Alfa Delta DIONISI

Description

Dionisi is an analog voltage and MIDI controlled multiple digital oscillator and mixer, with an analog look and feel and digital precision, accuracy and tuning and tracking stability.
Dionisi can be used as a VCO, or rather 6 of them, as an LFO with different ranges, as a bias module, as a 4-quadrant modulator, as a mixer, well two of them and that is just scratching the surface.
Dionisi has an extensive modulation matrix wich can use any CV input or VCO as a source and route it to all possible modulations, like FM, thru-zero Linear FM, PM, 4-quadrant AM and Sync. Each modulation input has a depth (from -1 to +1) parameter and an index input with a min. and max. depth (from -1 to +1) parameter.
By assigning modulation depths to CV inputs and using the Bias pots, one has immediate control over any modulation. Minimum and maximum modulation depth can be set separately from -1 to +1, allowing e.g. 2 (or more) parameters to be controlled in reverse from 1 Bias pot. MIDI controllers can be used for the same purpose, and at the same time all CV inputs remain available.
Frequency can be controlled by the master Coarse and Fine pots, FM and 1V/ oct. inputs with a choice of quantisers. Frequency of individual oscillators can be set in ratios or in fixed steps (1 cent resolution). On top of that, there are 2 detune modes : in cents or FineHz.
Cross-modulation and exact frequency ratios and detune allow for precise FM patches.
All settings can be stored in user presets, and there is a bunch of great factory presets as well to get you started.
The user interface features a graphical OLED display, 3 encoders and 6 pushbuttons for fast access to all parameters in all modules, without the need for menu diving.
Dionisi is designed and manufactured in Belgium.
Electronics and firmware design by Wim Verheyen.
Conceptual consultancy and early testing for usability by Boris Uytterhaegen.

Features

Eurorack 28 HP, 35mm depth.
Digital module with analog ins and outs, analog look and feel.
Values are indicated in musical units like steps, cents, Hz, seconds.
Analog controlled digital oscillator x 6. One output per oscillator.
Two mix outputs. Six assignable inputs per mixer, can be VCO outputs or CV inputs.
Frequency follows first oscillator with (quantized) detune and Fine Hz or independent frequency control or frequency ratio per oscillator.
1V/oct, 12 octaves range, perfect tracking and stability.
4 frequency ranges per oscillator from 0.00033 Hz (that is 3000 seconds) Hz to 20 kHz.
Classic waveforms (sine, triangle, saw, ramp, square pulse), selectable per oscillator.
Voltage Controlled FM, Linear FM (thru-zero), AM (4-quadrant), per oscillator.
Phase modulation thru-zero, initial phase adjustable from -360 to + 360 degrees in 1 degree steps.
AM, PM and FM index (depth) control from CV inputs or VCO outputs.
All modulations from zero to full depth from DC to 20 kHz.
8 freely assignable CV modulation inputs with initial and depth control (no analog attenuverters, digital attenuverters) and peak detect indicator on display.
6 freely assignable gate inputs for e.g. syncing (positive edge, negative edge, both edges, reset phase).
Cross modulation of each parameter of each oscillator (6-operator FM or PM).
Quantizer with different scales (Equal, Just, Pythagoras aug4, Pythagoras dim5, Mean tone, Harmonic, Werckmeister, Arabic).
16 bit resolution on all inputs and outputs, sample rate is 100 kHz, anti-aliased waveforms.
Easy parameter navigation : 4-line 21-character graphic OLED display, 3 encoders, 6 buttons, no menus.
Useful factory presets like FM algorithms, chords, additive synthesis and more.
2 banks of 64 user presets.
MIDI input for free firmware and preset updates and MIDI notes (note number (ST) 60 is middle C (C4)), velocity, after touch, continuous controllers and preset selection (bank and program change).
MIDI controller "learn" mode immediately assigns a MIDI controller as a modulation source.
Extensive User Manual, which is needed for a complex module like this.
Handy Patch sheets in Pages and Word format.
Power requirements : +12 V 170 mA, -12 V 75 mA.

FAQ

This is a big, expensive module, it it worth it ?

In one word : yes !

Dionisi contains 6 VCOs with all possible modulations. It contains 12 4-quadrant modulators (1 at the input and 1 at the output of each VCO). It contains 2 6-channel mixers for sound and/or CV. It contains an extensive patch matrix. And it contains a MIDI interface.

Imagine the number of modules you would need to build something similar. It will take up at least 104 HP and cost a few 1000, plus you miss the exact ratios between VCOs, the presets and the patch matrix.

Can I use Dionisi in a live setup ?

Yes, it is intended to be used in a live performance.

First prepare some presets in your studio, assigning modulation depths to CVs and/or MIDI controllers. Take the factory presets as an example and starting point. All sound demos are real-time interactive.

Then select the proper presets in your live performance and take real-time control with the bias pots and/or a MIDI fader bank.

Downloads

User Manual
Factory presets description in Pages (Mac) format.
Factory presets description in Word (Windows) format.
Factory presets 1.2.
Dionisi 1.2 firmware and release notes.

Sounds

All sounds are made directly and in real-time with Dionisi and a sequencer. No filtering, no effects, no other modules, no overdubs.

All sounds are available as factory presets and are described in full detail in the presets descriptions.

Many thanks to Boris Uytterhaegen for creating and recording these !

21 - St LinFM Sine. Stereo Sine waves with sub oscillator and Linear FM.

22 - St LinFM Saw Sq. Stereo Saw and Square waves with sub oscillator and Linear FM.

23 - St Triad detune. Stereo Saw waves, quantised Exponential FM, stereo detune spread.

24 - St MajChd Tri. Major chord with a pair of VCOs per note of the triad, stereo detune spread, AM and PM.

25 - St PWM-ish Sq. Stereo Square waves with PM for a PWM effect.

26 - RM/PM/LFM/RM FM. Sine waves with Ring modulation, Phase modulation, Linear and Exponential FM.

27 - Wavescroller. “Tetrature LFO” comprised of VCOs 4 5 6, each a triangle wave spaced 120 degrees apart respectively modulating the amplitude of VCOs 1 2 3.