From the Blacet Manual:

The Mini Wave is a wavetable lookup type module that features 256 different waveforms stored in a digital memory arranged as sixteen “Banks” with sixteen “Waves” for each Bank. The selection of Wave and Bank is voltage controlled. Each waveform consists of 256 samples or steps that are output by decoding an input voltage or waveform. Using a sawtooth input wave, the samples are output in sequential order, with the frequency tracking the input signal. Using a more complex input waveform allows for non sequential sample output with a more “distortion box” feel. A slow speed input waveform allows complex envelope or LFO type signals to be output. The Mini Wave can also be used as a quantizer, processing control voltage inputs to only output specific steps of control voltage.

Download Blacet’s MINIWAVE BASIC MANUAL.

Modifications:

Front-Panel-Express MOTM style panel

• VC range for 5V sensitivity
• Added 4-jack multiple, normalled from the Mini-Wave output
• Hylander expander board with 8 additional PROM sockets
• 10-position thumbwheel switch for PROM selection added later in the place of the A/B PROM switch

Photos of the back, belatedly added October, 2010.

Description: Complex Voltage Generator

From the Blacet website:

• Built in wide range clock with LED
• Clock In accepts almost any wave form including audio frequencies
• Two Clock Outs (one with narrow pulse)
• Six octave based controls with +/- swings (center off) allow up to 64 step patterns ranging up to +/-10V
• Four step Lag processor push button
• Normal and Inverted outs
• Handy Range Switch (+/-2V, +/-5V, +/-10V)
• Gate In for external control. (Normalled to run continuously) Also excepts a Reset pulse
• Use for complex CV generation, audio frequency division, gate generation

Download BLACET BASIC BINARY ZONE MANUAL

Modifications:  Beautiful Stooge Panel

I was lucky to come into posession of an original Stooge panel for the Binary Zone.  I’ve built it exactly as per the panel design, with the MOTM LED and the big, red pushbutton.  I was not able to find center-detent pots of the type needed here, which figure into the mounting of the panel to the bracket.  So, I won’t be able to precisely null out the stages.  I don’t anticipate a problem, though, because, in combination with an external pulse divider, the Reset input can be used to shorten the cycle to just the number of divisions I want.  Here’s a photo of the construction.

I was asked for a Front Panel Express panel equivalent of the Stooge panel for the Binary Zone.

Here it is for download.  Binary Zone FPD Panel

Be aware that the LED hole is 5/16″ for the Lumex LED part that is MOTM standard.  And the hole for the push button is very large, just shy of a half inch diameter.   You can modify these for your LED and push button, if needed.

Description:  Blacet Research Model DF2420 manually controlled state variable filters.  Two filters in a single 1U panel.

From the Blacet website:

Two high quality state variable filters in one handy package. Just the ticket for applications where voltage control is not required, such as formant filtering, basic percussion sounds or as a super tone control. Also useful as a clock source in “extreme” feedback mode! Use the filters separately, or with one input feeding both filters (mixed or separate outputs), or with two inputs mixed to one output. No extra mixers needed!

This is the fourth Blacet module that I’ve put into MOTM format this way.  It is very neat and tidy, the board mounting to the panel by the pots.  In a custom Front Panel Express panel.

Download Blacet Basic Manual

Front Panel Express FPD file

From the Blacet website:

Noise and Uncertainty Generator

• Analog White Noise
• Digital Noise with VC Level and Width (Window Comparator)
• BP or LP Filter
• Noise Mixer
• Sample Hold Clock
• External S/H Clock Input
• Built in Digital S/H & Quantizer
• Separate White, Digital, S/H, and Quantized Outputs
• The Level pot and/or the CV jack sets the comparator signal level. Noise is clipped above this level.
• The Width pot and/or the CV jack sets the signal width or “window” where noise is output.
• In practice, these controls are best experimented with to produce the best noise character for your application. Almost any noise frequency from near white to occasional clicks and pops can be realized.
• Frequency Pot, LP/BP Switch: The internal 12 dB filter’s frequency is controlled by the pot. The switch selects a low pass or band pass response.
• Mix Pot, Filtered Output: The Mix pot allows mixing white and digital noise. This mix is sent into the filter, and the filter output is sent to the Filtered Out.
• S/H Pot, External Clock Input: The S/H rate is normally clocked by the internal clock. An external clock can also be used. Plugging in an external clock will bypass the internal one.
• White Noise Output: white noise
• Digital Noise Output: digital noise
• Stepped Output: Stepped voltages derived from the filtered noise mix
• Quantized Output: Stepped voltages derived from the filtered noise mix, quantized to 1V/oct steps

Download Blacet’s ID BASIC MANUAL.

Modifications:

This module fits neatly into a 1U MOTM style Front Panel Express panel with the board mounted directly by the pot bushings. The CV inputs for internal clock and filter frequency were omitted because of panel space. I made some capacitor substitutions and replaced the polyswitchs on the power inputs with ferrite beads. The panel knobs are ALCO PKG50B1/4.

