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FutureRetro Vectra Operation Manual

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  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Table of Contents 2. Introduction 3. Definitions 4. Getting Started 5. Connections 6. Front Panel Controls 7. Front Panel Controls Continued 8. Memory Card and Files 9. Load, Save, Delete 10. Assign Parameters 11. Master Settings 12.

  • Page 3: Introduction

    INTRODUCTION Thank you for choosing the Vectra synthesizer. Please take time to read through the entire manual for a complete understanding of the operations and procedures needed to master this instrument. Contents Included with your Vectra synthesizer, you should find an external power supply, micro SD card, and owner’s manual.

  • Page 4: Definitions

    DEFINITIONS The following are definitions and abbreviations of modulation sources and parameters used in the Vectra MODULATION SOURCES Off: No modulation source. Rnd-1: Creates a random value at the start of a single note-on. Rnd-2: Creates a random value at the start of any new note-on.

  • Page 5: Getting Started

    2. Connect the 1/4” unbalanced audio output to a channel input on your studio’s mixer. 3. Press the power switch of the Vectra to turn the unit ON. Avoid touching the keybed, and pitch-bend joystick during the boot up period, as the unit is calibrating these functions.

  • Page 6: Connections

    Information received at the MIDI IN jack can be used to play the internal sounds of the Vectra, or synchronize the playback of the internal sequencer and arpeggiator. Use a MIDI cable to connect this input to the MIDI OUT of an external sequencer or keyboard.

  • Page 7: Front Panel Controls

    OVERVIEW OF FRONT PANEL CONTROLS KEYBOARD The Vectra provides a 29 note capacitive touch keyboard that can produce note-on/off, pitch, velocity, and aftertouch, as well as activate gliding of oscillator pitches, and is also used for data entry for the sequencer and arpeggiator.
  • Page 8 OVERVIEW OF FRONT PANEL CONTROLS SCOPE The smaller display on the front panel is the Scope. This display allows you to visualize the waveforms and modulation signals happening for the most recently selected synthesizer mode. DISPLAY The larger display on the front panel is the main display. This display will show main parameters to be adjusted for all the different modes.

  • Page 9: Memory Card And Files

    If you see these bad files, delete them and then reload only the good files back onto the freshly formatted card. Note: It is not advised to store files on the micro SD card that the Vectra does not use or support.

  • Page 10: Load, Save, Delete

    LOAD / SAVE / DELETE LOAD Press the Load switch to enter the Load mode. Here you can load an individual Sound, Sound and Sequence together, or an individual Sequence. Rotate encoder 1 to select the file to load. You can also press encoder switch 1 to quickly jump to the first or last file. How this works is, if you are at any selection other than 000, pressing the switch will select the 000 file.

  • Page 11: Assign Parameters

    ASSIGN PARAMETERS ASSIGN The Assign mode allows (most) synthesizer parameters to be individually assigned to one of the eight encoders. This allows the most useful parameters for a particular sound patch to all be accessible at the same time while in the Assign mode. These custom control assignments will be stored with each individual sound.

  • Page 12: Master Settings

    Press encoder 1 switch to instantly mute and unmute the output volume. MIDI Rotate encoder 2 to change the MIDI channel the Vectra will send and receive MIDI data on. Press encoder 2 switch to reset the MIDI channel to a value of 1.

  • Page 13: Synthesizer Overview

    SYNTHESIZER OVERVIEW The Vectra provides four oscillators, two noise sources, four ring modulators, a four-channel mixer, five LFO’s, six morphing envelopes, six primary multimode analog filter types, a main analog VCA, and numerous internal modulation routings and VCA’s controlling modulation amounts.

  • Page 14: Oscillators

    OSCILLATORS 1-4 Let’s take a moment to understand the navigation of the Oscillator modes. The six switches to the left-hand side of the front panel access our oscillator parameters and modula- tions. Since there are four oscillators, LFO’s, and envelopes in this section, each of these switches can be pressed repeatedly to select a different number (1-4) of oscillator, LFO, envelope, or modulation.
  • Page 15 OSCILLATOR WAVE 1-4 Digital Waveforms Rotating encoder 1 past the PWM waveform selection, we now enter the digital waveforms numbered 000-500. These single-cycle waveforms come from all sorts of various sources including real instruments, and some of the most sought after vintage analog, digital, wavetable synthesizers, and others that were purposefully drawn, or randomized.

  • Page 16: Oscillator Frequency

    OSCILLATOR WAVE 1-4 Type Press encoder 5 switch to change the waveform modulation Type to Slice or Fade. Slice (or Phase Slice) allows an abrupt jump from playing wave1 to wave2, at any phase from 0-360 degrees for both waveforms. The measurement in degrees is controlled by the modulation amount and source.

