Evaton Technologies Announces the "RF Nomad: Atomic Shadow Edition" 5U Synth Module

via Evaton Technologies:

"About a year ago, Atomic Shadow (Rod Mitchell) contacted me and asked if I'd be interested in doing a 5U version of the RF Nomad voltage-controlled shortwave receiver module. He then pointed me to his music, and I was blown away. The RF Nomad would be a perfect fit, and so a single one-off prototype of the RF Nomad was hand-made into a 5U format, and christened "RF Nomad: Atomic Shadow Edition."

That module now resides in the Command Center, and is part of Atomic Shadow's secret lair.

( RF Nomad: Atomic Shadow Edition, operated by its namesake, in the Command Center. )

The RF Nomad: Atomic Shadow Edition (RFN:ASE) is going to be made into a short production run, the number of which is to be determined by interest expressed on the Evaton Technologies 5U signup form. If you are interested in purchasing the RFN:ASE when it becomes available, or you know someone who might be interested, please have them sign up. http://www.evatontechnologies.com/5u-signup

Current Status
At present, several things are under development - An adapter board is being designed to allow a Eurorack version of the RF Nomad printed circuit board to be used in 5U format. This will be a high quality PCB with both Dot Com and MOTM power connectors available, and circuitry to correct the voltage levels as required by the Eurorack circuit. (This is how the original prototype was made, and has been in service at Atomic Shadow's Command Center for the past year.)

Also, a mechanical dimensioned drawing of the faceplate is underway, to be fabricated using the popular Metalphoto™ process. Artwork will be very similar to that shown in the attached photo of the prototype, and will include the "Atomic Shadow Edition" logo at the top of the panel!

The original prototype RFN:ASE used genuine vintage 1970's knobs. While I have located a possible source for those exact knobs, the lead times are horrible. I have found some similar knobs which are readily available and are also quite attractive.

Here is that similar knob, shown installed on a Synthesizers.com Q109, for scale:

A test bench is needed in order to perform final QA testing on the RFN:ASE, and so this little beauty was constructed this weekend. Note the empty slot, reserved for the RF Nomad: Atomic Shadow Edition!

Availability and Pricing
The RF Nomad: Atomic Shadow is expected to be available this winter. Pricing is yet TBD, but as a ballpark, probably around $250-275, depending on final costs.

In addition to the module, a length of antenna coax cable will be included, and a small, but high quality receiving antenna. The antenna connection will be made via a standard SO-239 socket on the front of the module, which means that the RFN:ASE will be compatible with commerically-available shortwave / ham radio receiving antennas and accessories.

http://www.evatontechnologies.com/5u-signup"

Update: RF Nomad Testing 1,2,3... by Atomic Shadow:


"This track was composed entirely from sounds generated by the RF Nomad module from Evaton Technologies. EQ, reverb and delay were added during mixing. The RF Nomad is a voltage controlled shortwave radio module. The tuning frequency can be swept with an LFO or other voltage sources to produce unique textures. Many thanks to Russ Hoffman for agreeing to produce this (so far), one of a kind, MU sized version."
previously posted here.

New Evaton RF Nomad Eurorack Prototype Module Video

RF Nomad Proto Teaser Published on Mar 17, 2014 Russ Hoffman·3 videos

"Evaton Technologies' RF Nomad Eurorack synth module prototype. The RF Nomad is a voltage-controlled sideband shortwave receiver module. The RF Nomad will be available summer 2014, and is the first module in Evaton Technologies' product line. Many more to follow!

Evaton Technologies manufactures products for the electronic music market. See our MKAdapter gooseneck mic adapter for the Korg microKORG and other products at http://www.evatontechnologies.com/mus...

(microKORG is a trademark of Korg, Inc. )"

"Entry on ModularGrid.net:

http://www.modulargrid.net/e/users/view/37090

Text from the Evaton Technologies website:

"RF. Radio Frequency. The stuff that Marconi made famous. Or maybe it made Marconi famous. Either way, it's not just for listening to hockey games anymore.

The RF Nomad voltage-controlled sideband shortwave receiver Eurorack module is currently in final stages of prototype evaluation.

