Freshnelly ReFleX Live Loop Manual

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Introduction

Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg. 2

Reflex In A Nutshell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg. 4

II.

The Panel

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III.

Panel Quick Guide By Example

Description of RP (Sampler) Modes by example . . . . . . . . . . . pg. 10

Description of PLAY FX functions by example . . . . . . . . . . . . pg. 12

Description of Slicing by example . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg. 16

IV.

The Record Modes (RP)

R/P (Record/Play) Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg.20

Echo Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg.21

Layer (Sound on Sound) Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg.22

Peak Slicing Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg.25

The Play Modes (FX).

The ST/END MiniLoop. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg.26

The POS/SIZE MiniLoop. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg.27

The G-Move Granulizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg.27

Recording PlayFX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg.29

VI.

Slices

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg.30

Slicing Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg.31

Playing Slices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg.32

Slice Groove (Automation) Sequencer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg.33

Slice Modifications using PlayFX. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg.34

Slice Overdubbing/Global Overdubbing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg.34

Slice Remove. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg.35

Slices & Memory Delete, PlayFX. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg.35

VII.

Other Modes/Features

EQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg.36

Stutter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg.37

RateLock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg.38

Live Pitch Shift

VIII.

Operation

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg.40

Knobs

Clocking and Syncing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg.42

CV / Trigger Inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg.43

Limits, Limitations, and Modular Serendipity . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg.44

IX:

Advanced Settings and Configuration

Settings Menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg.44

Expansion Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg.45

Firmware Updates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg.45

Addendums/Updates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg.46

*Note: Text highlighted in brown may not be implemented in your firmware. Please check

http://www.freshnelly.com/reflex/reflex.htm

By Sandrine Sims

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg. 2

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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg.44

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Summary of Contents for Freshnelly ReFleX Live Loop

