Cluster is Toppobrillo's take on the workflow of the versatile Buchla 200 series control-voltage processor - model 257 - with some marked improvements and options. Missing is the cool equation, but they kept some arrows and replaced the variables with LEDs :) They've also added a voltage-controlled “polarizer” (four quadrant multiplier), an extra processing / mixing channel and routing options that make it an extremely flexible and more compact tool for the dense Eurorack environment.
Cluster is a precision 8HP processing toolbox that can sit anywhere in a system. It has three independent sections that can be used individually or taken as a whole. Up to four signals can be mixed and there is also a complementary sum output. Potentiometers are center-detented for easy tactile centering. Signal path is high bandwidth, low noise and low offset- and is well-suited for both audio and control signals.
Each section can be used independently vis-a-vis independent outputs and a subtractive normalization scheme - this means if you need to grab a crossfader (or just use it as a VCA/ ducker) it’s there, and you’ve still got the polarizer (XY) and another processing channel (Z) mix to work with.
XY (polarizer channel)
The top section is a voltage-controlled “polarizer” or more accurately, a four quadrant multiplier. It multiplies two signals, “X” and “Y” . The X(Y) output is the product of these two sources. Unpatched, the Y input is normalized to an offset voltage, and thus will act as a standard processing channel when unpatched, giving X*1 when fully CW and X*-1 fully CCW. Patching a source into the Y INPUT defeats this normalization, and the “Y AMT” knob will now scale (multiply) the source patched into Y, giving Y*1 when fully CW and Y*-1 fully CCW. This is useful in that it allows the top section to be easily patched as a standard VCA with a positive going CV. A bicolor LED indicates output amplitude and polarity.
A->B (crossfader channel)
The middle section is a linear crossfader. The knob and A->B CV input sum, and select A to B and anywhere in between.
The ‘REF’ toggle, when engaged, routes a selectable offset to INPUT A’s normalization- This allows you to use the crossfade channel as a voltage "mirror", for instance. LEDs indicate the relative crossfade position.
Z (attenuverter/ offsetter channel)
The bottom section is simply another processing channel with an offset normalled to it’s input, acting as a manual offset control when unpatched. Patching into Z defeats this normalization, and Z AMT knob will now multiply the Z input, giving Z*1 when fully CW and Z*-1 when fully CCW. A bicolor indicates output amplitude and polarity.
SUM OUTPUTS
There are two SUM outputs, “∑” and the complementary “-∑” . The SUMs are a summation of the three processing sections. Patching any of the three sections’ outputs independently removes them from the SUM outputs. This scheme allows for flexibility using the channels independently, for example, using Z as an offset voltage someplace in a patch- as well as prevents loopback issues when patching Cluster back into it's self- if, say, for instance you wanted to use XY as a ring-mod and send it to one of the crossfade inputs to have a VCA'd ring-mod, or vice-versa, you won't be adding XY to the SUM twice.
TECH SPECS
- 8HP
- +30/-25mA @ 12V
- 20mm deep
How much is my shipping?
Shipping is automatically calculated before you submit your payment information. Simply add items to your cart and proceed to the checkout page, where you'll be offered shipping options and their prices. In the UK it's normally around £4 for order values under £150, and free above that. Shipping to mainland EU is typically between £7 and £20, depending on the shipping method and the size and weight of the order.
Do you ship to my country?
Almost certainly - the site will give you an estimate of shipping costs if you add an item to the cart and then enter your country and postcode. If you have specific requirements (such as if you prefer UPS over FedEx, for example) then let us know in advance and we'll try to work something out for you.
Shipping methods
We use a combination of Parcelforce, DPD, Royal Mail and UPS for the UK, and for international orders it's either Royal Mail, UPS, DHL or FedEx depending on where you are in the world. If you have a particular preference then try to let us know BEFORE you order so we can look into it for you. Please note that there may occasionally be additional shipping charges if you live in a remote area, depending on what surcharges are applied by the shipper. We'll get in touch to discuss this with you in such cases.
Dispatch times
For UK orders, we normally dispatch the same working day if we get the order before 15:00. If you have a really urgent situation then of course drop us an email before ordering and we'll always do our absolute best to accommodate you.
For international orders, we normally dispatch the same day if we get the order before 13:00 but again, occasionally it might be the next day before we can send it out, and sometimes FedEx or UPS may come a little earlier than scheduled which would also push an order into the next day.
Shipping times
Since April 2020 the couriers we use have suspended guarantees for shipping times, so even though we're paying them for priority services - 24-48 hours for most of the world - in practice it's often an extra day on top and sometimes it can be longer.
There is absolutely nothing we can do about this unfortunately. If you are outside the UK and it's a life-or-death situation where you absolutely MUST have that passive mult for the next day then... it may be better to find a local supplier.
Saturday shipping
If you're in the UK and you order before 15:30 on a Friday then we can send something for a Saturday delivery (NB: this applies to UK mainland addresses only). The success rate with DPD is about 95% so it's worth a punt most of the time. Please note that if you select Saturday shipping on an order placed earlier in the week, we'll wait until Friday to ship it.
Pre-orders
If a product is listed as a pre-order, it means we've ordered it from the supplier but it's not physically in stock yet. The product listing will include an estimated shipping date based on the best information we have from the supplier, but do bear in mind this is subject to change and is not a guaranteed date.
If you place an order containing a mixture of in-stock and pre-order items, we'll normally hold off on shipping anything until the pre-order item(s) have arrived, rather than splitting it into multiple shipments. If you need the in-stock items sooner, we'd recommend placing separate orders. As always, please get in touch if you have questions.
