VCA Offset Explained

Offset at 0%

0

0

Offset at 50%

-80
0V 5V

-80
0V 5V

The above charts illustrates the effect the Offset knobs have on incoming CV. As offset is
increased the point at which 0 CV = -XdB is shifted upwards.

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Rear Panel

HexVCA Manual v1.0

A - VCA output expander

This is a twelve pin header for connecting
to the Mutagen. This is the output of the six
individual VCAs

B - CV input trims.
These trimmers are attenuators for the CV
inputs. The reduce the CV level before it
reaches the VCA. Because CV levels vary
widely in modular synthesizers these may
need to be adjusted to get optimum
performance from your HexVCA.

Turning the trimmer counter clock wise will
reduce the CV level.

The HexVCA is designed to give 80db of
dynamic range for a 0-5v control signal.
Before leaving Intellijel these trims are
adjusted so that 5v in equals unity gain on
the VCA. If your CV input exceeds 5v there
is a small amount of gain. Depending on
the signal coming into the HexVCA IN this
may distort the VCA.

C - Power connector.
Ten pin power connector which conforms to
the Eurorack standard.
The lowest pin is -12V and should line up
with the red pin on your power ribbon.

It is very important that the power
connector is not connected in reverse!

Although no damage will be done to the

! ! ! ! ! ! ! HexVCA other modules may be damaged
! ! ! ! ! ! ! by reversing this connector.

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