  • Page 17: Oscillator Frequency Continued

    Tip: You can set Oscillators 2, 3, and 4 glide value to (1), and they will track the glide time set for oscillator 1. Note: The Vectra uses an autoglide circuit, where notes will glide only when two or more notes are played simultaneously when using the normal monophonic mode. When glide is set greater than 0 in any...

  • Page 18: Oscillator Frequency Modulation

    OSCILLATOR FREQUENCY MODULATION 1-4 Ctrl Rotate encoder 2 to select a source to control the amplitude of the LFO. Press encoder 2 switch to turn this mod source Off. Rotate encoder 3 to select a source to control the amplitude of the Envelope. Press encoder 3 switch to turn this mod source Off.

  • Page 19: Oscillator Lfo

    OSCILLATOR LFO 1-4 Key Tracking Press encoder 1 switch to turn LFO key tracking On/Off. The keyboard icon will show in the top-left of the display when key tracking is turned On, and the frequency of the LFO will follow notes played on the keyboard, and sequencer.

  • Page 20: Oscillator Envelope

    OSCILLATOR ENVELOPE 1-4 This mode sets the initial parameters for the Oscillator Envelopes 1-4. The envelope stages in order are: Delay, Attack, Hold, Decay, Sustain, Release, Repeat/loop. Rotate encoder 1 to set the Attack time of the envelope from 0ms to 14.7 seconds. Press encoder 1 to quickly jump to 0ms, or 14.7 seconds.

  • Page 21: Oscillator Envelope Time Modulation

    OSCILLATOR ENVELOPE TIME MODULATION 1-4 This mode sets the modulated parameters for Oscillator Envelopes 1-4. Applying modulation to these envelope times and levels allows the envelopes to morph from the initial parameter values to the mod parameter values. If an envelope modulation parameter is set to Off, this mod parameter will not morph but instead remain at the initial envelope parameter value.

  • Page 22: Mixer

    MIXER The mixer has two pages of parameters. The first page is always the same, while the second page shows parameters dependant on the mixer’s Type setting. To access the different mixer pages, simply press the Mixer switch. Mixer Source (1-4) Rotate encoders 1-4 to select the audio source for each of the four vector positions of the mixer.
  • Page 23 AUTOMIX / MIXER MOD To access the second page of Mixer settings, simply press the Mixer switch. AUTOMIX Here we will cover the parameters shown for mixer Type settings of Env, One, Key, and Run, where you set the X:Y location for each of the four stages, and the time it takes to fade from each stage to next. X:Y Location Press encoder switch 1-4 to activate and deactivate the X:Y location for each of the four vector mixing stages.
  • Page 24 FILTER Key Tracking Press encoder 1 switch to turn filter key tracking On/Off. When turned On, the keyboard icon will ap- pear in the top-left of the display. The filter’s cutoff frequency will track notes played on the keyboard. Type Rotate encoder 1 to select one of the six primary filter types.

  • Page 25: Filter Lfo

    FILTER LFO Key Tracking Press encoder 1 switch to turn LFO key tracking On/Off. The keyboard icon will show in the top-left of the display when key tracking is turned On. The frequency of the LFO will follow notes played on the keyboard.

  • Page 26: Filter Envelope

    FILTER ENVELOPE This mode sets the initial parameters for the Filter Envelope. The envelope stages in order are: Delay, Attack, Hold, Decay, Sustain, Release, Repeat/loop. Rotate encoder 1 to set the Attack time of the envelope from 0ms to 14.7 seconds. Press encoder 1 to quickly jump to 0ms, or 14.7 seconds.

  • Page 27: Filter Envelope Time Modulation

    FILTER ENVELOPE TIME MODULATION The Filter Envelope is comprise of two pages. The first page sets the initial times and levels for the envelope, while the second page adjust the modulation envelope parameters. To jump from one page to the other, simply press the filter Envelope switch. This mode sets the modulated parameters for the Filter envelope.

  • Page 28: Amplifier Envelope

    AMPLIFIER ENVELOPE This mode sets the initial parameters for the Amplifier Envelope. The envelope stages in order are: Delay, Attack, Hold, Decay, Sustain, Release, Repeat/loop. Rotate encoder 1 to set the Attack time of the envelope from 0ms to 14.7 seconds. Press encoder 1 to quickly jump to 0ms, or 14.7 seconds.

  • Page 29: Amplifier Envelope Time Modulation

    AMPLIFIER ENVELOPE TIME MODULATION The Amplifier Envelope is comprise of two pages. The first page sets the initial times and levels for the envelope, while the second page adjust the envelope modulation parameters. To jump from one page to the other, simply press the Amplifier switch. This mode sets the modulated parameters for the Amplifier Envelope.

  • Page 30: Arpeggiator And Sequencer Overview

    ARPEGGIATOR / SEQUENCER OVERVIEW The Vectra provides an integrated arpeggiator and sequencer, so you can begin arpeggiating and then edit the arpeggiation just like you would a sequence, or be playing a sequence and jump into playing an arpeggiation. All arpeggiator and sequence data is stored with each individual sound file.
  • Page 31 SCALES...
  • Page 32 XPOSE and XSCALE RANGE...
  • Page 33 DIRECTIONS...
  • Page 34 LOOP POINT TIME SIGNATURES...

