Sextuple Quadraphonic Spatial Director

Six-input Quadraphonic Mixer and Joystick Controller - Two space Buchla compatible module

The SQSD combines six joysticks capable of generating control voltage with a six-input equal-power panning mixer, allowing for intuitive and fun direction of spatial sound in both stereo and quadraphonic speaker configurations. It's the ultimate hands-on mixer for electronic musicians looking to take their performances to the next level.

The SQSD is made possible with a collaboration between Kilpatrick Audio and A Yellow Sine. The team consists of:

• Patrick McMaster - Composer, performer and electronic music wizard of A Yellow Sine
• Andrew Kilpatrick - Conductor of Electricity and founder of Kilpatrick Audio

Joystick Controller

Each of the six joysticks generate two control voltage signals: one for each axis of motion. These CV outputs can modulate parameters on compatible voltage-controlled electronic music equipment. Using the joysticks to control the location of a sound source is intuitive and fun, and the SQSD makes this easy by incorporating six channels of quadraphonic panning.

Quadraphonic Panning

Quadraphonic sound involves the use of four speakers to create an immersive listening experience in which sounds can move around the listener. It’s the most accessible form of what’s called spatial or surround sound since it only requires four speakers.

Two dedicated location control inputs are available for each of the six channels. You can connect control voltage signals from a sequencer, envelope or LFO to these inputs, but the joysticks make quad panning quick and easy. The twelve joystick CV outputs and location control inputs are grouped together, and can be easily patched with shorting bars. Convenient DIP switches on the back of the unit normalize these connections without the need for any patching.

Mixer

Up to six channels of sound can become part of the quadraphonic or stereo spatial direction, with each channel having its own dedicated level control and LED indicator light. There’s a main mix output control as well with LEDs for each of the four outputs.

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Notes from the Spatial Direction Coordinator

The stackable nature of banana cables means that a single joystick can perform many actions. By patching the outputs from one to the location controls of several channels, a single joystick can spatialize multiple sound sources. Connecting a joystick output to both the location control input and some other parameter in your system can create a linking of the sound's movement with another of its features.

One example of this is to send the vertical axis of a joystick to both the location control and the mix control of a reverb effect. When the sound moves away from one end of the room it becomes more reverberated. You could additionally use an inverted version of this control voltage signal to control the frequency cutoff of a lowpass filter, so as the sound source moves away it contains less frequency content as well, which combined with the increase in reverb amount would simulate natural acoustic properties of distance.

A simple stereo setup where the horizontal axis controls panning and the vertical axis controls amplitude or volume is quite intuitive. The horizontal axis might control the index or amount of frequency modulation applied to an oscillator, while the vertical axis controls the frequency of the modulating oscillator.

The four outputs of the SQSD don't necessarily have to connect to speakers either. Using the joysticks to crossfade different sound source inputs allows for complex signal blending. A patch with just four oscillators signals and two control voltage inverters will allow the SQSD to use the principles of vector synthesis, uniquely providing simultaneous access to four different waveform blends at the output mixer.

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Intro Video

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Features and Specs

• Two space 4U Buchla compatible module
• Low-noise CV and audio signal path
• No digital circuitry used - 100% analog design!
• Six channel quadraphonic mixer with voltage control
• Six joysticks with X and Y outputs: 0-10V = L>R, 0-10V = S>F
• Six quadraphonic constant-power directional panners with voltage control
• Internal normalling switches to connect joysticks to directional panners
• Directional panners can accept -5V to +5V or 0-10V (DIP switch selectable)
• Audio inputs support >10Vpk (>20dBu) max input level
• Audio inputs have 0dB/+10dB selectable gain (DIP switch selectable)
• Audio outputs support >10Vpk (>20dBu) max output level
• Audio input and output signal level indicators (-16dB min. indication)
• Audio jacks available as Switchcraft 3.5mm minijack or Tini-Jax®
• Banana jacks use Johnson / Cinch banana connectors
• High-quality brushed anodized aluminum panel
• Requires +15V at 425mA and -15V at 375mA
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 7" x 1.9" max depth
• Warranty: 1 year
• Completely engineered, assembled and tested by Kilpatrick Audio in Canada
• Optional: Two space powered Buchla compatible enclosure available - designed and built by Kilpatrick Audio

Price and Availability

Pre-order price: $1750 USD ($2250 USD with powered boat)

This limited edition product is available only directly from Kilpatrick Audio.
Two space powered boat only available bundled with SQSD at time of purchase.

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Accessories