ALM-011 - ‘Akemie’s Castle’ Introduction ‘Akemie’s Castle’ is a dual voltage controlled oscillator with authentic 4 Operator digital FM using ‘new-old-stock’ Yamaha IC’s for audio signal generation. Each of the 4 operators feature independent waveform selection, frequency multiplier and level control via both direct panel operation and voltage control.
ALM-011 - ‘Akemie’s Castle’ Background & Caveats Frequency Modulation (FM) synthesis is an audio synthesis technique where waveforms modulate each other at audio frequencies to produce a wide array of both harmonic and in harmonic sounds. These modulation waveforms are referred to as ‘operators’...
ALM-011 - ‘Akemie’s Castle’ Core Operation Panel Layout Please see next page for a panel diagram. Notes: All jacks are inputs expecting control voltages except the two VCO audio outputs at lower left. Full frequency range output is approx. 0.05Hz to just over 6kHz All inputs expect 0-5v except chord and V/Oct inputs which expect approx.
ALM-011 - ‘Akemie’s Castle’ General Usage Akemie’s Castle is a dual VCO with 4 FM operators. The operators can be combined in various ways (the ‘algorithm’ ) and then routed to each or both VCOs as to produce a tone for the respective VCO.
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ALM-011 - ‘Akemie’s Castle’ In the first algorithm VCO A is an FM combination of operators 1 and 2 whilst VCO B is a mix of operators 3 and 4. In the second this setup is reversed. The next 4 are more complex algorithms using all four operators and various combinations of both serial and parallel connections.
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ALM-011 - ‘Akemie’s Castle’ The right half of the control panel provides controls and inputs for each of the the 4 operators. Each operator section is numbered as to match the algorithm diagrams. Each Operator has 3 Settings; Wave The selected waveform used by the operator. There are 8 different waveforms;...
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ALM-011 - ‘Akemie’s Castle’ Multiplier The multiplication ratio applied to the V/Oct frequency as to then apply to carrier and modulation frequencies within the selected algorithm Ranges increasingly from 1 to 15. Level The amplitude level of the operator. Has a range of 0 to 63. Note it is normal in that;...
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ALM-011 - ‘Akemie’s Castle’ Chords VCO A is able to produce up to 5 voice chords which the V/Oct input providing the root frequency of a selected to chord. The type of Chord is selected by the ‘Chord’ control offset and/or a control voltage at the associated Chord input.
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ALM-011 - ‘Akemie’s Castle’ Further to this Chords may be inverted by applying a voltage to the Chord ‘Inv’ input. Increasing the voltage increases the amount of inversion. Multiple voice chords can increase levels quite dramatically and cause distortion. Be aware of operator level settings - the final one(s) may need lowering when chords mode is enabled.
ALM-011 - ‘Akemie’s Castle’ Patch Ideas Simple Sine Waves Useful for module tuning and calibration (also see trimmers on rear to adjust tracking), the module can simple sine waves with either initial algorithm selected and all chord, feedback, wave and multiplier controls all set fully CCW. Level control set dependant on selected Algorithm.
From the date of manufacture this device is guaranteed for a period of 2 years against any manufacturing or material defects. Any such defects will be repaired or replaced at the discretion of ALM. This does not apply to; • Physical damage arising for mistreating (i,e dropping, submerging etc).
ALM-011 - ‘Akemie’s Castle’ Support For the latest news, additional info, downloads and firmware updates please visit the ALM website at http://busycircuits.com and follow @busycircuits on twitter. Please send any questions or comments to info@busycircuits.com...
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