  • Page 35: Sequencer Parameters

    SEQUENCER PARAMETERS Note: Scale, Xpose, Xscale, and Range values are all entered by using the keyboard. Scale Press encoder 1 to underline the Scale. The keyboard icon will appear in the top-left display to indicate you can press one of the 29 keys on the keyboard to enter the scale. The default scale is Chromatic, which is selected by playing the “CLEAR”...

  • Page 36: Sequencer Show Mode

    SEQUENCER SHOW The Sequencer Show page is where you can see, enter, edit, and manipulate sequence and arpeggiations. Sequencer Modes There are five sequencer modes within this Show page. Press encoder 5 to change the current sequencing mode to: Play, Arp, Fill, Edit, and Real (or Auto). The playback Direction, Loop Point and Time Signature can be changed in all of the sequencer modes, so let’s cover those first.

  • Page 37: Sequencer Play And Arp Modes

    SEQUENCER PLAY AND ARP MODES Now let’s have a look at the other parameters each sequencer modes offer. PLAY Play is a “safe” sequencer mode, where only the sequencer Direction, Loop point, and Time Signature can be changed. In this mode, you can still view sequencer data such as the currently playing Pitch (P), Velocity (V), and Rhythm (R).

  • Page 38: Sequencer Fill Mode

    SEQUENCER FILL MODE FILL The Fill mode allows momentary changes to a sequence, without changing the sequence permanently. This mode can be used in multiple ways to introduce variations for a period before returning to the original programmed sequence. Multiple steps can be selected to fill, as well as different combinations of Pitch, Velocity, and Rhythm parts.

  • Page 39: Sequencer Edit Mode

    SEQUENCER EDIT MODE EDIT The Edit mode allows you to manually edit one or more steps simultaneously, while the sequencer is playing or stopped. First you should define the steps to edit. Step Selection (S) While in Edit mode, the keyboard is always used to control the selection of steps. Steps currently selected to edit will be shown underlined on the bottom row of the display.
  • Page 40 SEQUENCER REALTIME RECORDING REAL Real-time entering of data into the sequence can only occur while the sequencer is playing. Whenever the sequencer is stopped, this mode then becomes AUTO, which will be discussed on the next page. Select the Pitch, Velocity, and Rhythm parts (in any combination) to enter in real-time. When playing new data into the sequence, this new data is always quantized to the nearest step.
  • Page 41 Anytime you play the internal keyboard, MIDI note-on/off, velocity, aftertouch, pitch-bend, and mod- wheel messages will be transmitted to the Vectra MIDI OUT jack so that you can play other MIDI sound modules. When the internal sequencer is playing, these same MIDI values will be sent out as well as MIDI Clock/Start/Stop commands for controlling the playback of other sequencers.

  • Page 42: Specifications

    SPECIFICATIONS OSCILLATORS (1-4) Frequency Range: <0.01 Hz to 16.73 kHz Analog Modeled Waveforms: Sine, Triangle, Sawtooth, Square, Pulse Width Modulated Pulse Width Range: 1% to 99% Pulse Width Modulation Sources: Random1/2, Key1/2, Velocity, Aftertouch, Mod-Wheel, Stick X/Y, LFO, Envelope Digital Waveforms: 500 Number of Digital Waveforms per Oscillator: 2 Waveform Modulation Types: PWM, Slide, Fade Waveform Start: 0 to 255 samples...
  • Page 43 SPECIFICATIONS ENVELOPES (1-4, Filter, Amplifier) Initial Envelope Stages: Delay, Attack, Hold, Decay, Sustain, Release, Repeat/Loop Modulated Envelope Stages: Delay, Attack, Hold, Decay, Sustain, Release, Repeat/Loop Normal Envelope Contours: 5 One-Shot Envelope Contours: 4 Looping: On/Off with repeat time Envelope Times per Stage: 0ms to 14.7 seconds Sustain Level: 0 to 100% Key Sync: on/off (retriggering) Attack Reset: Off/On...
  • Page 44 SPECIFICATIONS ANALOG AMPLIFIER (see also Envelope parameters) Additional Envelope Type: Drone Envelope Amplitude Modulation Control: Off, Random1/2, Key1/2, Velocity, Aftertouch, Mod- Wheel, Stick X/Y, LFO-4, Envelope-4 KEYBOARD / SEQUENCER Keys: 29 Scales: 29 Linear Transpose: -12 to +16 Scale Transpose: -12 to +16 notes Octave Reiterations: -3 to +3 Tempo: 10 to 250 BPM Swing: 50% to 75%...
  • Page 45 Written by Jered Flickinger Copyright 2021 Future Retro Synthesizers...

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