Euterpe Synthesizer Laboratories Vertice, User Manual

The two VCAs: the STACCATO/CONTINUO control

There is a lot of thinking behind this one-pot module.

We just wanted a VCA: a simple Master Level control which could also make the 

staccato 

function via Envelope 

Generator 

Gate-in

, so you can play some oscillators like a real pro. 

In addition to that, however, it turned out that this module could also be a great source of brutal, creamy, 

painful distortions. So we also decided to implement this feature through the circuital design and underline it.

That's the reason because you can't find any meter or I/O levels LEDs beside this control. We just prefer to not 

influence your ears with an indicator of the “suffering status” of the VERTICE's circuitry. It's very difficult to broke 

something inside just using high level signals. In all the tests we have done until today never a unit has been 

damaged by that kind of audio materials, and we can produce very high not-standard levels. So use the entire 

range you have, keeping in mind that it is very large and sometimes may take to some strange behaviors.

STACCATO

In the 

STACCATO

 position the 

Master Level

 control 

cuts the sound off completely. It's the silent way to turn on 

the machine and it's also the “shut up a second!” way. 

Staccato

 have few meanings: in contemporary Italian means “turn off, disconnected, or disjoined”, about the 

same as in eighteenth century when, musically speaking, this label was applied to a musical form meaning 

playing short notes articulated between silences.

When you direct the Envelope Generator output CV into the VCA (via switch on the panel or via patching rear EG 

out into front AM in) and playing producing a GATE signal you can easily do Staccato performances. 

EG level is 

designed to get a full output VCA level when EG level is to max and the VCAs are in Staccato position.

Output Levels

Very high audio signal levels can be produced. Read carefully this section of the manual in order to 

operate in safety for your gear and your ears.

Noise values

In the most common case when silence is needed, with e.g. an oscillator plugged in, audio input fully 

open, distortion ON and mid-working 

Cutoffs

 and 

Emphasis

, a very loud situation circuitally speaking, 

the whole machine's noise floor is -77dB (+/-2) in a 24bit digital scale. It is not exceptional at all, but it is quiet 

enough to meet the most case of applications. Obviously turning down the input material or cut it totally off 

can reduce this floor to -85dB, an absolute good result for a totally analog  hand made synthesis device. 

This considerations means that 

also the silence

between the two Staccato note

 will be at such low noise value, 

a great plus for delicate virtuoso performances.

CONTINUO

In the 

CONTINUO

 position 

the level is up. This is the classic setting for clean summing process, drone-like tones, 

long evolving soundscapes, disturbing beatings, horror-movie enharmonic textures and of course for exploring 

the VERTICE Filterbank and the darker side of your soul.

This is not the maximum 

audio level that VERTICE can produce. Keep that knowledge firmly in mind. You can push it further.

Stress Position

You may also know that Continuo is a stress position for the VCA, which is now close to 100dBrms of 

gain, a very high ratio. In this particular setting the internal gain of the output circuitry, which collects 

all the audio and noise from the preceding stages, is 

just 

at the edge of the VCA distortion threshold. We set 

it on purpose, approximately to leave undistorted the output signal when 

Staccato/Continuo

 stay before the 

orange "something happens here" graphic on the panel. Yes, it distorts in this zone (and we like it). But it also 

pump up the noise. So be aware from this increased noise floor: it's the price for an extreme range level. 

EG to VCA Overload

The just mentioned “all-is-lost threshold” can be easily overloaded by involving the built-in Envelope 

Generator module to achieve very extreme sonic explorations. You are invited to, but remember the high level 

of signal can be produced: keep mixer's faders down.

In the EG sections it's detailed explained how to play with internal Amplitude Modulations, see 

page 45.

VCAs levels dBfs references

The two VCAs are set to get a common recording level of approx -12dBfs when: Staccato/Continuo is at the 

beginning of the safety zone (the orange zone on the panel) and A input level is to max, OR when Staccato/

Continuo is to max and A input level is to flat position. The resulting -12dB value is obviously dependant by the 

input signal level but should still be practically easily recordable with a unity gain factor on your mixer

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the Masters section