The RF Nomad adds the squealy, squelchy, noisy, unpredictable vintage sounds of shortwave radio to your modular. But this is no ordinary shortwave; it's been designed to be extra noisy, extra squealy, extra gritty, and just downright nasty. No built-in output filtering means that a rich spectrum of harmonic content is available on the audio output jack. Audio levels can be driven to distortion. CV control lets you add your own creative spin on sound design.

Hissy interstation audio. Squealy heterodynes. Fading stations. Atmospheric noises. Faint voices in foreign languages from distant broadcast stations. Fire and brimstone. It's all in there, just like your granddad's old tabletop shortwave.

But, the RF Nomad adds a twist: The tuning is voltage controlled. Sure, when you were a kid, you discovered you could make spacy noises on Papa's shortwave by slowly turning the tuning dial. But just how fast could you twist that dial? Faster than an audio-rate LFO? Hardly. Voltage controlled tuning means that the RF Nomad will let you explore sounds you never imagined you could get out of a shortwave receiver."


Availability: Summer 2014
MSRP: TBD
Size: 8 HP
Power: +12V @ 10mA, -12V @10mA
Depth: 42mm"

RF Nomad Launch Party Performances

RF Nomad Launch Party Performances: Greg VanEck

Published on Sep 25, 2014 Russ Hoffman

"Greg VanEck performs on his modular synth, using an RF Nomad as a sound source for this patch.

About the performance, Greg notes: 'One way I discovered to interact with the Nomad is to squeeze the antennae. It can be very touchy when doing this, but I've found the slightest changes in pressure can sometimes really boost reception of a certain frequency, or interfere with it and totally cancel it out. I kept the antennae wrapped up in a coil and would slowly apply pressure and release to the rhythm of the patch... reminded me of interacting with my old noisy theremin.'

This technique can be clearly seen at 5:17.

Video from August 23, 2014 at the Evaton Technologies RF Nomad Launch Party, at Assemble PGH in Pittsburgh, PA, USA."

http://www.evatontechnologies.com/

RF Nomad Launch Party Performances: Margaret Cox

Published on Sep 29, 2014 Russ Hoffman

"Margaret Cox performs at the RF Nomad Launch Party, Saturday, Aug 23, 2014. Manipulated field recordings, amplified found objects, magnetic strip cards.
Video credit: Videographer Ed Huang, dirque@412video.com"

RF Nomad Launch Party Performances: 8CYLINDER & Tongue-Cut Sparrow

Published on Sep 30, 2014 Russ Hoffman

"8CYLINDER and Tongue-Cut Sparrow perform at the RF Nomad Launch Party, Saturday, Aug 23, 2014, at Assemble in Pittsburgh. The performance consists of modular synths, circuit-bent electronics, and, of course, an RF Nomad.

http://rhinoplex.org/8cylinder/

http://www.evatontechnologies.com/rf-...

Video credit: Videographer Ed Huang, dirque@412video.com"

Evaton Technologies RF Nomad Launch Party Pics

via Evaton Technologies

"The RF Nomad Launch Party was a fun evening; a gathering of synth and electronic music enthusiasts, at Assemble Pittsburgh on August 23. Module designer, Russ Hoffman, gave a brief talk on the basics of modular synthesis, as well as a description of the Evaton Technologies RF Nomad shortwave synth module. A demonstration of the module was given, using a vintage Radio Shack TRS-80 Color Computer as a source of EMI for the RF Nomad to chew on. Following the presentation, live music was performed by Greg VanEck (modular synthesizer with RF Nomad), Margaret Cox (manipulated field recordings and live contact microphones), and the duo of 8CYLINDER and Tongue-Cut Sparrow (modular synthesizers, circuit-bent electronics, homebrew electronic instruments, and RF Nomad). Evaton Technologies plans to organize more synth events in Pittsburgh in the future. "

CLICK FOR MORE »

New Evaton Technologies AModulator - Time Lapse Build

video upload by fiN Studios

You can find build pics and a full write-up at https://finstudios.com/evaton-technologies-amodulator-diy-build/.

And the AModulator kit on Evaton's website here: https://www.evatontechnologies.com/amodulator.

