Ring Modulator

Based on the classic 4014 sub-module on the ARP 2500 & 2600

This is a vintage ring modulator design with bags of character. it is based on the classic arp4014 sub-module which was used on the arp2500 modular and arp2600 semi-modular synthesizers. the design has a fully discrete core but uses two op-amps for input and output amplification. a ring modulator has two main inputs, usually called x and y, and one output. the output voltage is the product of the two input voltages. in other words it multiplies the two input signals together to produce a new and different sounding output. if you have two sine wave input signals then the output will have both the sum and difference frequencies. for example, if x is a 440hz sine wave and y a 40hz, you would get a 480hz and a 400hz sine wave from the output. however, this is only really true in a perfect ring modulator... and this ring modulator is not that. each input has its own differing non-linearities or imperfections. this greatly adds to the character of the resultant output.

Note: The original manufacturer website is down: An archived version of this module's help page can be found below.

https://web.archive.org/web/20191127034919/http://www.oakleysound.com/ringmod-e.htm