Page 1: Table Of Contents
Addendums/Updates....... . . pg.46 *Note: Text highlighted in brown may not be implemented in your firmware. Please check http://www.freshnelly.com/reflex/reflex.htm for latest firmware / updates...
Page 2: Introduction
Mini Loop and Granulizing within that to make a revolving drone! This can all be done from the panel of the Reflex Live Loop, so imagine now what could be done once plugged in to the 8 CV and trigger/gate jacks.
Page 3 RP (record/play) Sampler Modes: - 3 Main RP (Record/Play) Modes: Layer, Echo (delay), R/P Sampler (simple record/punch-in/append) - Foot Switch compatibility Mode (S-Trig) for foot controlled sync'ed echo/looping/layering - Record (Continuous) PlayFX and Slices simultaneously into delay/sample/layer for Looping afterwards - Auto-Slices R/P, Echo (delay), Layer action points for instant recall using Slice Select/CV - No "Memory Full"...
Page 4: Reflex In A Nutshell
Reflex In A Nutshell At first the Reflex can seen a daunting beast, but is actually very simple once you break away from the convention of Red button=Record ONLY, Green button=Play ONLY. This is not the case. The Red Button controls everything RP (Record Play) and the Green button "Captures" a sample (or Slice) to play and to to work on from the sample recorded/played by the Red button.
Page 5: The Panel
The Panel This panel diagram is a breakdown of the main controls and I/O. A description of each follows below. Audio Input Right Channel The AC in R is the right channel input for stereo sample recording. It can tolerate a maximum of +/-5V before any distortion and is capacitively coupled to respond to frequencies as low as 20 Hz.
Page 6 Audio Output Left Channel The AC out L is the left channel mix output to feed sample audio mixed with input audio to an external amp, filter, mixer etc. The maximum output level is +/- 5V (10Vp-p) and is capacitively coupled to respond to frequencies as low as 20 Hz.
Page 7 (13) Rate Attenuvertor The Rate Attenuvertor will attenuate the incoming Rate CV's affect on the actual sample rate. For full range, or gain, the attenuvertor should be set to extreme right, or extreme left. If left in the center, the incoming CV will have little or no affect on the sample rate.
Page 8 See also sect. VIII.C. pg.43 for more on CV/Trigger inputs. (23) Triggers and Gates Inputs The Reflex Live Loop has 4 T/G style inputs, Each one can be set / defaults to respond differently: REC T/F/C: Starts/Stops/Controls Record using Trigger, Gate, Footswitch (see Section VIII.C. pg.43) PLAY T/F/G: Starts/Stops PlayFX using Trigger, Gate, Footswitch (See Section VIII.C.
Page 9 (24) EQ Band Level & CV Attenuvertor The EQ is a unique feature that has been added for delicate feedback effects primarily. Without an input to EQ CV, the Attenuvertor acts alone to adjust the band selected by the EQ Button. (Band Selector) The range of adjustment is +/- 15 dB, and is linear from the center.
Page 10: Panel Quick Guide By Example
Holding REC > 1 second: Always halts a record or play, kills RP so to speak. Below are some examples to familiarize you with all of the main Modes/functions of the Reflex Live Loop. 1) Recording and Playing a Sample -To record a sample, press [MODE] until R/P LED lights.
Page 11 2) Recording Layers (Sound On Sound) -To record and layer loops, press [MODE] until LAY LED lights. -Adjust the FEEDBACK near the top and set EQ to Flat (all LED's off) and zero dB. (Center of range) -Set BLEND around center so incoming audio mixes with sampler audio. -Starting playing some music.
Page 12: Description Of Play Fx Functions By Example
B. Description of PLAY FX functions by example The second section of Examples is Play FX. Play FX is simply taking an area of a sample recorded/recording by one of the RP Modes, (R/P, Layer, or Echo) and looping it, speeding up or slowing down, reversing, granulizing, pitch shifting, etc.
Page 13 2) MiniLooping in an Area of a Slice Please refer to Slicing in section C below for more on Slicing. This example assumes a sample has been recorded and sliced already. (If you have been using Echo Mode, then likely there have been some Auto-Slices created) -Press SLICE SEL button to enter Slice Selecting by Rate Knob.
Page 14 4) Positioning a MiniLoop in a Sample POS PLAY FX Mode is similar to STart/END in that it's looping position is absolute. The difference is the POS knob sets the relative point to start the MiniLoop in the sample, while the SIZE knob sets the size of the loop. Note that, while the loop can approach grain size, it has a much wider range…to the whole size of the sample, so would be fairly coarse to adjust at that end.
