Alesis ModFX Bitrman Reference Manual page 30

3
Using the Bitrman
What is Bit Reduction?
The BIT REDUCER is an extreme combination of limiting and
distortion that's not for wimps. By intentionally reducing the
digital resolution (or word length) of the signal, distortion and
noise increase, and dynamic range decreases. At high settings of
the [BITRNESS] knob, as the input signal fades, the noise in the
signal will become more apparent, so watch out! This is the
ultimate low-rez effect.
The [BITRNESS] knob is quantized in Bit Reduction mode to
provide 24-bit (bypass), 10-, 8-, 6-, 4-, 2-, and 1-bit resolutions,
with according jumps in after-stage gain to compensate.
What is Frequency Modulation (FM)?
At low speeds, FM (Frequency Modulation) mode simply adds
vibrato (up and down pitch change) to any signal. The vibrato
speed is controlled by the [BITRNESS] knob, and the vibrato
depth is fixed.
When the speed of FM is increased, so that the "vibrato"
frequency is as high or higher than the input signal, the effect
becomes more extreme. At high settings of the [BITRNESS]
control, the output can sound like signals from a touch-tone
phone (because FM is how those tones are created) or outputs
from a video game.
28
The dark side of
digital audio
The Bitrm an ta ke s a dv an tag e
o f th e d own s id e of digital
a ud io . Firs t, fo r e ve ry bit yo u
los e, th e sig na l- to - no is e r atio
g oe s do wn 6 d B. Se c on d, as
y ou los e d ig ita l re s olution ,
the r es u ltin g wav e b ec om e s
"sq ua re d o ff", ju st as if it
was c lip ping fr om o v er dr ive
( Th is d istor tio n wo u ld s o un d
les s, h o we ve r , if it wer e
d ithe re d .)
If you want a less
dramatic modulation
tha n FM Mo d m od e, tr y lo w
s etting s o f the RING MOD
m od e.