Video description:

"The Evaton Technologies AModulator SDIY kit is a companion module to the RF Nomad voltage-controlled shortwave receiver. Available ONLY in DIY form, the AModulator is a crude RF amplitude modulator that produces a micro power radio-frequency signal which the RF Nomad can decode.

Simply put, the AModulator allows you to encode any audio signal into an amplitude modulated RF signal, which the RF Nomad can then decode back to audio, with all the delicious artifacts of vintage shortwave sound. Because the RF Nomad is a single sideband decoder, the decoded audio can also be frequency-shifted, simply by tuning slightly off-frequency.

Check out our latest time lapse build video and if you would like to learn more about the Evaton AModulator module, head on over to https://finstudios.com for more details.

Featured Music by: TÆT
Track: Arachnoid (permission granted)
Album: Selection 1"

via Evaton Technologies

"The AModulator ships as two printed circuit boards: One is the electronics, and the other serves as both the faceplate and touchplate emitter. You can "play" the AModulator by pressing on the touch area to affect the signal."

CLICK FOR MORE »

RF Nomad: Atomic Shadow Edition 5U Synth Module Status Update

Evaton Technologies RF Nomad: Atomic Shadow Edition Faceplate Teaser

Published on Dec 6, 2015 Russ Hoffman

http://www.evatontechnologies.com/

"The first major step in the progress on the production version of the RFN:ASE synth module is complete -- mechanical design of the faceplate and PCB carrier mechanical outline.

The PCB carrier will house a PCB from a Eurorack version of the RF Nomad, and provide power connector conversion to allow the Eurorack board to be plugged into 5U power.

I've posted up this quick video animation of the 3D CAD model as it stands today.

Consulting Artist, Atomic Shadow, (www.atomicshadow.com) helped to transform the popular RF Nomad Eurorack module into 5U format. Hundreds of Eurorack customers already enjoy the eerie sounds of the RF Nomad Shortwave Receiver module; soon 5U musicians will, too!

The RF Nomad: Atomic Shadow Edition (RFN:ASE) is going to be made in a short production run, the number of which is to be determined by interest expressed on the Evaton Technologies 5U signup form.

Also, please watch for Atomic Shadow's new album, "Shortwave Robot Pants," which features the prototype RF Nomad: Atomic Shadow Edition module."

RF Nomad Shortwave Radio Eurorack Module Demo

Published on Nov 25, 2014 mylarmelodies

"Being a demo of the considerably bonkers shortwave radio eurorack module that is the Evaton Technologies RF Nomad. LOADS of additional information below!

http://www.evatontechnologies.com/rf-...

GETTING MORE STATIONS ON RF NOMAD

"Get your antenna as high up as possible, and away from metal as much as possible. If you can clip a longer wire onto the end of it, to make the antenna longer, that will help too. I sometimes put a long wire on mine, and tape the wire up to the ceiling.

If you just can't pick up any signals with it, the tuning range is adjustable internally via tweaking the L5 inductor slug with a non-conductive screwdriver. If you are brave, power up your modular, with the Nomad hanging out of the case so you can get to the L5 inductor with a screwdriver. (Be careful not to let the module short against anything!) Set the Tuning knob to the center position, then tweak L5 until you hear stuff. Don't apply much force, and be aware that you can only turn the slug about 1 full rotation. Also, once you've done this, it's going to take a few hours (yes hours) for the tuning to quit drifting, because you've mechanically disturbed the inductor and it takes a while for it to stop creeping from the mechanical stress.

THE STORY BEHIND THE MODULE

The RF Nomad started out as a germ of an idea between myself and my friend, DSP guru Michael Mecca of Pittsburgh Digital -- we frequently meet for lunch to discuss all things synth. About a year or so ago, he mentioned how much fun he used to have as a kid, playing with his dad's shortwave radio, making crazy squealy noises, listening to the haunting sounds that come over the airwaves. I said I had the same experience as a kid, too. Wouldn't it be cool to make a module that lets you bring that experience into the modular world?

I actually had plenty of experience with radio circuits, and a rudimentary design for a shortwave receiver with voltage-controlled tuning immediately sprang to mind.