Product Overview
Cluster is Toppobrillo's take on the workflow of the versatile Buchla 200 series control-voltage processor - model 257 - with some marked improvements and options. Missing is the cool equation, but they kept some arrows and replaced the variables with LEDs :) They've also added a voltage-controlled “polarizer” (four quadrant multiplier), an extra processing / mixing channel and routing options that make it an extremely flexible and more compact tool for the dense Eurorack environment.
Cluster is a precision 8HP processing toolbox that can sit anywhere in a system. It has three independent sections that can be used individually or taken as a whole. Up to four signals can be mixed and there is also a complementary sum output. Potentiometers are center-detented for easy tactile centering. Signal path is high bandwidth, low noise and low offset- and is well-suited for both audio and control signals.
Each section can be used independently vis-a-vis independent outputs and a subtractive normalization scheme - this means if you need to grab a crossfader (or just use it as a VCA/ ducker) it’s there, and you’ve still got the polarizer (XY) and another processing channel (Z) mix to work with.
XY (polarizer channel)
The top section is a voltage-controlled “polarizer” or more accurately, a four quadrant multiplier. It multiplies two signals, “X” and “Y” . The X(Y) output is the product of these two sources. Unpatched, the Y input is normalized to an offset voltage, and thus will act as a standard processing channel when unpatched, giving X*1 when fully CW and X*-1 fully CCW. Patching a source into the Y INPUT defeats this normalization, and the “Y AMT” knob will now scale (multiply) the source patched into Y, giving Y*1 when fully CW and Y*-1 fully CCW. This is useful in that it allows the top section to be easily patched as a standard VCA with a positive going CV. A bicolor LED indicates output amplitude and polarity.
A->B (crossfader channel)
The middle section is a linear crossfader. The knob and A->B CV input sum, and select A to B and anywhere in between.
The ‘REF’ toggle, when engaged, routes a selectable offset to INPUT A’s normalization- This allows you to use the crossfade channel as a voltage "mirror", for instance. LEDs indicate the relative crossfade position.
Z (attenuverter/ offsetter channel)
The bottom section is simply another processing channel with an offset normalled to it’s input, acting as a manual offset control when unpatched. Patching into Z defeats this normalization, and Z AMT knob will now multiply the Z input, giving Z*1 when fully CW and Z*-1 when fully CCW. A bicolor indicates output amplitude and polarity.
SUM OUTPUTS
There are two SUM outputs, “∑” and the complementary “-∑” . The SUMs are a summation of the three processing sections. Patching any of the three sections’ outputs independently removes them from the SUM outputs. This scheme allows for flexibility using the channels independently, for example, using Z as an offset voltage someplace in a patch- as well as prevents loopback issues when patching Cluster back into it's self- if, say, for instance you wanted to use XY as a ring-mod and send it to one of the crossfade inputs to have a VCA'd ring-mod, or vice-versa, you won't be adding XY to the SUM twice.
Technical Specs
Shipping Details
How much is my shipping?
Shipping is automatically calculated before you submit your payment information. Simply add items to your cart and proceed to the checkout page, where you'll be offered shipping options and their prices. In the UK it's normally around £4 for order values under £150, and free above that. Shipping to mainland EU is typically between £7 and £20, depending on the shipping method and the size and weight of the order.
Do you ship to my country?
Almost certainly - the site will give you an estimate of shipping costs if you add an item to the cart and then enter your country and postcode. If you have specific requirements (such as if you prefer UPS over FedEx, for example) then let us know in advance and we'll try to work something out for you.
Shipping methods
We use a combination of Parcelforce, DPD, Royal Mail and UPS for the UK, and for international orders it's either Royal Mail, UPS, DHL or FedEx depending on where you are in the world. If you have a particular preference then try to let us know BEFORE you order so we can look into it for you. Please note that there may occasionally be additional shipping charges if you live in a remote area, depending on what surcharges are applied by the shipper. We'll get in touch to discuss this with you in such cases.
Dispatch times
For UK orders, we normally dispatch the same working day if we get the order before 15:00. If you have a really urgent situation then of course drop us an email before ordering and we'll always do our absolute best to accommodate you.
For international orders, we normally dispatch the same day if we get the order before 13:00 but again, occasionally it might be the next day before we can send it out, and sometimes FedEx or UPS may come a little earlier than scheduled which would also push an order into the next day.
Shipping times
Since April 2020 the couriers we use have suspended guarantees for shipping times, so even though we're paying them for priority services - 24-48 hours for most of the world - in practice it's often an extra day on top and sometimes it can be longer.
There is absolutely nothing we can do about this unfortunately. If you are outside the UK and it's a life-or-death situation where you absolutely MUST have that passive mult for the next day then... it may be better to find a local supplier.
Saturday shipping
If you're in the UK and you order before 15:30 on a Friday then we can send something for a Saturday delivery (NB: this applies to UK mainland addresses only). The success rate with DPD is about 95% so it's worth a punt most of the time. Please note that if you select Saturday shipping on an order placed earlier in the week, we'll wait until Friday to ship it.
Pre-orders
If a product is listed as a pre-order, it means we've ordered it from the supplier but it's not physically in stock yet. The product listing will include an estimated shipping date based on the best information we have from the supplier, but do bear in mind this is subject to change and is not a guaranteed date.
If you place an order containing a mixture of in-stock and pre-order items, we'll normally hold off on shipping anything until the pre-order item(s) have arrived, rather than splitting it into multiple shipments. If you need the in-stock items sooner, we'd recommend placing separate orders. As always, please get in touch if you have questions.
