ALM Busy Circuits Cizzle
Dual CZ-style phase distortion VCO with chords and resonance
16 HP Eurorack module
The CIZZLE is a dual digital phase distortion VCO inspired by the classic Casio CZ synthesizer series, bringing CZ-style synthesis to Eurorack with two oscillators featuring morphable PD algorithms, resonance waveforms, ring modulation, and noise modes. It produces a rich palette including mellow ambient tones, 90s Detroit Techno chords, Reese-style basses, and synth tones with faux analog resonance squelch. Both oscillators feature built-in VCAs, chord generation up to 8 voices, and can be output independently or as a stereo-widened mix.
Features
- Dual digital phase distortion VCO inspired by Casio CZ series
- OSC A: 9 morphing phase distortion algorithms with CV control
- OSC A: PD Shape control for timbre sweep from pure sine to full complexity
- OSC B: Classic CZ resonance waveform with Shape sweep
- OSC B modes: Rez (pure resonance), Ring (ring modulation with OSC A), Noise (digital noise blend)
- OSC B mode switchable via button or rising edge trigger
- OSC B optional frequency tracking of OSC A with -/+12 semitone offset
- Chord mode: up to 4 voices per oscillator (8 voices total), 18 chord types plus mono
- Chord inversion via CV input
- Dedicated digital VCA per oscillator with CV-controllable level
- Shape attenuverters on both OSC A and OSC B
- Stereo mix output with widening effect via Mix button
Controls & Jacks (26)
- OSC A Frequency — Endless encoder for setting OSC A base frequency in octaves, semitones, or cents. Double-click initializes to C3.
- OSC B Track — Enables OSC B to track the pitch of OSC A with optional semitone offset. When disabled, OSC B operates in standalone V/Oct mode.
- OSC A Shape — Controls the amount of phase distortion on OSC A, from pure sine (fully CCW) to full timbral complexity.
- OSC A PD Algo — Morphs continuously through 9 different phase distortion algorithms that determine the character of the Shape control's timbral sweep.
- OSC A Level — Controls the output level of OSC A through a dedicated digital VCA.
- OSC A Shape Attenuverter — Attenuates and inverts the CV signal applied to OSC A Shape.
- OSC B Frequency — Sets OSC B base frequency in standalone mode, or sets semitone offset when tracking OSC A. Range ~32Hz-387Hz standalone, with CV extends to
- OSC B Shape — Controls the CZ resonance waveform sweep frequency, starting from pure sine when fully CCW, similar to a filter cutoff control.
- OSC B Level — Controls the output level of OSC B through a dedicated digital VCA.
- OSC B Shape Attenuverter — Attenuates and inverts the CV signal applied to OSC B Shape.
- OSC B Mode — Cycles through three operating modes: REZ (resonance), RING (ring modulation), and NOISE (noise-modulated resonance).
- Chord — Selects chord type from Mono, Octave, Fifths, Major, Dom. 7, Major 7, Major 9, Minor 9, Minor 7, Minor 6, Minor 4, Minor, Dim, Sus 4, and De
- Mix — Engages mix mode to output both oscillators at both outputs with subtle stereo widening. Default is separate A and B outputs.
- OSC A V/Oct — Pitch CV input for OSC A following volts per octave standard. Added to the encoder-set base frequency.
- OSC B V/Oct — Pitch CV input for OSC B in standalone mode, or semitone offset in tracking mode. Follows V/Oct standard.
- OSC A Shape CV — CV input for modulating OSC A Shape. Range 0-5V. Attenuated/inverted by Shape Attenuverter.
- OSC A PD Algorithm CV — CV input for modulating OSC A PD Algorithm selection. Range 0-5V.
- OSC A Level CV — CV input for modulating OSC A output level. Range 0-5V. Level knob acts as attenuator when patched.
- OSC B Shape CV — CV input for modulating OSC B resonance sweep frequency. Range 0-5V. Attenuated/inverted by Shape Attenuverter.
- OSC B Level CV — CV input for modulating OSC B output level. Range 0-5V. Level knob acts as attenuator when patched.
- Chord CV — CV input for selecting chord type. Range 0-5V mapped to 16 chord types.
- Chord Inversion CV — CV input for chord inversion. Increasing voltage increases inversion amount from None to 3rd inversion.
- Audio Output A — Audio output for OSC A. In dual mode outputs OSC A directly; in mix mode outputs stereo mixed signal.
- Audio Output B — Audio output for OSC B. In dual mode outputs OSC B directly; in mix mode outputs stereo mixed signal.
- Chord Inversion — Selects chord inversion amount; also responds to CV at Inv input
- OSC B Mode Trigger — Trigger input to cycle through OSC B modes (REZ, RING, NOISE). Rising edge advances to next mode.
How-To Guides
- Firmware Update
- V/Oct Calibration
- Stereo Reese Bass Voice
- Ring Modulated Chords
- Dual Independent Synth Voices
- Pseudo Filter Envelope Sweep
- CZ Noise Percussive Texture
- Evolving CV-Modulated Chord Pad
- PD Algorithm Timbre Morphing
- 8-Voice Chord Stack
Explore the interactive Cizzle panel on BleepDex — tap any control to learn what it does.
