make-noise/optomix

Optomix

Make Noise

Two-channel low pass gate using four vactrols for simultaneous voltage control over amplitude and frequency, with DAMP and STRIKE inputs per channel and a summing stage with auxiliary input.862

Capabilities 6

Audio Mixeraudio-mixer
SUM OUT provides a mix of both channels plus any signal at AUX IN, allowing chaining with modDemix or other Optomix units.862
Envelope Generatorenvelope-generator
Channels can generate percussive envelopes by patching a gate to STRIKE IN; the DAMP parameter sets the decay character without requiring a separate envelope generator.862
Lowpass Gatelowpass-gate
Two-channel vactrol-based LPG providing simultaneous amplitude and frequency control per channel via the CONTROL and DAMP inputs.862
Mixermixer
Optomix sums its two channels to an always-on internal SUM bus (CH1 + CH2 → SUM output), so it carries the umbrella `mixer` tag. Pinned here because write.py re-inserts only extractor-surfaced capabilities, and `mixer` is not reliably surfaced by extraction — without this override the tag drifts away on every re-ingest. Not a cascading-mixer: the manual states the CH1→CH2 output normal was removed, so there is no chain-break. (#427)862
Vcfvcf
Optomix is a low-pass gate (vactrol-based VCFA): each channel combines a voltage-controlled lowpass filter with a VCA. Pinned because the vcf tag extracts non-deterministically and write.py re-inserts only extractor-surfaced capabilities. (#427)862
Voltage-Controlled Amplifiervca
Each channel acts as a VCA when driven by a control signal; characterized by moderate attack and slow, ringing decay inherent to vactrol response.862

Jacks 12 (9 in / 3 out)

NameSignalVoltageDescription
Inputs (9)
AUX INmixed≤10VDirect-coupled input to the SUM circuit, enabling chaining of multiple Optomix or modDemix units into larger mixes. Accepts audio or control signals up to 10Vpp.862
CH1 CONTROL INcvDirect-coupled, highly sensitive CV input driving the Channel 1 vactrol to control the low pass gate.862
CH1 DAMP CV INmixed0V to 8VCV input for Channel 1 DAMP parameter; accepts audio or CV. Normalized to +8V when nothing patched.862
CH1 STRIKE INgate≤8VGate input that strikes or plucks the Channel 1 vactrol, triggering the LPG with a fast attack transient. Expects 8V gate signal.862
CH1 Signal INmixed≤10VDirect-coupled signal input for channel 1, accepting audio or control signals up to 10Vpp.862
CH2 CONTROL INcvDirect-coupled, highly sensitive CV input driving the Channel 2 vactrol for LPG control.862
CH2 DAMP CV INmixed0V to 8VCV input for channel 2 damping, normalized to +8V so the DAMP combo pot acts as a manual control when nothing is patched. Accepts audio or CV in the range 0V–8V.862
CH2 STRIKE INgate≤8VGate input that strikes or plucks the Channel 2 vactrol, triggering the LPG. Expects 8V gate signal.862
CH2 Signal INmixed≤10VDirect-coupled signal input for channel 2, accepting audio or control signals up to 10Vpp.862
Outputs (3)
CH1 Signal OUTmixed≤10VOutput of Channel 1 signal as processed by the LPG; up to 10Vpp depending on settings and source material.862
CH2 Signal OUTmixed≤10VDirect-coupled output of Channel 2 signal as processed by the LPG; up to 10Vpp depending on gate settings and source material.862
SUM OUTmixed≤10VSum or mix of all signals processed by the Optomix; also includes any signal at AUX IN.862

Parameters 4

NameTypeRangeBehavior
CH1 CONTROL Combo PotknobUnipolar attenuator for the CONTROL signal input. When nothing is patched to the CONTROL input, acts as a level control for the internal offset.862
CH1 DAMP Combo PotknobActs as a unipolar attenuator for the DAMP CV input. When nothing is patched to the DAMP CV input, functions as a direct manual control for the DAMP parameter.862
CH2 CONTROL Combo PotknobUnipolar attenuator for Channel 2 CONTROL signal input. When nothing is patched to the CONTROL input, acts as a level control for the internal offset.862
CH2 DAMP Combo PotknobUnipolar attenuator for Channel 2 DAMP CV input. When nothing is patched to the DAMP CV input, functions as a direct manual control for Channel 2's DAMP parameter.862

Firmware history 0 versions

No firmware history recorded.

References 2

  1. [862]
    Optomix Manualmanual
    verified 2026-05-24
  2. [863]
    Make Noise Optomix product pageproduct_page
    verified 2026-05-24