EarthQuaker Devices Afterneath Eurorack

Enhanced Otherworldly Reverberator

The Afterneath Eurorack Module brings the Otherworldly sounds from the effects pedal world right into your modular synthesizer with an expanded feature set. The Afterneath module features one main audio input, one main audio output, an audio send and return for the Reflect feedback path, and nine controls. Four of the parameters are controllable via CV, and each has been equipped with a dedicated attenuverter to process the incoming CV. The Afterneath module has a completely analog dry signal path and a totally digital wet signal path.

CONTROLS

1. Input: Adjusts the level of the incoming signal to allow for signals ranging from instrument-level (clockwise) to modular-level (counterclockwise).

2. Dampen: Controls the tone of the wet signal. Clockwise for darker tones, counterclockwise for brighter tones.

3. Reflect: Controls the regeneration of the reverb, turn clockwise for more wash and echoes, counterclockwise for less. This will self-oscillate if turned up high. Acts as an attenuator when there is a signal patched into the Reflect Return jack.

4. Mix: Controls the amount of wet signal that is mixed with the dry signal. Though it does not actually go completely wet, you can achieve a fully wet signal by engaging the Dry Kill switch.

5. Dry Kill: Eliminates the dry signal from the output, leaving only the wet signal. 

6. Drag: This digital reverb is made up of a bunch of short delays, Drag separates the delay lines creating a stuttering, pingy effect. This is the coolest control on the Afterneath; we highly advise slowly turning (or modulating) this while you let notes ring out for a cool warped speed effect. The effect is more delay-like as you turn it counterclockwise, and it is more reverb-like as you turn it clockwise. You will achieve shorter delay times as you move the control clockwise, and longer delay times when you turn the control counterclockwise. You will notice a change in pitch when adjusting this control with sound present in the effects buffer, or when the effect is self-oscillating. 

7. Mode: Controls the behavior of the Drag control as well as how it responds to control voltage. There are 9 different modes (see the following Modes section for explanations).

8. Diffuse: Smooths and diffuses the delay repeats. Sharper transients with more attack counterclockwise, more ambient, reverb-like and washy as you turn it clockwise.

9. Length: Controls the decay length of the reverb.

10. Mode LED: Visually indicates the current mode.

11. Drag CV Attenuverter: Attenuates or inverts the incoming CV. The CV is at unity gain when the attenuator is fully clockwise, inverted when it is fully counterclockwise and the CV is completely attenuated when the attenuator is in the 12 o’clock position.

12. Mode CV Attenuverter: Attenuates or inverts the incoming CV. The CV is at unity gain when the attenuator is fully clockwise, inverted when it is fully counterclockwise and the CV is completely attenuated when the attenuator is in the 12 o’clock position.

13. Diffuse CV Attenuverter: Attenuates or inverts the incoming CV. The CV is at unity gain when the attenuator is fully clockwise, inverted when it is fully counterclockwise and the CV is completely attenuated when the attenuator is in the 12 o’clock position.

14. Length CV Attenuverter: Attenuates or inverts the incoming CV. The CV is at unity gain when the attenuator is fully clockwise, inverted when it is fully counterclockwise and the CV is completely attenuated when the attenuator is in the 12 o’clock position.

15. Drag CV Input: Allows modulation of the Drag control using external CV.

16. Mode CV Input: Allows modulation of the Mode control using external CV.

17. Diffuse CV Input: Allows modulation of the Diffuse control using external CV.

18. Length CV Input: Allows modulation of the Length control using external CV.

19. Audio Input: Accepts audio signals ranging from instrument-level to modular-level, using the Input knob to adjust the level.

20. Reflect Send: Allows external patching and processing of the Reflect feedback path. Patching from this output does not interrupt the internal feedback path.

21. Reflect Return: Allows return of the externally patched and processed Reflect feedback path. Also, it can be used as an additional audio input if you wish to forgo the feedback. The Reflect knob acts as an attenuator for the audio that is patched to this input. Please note that processing of the Reflect feedback path can easily result in self-oscillation when processing with effects such as distortion or a resonant filter. The Reflect knob can be used to compensate for this factor. Patching a cable to this input will disconnect the internal feedback path, but the Reflect Send will still be active.

22. Audio Output

MODES

1. Unquantized: Smooth, unquantized response over the operating range 

2. Unquantized with Slew: Smooth, unquantized response over the entire operating range, but with a musical slew that is reminiscent of turning the varispeed knob on a vintage British tape delay. The “Drag” will lag behind the knob or CV changes, but then quickly catch up

3. Unquantized Volt/Octave: Smooth and unquantized, yet scaled to align with the 1v/octave curve to allow melodic modulation of audio in the buffer, or control the frequency of self-oscillation like a voltage controlled oscillator

4. Chromatic Scale: Quantized 1v/octave to the chromatic scale

5. Major Scale: Quantized 1v/octave to the major scale

6. Minor Scale: Quantized 1v/octave to the minor scale

7. Pentatonic Scale: Quantized 1v/octave to the pentatonic scale

8. Octaves & Fifths: Quantized 1v/octave to omit all but octaves and fifths

9. Octaves: Quantized 1v/octave to omit all but octaves

SELF-OSCILLATION

It is normal for the Afterneath Module to self-oscillate when using higher settings of the Length and Reflect controls – especially when both controls are set above the 12 o’clock position. When you combine the self-oscillation with CV control over the Drag parameter you have an interesting voltage controlled oscillator. Modes 3-9 will allow the self-oscillation to track volt/octave scaling. When using an external control voltage, the Drag knob acts as an offset control for the incoming voltage. Due to the nature of the effect, the Drag parameter responds to only positive voltages between 1.6 and 4.1 volts. When using a voltage between 0 and 1.6 volts, you can turn the Drag knob clockwise to offset the incoming voltage to the response range. Please note that bipolar signals may need additional offset voltage from an external source to bring the entire control signal within the response range.

Keep in mind that the Afterneath is not intended to be a precision oscillator. When self-oscillating, it’s pitch is mostly based upon the note that is played into it. While feeding back, the original note will transform through various harmonic and enharmonic frequencies, depending on the levels of the Length, Reflect and Dampen controls. Careful adjustment of the Length and Reflect controls can allow you to sustain sounds in the buffer for longer periods of time without it becoming unstable.

SPECIFICATIONS

Width: 16HP
Max Depth: 31.75 mm
Current Draw: 95 mA from the +12v rail, 0 mA from both the -12v and +5v rails

Standard 10-pin Eurorack power connector with a marking to notate the negative pins

Skiff friendly – protrudes less than 1.25 inches (31.75 mm) behind the panel with the power header installed

Audio input capable of handling input signals ranging from instrument-level to modular-level, depending on the setting of the Input knob

For more information, click here to visit the manufacturers website.