Animal Factory Amplification - Orobas (Dual Tube VCA) V2

AFA's Orobas module is a tube amplifier built from two identical units, allowing for everything from smooth overdrive sounds to heavy distortion. The version 2 edition is equipped with different tubes.

Both channels have two audio inputs with corresponding gain controls, as well as an output volume control. The clever routing makes very versatile sounds possible, in part because the two channels can be connected in parallel or in series.

When connected in series, the output of channel 1 is still active, which is good for parallel signal processing, and each channel output is phase-inverted with respect to the corresponding input. So you can create feedbacks by routing the signal from output 1 back into a control voltage input for example.

The Screen control voltage input controls the gain and sound characteristics. In addition, this input is normalized to INPUT 1 of the respective channel.

The Suppress CV input is normalized to the input signal when nothing is connected. The task of this input is to direct electrons reflected from the anode back to the anode. Turning the control to the positive, little changes; turning it to the negative, harmonics are slightly suppressed, with negative control voltage you can realize e.g. ducking effects and also effectively turn off the tube. Audio Rate Modulation is also possible here and a bit milder than with the Screen CV.

The Evocation knob controls the feedback of the second output into the first channel. The sound behavior here is very dependent on the Plate Bias switch. Basically, the Plate Bias switch effectively controls the headroom. This allows the tubes to be used in three different settings to achieve different degrees of distortion.