Waldorf CMP1 User manual

WALDORF CMP1 USER MANUAL

Waldorf Music GmbH

2016-11-15

1

Introduction

Development Team

Thank you for purchasing the cmp1 Compressor Eurorack module.

Like any Waldorf product, the cmp1 has been developed and produced
using vegetables from organic farming. We hope you enjoy it as much as we
do.

Reading this user manual, you will discover all the device’s features, learn its
basic operation, and benefit from tips & tricks we discovered during product
development.

Your Waldorf Team

Disclaimer

Waldorf Music GmbH is not liable for any erroneous information contained in
this manual. The contents of this manual may be updated at any time without
prior notice. We made every effort to ensure the information herein is accurate
and that the manual contains no contradictory information. Waldorf Music
GmbH extends no liabilities in regard to this manual other than those required
by local law. This manual or any portion of it may not be reproduced in any form
without the manufacturer’s written consent.

Waldorf Music GmbH, Lilienthal Strasse 7, D-53424 Remagen,
Germany

Development: Rolf W¨ohrmann, Frank Schneider

Design & Konzept: Stephan Gries, Axel Hartmann

Betatest: Dirk Krause, Falko Brocksieper

Manual: Dirk Krause, Oliver Rockstedt

Revision: 1.0, 2016-11-15

We would like to thank :

Joachim Flor, Willie Eckl, Michael von Garnier, Stefan Stenzel, Karsten
Dubsch, Daniel Krawietz, Kurt ”Lu” Wangard, Echo Wu, Miroslaw ”Mirek”
Pindus, Thomas Brenner, Fr´ed´eric Meslin, Victor H¨oller, Christian Bacaj,
Isabelle Kernhof, Roger Keller, Markus Erdmann, Holger Steinbrink, Juergen
Driessen, Christian Gritzner, Mic Irmer

For additional information / sound demos / software downloads, please visit our
website:

http://www.waldorf-music.info

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1 GENERAL SAFETY GUIDELINES

Contents

1 General Safety Guidelines 3

2 Device Maintenance 4

3 Package Contents 4

4 Connectors & Controls 5

4.1 Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

4.2 Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

5 Device Connection 6

5.1 Power Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

5.2 Signal Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

6 Device Overview 7

6.1 Inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

6.2 Signal Detection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

6.3 Compression . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

6.4 Attack and Release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

6.5 Level Input . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

6.6 Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

6.7 Linking Multiple Modules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

7 Tips & Tricks 10

1 General Safety Guidelines

Please read the following safety guidelines carefully!

They include precautions you should always observe when dealing with elec­tronic equipment.

• Only use the device indoors in a dry atmosphere.

• Never use the device in damp conditions, such as in bathrooms or near

swimming pools.

• Do not use the device in extremely dusty or dirty environments in order to
preserve the device’s surface finish.

• Ensure that adequate ventilation is available for the device to cool down.
Do not place the device near heat sources, such as radiators.

• Do not expose the device to extreme vibrations.

• Unplug the device when not in use for longer periods.

• Never place objects containing liquids on top of or near the device.

• Ensure that no foreign objects find their way into the unit. If this occurs,

switch the power off, unplug the device and consult an authorised repair
centre.

8 Troubleshooting 10

8.1 Modules Power Fail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

9 Specifications 10

10 Block Diagram 11

When used with amplifiers, speakers or headphones, this device can generate
volume levels that may result in irreparable damage to human hearing, so
volume should be kept at moderate levels at all times.

This device is designed exclusively to generate low frequency audio signals
for sound generation. Any other use is prohibited and voids the warranty ex­tended by Waldorf Music GmbH. Damages due to incorrect use are not the
responsability of Waldorf Music GmbH.

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2 Device Maintenance

• Do not try to open the device or detach the frontpanel.

• Refer all service and repair tasks to qualified personnel.

• There are no user serviceable parts inside the chassis.

• Use only a soft cloth or brush to clean the device surface.

• Never use cleaning chemicals as they will damage the device surface.

3 Package Contents

The cmp1 package contains the following parts:

• cmp1 Compressor Module

• 1 x 10-way 20cm ribbon cable

• 4 x M2.5 x 6 screws

• 4 x M3 washers

3 PACKAGE CONTENTS

• German protective atmosphere

Only a Phillips head screwdriver #0 is needed to mount the module into your
modular rack. No additional tools are needed.

