Bitcrush Legio#

Classic digital distortion with a modern spin: pitch-tracking downsampling, bit crushing, dithering, and dynamics.

Overview#

Bitcrush Legio takes downsampling distortion to a new level. First and foremost, the downsample rate can track 1v/8va, meaning you can pitch track your downsampling frequency to match the notes in your sequence. This brings a new level of harmonically-related distortion to your patches. The Bits and Dither parameters add in bitcrushing and pre-quantization dithering for even more digital destruction. A configurable and bypassable filter lets you shape your sound, and an envelope-extraction algorithm optionally brings back some dynamics.

• Type: Bitcrusher/downsampler
• Size: 6 HP
• Depth: 1.5 inches
• Power: 2x5 Eurorack
• +12 V: 140mA
• -12 V: 22mA

Etymology#

Bitcrush -- from contemporary English: "simplification”

Legio -- from Latin: “legion, army”

“Lots of simplification

Color code#

On boot, the Legio's LEDs will shine with this color pattern to indicate that it is running the current Bitcrush firmware:

Power#

To power your Noise Engineering module, turn off your case. Plug one end of your ribbon cable into your power board so that the red stripe on the ribbon cable is aligned to the side that says -12 V and each pin on the power header is plugged into the connector on the ribbon. Make sure no pins are overhanging the connector! If they are, unplug it and realign.

Line up the red stripe on the ribbon cable so that it matches the white stripe and/or -12 V indication on the board and plug in the connector.

Screw your module into your case before powering on the module. You risk bumping the module's PCB against something metallic and damaging it if it's not properly secured when powered on.

You should be good to go if you followed these instructions. Now go make some noise!

Noise Engineering modules are reverse protected. If you accidentally installed it with the red stripe up, simply remove the power and place it correctly.

A final note. Some modules have other headers -- they may have a different number of pins or may say "not power". In general, unless a manual tells you otherwise, do not connect those to power.

Input & output voltages#

Legio’s CV-modulation inputs expect signals from 0v to +5v.

The Rate input’s range is -2v to +5v.

The Hit input responds to a rising edge around +1.6v.

The audio inputs are AC coupled and respond to any Eurorack audio signals.

The audio output can reach up to 16v peak-to-peak.

Interface#

Rate (encoder+CV input)

Sets the downsampling frequency.

Tap to bypass all effects.

Bits (potentiometer+CV input)

Classic bitcrushing! 15 bits at maximum, all the way down to 1.25 at minimum.

Dither (potentiometer+CV input)

Amount ofp re-quantization noise inspired by dither.

Env (switch)

Restores some dynamics to the processed signal.

• In: Scales the output to match the input.
• Out: Normalizes the input before crushing, then restores dynamics after.
• Off: No dynamics changes.

LPF (switch)

Output lowpass filter.

• Off: Bypassed.
• High: One-stage filter at twice the Rate frequency.
• Low: Two-stage filter at the same frequency as Rate.

Hit

Bypass toggle.

In L/In R

Audio input. The L jack is normaled to the R jack if R is left unpatched.

Out L/Out R

Main audio outputs.

Patch tutorial#

1. Patch an oscillator to the left input of Bitcrush Legio. Mult a pitch CV signal to the oscillator's pitch input and Bitcrush's Rate input. The Rate value you dial in will track the pitch of the oscillator, keeping distortion harmonically relevant.
2. Patch a dynamic signal, like a full oscillator voice or a drum loop, to Bitcrush's input(s). Play with the different Env settings to change the resulting dynamics at the output.

Signal flow#

Warranty#

We will repair or replace (at our discretion) any product that we manufactured for one year after initial purchase as long as we are able to get the parts to do so. This warranty does not apply to normal wear and tear, including art/panel wear, or any products that have been modified, abused, or misused. Our warranty is limited to manufacturing defects.

Warranty repairs/replacements are free. Repairs due to normal wear, user modification, or other damage are charged at an affordable rate. Customers are responsible for the cost of shipping to Noise Engineering technicians for repair.

All returns must be coordinated through Noise Engineering; returns without a Return Authorization will be refused and returned to sender.

For immediate issues with new modules, please contact your dealer for a replacement. Otherwise, please contact us if you think one of your modules needs a repair.

Design Notes#

Bitcrush is one of those things we've been asked about several times over the years. It never made sense to us to build a dedicated module for it, so the idea was always somewhere in our long list of potential products but never really surfaced. When we decided to do the Legio firmware drop, we knew it was time to dust off the idea and give it a home here.

Special thanks#

• Enthusiastic Electrons
• Everett Dolgner
• Frequency Divide
• itsMasterIll
• Ozon
• starthief