Written by knopsl

Envelope follower – my faceplate workflow and ‘ducking’

Part 1: module explanation

Disclaimer: this is not a dedicated beginner module but I used it to explain my faceplate workflow. So I’ll put it also in the beginner section.

I learned about ducking some weeks ago and checked out some different builds that make it possible. This is also my first hagiwo build using only analog components. I jammer with it today and it is a pretty versatile module. original project: Here

It takes an input signal (Audio or CV) and outputs an envelope according to the amplitude of the incoming signal. It has gain, attack and decay as well as offset knobs to modify that envelope. If you input a plain gate signal you can simply use it as an A/R envelope generator.

It also has an inverted output which is what you mainly use for the ducking I wanted it for. You input the bassdrum and pass the other parts of the track through a VCA using the inverted output as CV. This way you can configure it so all of the other elements of the track are ‘ducking’ (getting quieter) when the bassdrum hits. The effect sounds great and can be finetuned using the gain and offset knobs.

Part 2: faceplate workflow

I learned that it is easier for me to lay out the controls and components like this. I use perfboard and mostly point to point soldering. I use 0.5mm solid core wire to extend the jacksockets to mount them on the board.
I use 2mm aluminium that are cut to size in width and a box cutter to cut them and them bend/wiggle until they break on the cut. That works fine. The most important part before drilling holes is measuring the spaces between the pots and jacksockets.
After drilling I check if everything fits. I drill them always a bit bigger (pots 7.5mm, sockets 6.5mm)

I use those tighteners for the hexnuts of the pots and sockets. They are 3D printed and don’t leave any marks on the faceplate. Here

Fasten everything but not too hard. I broke some sockets this way, even once a pot 😬
Before putting on the knobs check the module for function
Now you’re done. I’m sure you can do it better 😅