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Intellijel Designs Cylonix Shapeshifter

¥89,900 (Tax excluded ¥81,727)
Complex digital oscillator with overwhelming full-scale synth options including TZFM / chord / percussion / echo / vocoder!

Format: Eurorack
Width: 26HP
Depth: 44mm
Current: 195mA @ + 12V, 50mA @ -12V

For the latest Intellijel manuals and firmwareManufacturer support pageSee also

MUSICAL FEATURES

* Except for the changed description, the following explanation is for the firmware version 1 series. There were many additions to the firmware version 2017 released in the spring of 2. See "Firmware 2.0" below for an overview. For Shapeshifter purchased at our shop, the firmware will be updated free of charge (paid by the customer). However, please note that the preset will be erased by the update. Please email us with your order number.
 

Overview

Intellijel Shapeshifter is a sophisticated and deep dual * digital * wavetable oscillator created in collaboration with Cylonix. By using a powerful FPGA board, from code generation to percussion, vocoder, echo,Many authentic synth optionsWill be realized. The signal is internally processed at a rate of 25 Mhz, and the influence of alias noise is very small, and the sound quality is high.
 

Oscillators

The Shapeshifter oscillator consists of two parts, Osc1 and Osc2, and the waveform is selected from the wavetable. The frequency of Osc2 is set by the Coarse knob, Fine knob, and Pitch 1 input near the center, and the frequency of Osc1 also changes accordingly, but in addition to that, it is controlled by the Ratio knob, CV, and Pitch 2. Ratio can be set to a nice integer ratio with Oscillator 2 by turning the Quant button On, so it is unlikely to cause dissonance when used as a modulator for linear FM, not to mention on harmony. The Shape 1/1 knob on the right side controls the waveform on various wavetables.
  For the two VCOs, you can select each wavetable with the WAVE BANK button → encoder. There are 2 banks in the wavetable, each bank has 128 waveforms, and it is possible to smoothly transition between them (8 samples). If you decide the bank, the waveform in the bank can be voltage controlled by Shape knob and Shape CV, and you can create various waveform movements.
There are many other synth options available, and settings are accessible via various buttons. Settings can be saved in presets and presets can be sequenced in a practical way (or even code sequenced) and morphed

It is characterized by the following properties. See "DETAILS" below for details and detailed operation of each option.
  • Preset sequence morphing
  • Thru Zero FM (About TZFMRubicon 2(See the explanation of
  • Delay-based resonator (can also be used as a looper)
  • 64-band vocoder
  • Selectable audio rate (AC couple) Modulation MOD A can also modulate phase.
  • Analog wave folders (equivalent to uFold) can also be used for external signals.
  • There are various options such as Oscillator Sync, Pulse Output, and Combination processing to expand the range of synth sizes.
  • MOD B also offers a variety of selectable DC modulations. Press the button for the parameter you want to modulate twice.
    -Combo modes 
    -Waveform TILT
    -Overdrive (in code mode)
    -Delay depth and FB
    -Decay time (in percussion mode)
  • With 8 voice chords to detune, you can select from 64 chords, including just intonation and equal temperament.
  • In Percussion mode, the signal from the oscillator is output through the VCA with built-in envelope. Modulation of Decay and operation in AR mode are also possible.

Interface

 
 
The explanation of each part is displayed by mouse over  

Firmware 2.0

The major changes in the firmware version include the following.
 
  • -Chord type can now be controlled with MOD B (choose chord with * in chord selection)
  • -Oscillator 1 and 2 wavetable banks can now be controlled with MOD B.
  • -Oscillators 1 and 2 can now have separate SYNC modes, both with 1-shot and hold modes
  • -Pressing the INT. SYNC button twice will lower the sync by one octave.
  • -Pressing the QUANT button twice will make the PITCH2 input an external clock input and oscillator-2 will synchronize to it. RATIO will be clock division or double speed
  • -8 more modes for PULSE output
  • -Added a mode to the PRESET STEP menu that randomizes the preset for each step
  • -The number of presets has been increased to 100 and all presets will be remembered even after power off
 


MEASUREMENTS

Detailed functions are accessed from the buttons around the LCD. The following sections describe each button and the functions and options that you can set.