Most off the shelf shortwave receivers are AM (amplitude modulation) receivers, which suppress the carrier signal. From my ham radio experience, though, I know that if you listen to shortwave frequencies with a sideband decoder instead of an AM decoder, you hear the carrier signal as well as the audio signal, which I feel is far more interesting as a sound source for a synth than just the plain audio alone. It's the bit that gives you those searing heterodyne squeals.

So, it was decided to go with a "direct-conversion" receiver design, which receives both sidebands. Normally, one doesn't think of a direct conversion receiver when trying to design a modern receiver, because they are very crude. But, in the case of the RF Nomad, crude is exactly what we want! It's gives more squeals, more hiss, more heterodynes, more brutal nasty sonic goodness!

You can alter the tuning with the CV input, like it's a remote control for the tuning knob. Apply an LFO, and the tuning slowly increases and decreases. Attach it to a sequencer, and you can cycle thru stations, or just cycle thru different pitches of squealy heterodynes. Hook it to an envelope generator and get on-demand heterodyne swoops. Hook it to an audio-rate LFO, and now you get freaky FM effects. Really cool if you happen to be receiving a strong broadcast station.

The Nomad tunes roughly 9.6 to 10.0 MHz, which is most active late afternoon to early evening, though YMMV. If you can't get a strong station, you can try extending the antenna (just clip another length of wire onto the end of the supplied antenna). Or, find some old electronics, and drape the antenna over it. Stuff from the 80s/90s era -- Commodore 64's, PC AT's, game consoles, etc. The EMI generated by these devices makes for some interesting sonic material.

If you do want to simply "listen" to shortwave on the Nomad, you'll want a bandpass filter after it. The output is 100% UN-filtered, to allow you to have plenty of material to feed your favorite filters with.

The output of the Nomad can be fed back into it's CV input for some self-modulation fun. Patch the output to a multiple, and then feed one signal from the multiple back into the CV input.

Because the Nomad is a direct-conversion receiver, warts and all, one of those warts is that it is somewhat drifty with temperature. I've done about as much as I can to reduce the driftiness, but you will notice that over several minutes it will wander around a little bit. I felt this was an acceptable trade-off, as the true talent of the Nomad is how well it responds to a quickly changing CV input to generate quirky sounds.

I think that covers the basics. It's pretty versatile for a module that only has one input."

Evaton Technologies RF Nomad: Now Shipping

Published on Jul 25, 2014 Russ Hoffman

"Evaton Technologies is happy to present the new RF Nomad Voltage Controlled Shortwave Receiver Eurorack synthesizer module.

Now Shipping! MSRP $176.00 USD.

Dealers include:

Analogue Haven (www.analoguehaven.com)
Control (www.ctrl-mod.com)
EurekaSound (www.eurekasound.com/synth)
Jam.se (www.jam.se)
London Modular (www.londonmodular.co.uk)
ModularSynthesizers.NL (http://www.modularsynthesizers.nl/a-37586277/eurorack-modules-other-or-small-manufacturers/evaton-technologies-rf-nomad/)

The RF Nomad is a voltage controlled shortwave receiver, tuning the 31 meter shortwave band. A bipolar control voltage input offsets the main tuning knob, allowing an external CV source to ramp tuning up and down from DC to audio rates. Hook up your favorite LFO, sequencer, envelope generator, or audio source to the CV input and explore shortwave radio like you never have before.

http://www.evatontechnologies.com/rf-nomad"

CLICK FOR MORE »

RF Nomad: Atomic Shadow Edition Available March 2016

"The wait is nearly over! The finalized aluminum RF Nomad Atomic Shadow Edition faceplates recently arrived from the sheetmetal vendor, and they look fantastic! Only a few more components remain to arrive before the first batch of 5U RF Nomad modules will begin to roll off the assembly line.

Each RF Nomad: Atomic Shadow Edition module will be hand-built and individually calibrated and tested by Evaton Technologies' founder, engineer, and chief bottle-washer: Russ Hoffman.

There is an email list signup sheet at www.evatontechnologies.com/5u-signup for folks interested in purchasing the RF Nomad Atomic Shadow Edition module when it becomes available.

Once modules are available to ship, I will send out another emailing to announce the finalized price and payment options.

The final module will include a length of coax cable with PL-259 connections on each end, and a hand crafted dipole antenna suitable for indoor installation. By using standard RF connectors, third-party outdoor antennas can also be used, for increased reception.

