bastl-instruments/dark-matter

Dark Matter

Bastl Instruments

A voltage-controlled audio feedback module with input VCA, soft clipping, 2-band EQ with boost/overdrive, envelope follower, voltage-controlled feedback loop, and a crossfader between input and feedback signal paths.1153

Capabilities 5

2-Band EQeq
2-band EQ with separate BASS and TREBLE faders for cutting and BASS/TREBLE BOOST knobs for voltage-controlled overdrive saturation; designed for overdriven feedback signals.1153
Envelope Followerenvelope-follower
Tracks the INPUT signal amplitude and pitch; outputs 0–5V CV envelope normalized to FBK CV and X-FADE CV inputs for ducking, gating, and modulation.1153
Feedback Loopfeedback-loop
FBK VCA routes TONE output back into TONE input to form a feedback loop; the loop can be extended externally via FBK OUT and FBK IN jacks with polarity and routing controls.1153
Input Saturationinput-saturation
DRIVE section applies 3x gain with soft clipping; the BASS and TREBLE BOOST knobs add further saturation and overdrive to the EQ bands.1153
Soft Clippingsoft-clipping
1153

Jacks 10 (7 in / 3 out)

NameSignalVoltageDescription
Inputs (7)
Bass BC Inputcv-8V to 8VUnattenuated CV input for modulating the BASS BOOST level.1153
Drive CV Inputcv-5V to 5VCV input for modulating the DRIVE VCA level; attenuated by the DRIVE CV pot.1153
Feedback CV Inputcv-5V to 5VCV input for modulating the feedback loop VCA level; normalized to the DYNAMICS envelope output when unpatched.1153
Feedback InaudioInput for re-patching an external feedback loop back into the TONE section; normalled to FBK OUT internally, breaking the loop when patched.1153
Signal Inputaudio-5V to 5VMain audio input to the DRIVE VCA; applies 3x gain with soft clipping.1153
Treble BC Inputcv-8V to 8VUnattenuated CV input for modulating the TREBLE BOOST level.1153
X-Fade CV Inputcv-5V to 5VCV input for modulating the crossfader mix position; normalized to the DYNAMICS envelope output when unpatched.1153
Outputs (3)
Envelope Outcv0V to 5VOutputs the envelope follower signal derived from the input; normalized internally to the X-FADE and FBK CV inputs.1153
Feedback OutaudioOutput from the TONE/FBK stage for routing through external modules; polarity can be inverted via the OUT POLARITY switch.1153
X-Fade OutputaudioBuffered main output from the crossfader mixing input and feedback signals.1153

Parameters 15

NameTypeRangeBehavior
Bass Boost PotknobAmplifies and saturates the bass band signal with overdrive.1153
Bass FaderfaderSets the level of the bass band in the 2-band EQ; cuts into the sound.1153
CV Control SwitchswitchSelects whether the FBK fader and CV control attenuates the signal at FBK IN or FBK OUT; the unselected channel passes at full amplitude.1153
Decay SwitchswitchSelects the decay length of the envelope follower between short (snappy) and long (sluggish) settings.1153
Drive CV PotknobAttenuates the CV signal from the DRIVE CV input jack.1153
Drive FaderfaderSets the volume and overdrive level of the DRIVE VCA preamp stage.1153
Drive/Dry SwitchswitchSelects whether the X-FADE input side uses the direct (clean) signal or the post-DRIVE processed signal.1153
Feedback CV PotknobAttenuverter for the FBK CV input; fully attenuated at noon, left of noon inverts the modulation, right of noon applies non-inverted modulation.1153
Feedback FaderfaderSets the amplitude of the feedback loop VCA, ranging from tone shaping effects to resonant oscillation and frequency tuning.1153
Follow JumperjumperSelects between a low-pass or all-pass filter at the input of the envelope follower, affecting its frequency sensitivity.1153
Out Polarity SwitchswitchInverts the polarity of the FBK OUT signal to correct phase inversions introduced by external modules in the feedback loop; should remain in the '+' position when no inversion is present.1153
Treble Boost PotknobAmplifies and overdrives the treble band signal.1153
Treble FaderfaderSets the level of the treble band in the 2-band EQ; cuts into the sound.1153
X-Fade CV PotknobAttenuverter for the X-FADE CV input; fully attenuated at noon, left of noon inverts the modulation, right of noon applies non-inverted modulation.1153
X-Fade FaderfaderCrossfades between the clean input signal and the fed-back TONE signal.1153

Firmware history 0 versions

No firmware history recorded.

References 2

  1. [1153]
    Bastl Instruments Dark Matter manualmanual
    verified 2026-06-08
  2. [1154]
    Bastl Instruments Dark Matter product pageproduct_page
    verified 2026-06-08