Jolin KNOBI / macro controller / mix attenuate invert amplify voltages / extensive playthrough

video upload by BRiES

"KNOBI by Jolin is a unique take on a utilitarian staple of eurorack systems: attenuverting and mixing. At first glance KNOBI is not so complex, but try using it without reading the manual and you might be somewhat confused. Once you understand the signal flow it all makes a lot of sense though... and I'm here to help.

In this video I shed some light on the leftfield macro controller that is KNOBI and I share a few in-depth patch ideas to hopefully spark your creative plug. Since there's always a fitting place for attenuation in almost all situations figuring out how to implement KNOBI in patches comes down to your imagination. I demonstrate how I use it to open and close a filter, how I use it as a macro controller for a complete patch and how to use the seemingly random 'x2-5V' setting to create a side-chain compressor patch without the hassle of manual offsets."

0:00 intro
2:43 explanation
22:20 patch idea 1 pushbutton
28:05 patch idea 2 control a patch
45:43 patch idea 3 side-chain compressor

via Jolin

"KNOBI is a multi-tool able to mix, attenuate, invert, display and multiply any kind of signal.

Knobi can serve a wide range of purposes thanks to its internal signal path that makes use of some of the most useful building blocks of analog synthesis: a 4-channel mixer, a three-range offset, an attenuverter, a fixed manual gate and lastly a cascading multiple derived from the output stage of Agogô.

a, b, c and d are Knobi’s inputs while r is a fixed 5v reference output. The toggle switch next to d sets the range of the attenuator/offset. Connect a signal into one of the inputs to visualize its voltage value in the three digits meter. Keep in mind that this reading happens post attenuator/offset and attenuverter – the smaller knob with (-) and (+) indications.

The pushbutton next to x4 adds a gate of 5v to the mix: with no input connected it will act as a manual gate output. Autopatch the r reference output into one of the inputs to use Knobi as a macro controller thanks the attenuator/offset knob and switch to set the range and the attenuverter.

x1, x2, x3 and x4 are all cascading copies of the final signal path. Plugging a cable will break the normalization and the multiplication will reset starting from the next output. Four cables plugged in will output a copy at the same factor x1 - unity gain – making Knobi a versatile buffered multiple."

Features

Thermally compensated 5v voltage source with dedicated output.

Four channel mixer with four buffered output.

Built in 3 digits voltage meter post mix / attenuation / inversion.

Attenuator/offset with a dedicated three positions range toggle.

Manual gate button tied to the mix.

4 cascading outputs in an open design configuration.

Unique signal path: mix – attenuate – invert – add – visualize – multiplicate.

“Whatever” power connector a.k.a. don’t mind the polarity.