PAiA 9748 Balanced Modulator Owner's Manual

The Paia 9748 Balanced Modulator is a second-generation processing element for modular sound synthesizers, designed to produce unique audio effects. It accepts audio signals as inputs and outputs them with added frequencies, creating rich, complex tones reminiscent of bells and chimes. The module's features include separate controls for Carrier and Modulation Null, allowing for fine-tuning and distortion options for a wide range of input signals.

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PAiA 9748 Balanced Modulator Owner's Manual | Manualzz

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Balanced Modulator
Model 9748
Assembly and Using Manual
© 2009 PAiA Corporation
This second-generation 9700-series
processing element for modular sound
synthesizers is designed to provide great
sound and excellent value.
Audio signals applied to the inputs of the
9748 Balanced Modulator appear at the
output, with added new frequencies which
are the sums and differences of the
applied signals. Create complex tones
characteristic of bells and chimes.
Frequency doubling and de-tuned short-
wave radio or robotic voice effects are
other possibilities with single or multiple
signal sources as inputs. Features
separate Carrier and Modulation Null
controls for optimum results with a wide
range of input signals.
This high-performance module is
designed to be compatible with most
modular synthesizer systems with little or
no modification. Most active components
are already mounted, making assembly a
snap.
2
ASSEMBLING THE 9748 Balanced Modulator
Before beginning assembly, go through the manual. Look at the drawings.
Feel the parts. You're naturally eager to plunge right in, but take a few
deep breaths first. Check the parts supplied against the packing list at the
back of this manual.
In some cases, notes packed with the parts will be used to call your attention
to special situations. If parts are missing, please notify PAiA at
[email protected] or by phone at (405) 340-6300, fax (405) 340-6378.
A NOTES page is included at the end of this manual.
Notice that each step in the manual is marked with a checkoff box like this:
DESIGNATION DESC. MARKING
( ) R27 100ohm brn-blk-brn-gld
Checking off each step as you do it may seem silly and ritualistic, but it
greatly decreases the chance of omitting a step and also provides some
gratification and reward as each step is completed.
Numbered figures are printed in the Illustrations Supplement in the center of
this manual. These pages may be removed for easy reference during
assembly.
THE CIRCUIT BOARD
The 9748 Balanced Modulator is built on a double-sided circuit board. Note
the “top” side of the board has the connector and control placement
designators. Surface-mounted components are on the “bottom” of the
board. Install parts to the top of the board and solder them on the bottom.
TOOLS
You'll need a minimum of tools to assemble the kit – a small pair of diagonal
wire cutters, pliers, screwdriver, soldering iron, and solder.
3
Modern electronic components are small (in case you hadn't noticed) and
values marked on the part are often difficult to see. Another handy tool for
your bench will be a good magnifying glass. Also use the magnifier to
examine each solder joint as it is made to make sure that is doesn't have
any of the problems in the SOLDERING section which follows.
SOLDERING
Select a soldering iron with a small tip and a power rating of not more than
35 watts. Soldering guns are completely unacceptable for assembling
solid-state equipment because the large magnetic field they generate can
damage components.
Use only a high quality electronic solder. Your kit is compatible with lead-
free and/or tin-lead flux-core solders made especially for electronic
assembly. Plumbing solder will destroy your kit with its acid core. Jewelry
solder (silver solder) will destroy your kit with its high working heat.
Neither is for electronics work.
A proper solder joint has just enough solder to cover the soldering pad and
about 1/16-inch of the lead passing through it.
There are two improper connections to be aware of: Using too little solder
will sometimes result in a connection which appears to be soldered when
actually there is a thin layer of flux insulating the component lead from the
solder bead. This situation can be cured by reheating the joint and
applying more solder.
Too much solder may produce a conducting bridge of excess solder
between adjacent pads causing a short-circuit. Continued feeding of
solder into a hot joint can result in accumulation on the underside of the
board and may cause bridges or impede the action of mechanical
components. If you see this, position the board above the iron tip and the
excess will flow to the tip.
Use care when mounting all components. Never force a component into
place.
4
Top of circuit board
TRS socket
stereo phone jack”
Potentiometer
Header
CONTROLS AND CONNECTORS, LED
Controls and connectors will be installed on the top side of
the board with the placement designators as shown in the
illustration to the right. The LED indicator will also be
installed at this time.
Miniature phone connectors referenced as “stereo phone
jacks” in the manual parts list are specified below with the
contact/terminal names, Tip, Ring and Sleeve (TRS) and are
labeled on the board and schematic as such.
The potentiometers have tabs extending from their body for
stability. They have a snap-fit to the board. Align the tabs
and pins with their holes and press them into place. There
is no need to bend the tabs or terminals.
To ensure the best alignment with these parts with the front
panel, begin by soldering only one of the multiple terminals
associated with each of the following parts as it is installed.
Then, if a part is tilted or crooked, it is only a matter of
reheating the joint as the part is aligned.
Match the tab of the polarized power connector with the
corresponding board marking.
DESIG. DESC. MARKING
( ) J1 TRS socket
( ) J2 TRS socket
( ) J3 TRS socket
( ) LED1 Housed LED
( ) P1 100K ohm B100K
potentiometer, linear
( ) P2 100K ohm B100K
potentiometer, linear
( ) PWR1 header
Housed LED
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

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Key features

  • Audio signal processing
  • Frequency sums/differences
  • Bell/chime effects
  • Modulation Null controls
  • Modular synthesizer compatibility

Frequently asked questions

The 9748 generates complex tones characteristic of bells and chimes by combining the input signals and creating new frequencies. You can also experiment with frequency doubling or emulating de-tuned shortwave radio or robotic voice effects.

The 9748 has two potentiometers, labeled P1 and P2, that adjust the 'Carrier Null' and 'Modulation Null', respectively. These controls allow you to fine-tune the output and create interesting distortions.

The 9748 needs a four-circuit, dual-polarity DC power supply. It's compatible with PAiA 977x series supplies at 15v or more. Make sure to connect the (+) to positive DC, (-) to negative DC, (G) to power ground, and (SG) to signal ground.
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