Page 15 Options: -Tap and select different Slices, which will all have G-Move applied to them while G-Move is active. -Hold PlayFX >1 second to exit back to Slice playing. -Hold Slice >1 second to exit both Slice and PlayFX (G-Move in this case) back to RP Sample. -Adjust GM forward some to get a Time scaled playback of the slice.
Page 16: Description Of Slicing By Example
C. Description of Slicing by Example One of the more powerful features of the Reflex LiveLoop is the ability to Slice samples. Slicing is basically chopping up a sample to be recalled at will. Think of it as an index of times in a sample. It is not destructive to the sample when creating slices, but if a slice is over-dubbed it, of course, will modify the sample.
Page 17 2) Sample Scan Manual Slicing If a sample has already been recorded, slices can still be created by just playing the sample back and tapping the SLICE button, but for precise loops to be captured and turned into slices, really good reflexes with the finger on the button would be an asset! Fortunately, the Reflex has it's own reflexes, which are quite a bit more accurate.
Page 18 4) Slice Groove Sequencer (Automation) Mode A special feature of the Reflex LiveLoop is the Slice Automation Mode. This allows "recording" of a sequence of Slice Play back actions on the slice button, or SL CV and SL.PLY T/G inputs. A sequence or "groove" can be accomplished with this simple mode.
Page 19 6) Over-Dubbing Slices A very new feature of the Reflex LiveLoop is the ability to Over-Dub, or record into, a Slice. This is a true Record, so Record cannot be active prior to entering Slice Play (Slice Sel), so if you are echoing just switch to Infinite Echo (One more tap on REC button) before Playing Slices.
Page 20: The Record Modes (Rp)
The Record Modes (RP) The Reflex LiveLoop has 2 "sides". The first is the RP side, which is covered here. The RP, or Record Play, side is for sampling in stereo audio for clean looping, sound-on-sound, and echo, with performing in mind. The samples recorded by these modes can be "worked on"...
Page 21: Echo Mode
Keep in mind that abruptly different audio signals present on the input at record time will sound abrupt in playBack despite softening techniques. The avoid this, as with a DAW/sound board edit, make sure there is very little sound until immediately after the overDub/punch-in Record is started….unless you want that effect! Using the T/F/C REC input to control R/P record and play In R/P, triggering or gating the Record playback may seem limited, but can be used for many effects and enables remote control.
Page 22 Shifting Echo Pitch The Rate control will shift the echo sample rates around, thus changing the pitch. This works well for chorus effect, or shifting the frequency with an external LFO connected to RATE CV input jack. If the rate knob is adjusted down far from center then the echo speed will change noticeably. *Note that when the Rate CV is plugged in to, the Rate knob still acts as an offset in either direction, but if your CV goes to the positive side, and the Rate knob is already at center (maximum record speed) then there will be no change.
Page 23: Layer (Sound On Sound) Mode
Layer (Sound on Sound) Mode Layer is very similar to Echo mode in that the first two REC taps defines the size of the Layer. The differences are that there's the option to "grow" the layer size in steps of the original length, and layers can be "undone" by reverting to the previous layer.
Page 24 Using the T/F/C REC input to control Layering The Trigger/Gate/Footswitch input can be used to control the creation and playing of layers in the same way the REC button does. TRIG: To duplicate the buttons functions, switch the input format to TRIG (Trigger). A Clock pulse into the Trigger input will add a layer on every pulse.
Page 25: Peak Slicing Mode
Tweaking Layers Like Echo mode, Layers can be influenced by EQ settings, external filter/processor on the FX side, or just Feedback level. Reducing the Feedback level can reduce clutter over time, dropping the previous layer's level by a certain amount until it's gone. EQ band levels can be adjusted during a layer record to get some great FX, but can also take out the bass clutter frequently ailing any SOS loop but reducing the bass response by a couple of dB.
Page 26: The Play Modes (Fx)
The Play Modes (FX) The Reflex has the ability to Sample, SOS, play, Echo, and sync, but the unusual PlayFX sample "capture" while leaving the original sample proceed in the background won't be found on any other modular sampler. PlayFX allows a sample to be "windowed" over, reversed, sped up/slowed down, enveloped, modulated or Granulized (pitch-shifted, time-shifted) without affecting the playing RP sample or it's position in play in any way.
Page 27: The Pos/Size Miniloop
