Frap Tools

Notes: The 333 is a summing and distribution module for Eurorack modular systems.

It is composed of three identical sections, the red, yellow and green, each of those featuring three inputs summing amplifier with three independently buffered outputs.

Derived directly from the CGM creative mixer series, the sum section is DC coupled, allowing the sum of control voltages as well as audio signals.

With an extremely low tolerance in both sum and output sections, it is suitable also for summing quantized voltages like the ones coming out from the quantized outputs of the SAPEL.

In case CVs or audio signals are particularly hot, the 6dB attenuator might be helpful to reduce exactly by 50% the incoming signals.

Red and yellow output are also normalled to the 1st jack socket of the yellow and green input: in this way this module can also work as a 1 to 9 buffered multiple.

Notes: Oof. Frap casually serve up one of the best filters we've seen in a long time. Quad multimode circuits with saturation and feedback give you extensive routing options. Delicious.

Supplier's Notes:
cunsa /'cu?nsa/ s.f. [dialect of Modena of uncertain etymology, probably from a Latin *comptiare, derived from comptus, participle of comere 'organize,' 'decorate'] i curing, seasoning (of foods), tanning (of leathers).

Seasoning is crucial for cooking. It is a process that enhances the flavors, glues the ingredients together, and even adds some unexpected kick.

From a gentle refining touch to a shovelful of spice, CUNSA is the perfect seasoning tool for your patches. It can sweeten a sour lead or beef up an insipid bass line, and anything in between.

And, just like a good oil, you can even taste it by itself!

CUNSA is a quadruple analog pingable multimode resonant filter, saturator, mixer, and oscillator.

It is Frap Tools' sound seasoning tool: it can gently even a patch, applying a final touch, or it can set it on fire with a ridiculous amount of spice. It's up to you and your cooking style!

It consists of four multimode resonant filters with a custom saturation and feedback control that you can use independently or in various combinations and roles thanks to a series of seminormalizations.

Four Analogue Resonant Multimode Filters

CUNSA features four state-variable filters that can be used independently or linked and mixed. Each filter provides three behaviors simultaneously: lowpass, bandpass, and highpass. Each behavior has a 12 dB/oct slope, except for the lowpass, which can be either 12 or 24 dB/oct.

Unique 'Character' Circuit for Feedback and Distortion

CUNSA handles feedback and gain staging with extreme control and versatility. Besides the usual Q control that emphasizes the cutoff frequency, the Character circuit defines the amount of soft clipping when the filter overloads. High clipping guarantees a controlled behavior with fat tone and pure resonance, while low or no clipping lets the signal saturate the filter stages and make it scream.

V/oct Tracking and Quadruple Oscillator

Each filter responds to the V/oct signal with excellent tracking. It is thus possible to move the cutoff frequency along with the main melody or make CUNSA resonate with no input and transform it into a multiple oscillator. The V/oct inputs are seminormalled so you can control more filters with the same CV. Easy chords stabs!

Ping and Ring

CUNSA is ideal for percussive and organic tones. The Ping circuit offers a behavior similar to the BRENSO but AC-coupled. Instead of shooting the frequency to the moon with any trig, CUNSA gently responds to different incoming gates with a selectable decay curve. The Ping circuit can thus create natural decay sounds when fed with trigs or smoother envelopes with any other voltage, like a linear integrator with a custom decay.

Besides this, you can also feed the filter's audio input with trigs and make it ring at high Q settings.

Linked or Individual Filtering

The four filters can work independently or arranged in groups through seminormalled inputs and sum outputs. CUNSA can thus be a 4×1, 2×2, or a massive 1×4 filter. Even odd configurations are possible, like 1+2+1 or 3+1. Mono, stereo, or quadraphonic audio is at your fingertips.

Filter and Combo Behaviour

When the filter behavior is set to COMBINED, every control of the cutoff frequency also affects the input VCA, reducing the signal amplitude and saturation as it approaches the lowest range. It can make organic decays with the ping circuit or tame the low range at high Q and Character settings.

Four Seminormalizations for Group Use

Four inputs have a cascaded seminormalization: audio inputs, VCA CV, V/oct, and Ping. Every signal patched to a filter will thus feed also those at its right, making simultaneous use even simpler. To remove a seminormalization, simply patch a dummy cable to the corresponding input.

Analog Mixing Stage and Group Outputs

Every filter output can be routed to an analogue mix bus that sums the four filters and outputs them in three combinations: all, 1+2, and 3+4. These outputs allow for versatile audio processing. Just like we did with FUMANA, we added a gentle shelving EQ for the higher frequencies of the All output to provide additional timbral variety.

CV Inputs with Attenuators

Besides the seminormalled inputs, every filter features additional CV inputs for cutoff frequency, Q, and Character, each with a dedicated attenuverter.

Notes: The current G module is an updated version of the now-discontinued 2016 G. Its functions are the same as the old one, but it features significant design upgrades that improve its usability: the selectors for the group output's behavior are now on the front panel, and the knob is now 12 mm in diameter, like the new SC and QSC.

The G (Group) is a stereo module that blends the signals coming from the channels linked to it (up to eight) and manages their signal routing.

The G "puts into practice" all the information defined by the channels' controls: volume, effect send volume, stereo panning.

It consists of three sections: the amplitude controls (white) and the two effect sends and returns (yellow and green).

A switch lets you define the group outputs' behavior: it can be either the sum of all the channels and their effect return or just the wet signal.

The first option is great for smaller setups, where you can use the group as your system's output without a master module.

Should you have a master, the second option allows for more advanced effects parallel processing or multitrack recording.

As of today, the Group is the only module that does not require power, as a Channel powers it through its IDC cable.

Ships with a 1-group-to-2-channels Link System.

Notes: The insert module allows you to connect stereo effects to your CGM setup, either by inserting them between two points of the internal summing bus or by placing them in parallel, as in a rudimentary stereo send-and-return.

It consists of two couples of outputs and inputs with dedicated gain switches. The first O/I stereo couple is the insert circuit, while the second is the parallel circuit.

The Insert module can be used:

between a group and a master;
between a group and a group;
between a channel and a group;
between a channel and a channel;
between a channel and a master (without a group).
The Insert module ships with two Insert cables compatible with every member of the CGM family, including the discontinued ones.

Flexible placement

The insert can effortlessly sit between every CGM module. Use it between a group and a master as an end-of-chain bus, or between two series of channels of the same group to create a channel subgroup with independent solo-in-place controls.

Stereo insert circuit

This circuit overrides the internal summing bus and allows you to route whatever sum goes into the insert module through your favourite stereo effects.

Stereo parallel circuit

A second out-in circuit remains parallel to the main one, excellent for adding stereo ambiance effects to the main sum.

Gain switches

The outputs and inputs provide three degrees of attenuation and matching amplification to scale the signal to most of the audio equipment out there.

Specifications:

Size: 6 HP
Depth: 38 mm
Current draw: 35 mA @ +12 V / 35 mA @ -12 V

Recommended warmup time: 30 min
Audio input impedance: > 30 KO (mono)
Audio output impedance: =100 O
Maximum output level before clipping: = 17 dBu
Frequency response: 0.01 to 40 KHz
Harmonic distortion: < 0.3 %