Originally developed as part of a large performance system for Alessandro Cortini of Nine Inch Nails, the Model 10 is a binary-phase (rise/fall) analog envelope generator capable of reproducing logarithmic, exponential and linear contour transients ranging from 1 millsecond to over 20 minutes in duration.

Improved in Spring of 2008, the Mark II adds RETRIGGERING capability to the Model 10. WIth this change, the envelope phase will begin again once an incoming clock is recevied, whether or not the envelope in progress has completed.

Fully voltage controllable, the Model 10's output geometry is determined by four independent parameters: Rise, Fall, Timebase and Contour. It can operate as a one shot, requiring either a manual or external pulse to begin a single cycle, or it can self-cycle, configured as a programmable LFO with independent triangle, square and sawtooth outputs.

An external Cycle input affords a third option - a burst generator which will self-oscillate as long as this input is held high. A Triggering Switch also allows the user to lock the Model 10 into a permantent self cycling loop, or manually fire a single envelope in one-shot mode (down position is spring loaded).

Along with the timing controls, the Model 10 has a bipolar output Level attenuator for dynamic control of either a non-inverted (0 to 8 volts) positive EG, or an inverted (0 to - 8V) negative output. This feature, coupled with timing pulses fired at the end of each phase makes the M10 an ideal tool for sculpting complex envelopes from multiple units.

Control Typograghy - Level Pot

OK, so... what's with 'Polyphonic'??

The Model 10 can simultaneously produce voltages in different formats (four concurrant signals, each out of independent jacks) that can be used to accomplish different musical goals with unified control. Along with two timed gate signals, one each firing at the end of both the rise and fall stages, there are as well two independent voltage functions: A rise/fall envelope output and an adaptation of that which produces an non-lnear attack-only ramp output of the same duration as the combined rise/fall times of the main output..

The attributes of the Ramp output are not preset. Like the main EG outs, they are derived from the settings of the Rise and Fall controls. Arranged in an ATTACK1-ATTACK2 configuration. the ramp cycle begins with a half-slope rendering of the main EG's attack phase (it's amplitude is divided by 2, while the time axis remains unaltered). But instead of turning downward at the completion of the attack, the voltage continues to rise at the angle determined the M10's Fall control .

The net effect of these two outputs afford a means by which a secondary, synced control curve can be assigned to another parameter within a given patch. Imagine a long attack, long decay envelope being used to gate a sound through a VCA while the ramp output is patched to sweep it's filter frequency ever-upward until the sound dissappears into silence. Whether you speed the event up or slow it down - those two parameters will remain tracked.

Ouput Timing - Model 10 (click image for larger view)



Under the hood

It should come as little surprise to see a linear dual-phase function generator introduced into a line that also produces a triangle core VCO. The core circuits of each are closely paired. But instead of the fixed symmetry required for a precision oscillator, the Model 10 provides full programmablility of both the rise and fall times of the core triangle waveform, each with an adjustable slope from .5 milliseconds to over five minutes in duration.

And again taking from VCO technology, along with the ramp out (the same circuit used for the sawtooth shaper in the Model 15) and Rise and Fall time controls found in virtually all other EGs, the Model 10 is equipped with a unique third parameter - a linear Timebase function which provides both manual and voltage control of the envelope's overall duration. In short, it can stretch (or shrink) the envelope by up to a factor of x8, as shown below (click image for larger view):



The timebase function is a full-range linear pot, not a rotary switch or arbitrary selector found on other EGs with this function. It takes the voltage levels from the Rise/Fall pots and in effect multiplies them. However, the ratio of the rise and fall geometry remains constant throughout the Timebase pot's travel.

Along with the Rise/Fall/Timebase functions, further tweeking can be induced on both the EG and Ramp outputs via the three-position Contour Switch. This control bends the curve of the core waveform into three distinct angles with logarithmic (up postion), exponential (down position) and linear (center) contours, the latter specifically designed to compliment the VC response curve of the Model 13 Dual Timbral Gate.

Exponential curves are useful for 'whip in the tail' type response of doppler effects.

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Audio Samples

The soundbyte link below illustrates the benefits of the Model 10 Polyphonic Envelope. In this sample:

The rise/fall output is used to both pan the signal across the stereo field and open a Dual Timbral Gate. Its curve is set to exponential mode. You'll notice the 'whip in the tail' when it approaches maximum output (where the attack ends and the fall begins).

The RAMP output is used to sweep the frequency of the VCO ever upward throughout the event.

The EOA (End of Attack) Gate out is used to gate another VCO which is being used as a vibrato. What the Model 10 is actually doing it gating it's own RAMP output through a VCA. The vibrato fades in, but only AFTER the fall begins of the main shaping envelope.

In that all of the control events in this soundbyte are generated by a single module - the MODEL 10 - they remain in sync, regardless of the overall time of the envelope itself. The only change which occurs in the sample come from an external VC of the Timebase function.

Give a listen - click here

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Model 10 Demo Video by James Cigler: