Sample and Hold
The Sample and Hold is a straightforward yet versatile module in the Eurorack format. It contains a precision analog sample and hold, a full wave rectifier and a white noise source.
A sample and hold receives a signal at its input, but will not output a signal until it receives a trigger at the gate input. The output signal is equal to the value of the input voltage the moment a trigger is received at the gate input. This output voltage is held until another trigger is received at the gate input. This turns continuous/smooth waveforms into stepped waveforms.
What is unique about this sample and hold is that it was specifically designed to process sensitive signals. Ideally, a sample and hold can indefinitely hold its output voltage. In reality analog sample and holds suffer from “droop,” which results in the output voltage gradually falling as it being is held. This results in tuning issues while using a sample and hold to process control voltage from a pitch sequencer.
This sample and hold was specifically designed to minimize “droop” and can hold voltages for about 10 minutes with virtually no droop. This makes it a great tool for processing pitch sequences and extracting new melodic patterns to be distributed among several different synth voices.
ADA
ADA is a patch programmable 3-bit quantizer. ADA’s function is determined by its relationship with surrounding modules. Some uses include, but are not limited to: CV/gate sequencing, staircase generation, bit crushing, wave folding, PWM, and crude voltage controlled amplification. The integrated analog sample and hold allows control voltage patterns to be extracted from the main output and can be externally clocked at audio rate for analog downsampling effects.
The reference level establishes eight equally spaced reference voltages, descending from the panel setting to 0V. As the input signal crosses each reference voltage, ADA counts from 0 to 7 in binary. This binary segment is displayed by the three LEDs and is used to address a bank of eight variable voltages. This constructs the output waveform, which is a stepped version of the input signal. This signal is normalled to the sample and hold input, which can be clocked by the bits from the binary segment, via the panel switches, or by an external gate.