ALM MFX, User Manual

Page 1: ...ALM 032 MFX Manual Version 0 11 fi rmware v100 original release ALM 0 32 MFX USER GUIDE of 1 34 ...

Page 2: ...umbular Echo 12 Ursa Minor Echoverb 13 Pocket PL8 Reverb 15 Almicon Reverb 16 Quaidra Reverb 17 TY 50 Compressor 18 Transient Shaper 19 TH 30 Distortion 20 2051 Bit Corrupter 21 Modulating Panner 22 Ring Freq Modulator 23 Ensembles Ensemble 24 Utilities 25 Limited Warranty 26 Support 27 APPENDIX 28 I Factory Reset 28 II Firmware Updates 28 III The AXON 1 Expander 29 IV Factory Presets 31 of 2 34 ...

Page 3: ... the distortion and dynamics engines Bend time space and pitch with multiple feature rich reverb and delay engines Modulate signals with the fl exible panner frequency shifter and range of ensemble effects Fracture sounds with the one of a kind granular and glitch engines Check signals and tune oscillators with various utilities The MFX user interface is designed to be familiar quick and easy to u...

Page 4: ... O paths 3 freely assignable CV inputs and 1 clock trigger input Support for the Axon 1 expander for up to 7 assignable CV inputs USB C for quick and easy drag and drop fi rmware updates via computer Skiff friendly with reverse power protection Made in England Technical Specifications Supply 12V 50mA Max 12v 15mA Size 6 HP Depth 32mm 16 Bit 44 1Khz Stereo processing ARM CPU based DSP of 4 34 ...

Page 5: ...wsed edited or assigned to CV The programs have a number of common features as well as unique parameters speci fi c to their functions Factory and user presets can also be loaded and saved per engine of 5 34 R Out Clk L R C V 1 C V 2 C V 3 L Out m Assignable CV Inputs Expect 0 5v OLED Display Program Knob Back Button External Clock Input Stereo Audio Inputs with LED Clip Indication Stereo Audio Ou...

Page 6: ...reen scrolling left past the lowest value of a parameter will select one of the assignable CV inputs to externally control that parameter Alternatively when a parameter is highlighted holding the back button twisting the program knob will immediately jump to the CV input selection Each CV assignment includes its own digital attenuation and offset settings for scaling the incoming voltage To adjust...

Page 7: ...g points Keep in mind that the last used settings of each effect will remain both when changing effect programs and power cycling It is only necessary to save a preset to return to a favourite setting following parameter adjustments By selecting one of the three User X presets a custom preset can be saved and later recalled I O Indicators The bottom left corner of the screen displays two pairs of ...

Page 8: ...e with future fi rmware updates Bypassing At any time the audio processing of the MFX can be bypassed to mute the effect and route the dry input source straight to the outputs To do so hold the back button press the program knob The word Bypass is displayed in the bottom left corner of the screen covering I O indicators Repeat this shortcut to disengage bypass of 8 34 ...

Page 9: ...t Sets the buffer length as a multiple of the incoming pulse when Clock is set to external Tap Mult Sets the time of the second tap as a multiple of the main time not used in Mono and Ext Feedback modes Mode Sets the delay mode Depending on the selection the output can be mono or stereo Mono Delay A single delay line with a mono output Dual Tap A pair of delay lines mixed to a mono output Stereo T...

Page 10: ...i lter in the delay line TIPS 1 Use the ratio set between the Delay Time and the Tap Mult parameters to greatly alter the rhythms of the repeats 2 Try using the High Low Cut fi lters and modulation to create distance between the source and the echoes 3 Modulating the Bandwidth parameter can have interesting melodic results 4 Remember to experiment with all of the delay modes to fi nd the most suit...

Page 11: ...ses noise saturation and darkness in the repeats Wow Flutter Introduces slight changes to the delay time adding pitch warble and chorusing to the repeats Pitch Shift Shifts the pitch of the delay line without affecting the time Loop Loops the currently stored delay buffer Clock Sets if the delay time is based on internal INT or external EXT clock Clock Mult Sets the buffer length as a multiple of ...

