Meng Qi: DPLPG

Takazudo Modular is now carrying products from Meng Qi. As the first product in this lineup, we’ve stocked the DPLPG, and this is its introduction.

• What Kind of Module is DPLPG?
• What Does a Low Pass Gate Sound Like?
• Compact and Simple
• Specifications
• Learn More About Low Pass Gates
• Other Reference Videos
• Included Accessories

What Kind of Module is DPLPG?#

In brief, this module can be described as:

• A 2-channel Low Pass Gate
• No knobs — the amount of Low Pass Gate effect on the input is controlled via CV input
• 2HP(!) and shallow depth

A Low Pass Gate is a filter-like device often described as producing “percussive, bouncy” sounds. Even if you’ve never used one directly, many people would recognize the sound once they hear it. Applying the same envelope to both a Low Pass Filter and a VCA produces a similar effect.

I won’t go into detailed technical explanations since I’m not knowledgeable enough, but it seems that a component called a Vactrol is used to create this kind of sound. The term Low Pass Gate has various historical background, so if you’re interested, it’s worth looking into.

What Does a Low Pass Gate Sound Like?#

To help you understand the DPLPG, I created a demo video that showcases its characteristics. Technical details aside, please take a look at this first.

In this video, I alternate between using a regular VCA for volume decay and using the DPLPG.

The oscillator is the Expert Sleepers Disting EX. The Disting EX is a highly versatile module, and one of its functions, Macro Oscillator (a clone of Mutable Instruments Braids), is used to play 4 voices, each with a Low Pass Gate applied. Finally, delay/reverb is applied via Make Noise’s Mimeophon.

• Expert Sleepers: Disting EX
• Make Noise: Mimeophon

Other modules used include:

• OXI Instruments: OXI ONE
• After Later Audio: Cloaks
• Instruo: cnōc
• Instruo: lìon
• Instruo: tàin
• Expert Sleepers: ES-9

Additionally, the following sessions uploaded by Takazudo also use the DPLPG, so they may be worth a quick listen as well.

Compact and Simple#

The best thing about this module is that despite offering two channels, it’s an ultra-compact 2HP. Many feature-rich Low Pass Gates come at a considerable price, but at this size and price point, it’s ideal for anyone who simply wants to try out a Low Pass Gate. It has that casual feel of being able to fit into any spare space in your case.

Functionally, it has no knobs at all, so you can’t adjust volume or CV response on the module itself. For that kind of control, it’s convenient to pair it with a simple mixer or attenuator.

Specifications#

• 2HP
• 2-channel Low Pass Gate
• 3 jacks per channel: input / output / CV control
• Passive module (no power required)
• Depth: 23mm

Learn More About Low Pass Gates#

I mentioned that the term Low Pass Gate has various historical background. For detailed coverage of that history, the following articles are excellent resources. If you’re involved in modular synth, you’ll constantly encounter terms like West Coast style and Buchla, and these articles explain those concepts as well.

• Perfect Circuit: What is a Low Pass Gate?
• Perfect Circuit: East Coast vs. West Coast Synthesis Explained
• Perfect Circuit: What is West Coast Synthesis? Buchla + Beyond

Other Reference Videos#

Here are some other videos found on YouTube that may serve as useful references for the DPLPG.

Included Accessories#

• Screws
• Meng Qi sticker

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