The SynthSummitShow: Paul Schreiber Synthesis Technology E520

Published on Nov 10, 2019 Ken Flux Pierce Fluxwithit

"Synth designer and all around electronics guru Paul Schreiber returns yet for another interview. here to discuss his latest product the E520 Hyperion Stereo effects processor which will soon be up on kickstarter! tune in and join the live chat as we discuss this exciting new product."

Fluxwithit Paul Schreiber videos
SynthSummitShows with the makers

Update2: You can sign up to be notified with the Kickstarter launches here.

Update: some info on the module via https://synthtech.com:

"INTRODUCING THE E520 HYPERION, A STEREO EFFECTS PROCESSOR

Kickstarter campaign launches on Nov. 15th and the KS page will activate on Nov. 10th. Estimated shipping: late May 2020.

OVERVIEW

The E520 Hyperion is a mono/stereo in, stereo out effects module. It is 48HP wide and uses less than 300ma of +12V and less than 70ma of -12V.

Powered by a 480MHz ARM Cortex M7 CPU, the E520 has 64MB on on-board SDRAM for recording up to 6min of stereo audio at 48KHz sample rate. The LCD screen and optical encoder navigation uses the same 'shallow' menu scheme of our E352 and E370 modules, with the addition of 4 'soft keys' for selecting options without having to leave the main page.

The E520 uses a premium audio path not usually found in Eurorack. Crystal Semi CODECs, TI OPA-series op amps and WIMA film caps in the output stage are used along with low-noise, dedicated LDO voltage regulators for a clean, full soundstage. Audio conversion uses 48KHz sample rate, 24bit resolution with a line or synth level setting.

Please note this is a 'living document' and subject to modification at any time over the next 8 weeks.


CURRENT LIST OF E520 EFFECTS

For the current full listing of all E520 Effects and details about each algorithm, please download the PDF file here.

BASIC FEATURES

Currently, there are 25 different algorithms included with the E520, and more can be added in the future as internal memory allows. Each algorithm can have up to 4 PARAMETERS under voltage control. The initial value of a PARAMETER is set by a panel knob, and then external CVs of up to +-5V at 10KHz can be applied. In addition, most algorithms employ feedback which can be modulated by external CVs as well. Typical PARAMETERs are delay time, LFO speeds, pitch shift amount and many others.

The row of 'soft keys' are usually 1-3 for algorithm selections (such as range of Delay Time) while the 4th is a BYPASS function. Some algorithms use the TAP TEMPO button for tapping in Delay Time, LFO Speed or similar functions. Other algorithms repurpose the TAP TEMPO as a 'FREEZE' or 'HOLD' function. The SYNC IN jack can be used like the TAP TEMPO functions, but driven by a clock or Gate signal.

Algorithms in the E520 fall into 3 catagories:

Time Domain Effects - delay, chorus, phase shifting/flanging, frequency shifting and others.
Frequency Domain (Spectral) Effects - Our unique Spectral Crusher, vocoder, time-stretching and others.
Utility - frequency and level measurements
TIME-DOMAIN EFFECTS

Resampling Mini Delay

This effect is based on the E580 Resampling Mini Delay and encompasses or extends all of its functions. Stereo inputs are mixed down to a single channel, resampled (the sampling rate may be reduced by a variable amount through a band-limited interpolation process), pass through a delay line with a fixed and variable tap, and are then resampled to two separate outputs. Separate L/R feedback controls allow fine adjustment of recirculation on both the fixed and variable delay. Three mode settings emulate various classical delay characteristics.

Stereo Clean Delay

The Stereo Clean Delay is a non-resampling delay (the sampling rate is constant throughout the processing) which always runs at the full 48kHz rate and introduces no interpolation artifacts into the signal while the delay length is stable. This is a true stereo effect in that there are separate delay lines for Left and Right channels but they are processed identically (same delay length, same filtering, etc.). A switchable resonant 4th-order lowpass filter is available in the feedback path if desired. Ping-pong feedback between the two channels may be enabled.

Stereo Resampling Delay

The Stereo Resampling Delay is resampling delay which allows control of both the delay line length (for granular cross-fade effects) as well as sample rate (for smooth delay changes and FM effects). This is a true stereo effect in that there are separate resamplers and delay lines for Left and Right channels but they are processed identically (same delay length, same filtering, etc.). A switchable resonant 4th-order lowpass filter is available in the feedback path if desired. Ping-pong feedback between the two channels may be enabled.

Prime Dual Tap Delay

The Prime Dual Tap Delay is an emulation of the Lexicon Prime Time T93 rack-mount delay. It is a resampling delay which allows control of both the delay line length (for granular cross-fade effects) as well as sample rate (for smooth delay changes and FM effects). As the original, this is a mono effect in that there is one delay line whose input is an equal mix of Left and Right channels and separate output taps for Left and Right channels with independent delay lengths that are selectable from a pre-determined set which includes delays that have relatively prime ratios. Controllable 4th-order lowpass filters are available in the feedback path if desired. Buffer lengths well beyond that of the original Prime Time effect are available and the two outputs may be mixed down to mono if desired.