Page 12: ...uffer High Cut Sets the cut off frequency of a low pass fi lter in the delay line Low Cut Sets the cut off frequency of a high pass fi lter in the delay line Time Sets the length of the delay buffer in ms Ranges from 0 742ms Spray Sets the amount of random time offset for each grain Density Sets the amount of grains Size Sets the size of the grains TIPS 1 This granular delay can get very crazy ver...

Page 13: ...p panned right Tap Level 2 Sets the level of the second tap panned left and the second tap panned right Tap Level 3 Sets the level of the third tap panned left and the third tap panned right Tap Level 4 Sets the level of the fourth tap panned left and the fourth tap panned right Mode Selects between reverb or echo modes Time Sets the length of the delay buffer Only applies to the echo mode Ranges ...

Page 14: ...een the 8 taps 2 There are loads of sounds to discover don t forget to try out the many tap arrangements available in both the reverb and echo modes 3 With a deep program like this patching manual voltage offsets to the CV inputs and assigning them to one or more key parameters offers quick hands on control and simultaneous parameter adjustments ...

Page 15: ...tail Pre Delay Delays the onset of the reverb tail Ranges from 0 99ms High Cut Sets the cut off frequency of a low pass fi lter on the reverb tail Low Cut Sets the cut off frequency of a high pass fi lter on the reverb tail Stereo Widens the reverb to faux stereo via phase inversion Includes settings for both mild and full widening When set to off the reverb is mono TIPS 1 Try using the High and L...

Page 16: ...il Damping Darkens the reverb tail both shortening its length and reducing high frequencies Diffusion Reduces or increases the uniformity of the reverb tail causing re fl ections to appear more distinct or thicker Pre Delay Delays the onset of the reverb tail Ranges from 0 99ms TIPS 1 Keep in mind that the Damping and Diffusion parameters also affect the perceived size and depth of the reverb tail...

Page 17: ...rameters of 17 34 Size Sets the size time of the reverb tail Damping Darkens the reverb tail both shortening its length and reducing high frequencies Low Cut Sets the cut off frequency of a high pass fi lter on the reverb tail TIPS 1 Try setting Size around 90 100 and Damping to 0 for massive in fi nite reverb trails 2 The Low Cut parameter sits within the feedback path meaning its setting will mu...

Page 18: ...gain reduction applied to the incoming signal when it crosses the threshold Attack Sets the time it takes for the signal s gain to be fully reduced after crossing the threshold Release Sets the time it takes for the signal to return to its original level after being reduced compressed Make Up Gain Sets the fi nal output gain of the compressed signal Meters GR Displays the amount of gain reduction ...

Page 19: ...l Attack Shortens or lengthens the attack transients of the incoming signal Release Shortens or lengthens the release transients of the incoming signal Tilt Filter Tilt style EQ fi lter that sets the region of frequencies detected by the envelope followers TIP The tilt fi lter has a huge impact on the strength of the Attack and Release controls Carefully adjust the tilt setting with regard to the ...

Page 20: ...nsients Saturate clipping with compressed harmonics Overdrive clipped signal introduces harsher harmonics Digital Digital hard clipping squares off transients Wavefold The digital wavefolder from the Tyso Daiko Nuclear Maximum clipping Squares off ALL incoming transients Drive Sets the amount of drive Tilt Filter Tilt style fi lter EQ applied to the distorted signal emphasising either high or low ...

Page 21: ...sk The chance that a glitch will occur Lock In Loops playback of the buffer even if there is no audio in it Reverse Reverses playback of the buffer Bit Depth Sets the bit depth of the dry signal Sample Rate Sets the sample rate of the dry signal Clock Sets if the buffer size is based on internal INT or external EXT clock Buffer Size Sets the size of the buffer in ms when clock is set to internal R...

Page 22: ...based on internal INT or external EXT clock Mod Depth Sets the maximum width of the panning modulation Mod Rate Sets rate of modulation in Hz when clock is set to internal Ranges from 0 05 8Hz Mode Sets the mode Depending on the selection the I O can be mono or stereo Mono Pans the left input between the left and right outputs Stereo Pans the left and right inputs between the left and right output...

