ADDAC802R VCA Quintet Reversed Panel
A reversed Eurorack mixer that puts the jacks on top and the knobs in the clear.
Overview
The ADDAC802R VCA Quintet Reversed Panel is ADDAC System's flipped version of their standard 802 module. It has the same five-channel VCA mixer, but the jacks sit on top, so the knobs stay open and easy to reach in a deep skiff full of patch cables. It's not a new circuit. It's a repackaging aimed at one very real ergonomic headache: a knob buried under a spaghetti junction of 1/8” cables.
The module is meant to lie on its back in a skiff, with the jacks facing upward so cables drape away and the knobs stay accessible. The reversed panel doesn't change the function. It's still the same 5-channel mixer with dual paths, solo capability, and the sixth master VCA. ADDAC also made sure the knobs turn clockwise in either orientation, thanks to set-screw mounting. That helps live performers and anyone with a tightly packed case.
Owners call it a “workhorse” module: solid, reliable mixing and voltage control, no gimmicks. An external input lets you daisy-chain mix channels, which adds flexibility in larger systems. The master VCA has both Pre and Post outputs, so you can tap the signal before or after final level control. That's handy for effects loops or parallel processing. It's not a synth voice or a sound generator. It's a utility module, now with better ergonomics for people who patch a lot.
Specifications
| Manufacturer | ADDAC System |
| Product type | Eurorack modular synthesizer module |
| Format | Eurorack |
| Width | 12 HP |
| Depth | 5 cm |
| Power supply compatibility | Compatible with +-12v and +-15v power supplies |
| Max current | +190mA/-150mA |
| Bus Board Cable | 8 × 2 IDC (Doepfer style) connector |
| Features | 5 Channel Mixer |
| Features | 1 Master Output |
| Features | External input into the Mix channel for daisy chaining |
| Features | 2 independent mixing paths, Solo and Mix |
| Features | Mix Output includes a 6th VCA with Pre and Post outputs |
| Per channel features | Each of the 5 channels has: VCA with initial Knob, Monitor LED, Independent output, Linear or logarithmic control, Solo/Off/Mix switch that routes their audio to the Solo Channel or the Mix channel. In Off position the VCA does not gate. |
| Outputs | 1 Pre Master VCA output, 1 Post Master VCA output, 1 Solo output |
| Special function | The Solo line is also intended for Pre Listening purposes, using this output to connect your headphones through some headphone amplifier module |
| Knob function | up to 12 o'clock it's a CV attenuator, then after 12 o'clock you start to offset the level from 0 (additionally to the CV in) |
| Available versions | Available in both red & black versions |
| Panel orientation | Reversed front panel "in case you want to have your jacks on top" |
| Knob direction | Knobs go clockwise either way |
Key Features
Reversed for Real-World Use
The “R” in 802R makes sense once the module is mounted in a skiff lying on its back: jacks on top, knobs facing forward, no cables blocking your hands. The module uses knobs with set screws, so they stay put regardless of orientation, and ADDAC confirmed the knobs turn clockwise in either setup, which preserves muscle memory. The company noted that early reversed panels had incorrect labeling (INIT/ATT). Users confirmed by April 2018 that corrected panels were issued, so later units should be properly marked.
Dual Mixing Paths: Solo and Mix
The 802R uses a dual-path architecture. Each of the five channels has a Solo/Off/Mix switch that routes the signal to either the dedicated Solo bus or the main Mix. The Solo output also works as a pre-listening monitor, which suits feeding a headphone amp and checking levels before going live. The Mix path feeds a sixth master VCA, which has both Pre and Post outputs. To send a mix to reverb before final level shaping, tap the Pre output. To compress the final output, use the Post.
Smart Knob Behavior
The knob does two jobs. From 0 to 12 o'clock, it acts as a CV attenuator, which is standard. Past noon, it adds positive offset to the level, boosting the signal beyond the CV input's baseline. That gives you both reduction and boost from a single knob, a neat answer to the classic attenuation/offset problem. Users have called it a “great solution” and said they “like it a lot.” It's intuitive once you get used to it.
Flexible Daisy-Chaining and Output Options
The external input into the Mix channel lets you chain multiple 802Rs (or other mixers) together, which expands your mixing capacity without using up extra CV control. That's useful in large systems where you might want subgroup mixing before a final master pass. With the independent outputs per channel and the dual master VCA outputs, the module can act as a hub for signal management, such as blending drum voices, managing layered synths, or routing effects.
Collectibility & Value
There's no data on original pricing or current market values, so collectibility is anecdotal. Owners of the standard ADDAC802 should know that swapping to the reversed panel isn't always plug-and-play. Some early 802 units used different jacks, and the panel isn't a direct fit. Modifications with a Dremel may be required. One user warns: “be extra careful when removing the panel to not damage any LED's!” The monitor LEDs are part of the workflow, so frying one during a mod would hurt. User forums responded with enthusiasm - “Totally onboard with 802R!” - and the version fills a niche for skiff users. Without production dates or scarcity indicators, it's less a collector's item than a sought-after utility module for active patchers.
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