Intellijel Cascadia – The Basics
What are the fundamental building blocks and signal flow within the Intellijel Cascadia?
The Intellijel Cascadia is described as an advanced, performance-oriented, semi-modular synthesiser. It is a deep and flexible mono synth developed by a team of synth enthusiasts . Being semi-modular means that many capabilities are available without patching any cables, as it has a well-conceived default signal path . For deeper exploration, it features over 100 Eurorack-compatible patch points allowing reconfiguration and expansion with external modules .
The fundamental building blocks of Cascadia’s synthesis architecture include:
Two Oscillators (VCOs):
VCO A is the primary oscillator with extensive sync, FM (Frequency Modulation), and PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) features. It can operate at audio rates.
VCO B can function at either audio or LFO rates, making it suitable as both a sound source and a modulation source. It features four simultaneously available output waveforms. VCO B has full Thru-Zero FM (TZFM) and sync capabilities.
Two Envelopes:
ENVELOPE A is a traditional ADSR (Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release) envelope generator with an additional HOLD time control and various triggering options. It can also be tapped at various points to trigger other events.
ENVELOPE B is a powerful multimode function generator capable of operating as an Envelope, LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator), or Pulse Burst Generator depending on the MODE SELECT switch setting. Each mode has specific controls and behaviours.
VCF + VCA:
Filter (VCF): A multimode, multiple output voltage controlled filter offering various types of Low Pass, Bandpass, Highpass, Notch, and Phase filtering. It provides three simultaneous outputs: a 4-pole lowpass, a 4-pole highpass, and a selectable output based on the mode. It also includes an input level control for adding grit.
Amplifier (VCA A): A unity-gain linear Voltage Controlled Amplifier used for shaping the amplitude of signals.
Timbral Modulation:
Wave Folder: A module for reshaping waveforms by folding peaks back toward the centre when they exceed a threshold, creating complex harmonics.
Ring Modulator: Takes two source waveforms and generates a third waveform containing the sum and difference frequencies of the inputs.
Mixer + Utilities:
Mixer: Used to blend levels from various sources including VCO A’s Pulse and Saw waveforms, a SUB oscillator, noise sources, and two user-selectable inputs.
Utilities: This strip contains various routing and processing tools such as a Sample & Hold (S&H) circuit, Slew/Envelope Follower, Mixuverter, three LFOs (LFO X, Y, Z), a Patchbay (containing Mults, a Summer, an Inverter, and a Bi-to-Uni converter), and a second VCA / Low Pass Filter (VCA B / LPF)
I/O Control: Manages external CV inputs, an FX Send/Return loop for integrating external effects, and the master output stage
Default Signal Flow:
The default signal flow in Cascadia connects these building blocks internally without needing patch cables, creating a standard voice architecture. Here’s a summary of key default routings:
1 – MIDI/CV Input to Control Modules:
2 – MIDI data received via the back panel MIDI IN jack or USB MIDI port is processed by the MIDI / CV section.
3 – The MIDI PITCH OUT is routed by default to VCO A‘s PITCH input and the VCF FM 2 modulation input.
4 – External PITCH CV IN is summed with MIDI Pitch data and also feeds VCO A PITCH and VCF FM 2.
5 – VCO B‘s PITCH input follows VCO A‘s pitch by default if its PITCH SELECTOR switch is in the UP (PITCH A+B) position.
6 – The MIDI GATE OUT is routed by default to both ENVELOPE A‘s and ENVELOPE B‘s GATE inputs.
7 – External GATE CV IN is summed with MIDI Gate data and also routes to the ENVELOPE A GATE and ENVELOPE B GATE inputs.
8 – The MIDI TRIG OUT is routed by default to ENVELOPE A‘s RETRIG input.
9 – External TRIG CV IN is summed with MIDI Trig data and also routes to the ENVELOPE A RETRIGGER input.
10 – MIDI VELOCITY output is normalled by default to ENVELOPE A‘s CTRL jack, where it can affect either the envelope’s overall TIME or LEVEL, depending on the CTRL SOURCE switch setting.
Modulation Sources:
1 – LFO Y output is used as the default PWM modulation source for VCO A.
2 – ENVELOPE A output is used by default as the INDEX modulation source for VCO A‘s FM. It is also the default modulation source for VCA A‘s LEVEL MOD input.
3 – VCO B‘s Sine wave output is used by default as the FM 2 source for VCO A.
4 – The S&H circuit’s trigger input receives the MIDI CLK output by default. Its input, by default, is a built-in digital noise generator.
5 – The SLEW/FOLLOW input is normalled from the Sample & Hold output by default.
6 – Regarding the VCF FM 3 input: according to, the default routing is the output of Envelope B, while according to, there is no normal routing, and the slider will have no effect unless a signal is patched in.
7 – VCA B‘s CV IN receives +5V DC by default, allowing the CV amount knob to function as a manual frequency control for LPF B and a manual volume control for VCA B if the VCA CONTROL switch is UP.
Audio Path:
1 – VCO B‘s Sine wave output is the default input for the RING MODULATOR‘s X input.
2 – The output of the RING MODULATOR is normalled by default to MIXER IN 1.
3 – The MIXER IN 2 receives a Sine wave generated by VCO A by default.
4 – VCO A‘s Pulse and Saw wave outputs are also mixed into the Mixer.
5 – The output of the MIXER feeds the VCF (filter) by default.
6 – VCO A‘s Sine wave output is used as the default input waveform for the WAVE FOLDER.
7 – The output of the WAVE FOLDER is normalled to VCA A‘s AUX IN jack.
8 – The output of the VCF (selectable output) is used as the default input for VCA A.
9 – The output of VCA A is normalled to the MAIN 1 input in the OUTPUT CONTROL section.
10 – The VCA B IN jack receives the output of the RINGMOD by default.
11 – The MAIN 1 and MAIN 2 inputs in the OUTPUT CONTROL section are summed and sent to the MAIN OUT, as well as the back panel LINE OUT and PHONES OUT
External Audio:
External audio patched into the back panel’s LINE IN is available at the front panel’s LINE IN output jack, attenuated by the LEVEL slider.
The FX SEND/RETURN section allows integrating external effects pedals anywhere in the signal chain. The processed signal is available at the FX MIX output
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