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Installation

Installation

Swell requires a ±12V power supply (2x5 IDC connector) from a standard Eurorack power distribution board.

Power Connection

The red stripe of the ribbon cable (−12V side) must align with the white stripe and "−12V POWER" marking on the module's PCB, and with the corresponding −12V marking on your power distribution board. The keyed connector prevents incorrect insertion, and the module includes reverse polarity protection. Always verify cable orientation before powering up.

Current Draw: 50mA (+12V rail), 55mA (−12V rail)

Power Supply Requirements: Ensure your Eurorack power supply provides stable, well-regulated ±12V (acceptable range: ±11.4V to ±12.6V, i.e. ±5%). Maximum ripple: 50mV peak-to-peak. Voltages significantly exceeding specification may damage the module's internal regulators.

Mounting

Swell is a 14HP module, 30mm deep including the power connector. Verify you have sufficient rail space and case depth before mounting.

  1. Connect the power ribbon cable to the module before mounting in the case.
  2. Mount using standard M3 Eurorack screws into your case rails.
  3. Do not over-tighten — the PCB is close to the panel and excessive force can stress the board.
  4. Ensure the valve is not obstructed by adjacent modules. The circular window above the valve requires clear line of sight for the LED indicators to be visible.

Before handling or installing the module, read Safety Warnings — in particular the valve handling and power supply quality notes.

First Use

  1. Set a safe starting state before powering up:
  2. Gain knob: fully CCW (zero)
  3. Drive knob: fully CCW (zero)
  4. Boost: OFF
  5. Gain switch: Low
  6. Mode: T (Triode)
  7. Bias: COLD
  8. Valve: Pre
  9. Comp: OFF

  10. fm knob: centre

  11. Power on your case. Within a few seconds, an orange glow should be visible beneath the valve through the circular window. This confirms the filament is powered and the module is operating correctly.

  12. Patch a signal into the IN jack and listen through OUT. With Gain at zero you will hear nothing — slowly increase the Gain knob to bring in the signal. You should hear clean filtered audio with the filter cutoff set by the FR knob.

  13. Once you have a signal passing through, refer to Valve Operating Modes to explore the full range of the valve controls.