Bos Legio#

I've got a fever, and the only prescription is Bos Legio.

Overview#

Subjectively and objectively the greatest Legio firmware of all time, Bos Legio brings three cowbell models to the platform with full CV control and a pair of FM inputs for even more bos-some cow madness.

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

Etymology#

Bos -- from Latin: "Cow”

Legio -- from Latin: “legion, army”

“ARMY OF COWS”

Cowlor code#

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

A illustration of two lights: red and white.

Power#

Power connector

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 & cowtput voltages#

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

The Pitch 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#

explanation

Pitch/Mute (encoder+CV input)
Sets the pitch of the cowbell.
Tap to mute the cows.
Decay (potentiometer+CV input)
Sets how long the cowbell rings out.
Tone (potentiometer+CV input)
Sets the timbre of the cowbell.
Mode (switch)
Selects the model of cowbell used.
  • FM: A bovine interpretation of the bell algorithm used in Debel.
  • Add: Chowning (Cowning?) additive bell.
  • x0x: You can probably guess where this one came from. Set Tone to noon and the fundamental frequency to 500hz for The Sound.
Tilt (switch)
Applies a tilt filter to change how bright the cowbell is.
Hit (trigger input)
Moo.

Note

Noise Engineering does not, under any circumstances, condone hitting cows. Perhaps bring them a nice snack and give them a high five (high hoof?) instead.

FM L/FM R
FM inputs for even more cowbell. The L jack is normaled to the R jack if R is left unpatched.
Out L/Out R
Audio outputs.

Patch tutorial#

  1. Patch a trigger signal to the Hit input. Patch the outputs to your mixer. Try out the different modes and parameters. Rejoice.
  2. Double the trigger frequency in the previous patch.
  3. Still not enough.
  4. Patch an oscillator to the left FM input to add an extra level of timbral intensity to your patch.
  5. Pay a visit to your local farm sanctuary. Pet a cow.

Note

If using multiple Legio drum voices, they can be chained together without an external mixer. Just patch the output of one to the input of the next.

However, order matters: Kick will duck all the percussion voices that come before it. For ultimate impact, put Kick at the end of the chain; or, if some drums are more important, put them after Kick so they aren't ducked out of the way.

For drum mixing, Bos should be at the beginning of the chain, as its audio input acts as FM for the oscillators instead of a mix input.

Signal flow#

A block diagram of x0x mode's signal flow.

A block diagram of Bell mode's signal flow.

A block diagram of FM mode's 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#

Who hasn't said that their patch needs more cowbell? We definitely have. Years ago we prototyped an analog one but it never got off the ground. We've talked around it for so long that we almost forgot about doing it when it came to the Legio firmware megarelease.

Fortunately it came up one day in our weekly team meeting. Cow puns ensued. And we couldn't NOT do it so...you're welcome.

Special thanks#

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

No farm animals were harmed in the making of these firmwares.