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IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
Read all the instructions before use.
•
Do not position the module in direct sunlight or in areas
•
subject to heat, moisture, dust, cold or vibration.
Clean the module with a damp cloth while switched off. Do not
•
use solvents or abrasive cleaners.
Do not apply excessive force to any of the switches and knobs.
•
The module is capable of producing audio levels that could
•
cause hearing loss. Do not plug headphones directly into the
audio output of the module. It is Eurorack voltage, which is
substantially higher than headphone voltage. If you experience
ringing in your ears after use, consult an audiologist.
The EEPROM that stores patches has a life of 100,000
•
write/erase cycles. You may find it becomes unreliable after
this. The FRAM that stores user waves has a life of 100 trillion
write/erase cycles.
THE POWER CABLE MUST BE CONNECTED WITH THE RED
•
IDENT FACING DOWN.
Do not attempt to service the module. Contact Soulsby
•
Synthesizers if your Oscitron stops working.
qÜ~åâë=qçW=
Justin Owen (Abstract Data), Oli Horton (DREAMTRAK), James Weiner,
Steve Dawson, Neil Kagan and anyone else who has provided me with
information, advice and their time!
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Table of Contents
Related Manuals for Soulsby Oscitron
Summary of Contents for Soulsby Oscitron
- Page 1 THE POWER CABLE MUST BE CONNECTED WITH THE RED • IDENT FACING DOWN. Do not attempt to service the module. Contact Soulsby • Synthesizers if your Oscitron stops working. qÜ~åâë=qçW= Justin Owen (Abstract Data), Oli Horton (DREAMTRAK), James Weiner,...
- Page 2 Power Requirements: +/-12V via 10-pin IDC connector Current Draw: +12V: 130mA approx., -12V: 70mA approx., +5V: 0mA Width: 14HP Depth: 26mm from back panel, including IDC connector Contents: Oscitron, 4x 10mm M3 screws, 4x 10mm M2.5 screws, 16-pin to 10-pin IDC cable, Quick Ref card, manual...
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Page 3: Table Of Contents
Contents Connections ......................... 3 Basic Operation ......................5 Overview ............................ 5 Function and Value Dials ....................5 Inputs and Output ........................7 Functions ........................11 Waveform Select ........................11 Audio Engine Resolution ....................11 Coarse Frequency ......................12 Quantizer Scale ........................ -
Page 4: Connections
Connections cêçåí= Value Function knob knob Value Function dial dial 1V/Oct input 0-5V Software driven tune knob CV input 0-5V Hardware 0-5V bias knob 1V/Oct input 0-5V Software driven tune knob CV input 0-5V Hardware 0-5V bias knob CV input 0-5V Hardware 0-5V bias knob 0-5V clock input (also -5 - +5V... - Page 5 _~Åâ= ICSP header (not used) FTDI header BLACK 10 pin power IDC...
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Page 6: Basic Operation
8-bit means that the sound is calculated digitally using 8-bit values (integer numbers between 0 and 255). This is how home computers worked in the 1980s and the Oscitron excels at creating these kinds of sounds. However the processor is far more powerful than those in 80s home computers, so it is packed with features never possible in that era. - Page 7 the value dial. The full list of filter types and their corresponding symbols can be found on page 24. RÉÇ=~åÇ=ÖêÉÉå=ãçÇÉë= The function knob can be pushed in and when you do this, it changes from glowing red to green (and vice versa). Each function on the function dial has a green mode, which is activated by briefly pushing the knob (<...
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Page 8: Inputs And Output
See page 17 for more information. fåéìíë=~åÇ=lìíéìí= The Oscitron has 2 1V/Oct inputs. There is an associated tune knob that adjusts the parameter in software. There are 3 CV inputs each with an offset knob. The offset knob adds a 0- 5V bias and can also be used to manually set the relevant parameter when no input is connected. - Page 9 (value knob turns green). The stored waveform is stretched to the current audio engine resolution (see page 11) and outputted after a zero crossing at the output. This is at the pitch defined by the oscillator frequency parameters (1V/Oct input, fine &...
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Page 12: Functions
The resolution of the Atmegatron is locked at 32 sample waveforms. The Oscitron can be set to 16, 32, 64 and 128 sample waveforms (value = 0,1,2,3 respectively). -
Page 13: Coarse Frequency
To reset the currently selected waveform back to the factory preset, press the Function knob for a short time (< 2 secs). Setting the Function dial to Waveform Select and incrementing then decrementing the Value knob can restore the User Wave. To save the factory preset: press and hold the Function knob until it flashes, as detailed above. -
Page 14: Quantizer Scale
Value dial Input Calib Voltage MIDI note equiv Freq 1.25V D#2-77.78Hz Freq 3.75V A4-440Hz Filter Freq 1.25V D#2-77.78Hz Filter Freq 3.75V A4-440Hz Then press and hold the Function knob until it flashes, whilst holding the value knob. Make sure both the low and high voltages are calibrated. nì~åíáòÉê=pÅ~äÉ= The frequency of the oscillator can be quantized to a given scale. -
Page 15: Minimum Sample Length
However this input is incredibly versatile and can be used to control virtually any parameter of the Oscitron. It can also receive 0-5V CV inputs as well as clock pulses. The routing of this input is stored as a global setting. - Page 16 If you are used to using analogue synthesizers you will notice that the filters on the Oscitron sound a bit different, particularly at low cutoff values. This is partly to do with the sound being calculated in 8-bit and partly to do with the way the waveform is updated.