Page 23: ...a high pass fi lter on the wet signal Mode Sets the mode to either ring modulation or frequency shifter Modulator Ring Mod Selects between either the internal modulation oscillator INT or external source LxR LxR mode expects the carrier signal at the left input and modulator at the right outputting the result in mono Osc Rate Ring Mod Sets the rate in Hz of the internal modulation oscillator Range...

Page 24: ...lt in digital pitch shifter takes the effect beyond traditional chorus circuits Parameters of 24 34 Depth Sets the depth of modulation Pitch Shift Shifts the pitch of the incoming signal without affecting its time Mode Selects the chorus or ensemble mode Modes are as follows Juno I Juno II Juno II I RS I RS II Solina mono Wide Wide II TIPS 1 For wobbly pitch vibrato effects set Mix to 100 2 Try pa...

Page 25: ...isplaying the current fi rmware version Pages of 25 34 Scope Displays a basic rendering of the incoming waveform Time can be adjusted by clicking and turning the encoder Tuner Displays both the frequency in Hz and pitch note and cents of the incoming audio FW Version Displays the currently installed fi rmware version ...

Page 26: ...s does not apply to Physical damage arising for mistreatment i e dropping submerging etc Damage caused by incorrect power connections Overexposure to heat or direct sunlight Damage caused by inappropriate or mis use Use of incorrect or non of fi cial fi rmware No responsibility is implied or accepted for harm to person or apparatus caused through operation of this product By using this product you...

Page 27: ...t For the latest news additional info downloads and fi rmware updates please visit the ALM website at http busycircuits com and follow busycircuits on twitter and instagram Questions email help busycircuits com of 27 34 ...

Page 28: ... just below the program knob Using a standard USB C cable connect the module directly to a computer The MFX will power on displaying USB Disk Update Mode on screen and appear as a standard removable storage device on your computer Copy a valid fi rmware fi le to the root directory of the MFX to update After the copy has completed MFX will automatically disconnect and display Update Complete on scr...

Page 29: ...ith both the MFX and Squid Salmple It extends MFX s functionality by adding 4 additional freely assignable CV inputs that behave exactly like the 3 built in CV inputs The AXON 1 connects to the 6 pin header on the back of the MFX via the supplied keyed cable Connect before powering the MFX of 29 34 ...

Page 30: ...s CV is assigned directly from the buttons or from the on screen list alongside the 3 built in CV inputs Per assignment digital attenuation and offset is accessed by long pressing the program encoder with the selected CV highlighted of 30 34 Assign Assign Assign Assign CV 4 CV 5 CV 6 CV 7 ...

Page 31: ...ds Drawn out low bandwidth responses PRESET DESCRIPTION Tired Tape Warm and fuzzy tape echo with lightly descending pitch 5th Response Pitch shifting delay with repeats that ascend in fi fths Pitch Shifter Real time octave up pitch shifting with no echo Flutter Echo Fast fl uttering echoes Comet Trails Pitch shifting delay with sparkly ascending feedback Reel Delay Vintage tape echo with a slight ...

Page 32: ...from inside a metal barrel Splash Airy extended reverb Vintage Solid vintage stereo plate reverb Dense Metal A heavy resonating metallic body PRESET DESCRIPTION Dark Dream Heavy reverb with a darkening tail Workshop Full bodied medium sized room reverb Blurry Smeary small room ambience Galleria Massive sprawling re fl ective space Mosaic Medium sized room with tile surfaces PRESET DESCRIPTION Back...

Page 33: ...d an over compressed version PRESET DESCRIPTION Short Sharp Shortens transients emphasising attack Smear Subtle rounding and lengthening of transients Blown Out Adds punch and crunch PRESET DESCRIPTION Parallel Fuzz 50 50 mix of the dry signal and the squared off nuclear version Radio Static Dynamically responsive spectral noise Harmonic Hi Pass Crunchy saturated high pass fi ltering Dad Acid Comp...

Page 34: ...nverge Wide intersecting stereo pathways Only works with 2 inputs Subtle Scan Auto mixes in a small amount of signal from the right input Autofade Evenly auto fades between the 2 inputs Works best with droning sources PRESET DESCRIPTION Maximum Shift Frequency shifts the input up by 1kHz LxR Ring Mod Ring mod multiplies 2 external input sources by one another 2KHz Ring Mod Ring mod multiplies a mo...