From the Blacet website:

External Device Amplifier/Processor

• DC Coupled X10 thru X500 Amplifier
• Ultra Low Noise, Distortion, Offset
• Switchable 100K/470K Input Impedance
• Input has +5V power for external devices such as pressure sensors, ribbons, pedals, accelerometers, etc. (Switchable on/off, tip or ring; 25 mA)
• Two Envelope Follower Outputs; both with attenuators, one with lag
• Gate and Trig Outputs with adjustable threshold
• Gate Active LED

Connect external devices such as keyboards, guitars, microphones, etc. to your modular. The 2225 amplifies typical line level signals of 1V up to the 10V optimal for your modules. It also amplifies much smaller signals from mikes and guitars up to 500 times. With available 5V out on the stereo 1/4″ jack, you can power external sensors such as a pedal without any extra trouble.

• Two envelope follower outputs convert signal levels to DC for controlling VCFs, VCAs, MWs etc.
• Gate and Trigger signals are also extracted from the DC with adjustable threshold or trip points.

Download Blacet’s IO BASIC MANUAL.

Modifications:

This module fits neatly into a 1U MOTM style Front Panel Express panel with the board mounted directly by the pot bushings. I replaced the polyswitchs on the power inputs with ferrite beads. The panel knobs are ALCO PKG50B1/4.

From the Blacet website:

A Classic Sounding OTA Based Phaser with Extensive Voltage Control

• Four Stage Phaser with Dual Phase Regeneration Switch for “Classic” or Bright Response
• Input Level Control
• Voltage Controlled Center Frequency
• Voltage Controlled Regeneration
• Built in LFO
• Voltage Controlled Modulation Depth
• External Modulation Input and Mixer for LFO/External
• Dual Out of Phase “Stereo” outputs
• Very Low Noise Design

Download Blacet’s STONZ BASIC MANUAL.

Here are two more photos of the board and the back showing the unusual mounting bracket.

From the Blacet website:

The Blacet MX2040 Mixer/Processor is a DC-coupled mixer suitable for both audio and CV mixing. Each input is center-off with plus and minus phase control. The outputs may be level shifted with a variable +5V to -5V bias control. Two separate sections are included.

The MX is carefully designed for optimum, stable CV mixing as well as low distortion, low noise audio mixing. CV mixing with the unit allows modulating any voltage controlled module with a highly flexible mix of CV sources such as LFO’s, ADSRs, envelope followers, MIDI to CV converters, CV pedals, etc. Audio mixing with the 2040 allows precise phase control of the input signals resulting in strikingly different sounds unavailable with common uni-phase mixers.

Download Blacet’s MIXER BASIC MANUAL.

Modifications:

Front-Panel-Express MOTM style panel

This compact package houses the MX2040 board behind a custom 1U wide MOTM panel. The LEDs are omitted for space. Circuit modified to achieve two 2-input mixers, each with a bias pot. Output CD mixes into the AB mixer if nothing plugged into the CD output, for a 4-input mixer.

From the Blacet website:

• Wide Range Voltage Controlled Envelope Generator
• 600µS to 1 Hour
• Five Time Base Ranges selectable with VC
• AD (Attack/Decay), Triggered. Sustain Control acts as bias.
• ADSR (Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release), Gated
• LFO, Full control of Attack and Decay ramps. Gated with Semi Chaotic Release Time
• Output Level LED
• Time Base LED Blinks at slower rates for longer TBs

Download Blacet’s EG BASIC MANUAL.

Modifications:

• Front-Panel-Express MOTM style panel
• Added gate comparator with Schmitt function
• Added attenuated VC input that controls all time factors
• Calibrated for 0 to +5V output
• VC inputs calibrated for 5V sensitivity

From the Blacet website:

• Genuine BBD Analog Delay Line Technology for that “retro” sound.
• Delays From 10 mS to 2 Seconds!
• Bi-Phase Regeneration for Killer Flanging
• Voltage Control of Most Parameters:
  1. Delay Time
  2. Regeneration (Feedback)
  3. Modulation Rate (40 S per cycle to 40 Hz)
  4. Modulation Depth
  5. Effect Bypass
• Reset Input for Modulation Generator for Synchronized Effects
• Envelope Follower
• External Modulation Input.
• Modulation Mixer
• Dry/Effect Mix
• Compander Noise Reduction
• Switched Capacitor Tracking Filters for Wide Delay Range with Optimum Bandwidth
• Optimized for Audio Signals from 1V to 10V

Download Blacet’s TIME MACHINE BASIC MANUAL.

Modifications:

• Stooge MOTM style panel
• Dave Bradley’s modification for adding a manual bypass switch
• Blacet modification to prevent overloading the audio input

See also Larry Hendry’s Time Machine page.

From the Blacet website:

VCA2200 Voltage Controlled Amplifier/Mixer

• State of the Art Quad Exponential VCA (100 mV/dB)
• Ultra Low Noise
• Ultra Low Distortion
• 100 dB/ 75 dB Range
• AC/DC Operation
• 0-10V CV Range with 0-5V Option
• Gain and Overdrive/Clipping
• Separate Voltage Control of any VCA or leave unconnected for unity gain mixer use
• Quad Mixer/VCA with optional voltage control of any channel. Linear Mix controls
• Triple Mixer/VCA with separate VCA for final VCA or other use
• Use any VCA for audio or control voltage processing.
• Pan/Fade with external normal and inverted CVs.

Download Blacet’s QUAD VCA BASIC MANUAL.

Modifications:

• Front-Panel-Express MOTM style panel
• Circuit modified to become two separate 2-into-1 VC mixers
• 0 to +5V control range.
• CV connection to control all four (ABCD) two each (AB, CD) or individual (A, B, C, D) channels with one CV.