LZX Gen3 Primer & FAQ: The Future With Chromagnon & LZX Modular

Interesting to read about Ornament and Crime’s 1v capabilities. I’ve got Zadar, and while it has some wild waveforms which can be skewed in interesting ways, it doesn’t sync to video rates from what I’ve tried so far.

What can take sync (my system is Visual Cortex-based) is Vermona’s uniCYCLE, and it’s already a lower peak-to-peak waveform at 5v instead of 10v like most audio euro oscillators. I can get it to do multiple horizontal lines, but only one vertical line will sync, effectively becoming a ramp. Fun to modulate its even waveform’s pulse width when it’s moonlighting as a horizontal ramp! (I asked and Vermona did not intend them for video use, thus hasn’t mentioned it in their materials, but they’re more versatile in practice if you’ve got an interest in both A & V.

Regardless, it’ll be some time before I’ve caught up with the Gen3 modules. I’m excited to see what will come next, and hope to see more “3 Patches” videos if they’re still making them.

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I am curious to know what the downresing/upresing experience is with Chromagnon. Synthonie video delay/enhancer modules have caught my eye. Can Chromagnon output to these modules via composite video, then upres the resulting composite video back to 1080 60?

Seems like I would need another output module to export to the synthonie modules, then pass the result to Chromagnon for upresing.

I use the Hemispheres firmware for O&C, it’s like having two complete modules in one. And the Plum Audio version, O&C Plus, adds some indispensible options such as attenuverters, and the all-important +/-5V global switch.

I’ve done the 0-1V dance with OCP plenty of times; one of the apps is Attenuate / Offset. But that uses up one of the hemispheres. I’d rather use both Hemispheres for creative apps. Best to send the 0-5V outputs through a Cadet V scaler or a BSO 5:1… except, as I have lamented many times, the former requires DIY abilities and free time, and the latter is no longer in production.

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Chromagnon can upscale or downscale, but only exactly once. It’s a single channel device. You can’t send CVBS out of Chromagnon, through some other boxes, back to Chromagnon, upscale, and output again.

So you probably need a TBC2 if you want to integrate those Syntonie glitch modules in an HD workflow. Or you could do everything in SD and upscale at the end of the chain, either with an HD upscaling device or in software.

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Scopic Modular has a 2hp down-scaler available as well

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Very cool. Any recommendations for lightweight upresing? Are there light weight modules for going to/from CompositeVideo and Component Video?

Oh yeah! I forgot about that. Thanks! A five to one voltage converter that’s actually in production! And only 2HP.

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Not that I know of… it’s pretty involved from a technical standpoint. Either a full digital frame store, or an intricate analog scan conversion. Many HD mixers will automatically upscale to their chosen output format. There are also numerous legacy standalone scaler boxes from Extron and other manufacturers. And if you’re just recording, not doing live performance, you can always upscale in post using Premiere or whatever.

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Hi! I have a vessel case with 2x capsule power. If I want to put some gen3 modules in this case can I power them via a daisy chain from the dc socket on the back of capsule power module(s).

I powered the system on and plugged a dc power cable into the capsule on the right side of the case and measured 11.95V on that connector with a multimeter so it seems good to go. I am using the 8.34A supply that came with the case.

If I put about 10 x gen3 modules in 2 chains of 5x modules daisy chained from each capsule on 1-5 fx pedal daisy chains, the load would be about 1A +12V on each chain . and for the remaining modules load will be approx. 575 mA +12V | 340 mA -12V on each capsule . thanks!

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The combination of Capsule and barrel power in that case will make it very flexible for building a system. You can definitely plug a splitter into the DC outlet inside the case and power some Gen3 modules.

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oh great, thanks chad !

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Hello friends,
Have I missed any important updates in terms of Chromagnon shipments?

Thanks in advance. I suppose I can hunt down the most current schedule.
b4_H

We have been preparing an update, but have not yet sent out the newsletter. Soon!

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Is there a list somewhere of the expedition modules with sync connections that will work at HD rate?

See also:

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I have a question about the distant future, long after the Chromagnon saga.

I vaguely remember something about Automata instruments, specifically a texture voice. That and a line of new DIY modules. Are there any vague plans in those areas still?

I don’t know about Automata instruments for future release, but I recall that being talked about in the past too.

As for DIY, this module is currently available in built and kit form and seems to be a solid step into the future of DIY modules:

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Oops, I hadn’t read the latest blog post. So the P Series [like the PGO] is the foretold DIY successor to the Cadet series. That’s awesome news!