Intellijel Amps: Dual VCA Versatility in 6HP – Patchable Power from Intellijel

The video opens with the classic modular mantra: you can never have enough VCAs. Intellijel’s Amps module takes this to heart, packing two high-quality voltage controlled amplifiers into a compact 6HP footprint. The emphasis here is on versatility, with each channel equipped for detailed control, making Amps a strong candidate for both bread-and-butter and more experimental tasks.

From the outset, Intellijel positions Amps as more than just another dual VCA. The module is designed to integrate seamlessly into a Eurorack system, offering a host of patching options that go beyond simple amplitude control. Whether you’re shaping envelopes, routing modulation, or building complex signal chains, Amps aims to be a central utility in your rack.

Amps features manual level sliders for each VCA, allowing for direct adjustment of signal levels without reaching for external utilities. Each channel also sports a dedicated CV attenuator, giving users precise control over modulation depth, and both the output and CV inputs are equipped with dual-colour LEDs for instant visual feedback—green for positive voltage, red for negative.

A standout feature is the three-position boost switch, which offers 0 dB, +6 dB, or a hefty +20 dB of gain. This not only accommodates line-level sources but also introduces the possibility of deliberate overdrive and distortion when boosting modular-level signals. The combination of these controls means Amps can handle everything from subtle gain staging to aggressive signal mangling, all from the front panel.

Normalled connections between VCA A and VCA B open up a range of creative possibilities. With clever patching, Amps can function as a CV-controlled crossfader, smoothly blending between two audio sources using a single LFO or envelope. The video demonstrates this with a bipolar CV setup, using the sliders and polarity switches to achieve a balanced crossfade between a sine and a square wave.

The phase invert switch on VCA B is another trick up Amps’ sleeve. By inverting the input phase and carefully setting the attenuators and offsets, the module can be configured as a ring modulator—a classic technique for metallic, complex tones. This flexibility means Amps isn’t just a utility; it’s a sound-shaping tool in its own right, capable of both subtle and radical transformations.

For those who truly believe in the mantra of never enough VCAs, Amps offers a daisy-chaining feature via a rear 4-pin connector. This allows multiple modules to be linked, effectively creating a multi-channel VCA mixer where a single control signal can govern several channels at once. The demonstration shows three Amps modules chained together, but the system is theoretically open-ended.

This approach streamlines workflow for larger systems, enabling macro-level CV control and the summing of multiple signals to a final output. Whether you’re building a submix, layering modulation, or just need more hands-free control, the daisy-chain capability makes Amps a scalable solution for evolving Eurorack setups.