Stereo Reversing Delay

The Stereo Reversing Delay is reversing and resampling delay which allows control of both the delay line length (for granular cross-fade effects) as well as sample rate (for smooth delay changes and FM effects). This is a true stereo effect in that there are separate resamplers and delay lines for Left and Right channels but they are processed identically (same delay length, same filtering, etc.). A switchable resonant 4th-order lowpass filter is available in the feedback path if desired. The unique features are that this delay can be run forward or backwards and it can be frozen to keep playing the current delay contents without changing.

Deflector Shield

The Deflector Shield is a recreation of the original E560 Deflector Shield module. It is a monophonic effect similar to the original Bode frequency shift which applies a variable frequency offset to any input signal. As the original, there are three distinct operating modes, as well as a unique carrier morphing feature that provides unusual output harmonics. Although the input is mono, there are two outputs which allows simultaneous up/down shift as well as true quadrature outputs. Variable feedback is available as well as linear or exponential frequency CV response.

Stereo Frequency Shifter

The Stereo Frequency Shifter is similar to the Deflector Shield but is a true stereo effect, the Left and Right channels are completely independent but are processed with identical parameters. Similar frequency shifts, carrier morphing and modes are available but the output modes are limited to variations of Up and Down shifting. Variable feedback is available as well as linear or exponential frequency CV response.

Stereo 24-stage Phaser

The Stereo Phaser is an all-pass phaser with selectable number (6, 8, 18, or 24) of all-pass stages and an integrated LFO with variable frequency and depth. It is a true stereo effect: the Left and Right channels are completely independent but are processed with identical parameters. Variable feedback is available as well as selectable LFO waveform and optional phase offset between the Left and Right channels.

Stereo Pitch Shifter

The Stereo Pitch Shifter is a granular pitch shifter with +/-2 octave range, variable grain size and chaos offset. It is a true stereo effect: the Left and Right channels are completely independent but are processed with identical parameters. Variable feedback is available as well as selectable shift quantization to an equally tempered scale.

Stereo Shimmer Reverb

The Stereo Shimmer Reverb is a reverb combined with a granular pitch shifter in the feedback path that can be used to introduce a variety of ambient, soaring textures. It is a true stereo effect: the Left and Right channels are processed independently but share the same reverb loop so that sounds in one channel will reverberate in the other, but from a different part of the process so that stereo imaging does not collapse.

Variable feedback is available as well as selectable shift amounts to allow for a wide range of moods, dark, chaotic and ethereal. Infinite mode is controlled via the Tap Tempo input and preserves the sound in the reverb by disabling inputs, filters and internal attenuation, extending its duration for hours.

Stereo Looper

The Stereo Looper is a time-domain looper with resampling that provides up to 5.8 minutes of looping duration at the full sample rate and approx 45min at the lowest rate. It provides the usual feature set of recording, overdubbing and playback.

SPECTRAL EFFECTS

Spectral effects are processed in the frequency domain using the Fast Fourier Transform. All spectral effects in the E520 use a 1024 point complex FFT to provide two 512 point real transforms at a rate of 2.7ms which provides a good compromise between time and frequency resolution, while allowing full stereo processing for most effects. Frequency resolution is 512 bins of 48Hz each.

Spectral Crusher

The Spectral Crusher is a multi-effect which provides a number of unique ways to manipulate sound in the frequency domain. Six different algorithms are available, each of which crushes audio in a different way.

Spectral Time Machine

The Spectral Time Machine is a combination of a looper, pitch shifter and time stretcher. A large (5.8 minute) memory records and loops sounds which can be played back continuously or looped with variable speed and pitch. Due to the processing overhead this is a mono effect. Left and Right channels are mixed 50/50 prior to input. Output has pseudo-stereo at some settings of the Phase Blur control.

Spectral Delay + Pitch Shifter

The Spectral Delay + Pitch is a stereo effect with independent delay and pitch shift applied to the Left and Right channels. Pitch shift quantization to equal tempered half tone intervals is available independently on each channel and a fixed value phase blur may be applied to both channels simultaneously.

Spectral Delay

The Spectral Delay is a stereo effect which delays each spectral bin by different amounts. Similar to the NI Spektral Delay plug-in, everal modes are provided to vary the bin delays in different ways. Left and Right channels have independently controlled delay parameters.

Variable-Band Spectral Vocoder

The Spectral Vocoder is a mono effect which superimposes the amplitude response of one signal (the Modulator, in the Left channel) upon another signal (the Carrier, in the Right channel) which can (among other things) be used to create talking instrument when speech is used as the Modulator signal. Various amplitude and frequency manipulations are provided to improve or distort the intelligibility of the resulting sounds, including gain adjustments, compression, enhanced sibilance (S sounds) and frequency resolution reduction.

PLEASE NOTE: THESE ALGORITHMS ARE UPDATED FREQUENTLY."