NAMM: METASONIX - THE EURORACK SERIES

"Tube your modular synthesizer.

The Metasonix R-series of vacuum-tube modules is intended for use in any "Eurorack" standard modular synthesizer system. All R-series modules are 22HP (112mm) wide and fit in any Doepfer(tm), Analogue Systems(tm), or other compatible cabinet. They are powered entirely from the cabinet's internal +-12v dc power supplies, using Doepfer compatible 16-pin power connectors. Their circuits protrude behind the panel less than 25mm (1 inch). All vacuum tubes are NOS (new old stock) types from classic American and European manufacturers that are run very conservatively for long life, and are readily available from distributors. The tubes protrude from the panel for visibility and cooling, less than 38mm (1.5 inches), and should fit inside a Doepfer A-100 suitcase cabinet lid or into a Doepfer mini case. All audio inputs and outputs and CV inputs/outputs are 100% compatible with other synthesizer modules. Plate voltage is provided by a tiny switching supply producing clean 48v regulated at low current, which is very safe and will not injure the user. Potentiometers are top-quality Alpha RK12L types, and 3.5mm phone jacks are special Kobiconn vertical-mount types, much better quality than the cheap ones usually seen in Euro modules. Each R-module is fully protected against reverse supply voltage, overvoltage, undervoltage, or incorrect hookup to external equipment. As with all our products, the R series is totally handcrafted in Northern California, USA.

There is no longer any excuse to keep vacuum tubes out of your synthesis arsenal!

R-51
Vacuum-Tube Voltage-Controllable Distortion/VCA
The R-51 is unique and never before available in any form. It uses two remote-cutoff pentodes, type 26A6. Two CV inputs are available for controlling circuit distortion from less than 2% up to more than 40% (varies with individual tubes). Two CV inputs also allow use of the R-51 as a conventional synthesizer VCA, with gain variable from less than -75dB to +5dB (typical). Both distortion and VCA features can be used
simultaneously. This allows true vacuum-tube asymmetrical soft clipping to be applied to any waveform. With suitable CV processing, the R-51 can be configured as a true "variable mu" limiter or expander. Power requirement: +-12v dc, 150 mA.

R-52 (avail June 2009)
Vacuum-Tube Voltage-Controllable Multimode Filter
The R-52 uses two pentodes, type 12AU6. The circuit is derived directly from our award-winning TM-2 filter, but with all the features of our TM-6 filter. A pair of bandpass filters is swept with a Vactrol(tm) control element, a resonant treble filter and a less-resonant bass filter, giving a 4-pole lowpass response. Filter sweep range (approx): bass-only 80-200 Hz, bandpass/lowpass LOW setting 300-1000 Hz, HIGH setting 800-1900 Hz. Filter peaking from Q less than 1 to oscillation. Voltage gain approx. 2 with RESONANCE set to 10 o'clock position and INPUT LEVEL set to maximum. Both filters, or one at a time, may be selected and mixed in desired amounts using the front-panel RESPONSE control. This allows for a wide range of equalization and special sound effects. CV inputs are available for sweeping the cutoff frequency and for affecting the treble filter's resonance. Circuit distortion is less than 0.5% typical. Power requirement: +-12v dc, 150 mA.

R-53 (avail June 2009)
Vacuum-Tube Waveshaper and Ring Modulator
The R-53 is directly derived from our legendary TM-1 device. It uses a 12AF6/BD6 remote-cutoff pentode and a 12AV7 dual triode. Waveshaping is provided by a vacuum-tube "pulser" circuit that spits irregular pulses onto the input waveform. They synchronize erratically with the input pitch (if a waveform with sharp transitions is used). Combined with true vacuum-tube circuit distortion, this can provide a vast range of complex, aggressive distortion effects, utterly unique in
the world. A basic ring-modulation function is also available in the unit--applying a carrier pitch from an external oscillator to the screen grid of the pentode, this allows making inharmonic sum-and-difference pitch sound effects, with a unique vacuum tube pentode sound. Power requirement: +-12v dc, 200 mA.

See them at Winter NAMM, booth 6735 (Big City Music)."
http://www.metasonix.com