4

4 CONNECTORS & CONTROLS 4.1 Connectors

4 Connectors & Controls

4.1 Connectors

No Id Description

1 Main Audio Input Used to feed with audio material (Loops,

Basses, Guitar, etc.. . )

2 Side Audio Input Used for the classical side chain compression

3 Thresh CV Input Used to control the compressor threshold

4 Comp CV Input Used to control the compression ratio

5 Level Input Used to control the signal level by a Control

Voltage (Classic VCA instead of compression
mode)

6 Link Input Used for chaining several cmp1 modules for

multi-channel compression

7 Link Output Used for providing the master compressor

signal to a chained cmp1

8 RMS Peak Output Output to be used as a CV modulation source

for other modules

9 Main Out Audio Signal Main Output

5

5 DEVICE CONNECTION

4.2 Controls

No Id Description

10 Attack Knob Used for controlling the attack time of the

compression

11 Release Knob Used to control the release time

12 Main/Side Balance Knob Balancing the main input signal vs the

sidechain signal

13 Threshold Knob Used to control the engage level of compres-

sion threshold

14 A/R Man/Auto Switch Used to choose between two different at-

tack/release timing behaviours

15 Knee Hard/Soft Switch Used to change between soft and hard com-

pression behaviour

16 Level Knob Controls the amount of the CV Level Input

signal in case of use as a VCA

17 Compression Type Switch Chooses between three signal detection

types (Adapt, RMS and Peak)

18 Compression Knob Controls the amount of compression

19 Bleed Knob Controls the amount of the original uncom-

pressed signal to the output mix

5 Device Connection

You now own a fantastic compressor module. It’s time to integrate it in your
modular system.

5.1 Power Connection

The first step is to supply your module with power. The module only requires
regulated +12V and -12V voltages. These voltages should already be provided
by your modular system’s power supply.

Before connecting any module to the Eurorack bus, it is mandatory to switch the
modular system power off. Otherwise you may severely damage your module
or put yourself at risk.

Please connect the supplied ribbon cable with the smaller 10-way connector to
the module’s Eurorack bus connector and with the larger 16-way connector to
your modular system bus board.

20 Gain Knob Controls the overall gain of the processed sig-

nal

Eurorack connectors are usually orientated in a way that the -12V supply line is
located at the bottom. The cmp1 module follows the same convention.
The red line of the ribbon cable should show to the bottom of your bus board
and at the bottom of your module. Refer to the figure above.

Please make sure the ribbon cable does not swap the lines.

The module can now be installed in the rack using the provided screws, washers
and a Phillips head screwdriver #0. With the module installed, switch the system
power supply on.

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6 DEVICE OVERVIEW

5.2 Signal Connection

The second step is to integrate the cmp1 to your Eurorack system.

Connect an audio signal like a VCO, sound source or any other audio signal to
one of the Main input and connect the Out jack to your studio system.

Connections are made by using mini patch cables. These cables have standard
mono male-male mini plugs (3.5mm) and can be bought from any audio store.

6 Device Overview

A Compressor Module for the Eurorack world? Really? Ok, as an outboard
gear in a recording studio and maybe as a pedal for guitar, but for a modular?
Yes, true! Waldorf made it. The fantastic cmp1 compressor module. It’s
unusual, but it makes sense and it’s worth to be added to your permanent
module environment.

The Waldorf cmp1 implements a fully featured analogue compressor with
specific CV controls for use in a modular context. The analogue compressor
engine is VCA-based using the same components you find otherwise in
high-end analogue compressors. Additional features like the output of the
detection signal, CV control of compressor ratio and threshold, and the external
level input makes the cmp1 a flexible work-horse to be used in many modular
patches.

Loops and basses crying out for compression to get fat and juicy. Clicks and
bleeps become razor sharp and piercing out your tunes and may you try the
classic side chaining effect with uncommon audio sources.

6.1 Inputs

The Main input is used to feed the audio through the compressor. If the Side
input isn’t used, the audio from the main input is also used for the level detection
circuit.

By using the Side input, the level detector is fed by a mix controlled of the
Balance knob which blends between main and the side signal. If the Balance
knob is fully opened, the classical side chain compression is applied, if the
Balance knob is fully closed, only the main signal is used for level detection,
and any position in-between allows for flexible control of the level detector.

