Time Lapse Build: Two Tone Dual Low Pass Gate - Black and Gold Edition
In our latest build, we take on the custom Two Tone Dual Low Pass Gate Eurorack module. This is the new 2018 Black and Gold version released earlier this year and needless to say … it comes packed full of surprises and killer tones!
Purely customizable by the builder and with their choice of capacitors, one can simply change the sound of this LPG by swapping out the capacitors with one of their liking. Another cool thing about this module is that it’s completely passive… that’s right.. PASSIVE. We are anxious to get this into our rack and had to pick one up as soon as we heard the amazing warmth this little 3HP module provided.
Now you may be asking, what is all this LPG, VCA and Passive talk? Let us explain…
By definition, a Low Pass Gate is basically a low pass Voltage Controlled Filter (VCF) configured to act like a VCA. A VCA or Voltage Controlled Amplifier is an amplifier whose gain is set by the voltage level of a control signal. Sometimes VCA’s are called Voltage Controlled Attenuators so don’t get confused if you see them called either because they are both the same thing. Now, with regard to synths, the VCA is usually the last point that a signal goes through before being sent to the output; i.e. the VCA determines the output volume level of a played note.
With regard to the Low Pass Gate Filters (VCA’s) that is used in many West Coast Synthesis, the LPG doesn’t allow audio to pass through it when there is no control signal passing through it. Its cutoff frequency is way beyond subsonic range and well below the threshold of audio frequencies. When triggered by a control voltage, this causes the cutoff frequency to rise and allows audio to pass through. Often times Low Pass Gates used vactrols to help them mimic percussive sounds due to the short bursts of control voltage being fed to them.
In the case of the Two Tone Dual Low Pass Gate, it not only uses dual vactrols to help shape its sound, but it does this without relying on power to control the voltage passing through it. This classifies the Two Tone Dual LPG as a Passive Module, meaning “containing no source of electromotive force”. This means you can save those precious flying bus cables for other modules that need the rest of the juice.
Overall, this is an amazing West Coast module that has a lot packed into 3HP… and with that being said …we might have to pick up another just for fun because one can never have enough VCA’s!
Purchasing Info:
Fully assembled modules can be purchased by clicking on this link to be redirected to Jon Moshiers REVERB shop.
DIY kits can be purchased by contacting Jon directly, or by sending us an inquiry on our Contact Page.
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