alm-busy-circuits-cizzle

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.

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