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Neuzeit Instruments Quasar

¥82,900 (Tax excluded ¥75,364)
Two-channel binaural mixer that introduces 3D spatial audio into the Eurorack environment

Format: Eurorack
Width: 16HP
Depth: 45mm
Current: 185mA @ + 12V, 20mA @ -12V
Manual PDF (English)

MUSICAL FEATURES

Quasar is a two-channel audio mixer that can create 3D sound images using binaural algorithms. Two, called Quasar 2 and Quasar 1positioncan be used to virtually position and move at any angle, height, and distance, and even compensate for distance with room reverb. Audio signals to Input 1 and Input 2 can be flexibly routed to either or both of two positions (Quasar) via an internal matrix mixer.The coordinates of each position can be set manually or controlled via the internal LFO or external CV.For example, you can create sounds that circle around the listener, coming in and out from above, below, in front of, and behind.You can also create a dry/wet mix by specifying the center position as the routing destination, which allows the signal to pass through without processing.

  • 2 mono inputs
  • Stereo output (2 single jacks and stereo headphone output)
  • 2 CV inputs
  • 24Bit 48kHz input/output/32Bit internal processing
  • Dynamic 3D positioning in three dimensions: height, angle and distance
  • Room reverb for excellent localization
  • Built-in LFO with flexible routing
  • 2 external CVs can be routed to multiple assignments for all parameters per CV

 

HOW TO USE

Interface

 

The explanation of each part is displayed by mouse over

Signal flow

Manufacturer's pageNow you can see the diagram below showing the Quasar signal path in high resolution.

Quasar receives audio signals through two input jacks, ~IN1 and ~IN2.The input gain for each signal can be set with two independent knobs, IN2 and IN1.Each input signal is distributed to Quasar 2, Quasar 2 and Center positions via independent High/Low Pass filters and internal volume controls.This function is equivalent to a matrix mixer. Quasar 1 and 2 convert each mono input into a binaural stereo signal.The coordinates and reverb parameters where the sound is expected to occur, as well as the modulation of the internal LFO, can be adjusted at will.Also, the input signal is mixed to the left and right output channels without binaural processing, only through High/Low Pass filters and level adjustment.The perceptible position here corresponds to the center, and the sound seems to come from inside your head. The mix of Quasar 1, Quasar 2, and center CNTR volumes is adjusted with the three knobs on top of the module.These sums are routed to the OUT L/R output jacks and the PHON headphone output, with independent controls for master and headphone output levels.

Volume meters

In the main menu, operate the PARA encoder to select one of the submenus and click to access each.Two LED rings mounted around the large encoder serve as level meters for the audio input on the left after gain control and the audio output before OUT/PHON control on the right.

Adjust the signal input/output levels so that they are always within the blue range.A significantly lower level setting, such as one that stays in the green range, may introduce more unwanted noise. Adjust the respective input levels appropriately with the IN 1/2 GAIN knobs.Use the QSR1, QSR2 and CNTR knobs to adjust the output level.A built-in Volume parameter is also available to optimize the balance of output levels.If the input and output levels are too high, the level meters will reach the red area.This can cause signal clipping or distortion.

Coordinate system

Quasar works in polar coordinates.This means that the position of the virtual sound source is specified by the angle in the horizontal plane (Azimuth), the angle in the vertical plane (Elevation), and the distance to the listener's head.Polar coordinates are an alternative to rectangular coordinates (Cartesian coordinates) that specify position on the XYZ axes. The polar coordinates employed by Quasar's algorithms improve sound quality and allow sound sources to orbit around the listener in a more natural way.

menu structure

Qarsar's menu structure is designed to be easy to understand, and each menu has a different color LED ring, so you can quickly navigate visually as you become familiar with the modules.The display always shows the parameter value you set, and the LED ring shows that value plus modulation by the internal LFO or external CV.When using modulation, the highlighted LED moves while the display shows a constant number.