Click each section to expand it.
 

COMBO MODE Button: Waveform Combinations

The output of output 1 is processed as a combination based on the sound of the oscillator (digitally performs wave shaping processing like an analog logic circuit) and becomes a signal that has passed through the delay.The combination processing has the following options. (Select with Combo Mode Button). It may be effective to perform some combination processing with INT.Sync.
  • cmb: osc1 The sound of oscillator 1 is output as is.
  • cmb: ring A ring-modulated signal of oscillators 1 and 2 is output.
  • cmb: min The lowest voltage signal of oscillators 1 and 2 is always output.
  • cmb: pong Oscillator 1 and 2 signals. When oscillator 1 has a positive voltage, the oscillator 1 signal is output, and when oscillator 2 is a negative voltage, the oscillator 2 signal is output. The output is 0 when neither is satisfied.
  • cmb: inlv Since it is digital, both oscillator 1 and 2 signals can be specified in bits, but these bit representations are taken out alternately and combined to generate a signal.
  • cmb: and An AND operation is performed using the bit information that represents the signals of the two oscillators, and output.
  • cmb: xor Similarly, XOR operation (exclusive OR) is performed with bit information of two signals and output.
  • cmb: gLcH Generates and outputs a noisy, glitchy signal from oscillators 1 and 2 through a complex operation.
This is the waveform when you try each combination with the Quant button ON and oscillator 2 at a frequency 1 times that of oscillator 16. Both oscillator waveforms are sine waves.

 

SYNC / PULSE / STEP Button: Oscillator Sync Mode

Sync occurs the moment the signal on the Sync input exceeds 0.2V. If nothing is patched to the Sync input, this will be INT.Sync, which will occur the moment the oscillator 1 signal crosses 0.
  • HardSync: The most common oscillator sync, where the sync returns the phase to 0.
  • SoftSync: Same as HardSync in that sync returns the phase to 0, but only syncs when the oscillator phase is the first quarter (1-4 degrees).
  • RevSync: An oscillator sync whose waveform direction is reversed at the sync timing. It is smoother than normal Hard Sync, etc., and especially for INT.Sync, it is also suitable for bass etc.
  • HoldSync: When a sync occurs, the signal will keep its value and the next sync will start the waveform again.
  • BumpSync: Advances the phase by 1 degrees for oscillator 90 and 2 degrees for oscillator 45 when sync occurs.
  • 2 = 1 Sync: Similar to HardSync, but in addition to this, only oscillator 2 will be synced again when the two signals have the same value.
  • 1 = 2 Sync: This is a sync mode in which oscillators 2 and 1 with 1 = 2 Sync are switched.
  • Sync Of: Do not sync. This helps prevent glitches when stepping through presets using the Sync input. Also select this when you do not want to align the phases of the eight waveforms in code mode.
The state of each sync is shown below. Both oscillators 1/2 are sine waves, and the yellow arrow shows the point where sync occurs.


 

SYNC / PULSE / STEP Button: Pulse Source Modes

The PULSE output always outputs either 0V or 5V. Oscillators 1 and 2 determine what kind of signal it has, and the following options are available.
  • + o1: In this mode, a value of 1V will be output from the Pulse output when the oscillator 0 signal is greater than 5V, otherwise it will be 0V.
  • EOC: In this mode, the signal is 5V at the end of the oscillator cycle. Since the oscillator cycle is normally continuous, it is always 5V, but in percussion mode it changes from 0V to 5V at the moment the percussion sound ends, so it is necessary to relate the timing of the percussion sound to other sounds. Helps.
  • + o2: This mode is a version of oscillator 1 with + o2.
  • -o2: In this mode, the value of 2V is output from Pulse Output when the signal of Oscillator 0 is less than 5V, and 0V otherwise.
  • OR: In this mode, 1V is output when the voltage of either oscillator 2 or 0 is larger than 5V, and it is 0V at other times.
  • AND: In this mode, 1V is output when the voltage of both oscillators 2 and 0 is larger than 5V, and it is 0V at other times.
  • XOR: In this mode, the Pulse output outputs 1V when the outputs of oscillators 2 and 0 are both less than 0 or both are greater than 0, and 1V when the output voltages of oscillators 2 and 5 have different signs. .
  • gLcH: In this mode, 1V / 5V switching that reflects the sign of the signal of the output 0 combination mode gLcH is performed. This can be selected even when gLcH is not selected as the combination mode. It's also useful for producing noisy and glitchy triggers.

