Unda Legio#

Complete chainable FM voice great for generative/ambient sounds

Overview#

Unda Legio features a simple two-operator modulator/carrier FM architecture with a four-stage envelope and internal modulation. The mix inputs allow multivoice patching without a mixer, saving critical space in a small setup.

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

Etymology#

Unda -- from Latin: Wave”

Legio -- from Latin: “legion, army”

"Lots of waving”

Color code#

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

Pitch (encoder+CV input)

Sets the pitch of the voice. Turn for fine tuning, press and turn for coarse tuning.

Time (potentiometer+CV input)

Sets the relative time of all envelope segments.

Timbre (potentiometer+CV input)

Sets the amplitude of the modulating operator.

Mod (switch)

Sets the octave offset of the modulating operator in octaves.

Mode (switch)

Sets the envelope type.

• ADSR: Four-stage attack, decay, sustain, release. Will hold at the sustain stage if gate is high after the attack and decay stages have finished.
• ASR: Three-stage attack, sustain, release. Will hold at the sustain stage if gate is high after the attack stage has finished.
• AR: Two-stage attack/release.

Hit (gate input)

Trigger/gate input for the envelope.

In L/In R

Audio input for mixing in external sources with the synth voice. The L jack is normaled to the R jack if R is left unpatched.

Out L/Out R

Audio outputs.

Patch tutorial#

Patch a pitch CV sequence to the Pitch input, and a trigger/gate sequence to Hit.

Set Mode to ASR or ADSR if using a sustained gate sequence, or AR if using a trigger sequence.

Adjust the other parameters to taste.

If using multiple Unda in a multi-voice setup, chain them together by patching the outputs of one to to the mix inputs of the next.

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#

Unda Legio was developed for a compact generative/ambient case Stephen wanted to put together. Stephen's case came together with four Unda Legio, a Gamut Repetitor, a Multi Repetitor, and a Desmodus Versio. You can hear it in action here.

Special thanks#

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