Quasar 1/2 - Height & Angle

The left encoder determines the height of the sound source by varying the elevation angle from -30.0° to +45.0°.This creates the effect of sound coming from above and below, with a turquoise LED providing a visual indication of elevation.A highlighted LED in the top half of the ring indicates a positive value, meaning the sound is coming from above.On the other hand, the highlighted LEDs at the bottom of the ring indicate non-polar values, meaning the sound is coming from below.

Use the right encoder to set the azimuth.It can be set within 180.0° left and right of the listener's head.0.0° here means that the sound comes directly from the front.In this case, the LED highlight is at the top of the ring.

If the LED highlight is below the ring, the sound is coming from behind.If the highlight is on the left or right of the ring, the sound will be heard from the left or right respectively. The LED ring can be interpreted as indicating the possible paths that the sound source can travel when looking at the listener from above.For azimuth, you can also activate automatic mode.Click the PARA encoder to toggle automatic rotation on/off.The display shows the rotation speed in revolutions per minute (/m). The LED ring continues to display the azimuth position in absolute value.

Quasar 1/2 - Distance & Room reverb amount

This menu is used to set the virtual position distance of Quasar on the left, and the emulated room reverberation volume on the right.Distances range from 20.0 centimeters to 10.0 meters, and reverb amounts range from 0% to 100%.Room reverberation is important information for human auditory distance measurement, so applying some reverb to the signal may improve distance determination.

Quasar 1/2 - Room damping & Room size

This menu sets two parameters of the reverb.On the left is Room damping, which defines the damping of high frequencies in the reverb tail, and on the right is the Room size adjustment, which defines the length of the reverb tail.Both can be set from 2% to 0%.

Quasar 1/2-LFO waveform & LFO speed

This menu sets the internal LFO used to modulate the Quasar's position coordinates, height, angle and distance.The image below is an overview of the available LFO waveforms.

There are also other waveforms that operate in one-shot cycles, such as the following, which must be triggered by a control voltage to CV1 or CV2.

Also, to activate these one-shot waveforms, you need to set the LFO trigger as the CV assignment from the 'CV MAP' menu.

Set the LFO speed on the right side of the menu.The configurable range is -300.0 to +300.0 cycles per minute, which corresponds to a maximum of ±5Hz.Gentle position movement is effective for localizing the sound, but increasing the LFO value can produce interesting effects such as tremolo. The LFO can be re-triggered via an external CV and to do so set the LFO trigger as a target in the corresponding CV MAP.

Quasar 1/2 - LFO Amt Height & LFO Amt Angle

The following menu sets the amount of LFO applied to the Quasar's height and angle coordinates.Positive and negative values ​​can be applied with a range of ±100.0%, and the LFO value will be added or subtracted from the manually set coordinate value.Value changes are indicated by an LED ring in the corresponding 'Height | Angle' menu.You can still modulate the angle (azimuth) with the LFO, even when auto-rotation is enabled.This means that the sound source moves in the horizontal plane at the speed of autorotation, and also changes the speed at which the LFO moves.

Quasar 1/2 - LFO Amt Distance & Actions

The third coordinate, the Distance parameter, can also be modulated with an LFO.Again, set the amount to be applied within the range of ±3%.On the right side of the menu you can select some special Actions with the encoder.Click the encoder to perform the selected Action.The following actions are available:

  • LFO Reset: Reset the LFOs.The Speed ​​and Amount values ​​are set to 0.0, and the Waveform is set to Sine.
  • LFO Copy to other QSR: Copies the LFO's parameters (waveform, speed, amount) to the other Quasar.
  • LFO/Pos Copy to other QSR: Copies the LFO value and coordinate values ​​(height, angle, distance) to the other Quasar.
  • LFO/Pos Mirror to other QSR: Like Copy, but the angle is changed from left to right or right to left.Also, the polarity of the LFO dose to angle is reversed.
  • All Copy to other QSRs: Copies the entire Quasar including position, LFO and room parameters.
  • All Mirror to other QSRs: Like Copy, but the angle is changed from left to right or right to left.Also, the polarity of the LFO dose to angle is reversed.