The POS/SIZE MiniLoop The Position/Size PlayFX Mode is great for panning through a sample without the loop length changing, unless you want it to of course. The loop in POS Mode will always be within the constraints of the original loop from which it was "captured".
Page 28 G-Move can play through the sample or slice loop point seamlessly if PlayFX Loop LED (yellow) is on. If Loop LED is off, then G-Move will exit back to RP sample, or a Slice if the loop was "captured" from a Slice playing. If the Move speed is slow, this can take a while! Pitch shifting, while not tempo locked in any way, can be a great effect to align one note to another, or just crazy up some percussion without changing the tempo with the sample rate.
Page 29: Recording Playfx
Recording PlayFX The Reflex has the ability to Record a PlayFX action, even if taken during Recording an RP sample! This is the way to reverse an echo, or add an effect to an echo or R/P Mode overdub. This example will reverse an echo *Use the P.SEL button to select the ST LED if not already there *Make sure the Play LOOP LED is toggled on *Adjust the Start knob all the way to the right, and the End knob all the way to the left...
Page 30: Slices
Slicing Slicing is probably one of the most powerful features of the Reflex LiveLoop. It can divide up a long sample into useable parts that can be more easily manipulated by PlayFX and related CV's and triggers. Myself, I couldn't imagine a sampler without slicing! Slices can be created while recording, while echoing, while Layering, playing a loop, from a PlayFX playing, or even from other Slices (as a Slice copy function).
Page 31: Slicing Methods
Slicing Methods There are 4 ways that Slices are created, each yielding the same type of slices. Manual Slicing Manual slicing is manually tapping the Slice button to create a slice at a given point in the RP sample playing or recording.
Page 32: Playing Slices
Slice Trigger Input Slicing A forth way to create a Slice is to use the SLICE trigger input. This is a preferred method when a certain size of Slice is desired, and will cut slices evenly (if the trigger is even) so they can be fully played by the same clock/trigger source without looping.
Page 33: Slice Groove (Automation) Sequencer
Slice "Groove" (Automation) Sequencer (SGS) A great stand-alone feature on the Reflex LiveLoop is the Slice Sequencer! The Slice Sequencer is what it sounds like, a built-in sequencer to sequence through Slices. Up to 200 steps can be programmed as easily as tapping the Slice button, and it's time-based, so can be extremely long if desired. On top of this, Slice Sequencer can be programmed by a real sequencer via the SL.CV and SL.PLY jacks, and play through the sequence while the "real"...
Page 34: Slice Modifications Using Playfx
Slice Modifications using PlayFX Slices already created by any method can be modified by using PlayFX. Start/End points, forward or reversed, and pitch (sample rate) can be changed per slice. To modify a Slice follow these easy steps: *Assuming you are in SLICE SEL mode and have a slice playing, use P.SEL to select ST LED (start/end knobs) *Tap PlayFX to capture the Slice into PlayFX.
Page 35 Memory Erase On rare occasions, you may want to initialize and delete the entire sample memory to have a clean slate. For example, the new POS/SIZE PlayFX no longer "scrunches" into the loop end, it can play over the loop limit. If in echo this isn't an issue, but in R/P mode and even Layer Mode it's possible to run into "old"...
Page 36: Other Modes/Features
VII. Other Modes/Features A. EQ (Equalizer) The Reflex LiveLoop has been equipped with a 3 band stereo EQ (actually 2 EQ's) that can be used to tailor feedback and output audio. It is in 1dB steps with +/-15dB on each side so is pretty touchy in the Feedback area! You'll find that you'll be mostly attenuating the 3 bands rather than turning them up.
Page 37: Stutter
B. Stutter Stutter is not a new idea to me, I discovered it way back in the '80's after building my very first sampler. A rather large and power heavy TTL driven beast with a whopping 3 seconds of sampling time was going into a Yamaha CS-10 synth and I accidentally shorted an address pin with some wire.
Page 38: Ratelock
C. RateLock This recent addition to the Reflex allows you to quickly change from unlocked sample rate (default) to locked. Sometimes it's totally desirable to be able to shift the sample rate while echoing, recording, playing samples, but an accidental touch on the Rate knob at the wrong time can be disastrous! -To toggle RateLock from the Settings (power-up) value or back, just hold the MODE button >...
Page 39: Live Pitch Shift