I'm looking forward to shipping a great product, and also to seeing what music all of you will create with it.

Acknowledgements

I'd like to thank Rod Mitchell (Atomic Shadow (www.atomicshadow.com)), Consulting Artist on this project, for all his input, inspiration, and encouragement. Rod's been twisting my arm to make some more modules in 'Man-Sized' 5U format, as he calls it. His efforts on that front may have succeeded; stay tuned!

Cheers,

Russ Hoffman
Evaton Technologies

www.evatontechnologies.com/5u-signup"

RF Nomad Demo [Episode 182]

Published on Sep 17, 2019 CatSynth TV

"We explore the RF Nomad module from Evaton Technologies. The RF Nomad generates sound from shortwave radio input. There is no filtering or locking on the incoming shortwave radio signal, so there is a lot of noise, heterodynes and other elements along with the occasional actual station. The real fun comes when you use the CV in to modulate the tuning, even at audio rate.

For more information, please visit https://www.evatontechnologies.com/rf...

0:15 Basic Operation
1:37 Modulating the CV input for tuning from an E350 Morphing Terrarium oscillator
2:22 Running the output of the modulated EF Nomad through the Strymon Magneto tape delay for noise eerie effects

"The RF Nomad adds the squealy, squelchy, noisy, unpredictable vintage sounds of shortwave radio to your modular. But this is no ordinary shortwave; it's been designed to be extra noisy, extra squealy, extra gritty, and just downright nasty. No built-in output filtering means that a rich spectrum of harmonic content is available on the audio output jack. Audio levels can be driven to distortion. CV control lets you add your own creative spin on sound design."

For more synthesizer demos please subscribe to CatSynth TV and visit www.catynth.com"

Evaton Technologies RF Nomad Synth Module Demos by 8CYLINDER

Dave 8CYLINDER (http://rhinoplex.org/8cylinder) made some demos of the Evaton Technologies RF Nomad synth module. All sounds are generated by the RF Nomad, with modulation and processing provided by QCD, Turing Machine, Voltages, Pulses, Z8000, A-151, A-124, Pittsburgh Filter, uFold, Z-DSP with Halls of Valhalla cart, EKO, and Double Andore.

The RF Nomad is currently being manufactured; expected to begin shipping in June.



https://soundcloud.com/rh2y/rfnomad-demo-insectcave-patterns5



https://soundcloud.com/rh2y/rfnomad-demo-radio1

http://www.evatontechnologies.com/

severence // magnetar patch

Published on Sep 3, 2015 severence

http://www.evatontechnologies.com/

"// experimenting with rf noise while making patch notes for the synchrodyne resonestor video

// modules used in this patch

addac802 vca quintet mixing console
abstract data logic boss
alm pamela's workout
evaton technologies rf nomad
intellijel planar
jones o´tool
make noise dual prismatic oscillator
make noise mmg
make noise rené
modcan quad lfo
mutable instruments clouds
nonlinearcircuits super sloth
schippmann vcf-02
steady state fate positronic transient gate
steady state fate propagate
steady state fate ultra-random analog
toppobrillo quantimator
wmd sequential switch matrix
wmd sequential switch matrix expand
wmd synchrodyne
wmd synchrodyne expand
wmd/ssf spo

// patch notes

addac802 vca quintet mixing console (a) out1 - schippmann vcf-02 input1

CLICK FOR MORE »

Evaton Technologies RF Nomad Atomic Shadow Edition

"RF Nomad, Atomic Shadow Edition, sneak peek of the faceplate. A custom one-off (or is it...?) retrofit of the RF Nomad Eurorack module into MU/dotcom format. Look for it to be broadcasting from yesterday's world of tomorrow, in the future!

Adaptation of the RF Nomad module for Atomic Shadow (http://www.atomicshadow.com/), who wanted one to use in his fantastic 1950's-themed rig.

Knobs are real vintage 1970s pieces from an old-school DIY synth."

http://www.evatontechnologies.com/

Limited Number of RF Nomad SDIY Kits Now Available

"Evaton Technologies RF Nomad SDIY kits are now available through Modular Addict

The kit consists of everything you need to build an RF Nomad voltage-controlled shortwave receiver eurorack module.

