The Chorus 6
"Coming July 2023.
The SoundForce Chorus 6 is 16HP Juno style BDD chorus with plenty of CV inputs. It is using the Xvive MN3009 and the same audio path as the original circuit. It can do the classic Juno I, II and I+II modes. I+II modes are available from both the Juno 6 and Juno 60, each in mono (as the original) or stereo, giving you 4 I+II options. But the manual and external modes can take the module away from sweet and pretty sound territories right into weird and noisy soundscapes.
Some tech-talk:
A chorus effect is created by mixing a dry signal with a delayed signal. The delay time is modulated by an LFO to create more movement. To create some stereo width, the left and right modulation are 180 degrees out of phase. Exactly like the chorus in the Juno 6/60/106, the delay is made with MN3009 BBD chips. Also as in the original design, filters are added both before and after the BBD chips in an attempt to hide some of the artefacts of this very crude IC.
To get the audio “moving” through the chain of MOSFETs in the BBDs, driver signals are needed. This used to be done with the MN3101 BBD driver chip. Unlike the MN3009, there is no clone available of this ancient IC and this was a chance to add some modernity to the design. The drivers were replaced by a modern STM32 micro-controller along some extra ICs to convert the 3.3V logic to the negative voltage needed by the MN3009.
In order to recreate a genuine Juno-type modulation, the BDD driver signals of my Juno-106 were sampled over a few periods. Using the timer peripherals of the STM32, a replica of the BBD driver signals can be sent out to the MN3009’s. Although the driver signals only follow a very basic triangle LFO shape and could have been generated using direct synthesis in the firmware, this method gives an exact copy of the original driver signals including all the potential imperfections.
Implementing a digital programmable chip also allows a digital-style interface with tactile switches and LEDs as in the original Juno interface. The last used mode is saved and loaded when the module powers on. The CV inputs (with the exception of the MIX CV) are acquired by the STM32 ADC and can modulate the BBD driver signals based on parameters in the firmware.
Price and availability:
It’s available from end of June 2023 at ±299 euros incl VAT (247 euros outside of Europe) on the SoundForce webshop and at my dealers. US customers can order directly from Perfect Circuit Audio."
The uChorus 6
"Coming June 2023.
The SoundForce uChorus is 4HP compact version of the classic Juno style BDD chorus. It is using the Xvive MN3009 and the same audio path as the original circuit. It can do the classic Juno I, II and I+II modes. I+II modes are available from both the Juno 6 and Juno 60, each in mono (as the original) or stereo, giving you 4 I+II options. This module is a stripped down version of the bigger Chorus 6 module which includes CV control.
Some tech-talk:
A chorus effect is created by mixing a dry signal with a delayed signal. The delay time is modulated by an LFO to create more movement. To create some stereo width, the left and right modulation are 180 degrees out of phase. Exactly like the chorus in the Juno 6/60/106, the delay is made with MN3009 BBD chips. Also as in the original design, filters are added both before and after the BBD chips in an attempt to hide some of the artefacts of this very crude IC.
To get the audio “moving” through the chain of MOSFETs in the BBDs, driver signals are needed. This used to be done with the MN3101 BBD driver chip. Unlike the MN3009, there is no clone available of this ancient IC and this was a chance to add some modernity to the design. The drivers were replaced by a modern STM32 micro-controller along some extra ICs to convert the 3.3V logic to the negative voltage needed by the MN3009.
In order to recreate a genuine Juno-type modulation, the BDD driver signals of my Juno-106 were sampled over a few periods. Using the timer peripherals of the STM32, a replica of the BBD driver signals can be sent out to the MN3009’s. Although the driver signals only follow a very basic triangle LFO shape and could have been generated using direct synthesis in the firmware, this method gives an exact copy of the original driver signals including all the potential imperfections.
Implementing a digital programmable chip also allows a digital-style interface with tactile switches and LEDs as in the original Juno interface. The last used mode is saved and loaded when the module powers on.
Price and availability:
It’s available from end of June 2023 at ±199 euros incl VAT (164 euros outside of Europe) on the SoundForce webshop and at my dealers. US customers can order directly from Perfect Circuit Audio."
