VCA with logarithmic and linear control inputs. It has a new front panel design with elongated holes.
Amplifiers have a simple job - they amplify or attenuate the signals presented to them. Voltage controlled amplifiers (VCAs) are more sophisticated... they allow you to control the amount of amplification or attenuation by applying a voltage to a CV input. VCAs exist in every synthesizer that can shape a sound.
You may think that it's the envelope that is, for example, changing the volume, but it isn't. The envelope is producing a CV that, when applied to the VCA, causes it to modify the signal passing through it. The VCA is one of the fundamental modules that allow us to make sounds develop over time.
VCAs need not be restricted to amplifying audio signals. Other configurations inclu de modulating a VCA using a Low Frequency Oscillator to produce the effect known as tremolo.
In sophisticated instruments, the speed and depth of the LFO can themselves be controlled by a VCA, so that the rate and intensity of the tremolo changes in time too.
In use :
CV Inputs
The RS-180N offers dual CV inputs. CV1-IN LIN responds linearly to incoming CVs, while the CV2-IN LOG input responds logarithmically. Traditional wisdom suggests that linear CV inputs are most useful for LFOs, whereas you should use the logarithmic response for envelopes. There is some basis for this, but you must remember that any signals can be presented to the CV inputs . Furthermore, you can use both CV inputs simultaneously, thus creating complex VCA responses.
Initial Level
The INITIAL LEVEL does what it says: with no CV s applied to either CV input, it determines the gain of the VCA. With the INITIAL LEVEL set to MAX and with no negative CVs applied to the CV inputs, the RS-180N will pass signals with no changes in amplitude. At the other extreme, with the INITIAL LEVEL set to MIN and with no positive CVs applied to the CV inputs, the RS-180N will pass no signals whatsoever.
If CVs fluctuating around 0V are presented to the CV inputs, the VCA gain will be modulated around the INITIAL LEVEL.
Inputs and Outputs
The VCA has two signal inputs: SIG 1 IN and SIG 2 IN, each with an associated LEVEL control. (The RS-180N incorporates a mixer so that the signals presented to these can be treated simultaneously.) The inputs accept both audio signals and CVs in the range ±10v. The LEVEL controls offer unity gain in the fully clockwise position, and completely attenuate the signal at their anticlockwise extreme.
There is a single output that carries a signal in the range ±10v.
- Width: 12HP
- Depth: 65mm
- Power: 8 mA +12V / 8 mA -12V / 0 mA 5V
How much is my shipping?
Shipping costs are calculated automatically at checkout. Simply add items to your cart and proceed to the checkout page, where you'll see the available shipping options and their prices. VAT at the applicable rate for your country will also be displayed at checkout.
European Union orders:
- Standard shipping is free on orders over €100. Express shipping is available on orders over €100, and free on orders over €400.
Poland orders:
- Standard shipping is free on orders over 250 PLN. Express shipping is free on orders over 500 PLN.
What about local taxes?
By default prices on the site include sales tax at 20%. The precise sales tax rate for your country will be calculated at checkout.
Do you ship to my country?
We ship to all EU member states from our warehouse in Warsaw, Poland. Add an item to your cart and enter your country and postcode to see the available shipping options and prices for your location. If you have any questions about shipping to your country, drop us an email at info@signalsounds.eu and we'll be happy to help.
Shipping methods
All EU orders are shipped via UPS. We offer two service levels:
- UPS Standard – our default shipping option. Delivery times vary by country (see estimated delivery times below).
- UPS Express Saver – next business day delivery to most EU destinations.
Each product page shows the estimated delivery time for your location, so you'll always know what to expect before you order.
Estimated delivery times (Standard shipping)
The times below are estimates in working days from dispatch, based on UPS Standard service. Express Saver delivers by the next business day to most destinations.
| Country | Estimated delivery (working days) |
|---|---|
| Austria | 2–3 |
| Belgium | 2 |
| Bulgaria | 4–5 |
| Croatia | 2–4 |
| Cyprus | 10 |
| Czechia | 2–3 |
| Denmark | 3 |
| Estonia | 2–3 |
| Finland | 3–5 |
| France | 2–4 |
| Germany | 2 |
| Greece | 5–7 |
| Hungary | 2–3 |
| Ireland | 4–6 |
| Italy | 3–5 |
| Latvia | 2–3 |
| Lithuania | 1–2 |
| Luxembourg | 2 |
| Malta | 5–7 |
| Netherlands | 2 |
| Poland | 1–2 |
| Portugal | 4–5 |
| Romania | 3–4 |
| Slovakia | 2–3 |
| Slovenia | 2–3 |
| Spain | 4 |
| Sweden | 3–5 |
These times are estimates and are not guaranteed. Delivery may occasionally take a little longer due to customs processing, local conditions, or carrier delays.
Dispatch times
Orders placed before 15:00 CET (Central European Time) on a working day are normally dispatched the same day. Orders placed after 15:00 CET, or on weekends and public holidays, will be dispatched on the next working day.
If you have an urgent order, please email us at info@signalsounds.eu before placing your order and we'll do our best to accommodate you.
Pre-orders
If a product is listed as a pre-order, it means we've ordered it from the supplier but it's not physically in stock yet. The product listing will include an estimated shipping date based on the best information we have from the supplier, but do bear in mind this is subject to change and is not a guaranteed date.
If you place an order containing a mixture of in-stock and pre-order items, we'll normally hold off on shipping anything until the pre-order item(s) have arrived, rather than splitting it into multiple shipments. If you need the in-stock items sooner, we'd recommend placing separate orders. As always, please get in touch at info@signalsounds.eu if you have questions.