The RF Nomad SDIY Kit comes with a PCB that has most of the surface-mount components pre-installed, plus a few surface mount components that must be installed by the builder, and the remainder of the thru-hole parts required for assembly. An anodized aluminum faceplate is included, to complete the kit, for those who wish to get up and running right away!

Complete, illustrated step-by-step build instructions are available here.

Note that this is a limited edition product; get yours while you can!"

UBX-72 - Evaton Technologies RF Nomad Track

"Improvisation modulaire avec un module tout neuf, le RF Nomad de Evaton Technologies.

Téléchargement autorisé pour une qualité wave.

-----------

Modular improvisation with a brand new Evaton Technologies RF Nomad module.

Download enabled for full quality."

Evaton Technologies RF Nomad Eurorack Synth Module Available to Test at Analogue Haven

via Evaton Technologies:

"Can't wait for the production units to become available? We have good news: If you are in the greater Los Angeles area, head on down to Analogue Haven in Santa Monica, and see the RF Nomad prototype in-person! An RF Nomad prototype module is on display there in AH's retail store. Try it out!"

Shortwave eurorack techno drone with RF Nomad

Published on Dec 6, 2018 While We Were Sleeping

"Using the eurorack RF Nomad by Evaton Technologies a Shortwave Eurorack Receiver, to spice up a techno/drone Jam,
This was recorded a while back (facebook live) and was one of my first jams with the Malekko Heavy Industry voltage block. I got stuck on a single channel single step because that was as much fun as I could handle at the time :) The voltage block is controlling the Fonitronik Thomas Henry 555 VCO with no filter or vca, just raw oscillator goodness.
Both the RF Nomad and the TH 555 are DIY builds from Thonk
voltage block pared with the varigate 8+ by Malekko Heavy Industry
video editing using iMovie"

RF Nomad: Atomic Shadow Edition

via Evaton Technologies

"Getting ready to ship this unit off to Atomic Shadow. This is a hand-made one-off conversion of the Eurorack version of the RF Nomad to work in MU format, for Atomic Shadow.

The knobs are genuine vintage knobs from the 1970's in good condition. The bracket that mounts the perfboard to the faceplate is a custom-machined piece, secured with industrial-grade permanent double-sided tape to the rear of the Bourns 24mm potentiometers. The faceplate is a modified blank panel purchased from Synthesizers.com

CV In and Audio Out jacks are 1/4" Switchcraft units, and the antenna connector is a ham-radio-style SO-239 socket, for connection to a PL-259 RG-8 coax, which will allow installation of an outdoor shortwave receiving antenna.

A special thanks to Atomic Shadow for asking me to do this; it has been a fun project. I'm quite honored to have the RF Nomad become part of yesterday's world of tomorrow!"

RF Nomad Testing 1,2,3...

"This track was composed entirely from sounds generated by the RF Nomad module from Evaton Technologies. EQ, reverb and delay were added during mixing. The RF Nomad is a voltage controlled shortwave radio module. The tuning frequency can be swept with an LFO or other voltage sources to produce unique textures. Many thanks to Russ Hoffman for agreeing to produce this (so far), one of a kind, MU sized version."

Evaton Technologies RF Nomad Launch Party in Pittsburgh August 23

via Evaton Technologies

"Come celebrate the release of the RF Nomad with us! There will be a launch party Saturday, August 23, from 6:30 to 9:30 PM at Assemble in Pittsburgh, PA.

Assemble is located at 5125 Penn Avenue in Garfield, between Evaline and Winebiddle Streets. http://assemblepgh.org

There will be pizza and soft drinks, swag from our dealers, (and some from MATRIXSYNTH!), a brief Q&A session with Evaton Technologies founder, Russell Hoffman, and live modular synthesizer performances by local artists 8Cylinder, Nick Vasculator, and Greg Vaneck.

Evaton Technologies' module designer, Russ Hoffman, has also been known to twist a knob or two, so who knows what might happen!

Please RSVP to info@evatontechnologies.com with the subject PARTY, so we can plan accordingly. Invite your friends for an evening of food, fun, and modular music mayhem!"