bastl-instruments/dark-matter
Dark Matter
Voltage controlled audio feedback module with input VCA/soft clipping, 2-band EQ with boost/overdrive, envelope follower, voltage-controlled feedback loop, and crossfader between input and feedback signal paths.355
Capabilities 5
- 2-Band EQeq
- 2-band EQ (bass and treble) with cut faders and separate boost/overdrive/saturation knobs, voltage-controlled via BC input jacks (+/-8V).355
- Envelope Followerenvelope-follower
- Tracks INPUT signal amplitude and generates a 0–5V CV envelope, internally normalized to FBK CV and X-FADE CV inputs. Low pass filter on input makes it sensitive to low frequencies.355
- Feedback Loopfeedback-loop
- Voltage-controlled feedback loop (FBK VCA) sends TONE output back to TONE input; amplitude controlled by FBK fader and CV. External loop expansion via FBK IN/OUT jacks.355
- Input Saturationinput-saturation
- DRIVE section is an input VCA with x3 gain and soft clipping at +/-5V, plus optional Hyper Drive switch for extra punch.355
- Voltage-Controlled Crossfadercrossfader
- Voltage-controlled crossfader between clean/post-drive input and fed-back TONE signal, with attenuverting CV pot normalized to DYNAMICS envelope output.355
Jacks 10 — 7 in / 3 out
| Name | Signal | Voltage | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inputs (7) | |||
| BASS BC INPUT | cv | -8V to 8V | Un-attenuated CV input for Bass Boost level. CV range = +/-8V.355 |
| DRIVE CV INPUT | cv | -5V to 5V | 355 |
| FBK CV INPUT | cv | -5V to 5V | CV input for FBK level, normalized to DYNAMICS envelope output. Plugging in a cable breaks normalization.355 |
| FBK IN | audio | — | External feedback loop input. Normally connected internally to FBK OUT; plugging in a cable breaks the internal loop. Can also be used as a second input to the TONE section.355 |
| SIGNAL INPUT | audio | -5V to 5V | Input to DRIVE VCA. Applies x3 gain and soft clipping at +/-5V.355 |
| TREBLE B INPUT | cv | -8V to 8V | Un-attenuated CV input for Treble Boost level. CV range = +/-8V.355 |
| X-FADE CV INPUT | cv | -5V to 5V | CV input for X-FADE mix, normalized to DYNAMICS envelope output. Plugging in a cable breaks normalization.355 |
| Outputs (3) | |||
| ENVELOPE OUT | cv | 0V to 5V | Envelope follower output, normalized to X-FADE CV and FBK CV inputs.355 |
| FBK OUT | audio | — | External feedback loop output. Signal normalized to FBK IN switching terminal for internal loop; polarity can be inverted with OUT POLARITY switch.355 |
| X-FADE OUTPUT | audio | — | Buffered output from the crossfader signal mixer.355 |
Parameters 14
| Name | Type | Range | Behavior |
|---|---|---|---|
| BASS BOOST POT | knob | — | Amplifies and saturates the bass signal with overdrive/saturation.355 |
| BASS FADER | fader | — | Cuts the bass level in the 2-band EQ section shaping the combined signals from DRIVE and FEEDBACK stages.355 |
| CV CONTROL SWITCH | switch | — | Selects whether the FBK fader and CV controls the level of the signal entering FBK IN or leaving FBK OUT. The unselected channel defaults to full amplitude (no attenuation).355 |
| DECAY SWITCH | switch | — | Sets the decay length of the envelope follower from snappy (short) to sluggish (long).355 |
| DRIVE CV POT | knob | — | Attenuates CV signal from the DRIVE CV input jack.355 |
| DRIVE FADER | fader | — | Sets the volume and overdrive of the DRIVE VCA preamp. Higher settings introduce soft clipping and overdrive.355 |
| DRIVE/DRY SWITCH | switch | — | Sets the X-FADE input signal source: direct INPUT (clean/dry) or post-DRIVE (after fader and CV processing).355 |
| FBK CV POT | knob | — | Attenuverter for FBK CV input. Fully attenuated at 12 o'clock; left = inverted modulation, right = non-inverted modulation.355 |
| FBK FADER | fader | — | Sets the amplitude of the feedback loop. Effects range from drastic tone shaping of the input signal to resonant oscillating and frequency tuning.355 |
| OUT POLARITY SWITCH | switch | — | Inverts the polarity of the FBK OUT signal to correct phase inversion introduced by external modules in the feedback loop. Default position is '+'.355 |
| TREBLE BOOST POT | knob | — | Amplifies and overdrives the treble signal.355 |
| TREBLE FADER | fader | — | Cuts the treble level in the 2-band EQ section shaping the combined signals from DRIVE and FEEDBACK stages.355 |
| X-FADE CV POT | knob | — | Attenuverter for X-FADE CV input. Fully attenuated at 12 o'clock; left = inverted modulation, right = non-inverted modulation.355 |
| X-FADE FADER | fader | — | Crossfades between the clean input signal and the fed-back TONE signal.355 |
Firmware history 0 versions
No firmware history recorded.
References 2
- [355]
-
[356]
Bastl Instruments Dark Matter product pageproduct_page● verified 2026-05-15