Product Overview
VCA with logarithmic and linear control inputs. It has a new front panel design with elongated holes.
Amplifiers have a simple job - they amplify or attenuate the signals presented to them. Voltage controlled amplifiers (VCAs) are more sophisticated... they allow you to control the amount of amplification or attenuation by applying a voltage to a CV input. VCAs exist in every synthesizer that can shape a sound.
You may think that it's the envelope that is, for example, changing the volume, but it isn't. The envelope is producing a CV that, when applied to the VCA, causes it to modify the signal passing through it. The VCA is one of the fundamental modules that allow us to make sounds develop over time.
VCAs need not be restricted to amplifying audio signals. Other configurations inclu de modulating a VCA using a Low Frequency Oscillator to produce the effect known as tremolo.
In sophisticated instruments, the speed and depth of the LFO can themselves be controlled by a VCA, so that the rate and intensity of the tremolo changes in time too.
In use :
CV Inputs
The RS-180N offers dual CV inputs. CV1-IN LIN responds linearly to incoming CVs, while the CV2-IN LOG input responds logarithmically. Traditional wisdom suggests that linear CV inputs are most useful for LFOs, whereas you should use the logarithmic response for envelopes. There is some basis for this, but you must remember that any signals can be presented to the CV inputs . Furthermore, you can use both CV inputs simultaneously, thus creating complex VCA responses.
Initial Level
The INITIAL LEVEL does what it says: with no CV s applied to either CV input, it determines the gain of the VCA. With the INITIAL LEVEL set to MAX and with no negative CVs applied to the CV inputs, the RS-180N will pass signals with no changes in amplitude. At the other extreme, with the INITIAL LEVEL set to MIN and with no positive CVs applied to the CV inputs, the RS-180N will pass no signals whatsoever.
If CVs fluctuating around 0V are presented to the CV inputs, the VCA gain will be modulated around the INITIAL LEVEL.
Inputs and Outputs
The VCA has two signal inputs: SIG 1 IN and SIG 2 IN, each with an associated LEVEL control. (The RS-180N incorporates a mixer so that the signals presented to these can be treated simultaneously.) The inputs accept both audio signals and CVs in the range ±10v. The LEVEL controls offer unity gain in the fully clockwise position, and completely attenuate the signal at their anticlockwise extreme.
There is a single output that carries a signal in the range ±10v.
Technical Specs
Shipping Details
How much is my shipping?
Shipping costs are calculated automatically at checkout. Simply add items to your cart and proceed to the checkout page, where you'll see the available shipping options and their prices. VAT at the applicable rate for your country will also be displayed at checkout.
European Union orders:
- Standard shipping is free on orders over €100. Express shipping is available on orders over €100, and free on orders over €400.
Poland orders:
- Standard shipping is free on orders over 250 PLN. Express shipping is free on orders over 500 PLN.
What about local taxes?
By default prices on the site include sales tax at 20%. The precise sales tax rate for your country will be calculated at checkout.
Do you ship to my country?
We ship to all EU member states from our warehouse in Warsaw, Poland. Add an item to your cart and enter your country and postcode to see the available shipping options and prices for your location. If you have any questions about shipping to your country, drop us an email at info@signalsounds.eu and we'll be happy to help.
Shipping methods
All EU orders are shipped via UPS. We offer two service levels:
- UPS Standard – our default shipping option. Delivery times vary by country (see estimated delivery times below).
- UPS Express Saver – next business day delivery to most EU destinations.
Each product page shows the estimated delivery time for your location, so you'll always know what to expect before you order.
Estimated delivery times (Standard shipping)
The times below are estimates in working days from dispatch, based on UPS Standard service. Express Saver delivers by the next business day to most destinations.
| Country | Estimated delivery (working days) |
|---|---|
| Austria | 2–3 |
| Belgium | 2 |
| Bulgaria | 4–5 |
| Croatia | 2–4 |
| Cyprus | 10 |
| Czechia | 2–3 |
| Denmark | 3 |
| Estonia | 2–3 |
| Finland | 3–5 |
| France | 2–4 |
| Germany | 2 |
| Greece | 5–7 |
| Hungary | 2–3 |
| Ireland | 4–6 |
| Italy | 3–5 |
| Latvia | 2–3 |
| Lithuania | 1–2 |
| Luxembourg | 2 |
| Malta | 5–7 |
| Netherlands | 2 |
| Poland | 1–2 |
| Portugal | 4–5 |
| Romania | 3–4 |
| Slovakia | 2–3 |
| Slovenia | 2–3 |
| Spain | 4 |
| Sweden | 3–5 |
These times are estimates and are not guaranteed. Delivery may occasionally take a little longer due to customs processing, local conditions, or carrier delays.
Dispatch times
Orders placed before 15:00 CET (Central European Time) on a working day are normally dispatched the same day. Orders placed after 15:00 CET, or on weekends and public holidays, will be dispatched on the next working day.
If you have an urgent order, please email us at info@signalsounds.eu before placing your order and we'll do our best to accommodate you.
Pre-orders
If a product is listed as a pre-order, it means we've ordered it from the supplier but it's not physically in stock yet. The product listing will include an estimated shipping date based on the best information we have from the supplier, but do bear in mind this is subject to change and is not a guaranteed date.
If you place an order containing a mixture of in-stock and pre-order items, we'll normally hold off on shipping anything until the pre-order item(s) have arrived, rather than splitting it into multiple shipments. If you need the in-stock items sooner, we'd recommend placing separate orders. As always, please get in touch at info@signalsounds.eu if you have questions.