D. Live Pitch Shift This very new feature of the Reflex adds yet another "live" option to use the sampling engine. Using a pitch-shift is especially great with vocals (matching a key) or drums (changing the timbre). The Pitch-Shift mode also allows the variance of tempos without shifting the frequency i.e.
Page 40: Operation
VIII. Operation To fully enjoy your Reflex LiveLoop, here's some deeper explanations of how best to control and set things. Knobs None of the Reflex LiveLoop knobs are purely analog so can change with the function or mode that is enabled at the time.
Page 41 Feedback Knob The Feedback knob controls how much of the Sampler's output gets mixed back into the input. As it is a different entity than the actual AC outputs, it will work the same way regardless of Blend control's setting. By default, the Feedback gain is factory set at just over 100% with the EQ flat and an Echo/delay time of 10mS.
Page 42: Clocking And Syncing
Clocking and Syncing One of the most recent developments in the evolution of the Reflex LiveLoop is the Clock input/output. When using it as an input, an incoming clock will take over the sample Rate control in all 3 modes. The way clock affects the Rate in each of the modes is different.
Page 43: Cv / Trigger Inputs
See Addendums at the end of this manual. There is a "patches" page developing on the Reflex site at http://www.freshnelly.com/reflex/methods.htm most of them dreamed up by yours truly thus far, but we'd like more added by you the user! It's the beauty of modular, there's so many ways to trigger, patch, route, and invent new sounds, it'd be crazy to keep it under wraps.
Page 44: Ix: Advanced Settings And Configuration
Advanced Settings and Configuration Settings Menu There are some non-volatile (power down friendly) user settings that can be changed by you, but take care when inside the settings mode. If you mistakenly enter the Settings mode, dial (with the Rate knob) down to the first LED and tap SLICE SEL to exit without changing.
Page 45: Expansion Port
Slice Groove Sequences are being researched, along with MIDI functionality for more in-depth control. Check the Reflex Site in Support section for updates http://www.freshnelly.com/reflex/reflex.htm Firmware Updates Occasionally, there will be improvements to the Reflex, and these can be uploaded via USB through the Arduino IDE.
Page 46 Addendums As a quick guide, this addendum lists what's new after V.1.02A (July 17 2016) then V,1,03A (Aug 31 2016) then V.1.04A (Sept 21 2016) and the manual has (hopefully) been updated to match new features and/or behaviors. * The newest version at this time is 1.04A. Features and Updates include: Stutter Mode This is a fun stereo mode that was added to the Core recently, and is basically sample Address manipulation via...
Page 47 --V.1.01G (June 27 2016) Features and Updates include:-- PlayFX scrubbing can now be turned off. If in Pos/Size mode, the POS knob's position is only updated on a Loop. This can be slower/difficult to use with large samples, but allows smooth changes Reducing the SIZE while adjusting allows scrubbing behavior.
Page 48 Level Equalization and Option: The Input and Output levels have been balanced to a reasonable equality, in other words the Reflex is no longer loud as was before. The level that goes in will be matched by the level that comes out. This wasn't to reduce noise figure, but to prevent over driving other modules in the chain.
Page 49 --V.1.03A (Aug 30 2016) Features and Updates include:-- -some great improvements to Slice handling, better PlayFX response with Slices and 1-Shot Slice play, as well as Slice Modifier being able to "grow" a Slice if desired. Also, SGS (Slice Groove Sequencer) is now clock-able by simply inputting a clock signal (or any trigger, even non-uniform!) to SLICE input while a SGS is playing.
Page 50 Slice Modifier: Modifying a playing Slice with PlayFX, then saving/updating it, is the same as previous versions (Tap PLAY then REC in < 1 second) but now a Slice can be "grown" to be longer. Turning off Slice LOOP, then entering PlayFX will capture the entire Slice range after the present Slice.
Page 51 To reset SGS back to hand-tapped entry, just hold the SLICE button for 1 second, then re-enter Slice Select and SGS mode. *Note: A maximum of 192 clocks (24 8-clock bars) can be recorded at once, after that it'll roll and over-write. This may be useful if left recording to recall the last 24 1/8 step bars, or 12 1/16 step bars when switched over to SGS play (tap REC button) Clock Playing "Hand-Tapped"...
Page 52 --V.1.04A (Sept 21 2016) Features and Updates include:-- PlayFX Live Pitch-Shifting Finally the Reflex has Live Pitch-Shifting. Live means in real time so could be used with a mic or any audio with very small delays. This minimum delay is defined by the size of the "grain" as this feature uses the G-Move PlayFX mode.