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Page 17: Wave Crusher
The symbol for the Wave Crusher demonstrates this process on a sine wave. There are 15 useful combinations of bit depth and sample rate reduction in the Oscitron. See page 26 for a list of them. When the value knob is at 0, the Wave Crusher is off. -
Page 18: Load/Save Patch
The Oscitron has 16 memory locations to store patches (sounds). To load a patch, set the function dial to Load/Save Patch and set the value dial to the patch number that is to be loaded. Then briefly press the function knob. -
Page 19: Inputs
Many classic analogue synthesizers have a pulse width parameter. Traditionally this controls the mark/space ratio of a square wave. The Oscitron’s pulse width parameter works in a similar way and is the ratio of sound to silence within the waveform. The diagram below shows Pulse Width applied to a sine wave at 0%, 25% and 75%. -
Page 20: Filter Res
frequency is the sum of the 1V/Oct input, the coarse offset and the oscillator frequency. cáäíÉê=RÉë= This is a 5V CV input that controls the resonance of the filter. The Offset knob adds a 0-5V bias to the CV input. mÜ~ëÉê= This is a 5V CV input that controls the delay time of the Phaser. -
Page 21: Hacking
Hacking Green Black 6 pin header The fastest way to learn how to upload software to the Oscitron is to go to: http://www.soulsbysynths.com/tutorials and watch the “Uploading Oscitron Software” tutorial. To program the Oscitron you will need a USB TTL Serial Cable. The FTDI TTL-232R-5V is recommended and is available from the Soulsby Synthesizers web store. -
Page 22: System Diagram
System Diagram... -
Page 23: Audio Waveforms
Audio Waveforms Pure Square Metal 1 Oct. Square Metal 2 (Juno 60) Square Fifths Metal 3 Pulse Wave Metal 4 (RP2A07) (PPG) Pure Saw Vocal 1 Buzz Saw Vocal 2 Saw Fifths Vocal 3 (Juno 60) (PPG) Octave Saw Brass (Juno 60) (Multivox) Sub Sine +... -
Page 24: Quantize Scales
Quantize Scales Scale Chromatic Major Harmonic Minor Natural Minor Whole Tone Diminished Pentatonic Blues Hexatonic Blues Heptatonic Major Triad Minor Triad Diminished Seventh Augmented Triad Root + Fifth Root... -
Page 25: Filter Types
Filter Types Cutoff and Filter Bypassed Resonance controls inactive Low Pass Filter High Pass Filter Band Pass Filter Notch Filter Parametric EQ (10dB gain) Parametric EQ (30dB gain) Parametric EQ (100dB gain) Low Shelf (10 dB gain) Low Shelf (30dB gain) High Shelf (10dB gain) High Shelf... -
Page 26: Clock Input Global Settings
Clock Input Global Settings Routing Input Type Initiate sampling Increment Waveform Select Increment Audio Engine Resolution Clock Increment Quantize Scale / Portamento Time 5V pulse Increment Filter Type Increment Wavecrusher setting Increment Patch Select Waveform Select (0-5V = red bank 0 – green bank 15) Select Audio Engine Resolution Select Coarse Pitch and Range (0-5V = low range 0 –... -
Page 27: Wave Crusher Presets
Wave Crusher Presets Bit Depth Sample Rate Reduction Reduction 3 bit Full 2 bit Full 1 bit Full 4 bit 3 bit 2 bit 1 bit 4 bit 3 bit 2 bit 1 bit 4 bit 3 bit 2 bit 1 bit... - Page 28 Poly Brominated Diphenyl ethers (PBDE) 0.1% WARRANTY Soulsby Synthesizers warrants that, for the warranty period set out in paragraph 2 below, the enclosed product will be free from defects in material and workmanship, and agrees that it will, at its sole discretion, either repair or replace any defective...
- Page 29 Should the unit be dead on arrival, or if the hardware malfunctions within 2 weeks of the original purchase date, Soulsby Synthesizers will cover the shipping. This limited warranty is granted to you by Soulsby Synthesizers, 69a Napier Road, London, UK. N176YG.
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