LE BINÔME MK2
SPACIAL CREATIVE PERCUSSIVE MACHINE
**LE BINOME IS BACK! With Twice the Power!**
LE BINOME has a single, unique goal: to push its owner's creativity into unconventional territories through straightforward functions. BINOME has many faces, but its main function is to create percussive sounds, either standalone by turning the filters into VCOs, using external VCOs, or adding any external sound and noise source like BOUCAN and shaping it with the filter.
It can also be used as a dual dynamic voltage-controlled AD or ASR envelope generator, which has special custom shapes that can be seamlessly changed from exponential to linear and logarithmic, in addition to voltage control over the amplitude (LEVEL) and its length (DECAY). There are also two modes: SHARP for a fast response and BLUNT for a nice punchy but smooth pseudo LPG touch. A real full-featured envelope generator, not just utility!
You now have two totally independent channels, each with its own filter and inputs, and a main input is connected to both filters. Dual mono? Stereo? Mono to stereo? Merger? With three inputs, you decide!
The filters are strange ones; let’s say that they act more as resonators than as classic filters. They will color and add the missing natural ringing to your drums when the resonance is lifted! You can choose between two modes: Highpass and Bandpass. As it can auto-oscillate, you can use them as a VCO or as a fundamental sound source to make bass drums, toms, or FM percussions.
Even though both channels are totally independent with their own inputs and controls, they can interact with the ZONE master, controlling the frequency of both filters at the same time, and dynamically by using the right-down switch to CHOKE or FADE channel A with channel B. They also have an additional common output that mixes both signals in parallel.
With the odd configuration that LE BINOME offers, you can achieve some really interesting spatial results, like turning any mono VCO into a full stereo synth voice, rotating its sounds by using modulation on DECAY and LEVEL of both channels. The same technique works with any audio signal. For example, in a stereo topology, LEVEL can also be seen as a panning function. Furthermore, in only one module, you can make effective combinations like a classic dual filter, a 2-channel kick-bass/kick-snare standalone powerhouse, and more. These are just examples; there are so many possibilities in a straightforward and versatile interface that encourages exploration and experimentation. You will always find something new to do!
Creativity has no limits. LE BINOME has a lot to offer in any kind of situation, not only when it’s about percussion!
Some example setups to get started:
- Dual voltage-controlled envelope generator
- Dual mono or stereo oscillator
- Full stereo or dual mono synthesizer voice hub
- Stereo rhythmic panner
- Mono or dual drum/percussion generator
- Dual multimode filter
- Bass drum and bass generator combo, trap sht GANG GANNNGG!
- Kick and snare combo, backpackers whhhaaaaa boom bap my G!
You name it!
QUOTE :
"FRIENDSHIP GOALS!"
CONTROLS :
LEVEL - Amplitude (Channel A or B):
-
Adjusts the level of the audio and the amplitude of the envelope output.
CH. “X” IN/DRIVE (Channel A or B):
-
Adjusts the amount of signal going into the selected channel.
DECAY (Channel A or B):
-
Adjusts the length of the envelope of the respective channel, from short to infinite. It opens the VCA when fully turned clockwise.
DECAY SHAPE (Channel A or B):
-
Adjusts the shape of the envelope of the respective channel, from exponential to linear to logarithmic in BLUNT mode, and from exponential to linear in SHARP mode. The exponential envelope shape has a special mode named “Expo. release,” which slowly fades without reaching zero volts when fully turned to the left, giving a more natural decay and the acoustic imperfection of an acoustic drum kit’s room reverb and resonance.
ZONE “X” DRIFT (Channel A or B):
-
Linked to the master ZONE function, the ZONE DRIFT adjusts the cutoff frequency of the selected channel’s filter, or the pitch if in oscillator mode. The center position is the starting point; in stereo mode, it can act as a Q point spacer or a way to create a two-bandpass phaser if used in series.
ZONE:
-
Adjusts the cutoff frequency of both filters, or the pitch if in oscillator mode.
REZ “X” (Channel A or B):
-
Adjusts the intensity of the resonance of the selected channel and can be pushed to auto-oscillation.
MAIN IN DRIVE:
-
Adjusts the amount of signal going into both filters.
SABOTAGE:
-
Adjusts the amount of artifact applied to the circuit. SABOTAGE’s main goal is to disturb the behavior of the module by applying different types of distortion and by cross feeding the filters channels A and B. This function is highly dependent on the input and both channels' levels.
CV DECAY “X” (Channel A or B):
-
Attenuator for the IN CV DECAY of the selected channel.
CV LEVEL “X” (Channel A or B):
-
Attenuator for the IN CV LEVEL input, can also be used for amplitude modulation or to duck the output.
CV DRIFT ZONE “X” (Channel A or B):
-
Attenuator for the IN CV ZONE DRIFT of the selected channel.
ZONE FM:
-
Attenuverter for the FM input to control the frequency of the filters.
SWITCHES (Channel A or B):
-
HP/BP: Switch between two types of filter: “HP” for HighPass and “BP” for BandPass.
-
MODE: Changes the behavior of the envelope of the respective channel.
-
SHARP: Sharp, fast, and spiky! Goes like ‘tatatatatatatatatata’
-
BLUNT: The classic mk1 style, a nice low pass gate-ish response! Goes like “gong boing frushh” splash
-
B FADE A / X / B CHOKE A:
-
B FADE A: Channel B acts as an inverted envelope follower, lowering the amplitude of Channel A.
-
X: Normal mode…what is “normal” anyway?
-
B CHOKE A: The voltage coming out of Channel B mutes any signal going out of Channel A until the end of its cycle. W
-
CONNECTIVITY :
INPUTS:
-
AUDIO INPUT - MAIN: Audio input going into both channels.
-
AUDIO INPUT - CH. “X” (Channel A or B): Additional audio input going directly to its respective channel.
-
TRIG (Channel A / B): Input to trigger the envelope of the respective channel. (Input A is normalized to B)
-
GATE (Channel A / B): Additional input to gate the envelope of the respective channel. Can be used as an ACCENT input.
-
IN CV LEVEL (Channel A / B): CV input for controlling the LEVEL of the respective channel. (Input A is normalized to B)
-
IN CV DECAY (Channel A / B): CV input for controlling the DECAY of the respective channel. (Input A is normalized to B)
-
1V/OCT (Channel A / B): Input that can take volts per octave, really good for percussion, FM textures, or even basslines, but not stable as a pure VCO if you are not tone-deaf. (Input A is normalized to B for stereo use)
-
ZONE FM: Input to produce frequency modulation of the master ZONE.
-
XV/OCT: Input that can take volts per octave, really good for percussion, FM textures, or even basslines, but not stable as a pure VCO if you are not tone-deaf.
-
IN CV ZONE DRIFT “X” (Channel A or B): Input to voltage control the DRIFT of the selected channel.
OUTPUTS:
-
VOLTAGE OUT (Channel A / B): Outputs the envelope of the respective channels A or B.
-
MIX A+B: Output for a nice compressed audio mix of channels A and B.
-
AUDIO OUT (Channel A / B): Audio output of the respective channels A and B.
-
TECHNICAL INFOS :
Current Consumption:
-
+12V: 68mA
-
-12V: 68mA
-
5V: 0mA
Width: 26HP
Depth: 24mm (33mm at power input)
Front Panel: Aluminum “Raw Dusty Black”
-
MEDIA :
MODULARGRID
Reviews
Just getting into eurorack and these modules are awesome. Super fun to use and you can constantly explore a variety of sounds and textures.