Tierra Audio Colorizer One - Analogue Distortion Eurorack Module

Analogue distortion module for Eurorack Systems

Tierra Audio's Colorizer One is a 100% analogue module for modular synthesizers in Eurorack format.

Specifically designed to generate a wide spectrum of fully configurable analogue distortions and saturations, Colorizer One features three stages of signal manipulation.

The first stage uses different clipping techniques, using silicon or germanium diodes, plus a second stage that provides a precise and functional tone control, and a surprising final stage that infers on the signal a powerful and evident analoueg saturation generated by an output transformer for ribbon microphones that compresses and enriches the resulting signal with brutal harmonic content.

Handmade in Spain with the help of the best.

From Tierra Audio:

To guarantee the final quality of our products, we make technical decisions based on objective data that have been contrasted and validated over the years.

The electronic components and other constructive elements have been selected based on our extensive experience in the demanding ProAudio sector. The electrolytic capacitors, as an example of key discrete components to obtain the highest quality analogue sound, are specific models for professional audio manufactured by prestigious brands such as Wima ® or Nichikon®.

The built-in analogue transformer is audio-specific and handmade by the prestigious Lundahl® brand, which has been making the world a better place since 1958 thanks to its transformers handmade in Sweden.

The gold-plated electronic boards are designed to minimize the electrical and thermal noise inherent to any electronic device, thus obtaining the best possible SNR (Signal to Noise Ratio).

Each device, once manufactured, cleaned and checked, is carefully calibrated by hand by one of our engineers so that the final sound result meets our demanding quality parameters.

The front of the Colorizer One module is veneered in laser engraved natural bamboo wood, so that it will never lose the silkscreen no matter how much use you give to the module.

In addition, this way we help to minimize the use of plastic materials and polluting chemicals for the environment, so that almost 100% of its materials are recycled and recyclable.

And, like all our products, this module comes with a 5-year warranty.

CLIPPING. Your most musical distortion.

The CLIPPING switch allows you to select between soft clipping which is achieved with two germanium (Ge) diodes matched according to their voltage drop, or hard clipping provided by another pair of silicon (Si) diodes equally matched with each other.

Depending on the type of diode chosen, the signal quadrature level will be higher or lower and, therefore, a higher or lower percentage of distortion will be obtained. The effect produced by this stage can be avoided by keeping the central switch in the CLEAN position.

The BLEND knob is used to regulate the proportion of distortion added to the original signal, from DRY (0% distortion) to WET (100% distortion). In other words, this potentiometer mixes the original signal with the distorted signal by means of the silicon or germanium diodes.

By setting a central distortion value with the BLEND potentiometer, its associated voltage control (CV) allows to increase or decrease the percentage of saturation in the signal depending on the positive or negative voltage it receives.

This control voltage can be provided as a ramp, envelope or continuous level. The control values range from -5 V to +5 V:

✓ If a signal of 0 V to +5 V is provided, the distortion increases from the position at which the BLEND potentiometer is set.

✓ If a signal from 0 V to -5 V is supplied, the distortion decreases from the position of the BLEND potentiometer.

The performance of these voltage values will always vary according to the position of the BLEND potentiometer and, therefore, its performance pattern. This design will give you great versatility once you control its behaviour, both manually and by means of the CV.

SLATIN | COLORIZER ONE by Tierra Audio

TONE. Sculpt your sound.

The TONE potentiometer adjusts the frequency response of the module, attenuating unwanted frequencies by strategically varying the signal level under different circumstances:

✓ In the center position of the TONE potentiometer the response is flat. That is, the frequency spectrum of the input signal is not altered.

✓ From the center position to the highest position (HIGH), the low frequencies are attenuated without increasing the high frequencies.

✓ From the center position to the lowest position (LOW), the high frequencies are attenuated and a bass boost circuit is activated which increases the gain in a controlled manner up to a maximum of +8 dB so that the effect of the distortion on the high frequencies can be compensated in the lower bands.

By setting with the TONE potentiometer a central value for the behaviour of the module response, the associated voltage control (CV) allows to attenuate the low or high frequencies of the signal depending on the positive or negative voltage applied to it.

This voltage can be provided as a ramp, envelope or continuous level. The allowed control values are +/-5 V:

✓ If a 0 V to +5 V signal is provided, the low frequencies are attenuated proportionally.

✓ If a signal from 0 V to -5 V is input, the high frequencies are attenuated proportionally and the low frequencies are boosted up to a maximum of +8 dB.

By playing with the frequency and amplitude of the control signal, variations in the behaviour of the module can be obtained, extending its purely artistic functionality far beyond what any simple saturator or distorter does.

DISTFORMER®. Adds thickness, warmth and punch.

This is undoubtedly the most characteristic and powerful functionality offered by the Colorizer One module, with a coloring effect that is always present to a greater or lesser extent. Its particular name comes from the union of the words DISTortion and
transFORMER, i.e. "Transformer Distortion".

The particular harmonic distortion it provides is obtained by the complex saturation process of its analogue transformer with a 1:37 amplification ratio (the gain of the input signal is multiplied by 37 without increasing the noise floor).

This unique type of transformer is (to this day) only used to amplify the signal picked up by the delicate ribbon microphones used for decades in recording studios all over the world.

The DISTFORMER® potentiometer adjusts the amount of gain that can be fed into the primary circuit of the transformer, as well as the output gain of the module.

The Lundahl® transformer compresses the signal and provides a large amount of harmonic content to almost total analogue signal destruction, yet still provides a powerful and varied palette of "sonic colors" that will delight the most disruptive artists in electronic, ambient and other genres.

The OOMPH! switch is an effective bass boost that can optionally act on the transformer permanently or momentarily, maximizing the low-end (20 Hz - 400 Hz) of the signal even at the highest saturation levels. Its use at the right moment provides a firm and powerful musical punch that is sure to grab the audience's attention.

• Maximum consumption: +12 V: 120 mA | -12 V: 120 mA | 5 V: 55 mA.
• Input impedance: 68,8 kΩ.
• Output impedance: ≈ 0 Ω.
• Noise floor: -92 dBU.
• Maximum SNR: 84 dB @ 1 kHz, 7 dBU.
• Minimum THD: 0.02% @ 1 kHz, -28 dBU.
• Maximum THD: 46% @ 1 kHz, -2 dBU.

• Frequency Response: Low cut: 0 dB / High cut: 0 dB.
• Format: 3 U, 8 HP, 32 mm (internal depth).
• Weight (without packaging): 168 grams.
• Dimensions (without packaging) (H x W x D): 128.45 mm x 40.1 mm x 55 mm.
• Weight (with packaging): 250 grams.
• Dimensions (with packaging) (H x W x D): 200 mm x 100 mm x 100 mm.