Instruo Íre
Mic/instrument/line preamp with envelope follower and comparator in 8HP
8 HP Eurorack module
The Instruō Íre is an 8HP external input module that brings microphone, instrument, and line-level signals into the Eurorack ecosystem with clarity and harmonic colour. The signal path uses a transformer-coupled mic preamp for XLR sources (up to 60dB, ~2.8kΩ differential) and a tube-like FET preamp for 1/4 inch instrument or line sources (40dB+, 1MΩ single-ended), with switchable +48V phantom power, a -20dB pad, and an 80Hz high-pass filter. Beyond amplification, Íre derives two modulation streams from the incoming audio: a unipolar Envelope Follower with manual Attack and Release controls (and a visualising LED), and a Comparator that fires a gate when the envelope crosses an adjustable Threshold. A signal-strength VU arc transitions from white to amber at 0dB / 3.5Vrms to help dial in optimal gain.
Features
- Combo Neutrik XLR / 1/4 inch TS external input
- Transformer-coupled microphone preamp (60dB, ~2.8kΩ differential)
- FET instrument/line preamp (40dB+, 1MΩ single-ended)
- Switchable +48V phantom power for condenser microphones
- Switchable -20dB input pad for loud sources
- Switchable 80Hz high-pass filter for rumble removal
- Switchable XLR/TS source selection
- Two-stage signal level: Gain (preamp) and Level (output attenuator)
- Signal-strength VU arc (white-to-amber transition at 0dB / 3.5Vrms)
- Envelope follower with manual Attack and Release slew
- Unipolar positive envelope CV output
- Envelope-level LED indicator
Controls & Jacks (14)
- XLR/TS Input — Combo Neutrik jack accepting either a 3-pin XLR microphone cable or a 1/4 inch TS instrument/line cable. Source type selected via the Input
- Phantom Power — Toggles +48V phantom power to the microphone (XLR) signal path. Left position = phantom enabled (for condenser mics); right position = phant
- Pad — Toggles a -20dB pad on the microphone input signal. Left position = pad enabled (use for loud sources like kick drums or guitar cabs that ov
- HPF — Toggles an 80Hz high-pass filter on the input signal. Left position = HPF enabled (removes rumble, AC hum, low-frequency mud); right positio
- Input Source — Selects between XLR microphone-level and TS instrument/line-level signal paths on the combo jack. Left position = XLR microphone preamp enga
- Envelope Output — Unipolar positive CV output following the amplitude of the input signal. Shape is governed by the Attack and Release knobs. Use as a modulat
- Comparator Gate Output — Gate signal that goes high when the Envelope Follower signal rises above the Threshold setting and low when it falls below. Use to trigger e
- Output — Main audio output of the preamp. Carries the amplified, optionally HPF-filtered signal from the XLR/TS Input, scaled by Gain and Level. Conn
- Envelope Indicator — LED that visualises the Envelope Follower signal's shape and amplitude. Brightness tracks the envelope CV at the Envelope Output.
- Release — Manual decay/release time for the envelope follower. Anticlockwise yields fast decay; clockwise lengthens the envelope's fall, producing sus
- Threshold — Sets the threshold of the comparator relative to the Envelope Follower signal. When the envelope exceeds this level, a gate appears at the C
- Attack — Manual attack time for the envelope follower. Anticlockwise yields fast response that tracks transients; clockwise slews the envelope's rise
- Gain — Sets the amount of preamplifier gain applied to the signal present at the XLR/TS Input. Microphone level path provides up to ~60dB transform
- Level — Final attenuator on the Output. Sets the level of the amplified signal sent to the OUT jack. Set fully clockwise when first dialling in Gain
How-To Guides
- Dynamic Microphone into Modular
- Condenser Mic with Phantom Power
- Guitar-Driven Envelope Follower (Auto-Wah)
- Comparator-Driven Trigger from Live Audio
Explore the interactive Íre panel on BleepDex — tap any control to learn what it does.