Input 1/2 - Filter & Volume

Incoming audio signals can be flexibly routed to Quasar1, Quasar2 and center position (CNTR).You can also set a preceding low-pass or high-pass filter as well as volume. You can enter the IN1 or IN2 menu to browse the targets available on the PARA encoder.

CV 1/2 MAP - Target & Amount

Inputs CV1 and CV2 can be flexibly routed to different assignments, with 4 targets available for each CV. You can enter the CV1 MAP or CV2 MAP menu to browse the targets 1-4 available on the PARA encoder.Select a target with the large left encoder and set values ​​up to ±100% with the right encoder.Ideally, the external CV voltage should be in the range of ±5.0V.If the selected assignment is set to QSR1 or QSR2 LFO trigger, the control voltage is interpreted as a positive gate/trigger voltage from 0V to +5V.With the left encoder fully left, Amount is automatically set to 0.0%.This allows you to quickly reset existing mappings.

MORE

The MORE menu page within the main menu gives access to some additional options Quasar offers.

 

MORE - Save Preset

All settings can be saved as presets and recalled at any time.To save, select 'Save Preset' from the menu.On the next screen, use the PARA encoder to select one of the 128 preset slots from the list.If you select a slot that contains an already saved preset, that preset will be overwritten.On the next screen enter the preset name.The right encoder or PARA encoder scrolls the characters horizontally, and the left encoder scrolls the characters vertically.To enter characters, click one of the three encoders.The last letter can be deleted by selecting the arrow in the alphabet list.To confirm the entered preset name, click the ok key in the list.

TIP: Quasar automatically retains temporary settings between power cycles.

MORE - Load Preset

Presets can be called from a list. Select any preset using the PARA encoder in the Load Preset menu, then click the encoder to load the preset.

MORE-Bypass

A bypass function allows you to see the unprocessed input signal.Upon entering the menu, inputs IN1 and IN2 are immediately routed to the outputs without any sound processing. Use the PARA encoder to choose whether IN1 and IN2 are routed to both left and right outputs, or IN1 to the left channel and IN2 to the right channel respectively.The latter option is suitable if you have a stereo signal input, with IN1 being the left channel and IN2 being the right channel.

MORE - Ear Type

People vary in how accurately they can hear Quasar-processed sounds.In spatial hearing, the shape of the torso, head, and ears play an important role in localizing sounds, and they vary from person to person.For this reason, Quasar offers 5 Ear Types to choose from with the PARA encoder: Human, Hobbit, Yoda, Bunny, Elephant. Different ear types affect the amount of change in frequency response depending on the listening position.'Human' has the least influence on the frequency spectrum, and 'Elephant' has the greatest influence.

The stronger the selected type, the greater the change in the frequency spectrum.This can lead to unexpected over-emphasis, so weaker types tend to be preferred.These differences are most noticeable in height recognition accuracy and front-to-back discriminability.In general, a virtual sound source on the left or right side of the head has better localization capabilities than an exact central location.

MORE - Brightness

This option allows you to adjust the overall brightness of the LED ring. Use any of the 3 encoders to change the brightness and click the encoder to complete the setting.To exit without making any changes, click the BACK button.This brightness setting will be remembered by the module and loaded at the next power up.

MORE-CV Calibration

Each CV input on the module is factory calibrated.Due to differences in power supplies and temperatures, recalibration may be required if the CV's cable is unpatched and the CV is seen working.Calibration measures and resets the default zero level of the CV input.To do this, enter the menu and follow the on-screen instructions (remove all cables, press PARA to start calibration).After measurement, Quasar shows two reference voltages on the screen. The normal value is between ±2. 

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