Stereoping SPRING REVERB User Manual

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SPRING REVERB

Eurorack Module

Manual

Manual SPRING REVERB Eurorack V1.3

Main features SPRING REVERB

• Eurorack module to work with almost any reverb-tank, no matter if insulated or grounded or whatever impedance

• „Send Level“ allows intended overdriving the tank's input coil over a wide range (clean up to heavy distortion)

• Active 4-band equalizer for creative soundshaping of the pure reverb signal

• „Current“ trimpot further alters the sound characteristics of the tank

• „Mix“ knob from 100% dry to 100 % wet - suitable for insert-usage

• Width 60,6 mm / 12 TE, Depth about 25 mm

• Current draw: +12 V - 23 mA, -12 V - 23 mA

Functional block diagram

Manual SPRING REVERB Eurorack V1.3

The Spring Reverb tank

The SPRING REVERB module itself can not produce any reverb. It delivers just the electronics to drive an external reverb tank and heavily amplifies the tanks weak output up to line levels. For desired operation you need to attach a reverb tank to it. This tank was either delivered with your module or you ordered the module to breath new life in an old tank, you still had lying around somewhere.

„What tank do i need and which sound best?“

For the development of the SPRING REVERB module we collected about 30 different tanks with vastly varying Input-/Output impedances, 1, 2 or 3 springs, short or long housing, brandnew ones and originals from the past, Input-/output-jacks insulated or grounded … the result in short:

• until now EVERY tank worked right away together with the SPRING REVERB module – no matter which impedance or grounding of the input-/output-jacks

• tanks with middle high impedanz (e.g. 4BB...) seam to be the best in combination with the module, the EQ gets the most out of them. Larger impedances (e.g. 8EB...) also work well. Very small impedances (e.r. 4AB...) seem to have a low level and sound a bit flat

• a good tank with 2 springs can have a better sound with more density than a bad tank with 3 springs

• large tanks with long springs (with a „4“ at the beginning) must not automatically sound better or have a longer decay than short tanks (beginning with an „8“)

• the whole quality of the spring reverb sound depends on the quality of your tank and it's springs and is – a matter of luck. We got e.g. an old Accutronics which sounds marvelous. A new rebuild with exactly the same technical data connected to the same module sounds significantly worse and 'cheaper'.

• Each tank sounds different and has different characteristics like density of the reverb, frequency range, sensibility to concussion, reverb length – all in all it's a matter of personal taste. Some like a dense and natural, short reverb, others prefer the dirty oil tank sound with long reverb.

On our website we have some more information about reverb tanks and many sound examples.

Manual SPRING REVERB Eurorack V1.3

Connecting to a tank

The majority of reverb-tanks interface to the outer world by cinch-jacks. This is why we have also chosen cinch-jacks to connect this module with your tank. You will need a simple cinch-to-cinch stereo audio cable to connect both.

Near the golden connectors you will see two words on the pcb, "Send" and "Return".

The Send-jack has to be connected with the tanks "In"-connector. Of course the

Return-rail connects to the tanks output. That's it. If you should be chance mistake the inputs and outputs and connect your tank the wrong way . Don't worry. Nothing bad will happen. It might even come out, your tank sounds even better :-)

Now you have to place your tank somewhere. The tank's levels of operation are very small, therefore it is not uncommon to catch unwanted hum or noises with the tank, the cable or even the module itself. The bad noises are coming most probably from your power supply's transformer. Try to position module and tank with some distance to the Power supply. If it does not help, try a longer cable (e.g. 2 meters) and place the tank even outside of your cabinet.

Manual SPRING REVERB Eurorack V1.3

Connecting to power

Interfacing power is the same as for any other module for eurorack. The pic to the right shows the typical eurorack power bus pins.

!! Please pay double attention to put the connector cable in the right direction on the module itself and the powerbus connector. Attaching the cable in the wrong way could lead to damage onto the module or even your power supply !!

Put the powercord onto the power connector with the red wire pointing towards the lower edge of the module. Like in the picture to the right.

The red wire indicates the -12 Volt rail.

The other connector of the cable must be plugged onto your module systems power-bus. Again, with the red wire pointing down.

Manual SPRING REVERB Eurorack V1.3

Interface

"In" jack

This is the typical 3.5 mm mono jack where to put the typical audio signal from your mixer, an oscillator of your module system or a synth-output.

"Current" trimmer

This little trimpot won't be changed too often in daily use of the module. It's function is to limit the current, going into the input coil of the tank. This affects the characteristics of the sound more than the level itself. The results can be more or less dramatic, according to the characteristics of your tank. Adjust this trimpot to your personal taste. The more you turn it to the right, the brighter, more jarring and distorted your tank will sound.

"Send Level" knob

Here you can adjust the voltage amplification of the amp, driving your tanks input coil. This knob determines the saturation or - in higher positions - the distortion of your tank's input coil and therefore is in fact fundamental for the overall 'sound' of the reverb.

Caution! A highly cranked „Send Level“ can lead to much higher reverb-levels than your input signal is. If you start with getting to know the module and your tank – begin your reverb sessions with low „Send Level“ and the knob turned more to the left.

The fullmost left position turns the send level down to zero, resulting in NO reverb at all, even if you turn up „Mix“.

Manual SPRING REVERB Eurorack V1.3

"Reverb EQ" knobs

The 4 knobs "High", "High Mid", "Low Mid" and "Low" allow the 15db dampening or amplification for 4 frequency bands in the reverb signal which is in fact an equalizer. The frequencies are around

• 80-240 Hz

• 240-1.000 Hz

• 1.000-3.000 Hz

• 2.800-12.000 Hz

The EQ is located after the recovery amp and works on the pure reverb signal. Tweaking the EQ allows lots of interesting tones, especially in tandem with the „Send Level“-pot.

"Mix" knob

Easy: this adjusts the ratio between 100% dry input signal in leftmost position and - you guess it - 100% reverb sound in the fully clockwize position.

The level of the pure reverbsignal might be quite high depending on the position of "Send Level". Use "Mix" to compensate this by turning it more towards "Dry".

The electronic circuit causes the dry output signal to be inverted (180°) to the original input signal.

"Out" jack

Here you get the output of the module - the mix of dry and wet signal - according to the position of "Mix".

Now you're equipped with all you need to know. Have fun experimenting and meeting the Stereoping Spring Reverb.

Manual SPRING REVERB Eurorack V1.3

Imprint

If you experience any problems using this product, are coming up with a genious improvement feature, if you are missing something or just want to write us that you LOVE our product, go ahead. We are looking forward to receiving your Mail!

hello@stereoping.com

Adress Stereoping

Gregor Zoll Musikelektronik Waldstrasse 52 45525 Hattingen Germany

E-Mail hello@stereoping.com

Homepage http://www.stereoping.com

Manual SPRING REVERB Eurorack V1.3

Stereoping SPRING REVERB User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual