{"title":"Vactrols","description":"\u003cp\u003eYou like modules that contain vactrols? Me too. From LPGs to vactrol VCAs and mutes, vactrols have this delightfully gluey ability to make everything better, which is why I like to use them whenever I can - and now, you can too.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"passive-dual-lpg-with-linked-two-pole-24702","title":"Omen LPG - 4hp - dual passive LPG with 2-pole resonant filters","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Omen is a dual LPG with a bit more than you might be used to. Like you, I once was lost in the world of low pass gates, seeking something more, something bigger and somehow juicier. The inspiration came to me as I was reading a particularly heavy book on passive filters, and I realized it was possible to make far more interesting LPG designs than the standard we've become so accustomed to.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn a convergence of old-school LPG design and more modern components, the Omen boasts two -6dB resonant filters, custom built vactrols, built in CV attenuation and no less than three cutoff modes per filter. Filter 1 is soft and light, imparting a gentle, naturally gated touch of filtering on your sound, while Filter 2 is darker and more resonant, and can turn downright growly and distorted when left wide open.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDesigned to give you as many creative options as possible, the Omen has the unique ability to function as either two discrete LPG, or as one 4-pole resonant LPG. When plugging a signal in to Input 1, and with no signal plugged into Input 2, the output will be present at both Output 1 and Output 2, with Output 2 producing the signal as it passes through both filters. Tweaking both filters independently will generate a wide array of soft and sometimes harsh tones, ranging from Buchla bongos to early synthesis brass and organ sounds. There is much to love here.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCV is similarly handled, by plugging in only one CV source, it will act on both channels - this is useful for creating musically similar outputs as well as when using the dual filter operation. However, the dual filter mode greatly benefits from having two CV inputs: use an envelope in CV1 to act as a VCA, and an LFO in CV2 to create tremolo, for instance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUsing custom designed, hand built vactrols, care has been taken to mitigate the less desirable aspects of passive LPGs - in most modules, the user can expect zero bleed through on the LPG channels, and signal attenuation is minimal even with the 4-pole filter settings engaged. Of course, many of the natural features of vactrols remain, such as subtle memory effect when engaging the vactrol for long periods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDIY enthusiast? Rejoice! The Omen is now available as a fully loaded DIY kit - everything you need to build your very own Omen packed in one place, so you can easily build one in the comfort of your own home. It is not a difficult DIY project, an ambitious beginner or someone with experience from a few easy builds can tackle the Omen in an afternoon. The build is all through-hole aside from three SMD components, which are easily soldered by hand due to their large size. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFinally, you receive maximum blinkenlights as LED's on the front panel simulate the action of the vactrols, so you'll always know what's going on under the hood. No collection of fancy LPG's is complete without the Omen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Herzlich Labs","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46687123210583,"sku":"","price":1699.0,"currency_code":"DKK","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0754\/9163\/9639\/files\/omen_lpg_e734b191-9b14-45f3-9dcd-5e29f804daf0.jpg?v=1774291739"},{"product_id":"dual-passive-lpg-herzlich-low-pass-gate-96188","title":"Passive LPG - 2hp - dual passive low pass gate","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNothing compares to the sound of a hand-built vactrol.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cem\u003ePassive LPG\u003c\/em\u003e is a synth classic with good reason - nothing compares to the sound of well-tuned vactrols, the internal component which uses a light source and light dependent generator to create organic, plucked attacks and gentle decays in conjunction with a low pass filter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVactrols have a long history in music technology, from shrink-tubing and incandescent bulbs in old guitar amps, which gradually evolved into increasingly modern solutions. In recent years, however, vactrols have become a scarcity, which led me to spend innumerable hours designing, testing and carefully crafting my own design.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTwo independent LPG units with two different filter cutoffs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHand-built vactrols provide immediate musical results with any source\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHigh grade component selection and all-analog architecture\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLow-profile passive design fits anywhere and draws no power\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCreate organic plucks and percussion with ease\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn a time where we can increasingly simulate everything from the impulse response of guitar cabinets to human language conversations with a machine, there is something defiant about the low pass gate. Like plucking a guitar string, the LPG relies on physical interactions that are subject to all manner of variables, things we cannot fully control or predict, which gives each individual unit a character slightly of it's own.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Herzlich Labs","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47673318441303,"sku":"","price":599.0,"currency_code":"DKK","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0754\/9163\/9639\/files\/passive_lpg.jpg?v=1773308000"},{"product_id":"optika-vca-4hp-optical-dual-vca-with-overdrive","title":"Optika VCA - 4hp - Dual Vactrol-based Optical VCA with Overdrive","description":"\u003ch4\u003eYes, you have VCAs - but none like this\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI won't repeat the old motto: you can never have enough VCAs. You can. You probably have enough clean, well-behaved VCAs that show up, do the job and never cause any trouble. But this, \u003cem\u003ethis\u003c\/em\u003e, is not \u003cem\u003ethat. \u003c\/em\u003eThis is \u003cem\u003eOptika \u003c\/em\u003e- an optical VCA, built with our very own handmade vactrols. It's got all the vactrol character you love, delightfully non-linear and easily pushed into overdrive for interesting harmonics. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDual optical VCA - enjoy the natural sound of vactrols\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eColorful sound - decidedly non-transparent VCA which imparts character\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHandmade vactrols - get them before they're outlawed forever\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThese vactrols don't bleed - that's right, they fully close\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo channels of drunken muscle that help you turn even a clock signal into organic plucks. The kind of slewy, chewy stuff that makes envelopes of gates, the kind that overdrives and gives you stink-face, the kind that de-sterilizes your digital waveforms, the kind that's got home made vactrols with no palm oil inside them, the kind that makes you fall in love with vactrols all over again. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf I haven't convinced you at this point, nothing will. Go make ordinary music with clean, boring VCAs, I can't stop you - only you can make that choice.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Herzlich Labs","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49430789816663,"sku":"","price":1299.0,"currency_code":"DKK","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0754\/9163\/9639\/files\/PXL_20241102_182736652.png?v=1730576390"},{"product_id":"mmi-astra-4hp-active-touch-controller","title":"MMI Astra - 4hp - Active Touch Controller","description":"\u003cp\u003eOperation of the Astra is both simple and straightforward - the large touch panel on the front will respond gradually to soft and firm touches, making it easy to inject some human feeling into your compositions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeing fully analog, the controller uses an internal vactrol and slew rate limiter to make it easy for you to create smooth transitions - when used without an input, the MMI Astra uses an internal 5v source as the basis of its signal, allowing you to easily generate complex CV to control other modules, in order to create intermittent filter sweeps, resonance peaks and much more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy using the input, you can route in both CV and audio to destinations of your choosing, attenuating and amplifying by varying pressure and position on the touch plate. Easily introduce LFOs, create huge reverb or volume swells, or intermittently introduce fading soundscapes as you play.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe front facing LED gives you immediate visual feedback on the status of the module as you play, making it easy to control the MMI Astra. It's the MMI you've wanted for years, finally made real.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Herzlich Labs","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49606691094871,"sku":null,"price":749.0,"currency_code":"DKK","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0754\/9163\/9639\/files\/rn-image_picker_lib_temp_b70a7f6d-d22e-4601-8e9d-02747b07e902.jpg?v=1732641027"},{"product_id":"solist-12hp-performance-mixer-and-mute-controller-with-vactrol-powered-soft-mute-and-solo-function","title":"Solist - 12hp - performance mixer and mute controller with vactrol-powered soft mute and solo function","description":"\u003cp\u003eSolist is not your average performance mixer and mute combination - far from it. Designed in collaboration with Bries, Solist contains four channels of soft vactrol muting, controlled by tactile and pleasantly clicky mechanical switches. Solist will help make your performances shine - but most importantly, the red solo switches allow you to override the current state of the mute switches, allowing for creative transitions between solo and mute states during your performance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile the audio circuit is fully analog, it is also entirely isolated from the digital circuit that controls the mutes. Running on a fast and reliable Raspberry Pi RP2040, you get all the benefits of digital control without the downsides of digital audio processing. Best of all, the mechanical state of the switches determine the state of the module, so even if you power cycle, you will return to your previous state.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe analog mixer section can be used simultaneously with the individual outputs of the Solist, so for those who already have a mixer solution, the buffered individual outputs will bypass the mixer entirely. You may of course also use both simultaneously for exciting parallel processing opportunities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSolist brings a whole new aspect of muting and soloing to your Eurorack performances, and with soft opening and closing vactrols, you'll never have to worry about clicks, truncated transients or actuation noise.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBe sure to check out @bries_from_earth as he demos the capabilities of the Solist on his YouTube channel. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Herzlich Labs","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49617482809687,"sku":"","price":1999.0,"currency_code":"DKK","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0754\/9163\/9639\/files\/PXL_20241128_192535865-EDIT.jpg?v=1732824501"},{"product_id":"stum-4hp-vactrol-mute-for-performance-cv-and-audio-signals","title":"Stum - 4hp - vactrol mute for performance, CV and audio signals","description":"\u003cp\u003eShush! With Stum it's easy to tame your audio and signals in a soft and gentle manner - four mechanical switches make it easy to quickly turn an incoming signal on or off, and an adjacent LED makes it immediately obvious whether signal is currently passing or not, so performing even in the dark is no challenge at all.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHigh quality and generously sized mechanical switches sit flat against the panel to prevent accidents, and give you tactile feedback when muting and unmuting, even an audible click - unlike in your output, where you can look forward to no clicks, no abruptly truncated transients and no signal passing when you least want it to. These mutes close and open fully, and in between offer a smooth and pleasant fade-in and fade-out transition thanks to the vactrols assigned to controlling the mute.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFully analog and built with reliability and longevity in mind, the Stum will be the perfect companion for anyone seeking a small and reliable solution to control their incoming and outgoing signals without fear of clicking, actuation noise, bleed or other unpleasantness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLatching switches are installed by default, momentary switches are available upon request.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Herzlich Labs","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49639510835543,"sku":"","price":1299.0,"currency_code":"DKK","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0754\/9163\/9639\/files\/STUM_1.jpg?v=1733259229"},{"product_id":"chem-lpg-2hp-chemical-decay-low-pass-gate","title":"Chem LPG - 2hp - chemical decay low pass gate","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe LPG that refuses to die.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cem\u003eChem LPG\u003c\/em\u003e is your beloved classic, passive low pass gate, but with one very particular change: the vactrol itself is phosphorescent. This stems from an idea I had after an expedition through the rainforest for four days and nights without sleep. My boots were full of brackish mud, and my machete was getting dull, when I happened upon a long abandoned box, there, in the middle of the mangrove.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInside it, I found an enormous, forgotten delivery of 80s glow in the dark wall decorations. From nearby rocks, I fashioned a crude mortar and pestle, which I used to grind them all into powder, which I filled into my packs and canteens. Now, I have forged them into phosphorescent vactrols, with UV LEDs, that offer plucked attacks and very, very long delays.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen you activate the vactrol with CV, not only does the LED open the vactrol: it also charges the phosphorescent element, causing it to glow, which in turns keep the vactrol open. The more intensely and frequently you apply CV, the longer it will glow, increasing your decay time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTwo independent LPG units with two different filter cutoffs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHand-built vactrols using UV LEDs and phosphorescent materials\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHigh grade component selection and all-analog architecture\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLow-profile passive design fits anywhere and draws no power\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExperience the joy of hostile design: one mistake and the decay lasts forever\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComes in a darkened enclosure to keep ambient light out\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe eyeball frying UV lights and the sensitive shells are delivered to you safely in a dark enclosure. If you choose to install it, be vary that ambient light, or even LEDs inside your case, may also charge the shells and cause them to glow. This LPG will not be easily tamed - but perhaps you are also a cruel master?\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Herzlich Labs","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53165671022935,"sku":null,"price":699.0,"currency_code":"DKK","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0754\/9163\/9639\/files\/chem_lpg.jpg?v=1774940337"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.herzlichlabs.com\/collections\/vactrols.oembed","provider":"Herzlich Labs","version":"1.0","type":"link"}