MOD A / MORPH Button: Mod A Destinations

The MOD A input is converted to a 98 KHz digital signal and is used for modulation. Since the MOD A input is AC coupled, it does not respond to slowly changing CV (DC signal). Press the MOD A / MORPH button and use the rotary encoder to specify the modulation destination of the MOD A signal. The modulation destination options are as follows.
  • Phase2-Modulates the phase of oscillator 2.
  • Combo 2-In this mode, MOD A's signal takes the place of oscillator 2 in the combination process. Select this mode if you want to perform modulation (ring modulation, etc.) that is performed by combination processing, and select the combination processing option with the COMBO button.
  • Shape 2-In this mode the MOD A signal modulates the oscillator 2 wavetable. Since the phase advance is also controlled by the MOD A signal, the PITCH 2 and RATIO signals will no longer work, and the pitch will be controlled by the MOD A signal, and when the sawtooth wave is put into MOD A, the original waveform will be reproduced. By inserting a waveform other than a sawtooth wave, it can be used like wave shaping or distortion.
  • Voc MOD-In this mode, the MOD A signal is64-band vocoderIt is used as a modulation signal for. The output signal of the combination process is used as the carrier signal of the vocoder. Vocoder processing allows you to map the spectrum of the modulation source (MOD A input signal) to the carrier signal, creating vocoder-specific robotic vocal sounds and singing chords. The vocoder is more effective when the carrier signal has many overtones such as a sawtooth wave or a pulse wave.
  • Phase1-Modulates the phase of oscillator 1.
  • Combo 1-In this mode, MOD A's signal takes the place of oscillator 1 in the combination process. Select this mode if you want to perform modulation (ring modulation, etc.) that is performed by combination processing, and select the combination processing option with the COMBO button.
  • Shape 1-The Oscillator 2 version of Shape 1. When oscillator 1 is in chord mode, only the root sound will be modulated.
  • Voc CARR-The MOD A signal is used as the vocoder carrier.

CHORD TYPE / MULTI / LOAD Button: Chord Mode

When the chord mode button is activated and chord mode is activated, oscillator 1 becomes 8 separate oscillators, all of which can output the same waveform at different frequencies. This allows you to play chords or detune the unison.

The amount of detune can be set by pressing the DETUNE / DECAY button and turning the rotary encoder. When the amount of detune is the same, the detune may be heard smaller in the high frequency range. The amount of detune can also be modulated from the MOD B input. Press the DETUNE / DECAY button twice to set. Also, tuning the codeChoice between just temperament and equal temperamentis. In Chord mode, press the Chord Type / Multi / Load button and use the rotary encoder to set.

When code mode is activated, the top row of the LCD display will show the currently selected code type. The chord type can be set by turning the encoder. 64 code types can be selected. The table below shows the pitch of the oscillator in semitones when displaying each chord type. 0 corresponds to the scale of the route.

CH: uniso 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (unison)
CH: m2nd 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 (minor 2nd interval)
CH: M2nd 0 0 0 0 2 2 2 2 (major 2nd interval)
CH: m3rd 0 0 0 0 3 3 3 3 (minor 3rd interval)
CH: M3rd 0 0 0 0 4 4 4 4 (major 3rd interval)
CH: 4th 0 0 0 0 5 5 5 5 (4th interval)
CH: trito 0 0 0 0 6 6 6 6 (tritone interval)
CH: 5th 0 0 0 0 7 7 7 7 (5th interval)
CH: aug5 0 0 0 0 8 8 8 8 (augmented 5th interval)
CH: 6th 0 0 0 0 9 9 9 9 (6th interval)
CH: m7th 0 0 0 0 10 10 10 10 (minor 7th interval)
CH: M7th 0 0 0 0 11 11 11 11 (major 7th interval)
CH: octav 0 0 0 0 12 12 12 12 (octave interval)
CH: suboc 0 0 0 0 -12 -12 12 12 (suboctave + octave)
CH: 2octave 0 12 24 0 12 24 12 24 (octave + 2octave)
CH: min 0 3 7 0 3 7 0 3 (minor triad)
CH: minI1 12 3 7 12 3 7 12 3 (minor triad 1st inversion)
CH: minI2 12 15 7 12 15 7 12 15 (minor triad 2nd inversion)
CH: maj 0 4 7 0 4 7 0 4 (major triad)
CH: majI1 12 4 7 12 4 7 12 4 (major triad 1st inversion)
CH: majI2 12 16 7 12 16 7 12 16 (major triad 2nd inversion)
CH: sus 0 5 7 0 5 7 5 7 (suspended triad)
CH: augmented 0 4 8 0 4 8 0 8 (augmented triad)
CH: dim 0 3 6 0 3 6 0 6 (diminished triad)
CH: maj6 0 4 7 9 0 4 7 9 (major 6th)
CH: maj7 0 4 7 11 0 4 7 11 (major 7th)
CH: 7M1st 12 4 7 11 12 4 7 11 (major 7th 1st inversion)
CH: 7M 2nd 12 16 7 11 12 16 7 11 (major 7th 2nd inversion)
CH: 7M3rd 12 16 19 11 12 16 19 11 (major 7th 3rd inversion)
CH: dom 0 4 7 10 0 4 7 10 (dominant 7th)
CH: 7D 1st 12 4 7 10 12 4 7 10 (dominant 7th 1st inversion)
CH: 7D 2nd 12 16 7 10 12 16 7 10 (dominant 7th 2nd inversion)
CH: 7D3rd 12 16 19 10 12 16 19 10 (dominant 7th 3rd inversion)
CH: min7 0 3 7 10 0 3 7 10 (minor 7th)
CH: 7m1st 12 3 7 10 12 3 7 10 (minor 7th 1st inversion)
CH: 7m 2nd 12 15 7 10 12 15 7 10 (minor 7th 2nd inversion)
CH: 7m3rd 12 15 19 10 12 15 19 10 (minor 7th 3rd inversion)
CH: hdim7 0 3 6 10 0 3 6 10 (half diminished 7th)
CH: 7h1st 12 3 6 10 12 3 6 10 (half diminished 7th 1st inversion)
CH: 7h 2nd 12 15 6 10 12 15 6 10 (half diminished 7th 2nd inversion)
CH: 7h3rd 12 15 18 10 12 15 18 10 (half diminished 7th 3rd inversion)
CH: dim7 0 3 6 9 0 3 6 9 (diminished 7th)
CH: 7d 1st 12 3 6 9 12 3 6 9 (diminished 7th 1st inversion)
CH: 7d 2nd 12 15 6 9 12 15 6 9 (diminished 7th 2nd inversion)
CH: 7d3rd 12 15 18 9 12 15 18 9 (diminished 7th 3rd inversion)
CH: 7sus 0 5 7 10 0 5 7 10 (suspended 7th)
CH: 7s1st 12 5 7 10 12 5 7 10 (suspended 7th 1st inversion)
CH: 7s2nd 12 17 7 10 12 17 7 10 (suspended 7th 2nd inversion)
CH: 7s3rd 12 17 19 10 12 17 19 10 (suspended 7th 3rd inversion)
CH: D9th 0 4 7 10 14 14 7 10 (dominant 9th)
CH: 9D 2nd 12 16 7 10 14 14 7 10 (dominant 9th 2nd inversion)
CH: Dm9th 0 4 7 10 13 13 7 10 (dominant minor 9th)
CH: Dm9-2 12 16 7 10 13 13 7 10 (dominant minor 9th 2nd inversion)
CH: maj9 0 4 7 11 14 14 7 11 (major 9th)
CH: 9M 2nd 12 16 7 11 14 14 7 11 (major 9th 2nd inversion)
CH: min9 0 3 7 10 14 14 7 10 (minor 9th)
CH: 9m 2nd 12 15 7 10 14 14 7 10 (minor 9th 2nd inversion)
CH: M6 / 9 0 4 7 9 14 4 7 9 (major 6/9)
CH: m6 / 9 0 4 7 9 14 4 7 9 (minor 6/9)
CH: 9b5 0 4 6 10 14 14 6 10 (9th flat 5th)
CH: 9 # 5 0 4 8 10 14 14 8 10 (9th sharp 5th)
CH: D11th 0 0 7 10 14 18 7 18 (dominant 11th)
CH: m11th 0 3 7 10 14 17 14 17 (minor 11th)
CH: wide 0 12 14 17 7 24 -12 7 (octave, 9th, 11th, fifth, 2octave, suboctave, fifth)

CHORD TYPE / MULTI / LOAD Button: Multi Setting

How to load the wavetable depends on the MULTI setting. In MULTI mode, you can create a more complicated waveform by connecting multiple 512 sample waveforms that are lined up on the wavetable. The mode can be selected from 1 waveform (default 512 samples) operation, 2 waveforms connecting 1024 waveforms for a total of 2 samples for wavetable operation, 4 waveform operations (2048 samples) and 8 waveform operations (4096 samples). is.

Sample waveform for each MULTI setting. Of the original 512 samples, this is the case when connecting the eight vertically displayed on the left side to make a sample.



The multi settings for oscillators 1/2 can be set individually by pressing the CHORD TYPE / MULTI / LOAD button and turning the rotary encoder.

TILT / DRIVE Button: Tilt Function

The Tilt function is to modulate the phase of oscillator 1 with oscillator 1 itself. This creates a feedback effect that tilts the waveform, but strong effects can distort or even create chaotic sounds. Tilt level is determined by pressing the Tilt button and then using the encoder and MOD B knob.


 

TILT / DRIVE Button: Drive Function

The Drive function is active only in code mode. You can set the gain between 1-3 and then go through the process of clipping loud sounds. In code mode, the volume may decrease depending on how the waveforms overlap, so use the Drive function to make adjustments. Increasing the gain adds saturation warmth to the sound. Adjustments and modulation settings are made by pressing the Tilt / Drive button in chord mode and using the encoder and MOD B knob.

DELAY Button: Delay Function

The combined signal is passed through a simple comb resonator / delay. It works as a resonator that oscillates when the delay time is short, and as an echo when the delay time is long. The DELAY parameter sets the amount of delay feedback and controls wet / dry at the same time. When the DELAY parameter is maximum, the echo will freeze, soOverdub and loop effectsIt can also be used as Adjustments and modulation settings are made by pressing the DELAY button and using the encoder and MOD B knob.

Delay time is not DELAY knob,Oscillator 2 cycleWill be. If you press the QUANT button and perform an echo while keeping the frequency ratio of oscillator 2 to that of oscillator 1, it will also be a resonator that synchronizes the pitch, and you can also use the sync of oscillator 2 to sync the echo time.

PERC MODE Button: Percussion Mode

Press the PERC. MODE button to switch the percussion mode. In percussion mode, the signal that has passed the combination process passes through the VCA with a snappy exponential envelope. Triggering is done by inputting a pulse signal to the SYNC input. The attack time is very short (1ms or less), and the decay decays according to the value set by the DECAY TIME parameter. You can adjust the decay time by pressing the DETUNE / DECAY button in percussion mode. To set the control by MOD B, press the DETUNE / DECAY button again.

When the PERC MODE button is pressed twiceGate modeIn this mode, as long as the gate signal input to the SYNC input is ON, the sound will be kept at its maximum, and the decay will start from the moment the gate is turned OFF.

Wave Folder

SHAPE SHIFTER has a fully analog wave folder built in. This wave folderuFold IIIt is based on the wave folder circuit. If nothing is plugged into the input jack to the wave folder, the signal from the output 1 jack will be internally routed. With this mechanism, only the wave folder can be used for external sound processing.

The function of the wave folder is to fold the input waveform and increase the overtones. The amount of folding is determined by the FOLD knob and FOLD CV. When the FOLD amount is small, it works just like an amplifier, but as the FOLD amount is increased, it will be folded back when the signal level exceeds a certain point.

