Instruo Carn
Four-channel utility mixer with panning, VCA, ring mod, and crossfade
8 HP Eurorack module
Carn is an Instruo 4-channel stereo performance mixer in 8HP. Each channel has a unique topology: Ch1 is a simple attenuator, Ch2 is a two-quadrant VCA, Ch3 is a four-quadrant VCA, and Ch4 is a crossfader. All channels have individual pan controls and mono outputs, summing to a stereo bus with a soft-clipping limiter.
Features
- Four independent utility channels with individual mono outputs
- Channel 1: Voltage-controlled constant power panner with equal loudness contours, audio-rate capable
- Channel 2: Two-quadrant linear VCA with normalled +6V reference for use without CV
- Channel 3: Four-quadrant VCA (ring modulator) with bipolar/unipolar polarity switch
- Channel 4: Linear crossfader between two input signals
- All four channels feed a summing stereo bus with individual pan controls
- Master stereo VCA with Level knob and bipolar CV input with attenuator
- Optional stereo analogue diode-based soft clipping limiter on stereo bus
- Per-channel normalling switches: Half Normalled or Normalled (back panel)
- Per-channel AC/DC coupling switches for audio or CV mixing (back panel)
- Stereo Input Back Jack and Stereo Output Back Jack for chaining modules
- Compatible with Instruō cuïr and other compatible Instruō stereo expansion modules
Controls & Jacks (31)
- Level CV Input — Bipolar control voltage input for Level parameter. Sums with Level knob and scaled by Level CV Attenuator
- Level — Determines the amplitude of the Stereo Outputs. Clockwise increases amplitude
- Level CV Attenuator — Determines the depth of external CV modulation applied to the Level parameter
- Stereo Output Right — Right channel of summed stereo outputs (post fader, post pan) of all four channels
- Stereo Output Left — Left channel of summed stereo outputs (post fader, post pan) of all four channels
- Channel 1 Primary Input — Signal input for Channel 1 attenuator and mixer channel to stereo output
- Channel 1 Mono Output — Individual mono output for Channel 1 (post fader, pre pan)
- Channel 1 Pan CV Input — Bipolar control voltage input for Channel 1 pan parameter. Sums with knob position
- Channel 1 Pan — Pan knob for Channel 1 with constant power panning. Sums with CV input
- Channel 1 — Scales the signal present at Channel 1 Primary Input with audio taper response curve
- Channel 3 Primary Input — Carrier signal input for Channel 3 four-quadrant VCA and mixer channel
- Channel 3 Secondary Input — Bipolar modulator input for Channel 3 VCA. Sums with fader position
- Channel 3 Mono Output — Individual mono output for Channel 3 (post fader, pre pan)
- Channel 3 Pan — Pan knob for Channel 3 with constant power panning
- Channel 3 — Produces unipolar positive or bipolar offset that sums with Channel 3 Secondary Input signal. Audio taper response curve
- Channel 2 Primary Input — Carrier signal input for Channel 2 two-quadrant VCA and mixer channel
- Channel 2 Secondary Input — Unipolar positive modulator input for Channel 2 VCA. Normalled to +6V reference if not patched
- Channel 2 Mono Output — Individual mono output for Channel 2 (post fader, pre pan)
- Channel 2 Pan — Pan knob for Channel 2 with constant power panning
- Channel 2 — Scales the signal present at Channel 2 Secondary Input with audio taper response curve
- Channel 4 Primary Input — Primary signal input for Channel 4 crossfader and mixer channel
- Channel 4 Secondary Input — Secondary signal input which crossfades with Channel 4 Primary Input
- Channel 4 Mono Output — Individual mono output for Channel 4 (post fader, pre pan)
- Channel 4 Pan — Pan knob for Channel 4 with constant power panning
- Channel 4 — Crossfades between signals present at Channel 4 Primary and Secondary Inputs. Linear taper response curve
- Channel 3 Polarity — Changes Channel 3 Fader range between bipolar and unipolar positive
- Limiter — Engages or disengages global stereo soft clipping limiter on Stereo Outputs
- Normalling Switches — Four dip switches on back, one per channel. Controls whether Mono Output breaks or maintains Stereo Output connection
- AC/DC Coupling Switches — Four dip switches on back, one per channel. Sets AC or DC coupling per channel
- Stereo Input Back — External stereo input on back panel for expansion with related Instruo modules. 100K ohm impedance, sums at unity gain
- Stereo Output Back — External stereo output on back panel for expansion with related Instruo modules
How-To Guides
- Slow Stereo Autopan with LFO
- Classic Envelope-Controlled VCA
- Ring Modulation — Metallic Timbres
- Smooth Crossfade Between Two Sources
- Four-Channel Stereo Audio Submixer
- Four-Source Control Voltage Mixer
- Analogue Bus Saturation and Limiting
- Audio Rate Pan Modulation for Timbral Effects
- Chaining Two càrn Modules via Back Jacks
- Unbalanced Amplitude Modulation
Explore the interactive Carn panel on BleepDex — tap any control to learn what it does.
