All About Visionary Series (Legacy)

Video Ramps

videoramps
illustration2

video ramps is a dual synchronized waveform generator. one ramp generator is locked to the vertical interval of the video display (field-rate sync), and the other is locked to the horizontal interval (line-rate sync). four different output waveforms are available from each ramp generator, including sawtooth, inverted sawtooth, triangle, and inverted triangle. video ramps offers a minimal solution to augment your system’s available waveform generation capabilities (such as video waveform generator modules), with outputs that are useful in almost any wipe or shape generation application. additionally, the outputs can be used to sweep the x & y inputs of an oscilloscope or vector display for vector rescanning experimentation. video ramps requires internal connection to a video sync generator module via the special provided 14-pin idc cable in order to function.

Specifications:

  • width: 4hp (0.8 inches)
  • mounting depth: 1.75 inches
  • MSRP $169

Video Sync Generator

videosyncgenerator

an integral component of video signals is synchronization. sync signals are embedded in all video signals and are necessary to instruct the display or recording device on how to display the information it is receiving. this is why mixing two video sources is more complicated than mixing two audio sources - the video sources must have their frame and line rates precisely aligned with one another in order to fade smoothly from one image to the next.

the video sync generator (vsg) module is a core component to the lzx visionary system and every system must contain one (and one is all you ever need.) this module generates master timing signals for various modules throughout the system such as the color video encoder, which needs these signals to generate a video output. in addition, it also offers other features such as access to the sync distribution buses, color bar reference signals, an external video input for external sync-locking and a dc clamped output for the luma (y) component of the external video signal.

the vsg can be reconfigured for pal or ntsc operation by changing 3 jumpers on the circuit board.

sync outputs:
the four sync outputs on the front panel are 1v logic signals for field rate, line rate, odd field rate, and even field rate. these outputs can be used to sync video waveform generator and other signal generator modules in order to create stable video patterns.

sync bus inputs:
the bus 1 & 2 input jacks allow patch access to two signal buses which allow distribution of sync signals to video waveform generator modules and other modules that implement bus selection. by default, these buses are connected to the field & line outputs. by plugging into the bus 1 & bus 2 jacks, this connection is broken and a different signal can be inserted into the bus. the buses use the cv & gate pins on the standard doepfer power header, therefore it is important that the vsg’s power cable is connected on the same power distribution bus as the system’s video waveform generator modules. it’s also important that these bus lines are not shared with other eurorack modules that make active use of the cv & gate buses. for more information on the doepfer cv & gate bus standard, please visit the doepfer a-100 technical details page.

color bar outputs:
the color bar outputs are multiplications of the line rate, and when patched directly to the color video encoder can be used as a signal reference for calibration. alternatively, they can be used as logic signals to sync signal generators such as video waveform generators. unlike the other outputs, which are 1v signals, these are precisely adjusted to 0.75v to represent standard 75% saturation color bars.

external video sync lock input & luma output:
the vsg can be slaved to the timing of an external video signal inserted at the video input rca jack. this allows the video from this external signal (which is output at the y jack) to be processed through the visionary system and mixed with other signals without the picture scrolling or out of sync. the external signal is buffered and clamped, then adjusted to match the standard 0 to 1v signal levels inside the visionary system. since the visionary runs on a triple colorspace system, only the black & white (luminance) information from the external signal is passed to the y jack.

to use the external sync feature, just insert a video signal to the video in jack and flip the toggle switch to a downward position. the led will turn on solid if a valid video signal is detected, or flash if no video signal is detected.

for full red, green & blue color decoding and time base correction, which will enable you to process more than one external video signal at once, a different module will be released soon.

Specifications:

  • width: 6hp
  • maximum current draw: 60ma
  • MSRP $279

Video Waveform Generator

videowaveformgenerator

what your ear may hear as a subtle difference, your eye may see as a huge one. since the end results in video synthesis are visual: texture, pattern, and shape instead of audio, there are a number of features and controls in this vco design that take into consideration this unique application.

features:

  • wide range vco with 6 selectable frequency ranges from 30 seconds to 2mhz, coarse and fine tuning controls.

  • expanded hard sync circuit designed for accurate synchronization to video sync signals. selection switch allows normalization to sync bus signals distributed through the power header from the lzx visionary video sync generator module.

  • precision video op-amps used in all circuitry for accurate high speed frequency and waveshape modulation.

  • five simultaneous waveform outputs: triangle, sawtooth, square, pulse (rectangle) & shaped sine.

  • two independent waveshapers with cv inputs, cv attenuverters and bias controls: pulsewidth modulator & sine shaper. control pulsewidth and sine shape from 0% to 100%.

  • two frequency cv inputs with cv attenuverters. jumper-configurable options for input scaling (visionary or 1v/oct standard) and linear or exponential input.

  • attenuversion controls on all signal inputs allow attenuation and inversion of any input signal.

  • frequency notification led.

  • no external +5v power rail necessary, user configurable jumper allows selection between onboard +5v regulator or +5v rail on standard power header.

Specifications:

  • width: 16hp
  • maximum current draw: 140ma
  • MSRP $399

Voltage Bridge

voltagebridge

voltage bridge is a simple, straightforward 8-channel voltage scaling module designed for conveniently interfacing with synthesizer modules and devices outside of or integrated into an lzx visionary system. four sets of inputs/outputs attenuate a signal by 20% (5 volt scale to 1 volt scale), and another four sets of inputs/outputs increase the gain of a signal by 500% (1 volt to 5 volt scale.) this module can be used for any type of signal: audio, control voltage, logic, video, etc. aside from its utility purposes, it can be used to achieve various effects as well.

Specifications:

  • width: 6hp (1.2 inches)
  • mounting depth: 1.25 inches
  • MSRP $99

Voltage Interface I

voltageinterfacei

the voltage interface i is a 5-channel precision voltage conditioner which can transform external signals, from 10v control voltages to line level audio, into the 1v signal ranges expected by lzx visionary modules. an external signal is inserted into an input on the left side of the module. gain and bias controls are adjusted until neither of the two clipping indicator leds are lighting up. internal clipping circuitry for each channel ensures that output voltages above 1v and below 0v are completely clipped off. the conditioned signal is accessible at the output jack on the right side of the module.

Patching Tips
external_interface
LZX Visionary modules can receive 10V signals from standard EuroRack audio and CV modules, however they expect a voltage range of 1V in order to get optimum operation out of the module controls and high bandwidth circuitry. In some cases, it won’t matter — but in others, the Voltage Interface I (VI1) module can be used to convert external voltages to the correct range. In this patch, three waveform outputs from the Bubblesound uLFO are patched into input channels on the VI1. The VI1 gain and bias controls are adjusted so that the two clipping notification LEDs are NOT lighting up at any point. The VI1 outputs are then fed straight into the Color Video Encoder to create a morphing, voltage controlled color field.

Specifications:

  • width: 12hp
  • maximum current draw: 85ma
  • MSRP $199

XY Display Driver

Primary Functions: interfacing with oscilloscopes and XY displays.

SPECIFICATIONS

  • Status: Special Order
  • Width: 4HP
  • Mounting Depth: 2 inches
  • LZX Sync Cable Required
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