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6.4 Attack and Release 6 DEVICE OVERVIEW

6.2 Signal Detection

The level detection could be set via the switch into one of three modes. In the
left and middle positions an averaging approach will used called RMS (root
mean square).

The RMS modes are producing a smooth level detection. The left position
(Adapt) will use an adaptive circuit and the middle position a static averaging
factor. Just try both modes and let your ears decide.

In the right position the peaks of the input signal will be used to determine
the level instead of smoothing them by averaging. This leads to much quicker
compression which is for some type of signals favourable.

The detected signal level is available in the special RMS/Peak output to be used
as a CV modulation source with other modules. In principle this works much like
an envelope follower.

6.4 Attack and Release

When the detected level reaches above threshold, then compression starts in
general as already described and ends when the level falls below the threshold.

But this is in addition managed by attack and release times. Attack means
that the compressor waits a bit after the threshold level is reached before
compression is applied. The longer attack timing is, the more transients of the
original signal are unaffected from compression.

Release timing will keep compression active for a bit longer after the level has
fallen below threshold. By these fluctuations in level will be smoothed when the
signal quickly crosses the threshold.

6.3 Compression

Compression is controlled by the classical parameters threshold and ratio.
When the detected level is above the set threshold, the signal will be lowered
in level. The more compression is dialed in, the more the level is attenuated
finally approaching the threshold level.

Compression and threshold can be each controlled via its respective CV inputs.
In this case the panel knobs will act as attenuators of the CV inputs.

The A/R switch controls if the attack and release timing are either set auto­matically (position ”Auto”) or manually set by the panel knobs (position ”Man”).
When using ”Auto” mode it also works well together with RMS ”Adapt” mode.

The effect of attack and release timings can be visually seen by the two LEDs:
The left LED at the Threshold knob will be activated when the level is above
the threshold, the right LED at the compression knob will be activated when
compression will be applied. With attack and release times as short as possible
(knobs turned to fully left in manual mode), both LEDs will light up almost simul­taneously. When attack and/or release is increased you will see the difference
in the timing of the LEDs.

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6 DEVICE OVERVIEW 6.7 Linking Multiple Modules

6.5 Level Input

Since the cmp1 compressor is VCA based, you could use the cmp1 as an expo­nential VCA directly. Just plug a CV signal into the Level input and use the Level
knob as an attenuator for the CV signal. The compression processing is still ac­tive. Thus, for using the cmp1 as a pure VCA you would turn Compression fully
left.

6.6 Output

The Gain knob will adjust the overall gain of the processed signal. This
becomes important since lowering the threshold and rising the compression
ratio will result in an overall lower level. So, typically you would want to rise that
level again which is performed by the gain knob. Some amount of automatic
gain adjustment is already applied, but adjusting manually gain is always
required when threshold or compression ratio changes largely.

apply the second channel to the side chain input of the first module and put
the Balance knob to 50/50 position. By this the stereo mix is used for level
detection and not just a single channel.

Hint: Please make sure that the compression knob of the second module is
fully closed. The gain, bleed and level knobs are still functional and could be
used for additional control.

In addition to the compressed signal, the Bleed knob can be opened to add
uncompressed original signal to the output mix.

6.7 Linking Multiple Modules

Multiple cmp1 modules could be linked together for multi-channel compression.
Just patch from Link Out of the master compressor of the first channel to the
next cmp1 module’s Link In input.

Now, the first module also controls the compression of the second module.
For example if you would like to compress a stereo signal, you could further

9

9 SPECIFICATIONS

7 Tips & Tricks

• Use a loop or other rythmnic source and connect the RMS/Peak output
with a filter or gate input. The detector signal works like an envelope
follower.

• Connect a steady tone to the Main input and feed a drumloop for exam-
ple to the Side input. Now the steady tone should be modulated by the
rhythmic source depending on your Balance level.

8 Troubleshooting

8.1 Modules Power Fail

• Check the orientation of the pin headers on your modules

• Check if the total power consumption of your modules does not exceed

the specifications of your case/frame power supply

9 Specifications

Power Supply: +12V/110mA, -12V/100mA

Width: 20HP, 101.6mm

Height: 3U, 133.3mm

Depth: 25mm

Total Weight: 350g

Technical specifications and design are subject to change without notice.

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10 BLOCK DIAGRAM

10 Block Diagram

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