ADDAC Systems — ADDAC-714 Vintage Clipper
ADDAC714 Vintage Clipper User's Guide (PDF)
ADDAC714 Vintage Clipper – Cheat Sheet
A dual-channel, diode-based soft clipper for Eurorack. Provides "vintage" diode clipping with selectable symmetry and post-clip output gain. Practical as a tone-shaper, saturator, or "brick wall" limiter in your signal path.
Quick Start
- Input Signal: Patch audio into IN 1 and/or IN 2 (IN 1 normalled to IN 2 if nothing plugged in).
- Engage Effect: Toggle BYPASS switch UP (active, effect engaged).
- Set Gain: Turn GAIN to set clipping amount (how much signal hits the diodes).
- Set Symmetry: Switch SYMMETRY UP (bipolar, even/odd harmonics) or DOWN (unipolar, odd harmonics only).
- Output Level: Adjust OUTPUT GAIN for desired volume at OUT jack.
- Monitor Clipping: Watch CLIP LED for indication of clipping at output.
- Patch Out: Use OUT 1/2 to patch clipped signal onward.
Controls & Function Summary
Front Panel Controls:
| Control |
Type |
Function |
| BYPASS (CH1/CH2) |
Toggle |
UP = Effect Active, DOWN = Bypassed |
| GAIN (CH1/CH2) |
Knob |
Sets threshold/clipping amount; more gain, more clip |
| SYMMETRY |
Toggle |
UP = Symmetrical (even & odd harmonics), DOWN = Unsymmetrical (odd only) |
| OUTPUT GAIN |
Knob |
Sets post-clip output volume |
| CLIP LED |
LED |
Indicates output clipping |
Jacks (per channel):
| Jack |
Type |
Description |
Voltage Ranges |
| IN 1 / IN 2 |
In |
Audio signal input (Left input normalled to Right if Right not connected) |
Not specified, but audio range |
| OUT 1 / OUT 2 |
Out |
Audio signal output after clipping, eq, gain |
Up to Eurorack standard ±10V* |
*(actual range may depend on input signal, module does not amplify beyond x2 post-clip stage)
Signal Flow (per channel):
- Input → Clipper (GAIN & SYMMETRY) → Passive 3.3kHz LPF → Output Op-Amp (x2 gain, OUTPUT GAIN knob) → Output
- BYPASS switch reroutes input signal past the clipper to output stage.
Technical Specs
- Width: 6HP
- Depth: 4 cm
- Power: 40mA @ +12V / 40mA @ -12V
Tips & Usage
- Use high GAIN for heavier distortion, OUTPUT GAIN to rebalance level.
- Toggle SYMMETRY for timbral variety—odd/even (fuzzier) vs. odd-only (harsher).
- Experiment with various input sources: drums, bass, synth lines.
- Engage BYPASS for easy comparison or channel switching.
No CV control. All controls are manual (no voltage-controlled inputs/outputs).
Clipping is passive and diode-based for "vintage" soft clip feel, with a characterful lowpass roll-off (3.3kHz, -3dB).
Generated With Eurorack Processor