Eurorack Ring Modulators

video upload by John Schussler

"Ring modulation, according to the interwebs, is basically AM modulation (amplitude modulation) that goes through the full cycle. In AM modulation, any frequency below zero simply stops the oscillator. With ring modulation, you're still modulating the amplitude, but when the signal goes below zero volts it inverts the oscillator signal rather than stopping it. This creates a variety of new harmonics.

But those aren't necessarily 'ringing' harmonics. The ring in the name comes from the fact that most ring modulators use a "ring" of 4 diodes one into the other to create the effect.

Here's a sampling of the modules I have at the moment, doing a basic comparison of how their timbres differ. And a few have extra features that I'll try to resist playing with for sake of a fair comparison, but will probably fail in the attempt.

Sequence: Stochastic IG. VCO: Dixie II+ square (carrier) and saw (modulator). Envelope: Zadar

00:00 Intro
00:20 Blokan
03:56 RK3
09:35 Erica Synths
15:14 Serge
19:24 Gated sequence
27:28 Ring SM
35:47 E560"