ADDAC300 REV.02 Power Starvation ()
Plug a synth module into this tiny voltage puppet master and watch it melt, stutter, and scream in glorious instability.
Overview
The ADDAC300 REV.02 Power Starvation isn’t a sound generator or a filter—it’s a saboteur. Built by ADDAC System as a Eurorack utility module, its entire purpose is to undermine the very thing most gear relies on: stable power. This isn’t a flaw; it’s the feature. By letting you dial down the voltage fed to other modules, it opens up a world of glitchy, unpredictable, and often musical chaos. It’s the kind of module that turns a clean oscillator into a sputtering artifact from a dying alien transmitter, or makes a sequencer hiccup like it’s having a stroke. If you’ve ever cracked open a toy synth and twisted a knob with your fingers to make it burp weird noises, you’ve already flirted with power starvation—this just gives you surgical control over the process.
Functionally, it’s a power intermediary. You route another module’s power through the ADDAC300 REV.02, then tweak how much juice it gets. The result? “Unruly sonic behaviour,” as one source puts it—glitches, pitch drops, digital stutters, analog warble, and textures that no patch cable could ever create on its own. It’s a unique power utility that brings new tonal possibilities to modular systems, especially for those chasing experimental or noise-oriented sounds. And while it doesn’t generate audio itself, its influence on whatever it’s throttling can be profound. It’s not for every patch, but when you need something to sound *wrong* in the best possible way, this is the tool.
Specifications
| Manufacturer | ADDAC System |
| Product type | Eurorack module |
| Width | 6HP |
| Depth | 4.5cm |
| Current draw | UP TO 600mA +12V (Depending on the starving module connected) |
| Current draw | 0mA -12V |
| Output current capacity | ±200mA |
| Output voltage range | 2.5V to 13.5V |
Key Features
DC-DC Conversion with Protection
At its core, the ADDAC300 REV.02 uses a DC to DC converter that takes power from the +12V rail and generates a bipolar 15V supply. That’s the foundation. Unlike crude voltage dividers, this method maintains cleaner regulation before the voltage is intentionally degraded. The DC-DC converter also includes short circuit and overcurrent protection—critical when you’re deliberately pushing modules into unstable territory. It’s a safeguard that keeps your system from going up in smoke when things get weird, which they absolutely will.
Variable Analog Voltage Regulation
Once the ±15V supply is generated, it’s routed through variable analog voltage regulators. This is where the magic happens. Instead of just dropping voltage passively, the module actively controls the output, letting you sweep from 2.5V up to 13.5V with smooth, continuous adjustment. That range is wide enough to keep most modules alive while still allowing deep starvation effects. The regulators are the reason you can get predictable, repeatable results—even if the outcome is sonic chaos.
Dual Module Starvation
One of the standout design choices is the inclusion of two IDC connectors on the back. This lets you independently plug in two modules of your choice and starve them separately. No need to repatch mid-experiment—just route both through the ADDAC300 REV.02 and tweak each one’s voltage on the fly. It’s a small detail that massively increases utility, especially in complex systems where you might want to destabilize a VCO and a digital effects module at the same time.
Bypass and Trimming for Precision
Bypass switches make it easy to compare starved vs. normal operation—essential for dialing in just how far you want to push a module. Even more useful are the onboard trimmers, which let you set a minimum voltage plateau. Since most modules begin to shut down somewhere between 3V and 10V, these trimmers let you define the floor. That way, the front-panel pot covers the most musically useful range, giving you full control over the “sweet spot” where glitches emerge without complete collapse. It’s a thoughtful touch that turns a simple hack into a performance tool.
Historical Context
Power starvation isn’t a new idea—it’s one of the first hacks any DIYer learns, especially in the world of circuit bending. It’s also one of the most sonically rewarding, capable of generating textures that no conventional synthesis method can replicate. The ADDAC300 REV.02 formalizes that chaos into a reliable Eurorack module. It’s an upgraded version of revision 01, which used a much simpler circuit: just a potentiometer acting as a voltage divider. That approach worked, but lacked precision and protection. REV.02 fixes those shortcomings with proper regulation and safeguards. It’s also a redesign of a discontinued starvation module from ADDAC System, and described as an update to one of their popular designs—meaning it wasn’t born in a vacuum, but evolved from real user experience and demand.
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