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Rare Waves LLC

Grendel RA-9 Grenadier

User Guide 1.3

© 2015

r a r e w a v e s . n e t

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SEQ DRONE FADE

REPEAT PROG

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VDC

VCO Tuning Method # 3 - Using a voltmeter, MIDI-CV converter, and A-440 tone source

This  is  a  fast  and  accurate  way  to  tune  the  VCO  when  you  have  a  MIDI  workstation  and  MIDI-CV 
converter.  It requires a digital voltmeter and a tuner with A440 tone output.  The results will be in tune 
regardless of any 1V/octave scale inaccuracy within your MIDI-CV converter.

Getting ready

Ÿ

Power on the Grenadier for 30 minutes before beginning the procedure.

Ÿ

Locate a small screwdriver suitable for adjusting the Grenadier’s TUNE and VCO trimmers.

Ÿ

Locate a digital volt meter (DMM) with 3.5 digits precision or better.  Connect the DMM to the 
MIDI-CV converter’s CV output.  You can use a pair of alligator clips to make connection between 
the DMM’s test probes and a patch cable.  Connect the DMM’s red probe to the patch cable’s tip, 
and the black probe to the patch cable sleeve. 

Ÿ

Turn DRONE on.  All other switches should be off, including PITCH ENV.  Set LFO DEPTH to 
zero (12 o’clock).  The Grenadier should be sounding a steady tone without modulation.

Ÿ

Give the Grenadier’s TUNE and VCO trimmers some exercise for cleaning purposes.  Do this by 
rotating them from one end to the other two or three times.  These are single turn trimmers.

Procedure

1.   Find the key on your MIDI controller which produces an reading of 2.270 volts DC on the 

voltmeter.  

If it doesn’t read exactly 2.270 volts, select the key that is approximately closest.

  

Remember this key - it is your reference note. 

2.   Disconnect the voltmeter from the MIDI-CV converter.

3.   Patch the MIDI-CV converter to the Grenadier’s CV IN.  Play the reference note on the MIDI 

controller.

4.           Listen to the A-440 tone from your tuner and compare it to the Grenadier’s pitch.  

5.   Adjust the TUNE trimmer so the Grenadier’s pitch sounds exactly 2 octaves below A-440 Hz.

6.   On your MIDI controller, now play the key that is located 2 octaves above the reference note.

7.   Adjust the VCO trimmer so the Grenadier’s pitch is in unison with the A-440 tone. 

      

Note that this procedure works because at 2.270 volts, the VCO’s pitch is independent of the 
VCO trimmer setting.  

If you have a frequency counter in your modular setup, you can skip listening to the A440 tone 
reference.  Connect OSC OUT to the frequency counter’s input.  Use the frequency counter to 
find your target of 110 Hz at step 5, and 440 Hz in step 7... fast, silent, accurate tuning.

Final adjustment

8.   Play an “A” note on your MIDI controller.  Compare the Grenadier’s pitch to the A-440 tone.

9.   Adjust the TUNE trimmer so the Grenadier is playing a pitch of A in unison (or perfect octave 

interval).

If you practice this procedure several times it will become a painless and intuitive way to put the 
Grenadier in tune with your other instruments at the beginning of a session. 

Hint: If you remember the reference note for 2.270 volts output from your MIDI-CV converter, you 
can begin at step 3 next time - and you won’t need the voltmeter any more.

SET TO 440 HZ

SET TO 110 Hz

MIDI-CV

CONVERTER

CV OUT

VDC

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Summary of Contents for Grenadier RA-9

Page 1: ...Rare Waves LLC Grendel RA 9 Grenadier User Guide 1 3 2015 r a r e w a v e s n e t A N A L O G M U S I C S Y N T H E S I Z E R...

Page 2: ...el and has a built in roll cage to protect the control surface C r e d i t s Eric Archer hardware and graphics Nathan Wooster rmware M a n u f a c t u r e d b y Rare Waves LLC P O Box 729 Llano TX 786...

Page 3: ...erbank The synthesizer plays a steady tone Play the keypad to change notes Apply slow LFO modulation for drone effects The sequencer walks from step I II III IV in an endless cycle producing a melodic...

Page 4: ...event per two clocks steady 1 8 notes Programmable trigger loop engaged LFO runs freely LFO restarts at the beginning of each note LFO generates triangle wave variable symmetry LFO generates square p...

Page 5: ...ATE IN IN 0 5 VOLTS 1v oct 5 VOLTS VCO ON SYNC 0 VOLTS VCO OFF A N A L O G S E Q U E N C E R I I I I I I I V 0 1 2 3 4 5V 0 1 2 3 4 5 0 1 2 3 4 5 0 1 2 3 4 5 The keypad is active when the SEQ switch i...

Page 6: ...atterns PROG ENVELOPE GENERATOR TRIGGERED BY LOOP OUT TRIG 5 v 0 v REPEAT ADD EVENT ERASE EVENT 16th ROLL PROG ANALOG SEQUENCER STEPPED BY TRIGGER LOOP SEQ 10 ms F I L T E R 0 10 A L P H A B E T A D R...

Page 7: ...patching a control voltage to the LFO CV IN patch point It has exponential frequency control but not 1v oct TRIG GATE SYNC LFO FREE LFO WAVE LFO OUT LFO CLK OUT 5 v 0 v 2 5 v IN CV LFO 0 5 VOLTS E N...

Page 8: ...w frequency output will increase and self oscillation begins when the DRIVE knob is rotated to near its maximum position VOLUME is an attenuator for the Grenadier s main output The main output is a 1...

Page 9: ...l levels of OSC OUT and EXT IN are compatible with FX pedals portable audio players and 10dBu consumer equipment In some cases you will need to add gain to the signal with external equipment The PAD 2...

Page 10: ...Do this by rotating them from one end to the other two or three times These are single turn trimmers Procedure 1 Sound A440 reference with the pitch piper or tuner 2 Press the II key and set the knob...

Page 11: ...iddle of its pitch range Play these notes alternately while listening carefully to the Grenadier s pitch 2 Adjust the VCO trimmer so the Grenadier is sounding notes exactly one octave apart 3 Now play...

Page 12: ...it doesn t read exactly 2 270 volts select the key that is approximately closest Remember this key it is your reference note 2 Disconnect the voltmeter from the MIDI CV converter 3 Patch the MIDI CV...

Page 13: ...cessor Alpha parameter normaled to ENV OUT 0 5 V 15 kW 150 W BETA Control voltage input to Formant Processor Beta parameter normaled to LFO OUT 0 5 V 15 kW 150 W EXT IN External audio input to filterb...

Page 14: ...Rare Waves LLC Grendel RA 9 Grenadier User Guide 1 3 2015 r a r e w a v e s n e t 14 Service RareWaves net For technical inquiries and service information...

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