Laboratory

The Body Synths Laboratory is a dual-channel effects processor and feedback synthesizer. The channels can work in parallel or in series to process external audio. With the feedback paths engaged, the Laboratory can also make sound as a stereo self-oscillating instrument.

A feedback laboratory

The Laboratory is built around four feedback paths, which send signal from the channels back into the circuit. They can set the number of delay repeats or add texture to the processed signal. At higher settings they drive the system into self-oscillation, with or without an input signal. Once it is oscillating, the channel controls shape the sound, from sustained drones to harsh noise madness.

Two channels

Each channel has its own audio input and output and three voltage-controlled stages: gain, delay and filter.

The gain stage sets the level up to 40 dB of amplification. The delay is based on the PT2399, a chip originally designed for karaoke machines; at longer delay times it goes into dirty territory, with noisier, more degraded repeats. With both channels together, the delay can produce multi-tap or ping-pong echoes.

The resonant filter has low-pass and high-pass modes. Running two channels in series, one in each mode, gives a band-pass response. A clipping stage at the end of each channel adds compression and distortion at high levels.

Modulate everything

The global modulator can be used as an envelope or an LFO, with attack and decay controls and a full cycle time that ranges from 10 ms to 10 s. As an envelope, it can be triggered manually or by an external signal at the trigger input. It has four CV outputs, two positive and two negative. These can be patched to the channels' CV inputs for tremolo, vibrato, chorus, stereo filter sweeps and modulated delays. It can get pretty wild.

Device Specifications

2 Channels, each with:

Gain stage, up to 40 dB
PT2399-based delay
Resonant filter with low-pass and high-pass modes
Output clipping

CV inputs for gain, delay time and filter cutoff

Routing:
Four feedback paths for audio routing and self-oscillation
Channel 2's input is normalled to channel 1, so a mono signal can feed both channels and be turned into stereo

Modulator:
Attack and decay stages
Envelope (single cycle) or LFO (looping) mode
Cycle time (attack + decay): 10 ms – 10 s
Manual or external triggering

4 CV outputs: 2 unipolar positive, 2 unipolar negative
1 trigger input

Connections:

Audio: 2 inputs, 2 outputs (6.35 mm jacks)
CV: 6 inputs (3 per channel), 4 outputs (3.5 mm jacks)
Trigger: 1 input (3.5 mm jack)

Power:
9 V DC, center-negative, 5.5/2.1 mm barrel connector
Current draw: 160 mA

Physical:
Dimensions (W × D × H): 190 × 124 × 55 mm
Weight: 740 g

In the box:
Body Synths Laboratory

niversal power supply
Manual
Velvet bag
2 patch cables
Earplugs
Stickers