The waveform when the Fold control is raised.

 

PRESET MODE Encoder: Preset Mode

Shapeshifter has 64 memory slots for storing parameter settings (presets). 64 presets can be saved by the user, but only 12 preset slots have memory that will not be lost when the power is turned on or off. The 52 temporary memory should be used for preset sketches, preset steps, etc.

The user can access the preset mode for preset memory operation by left encoder push. The LED above the rotary encoder glows red to indicate it is in preset mode. Push the encoder again to return to normal mode.

When you enter preset mode, the button on the left side of the encoderSAVE, STEP, MORPH, LOADYou can set functions such as.

When you first enter the preset mode, the LCD display will show the currently selected preset. If this is 1 to 12, the preset will remain saved even when the power is turned off. The preset you select can be changed by turning the encoder (you can then save and load it with the Save or Load buttons).
 
SAVE:
When in preset mode, the current parameter settings can be stored in the selected preset memory slot. To do this, first display the current preset number on the LCD display (in STEP / MORPH mode, press the WAVE BANK button or CHORDE TYPE button). Then turn the encoder to select the memory slot to save and press the save button. Then, "Save? NO" is displayed on the LCD display. Turn the encoder once to the right to set the display to "YES" and press SAVE to save. If you don't want to save, press the encoder again. .
 
LOAD:
Pressing the LOAD button while the LCD display is showing the preset number will load the settings of the currently selected preset. The control state of the knob immediately after loading the preset isSoft pickupState and the knob will not change until it passes above the preset setting. This design has the advantage that when you load a preset, it will load exactly the same as when you saved it, regardless of the knob's position (the pitch knob does not support soft pickup). The soft pickup state is canceled the moment the preset mode is exited, and all parameters reflect the current knob position (hard pickup).
MORPH:
Shapeshifter allows you to morph between the current panel settings and the settings of the currently selected preset to make a gradual transition.To do this, press the MOD A / MORPH button in preset mode.The LCD display will then display “Morph NN” (NN is the currently selected preset number) and the letters “PnL-> Pst” (or “Pnl <-PsT”).The currently selected preset can be changed by turning the rotary encoder.The actual sound is a blend of the current panel settings and preset settings.The balance of the blend is controlled by the MOD B control knob and MOD B input on the right side of the display. When MOD B is fully turned to the left, the sound of only the panel setting is output, and when it is fully turned to the right, the sound of only the p reset setting is output.

There are two exceptions to this blend. In INT.Sync mode and Perc mode, the panel setting sound is always output, and the preset sound does not work.
STEP: STEP:
Shapeshifter also has a STEP mode that steps through the presets each time the SYNC input is triggered. To do this, press the SYNC / PULSE / STEP button in preset mode. The steps can be stepped within a range of user specified first and last presets. There are 7 different settings for how to proceed in step mode.
  • Fwd: NN
    If you press the SYNC / PULSE / STEP button again, the step will actually proceed. Each time the SYNC input is triggered, it will move to the next highest preset number. The LCD display will show “Fwd * NN”, and * indicates that stepping is currently in progress. To stop stepping, press the SYNC / PULSE / STEP button again.
  • Rev: NN
    Same as Fwd except step in the direction of decreasing preset number.
  • Fw / Rv: NN
    In this mode, Fwd raises the preset number, then Rev lowers the preset number and repeats this stepping.
  • Rand: NN Steps randomly through presets.
  • MOD B:NN
    In this mode, the preset selected by the trigger is specified by the MOD B knob and MOD B control. This is convenient when you want to perform a detailed preset sequence.
  • Begin: NN
    When this is selected, pressing the SYNC / PULSE / STEP button will cause the LCD display to switch and display “Begin? NN”. At this time, turn the encoder to specify the first preset number for stepping, and when the desired number is reached, press the SYNC / PULSE / STEP button again to confirm.
  • End: NN
    You can specify the preset number at the end of the step in the same way as the Begin setting.
  • Div:N
    Specify the number of pulses (1 to 8) to repeat the same preset in the same way as the Begin setting.

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