ALM MFX User Manual

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ALM-032 - 'MFX'

Manual Version: 0.11 (ﬁrmware v100 - original release)

ALM032

MFX

USER

GUIDE.

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Page 1 ALM-032 - ‘MFX’ Manual Version: 0.11 (ﬁrmware v100 - original release) ALM032 USER GUIDE.
Page 2: Table Of Contents
ALM-032 - ‘MFX’ Introduction ..................3 Features --------------------------------------------------------------------4 Technical Specifications ----------------------------------------------------4 Operation ...................5 Panel Layout ----------------------------------------------------------------5 General Usage ---------------------------------------------------------------5 Common Program Parameters and Features ----------------------------------7 Programs .....................9 Digi-PCM Echo --------------------------------------------------------------9 Tape-Tech Echo -------------------------------------------------------------11 Crumbular Echo ------------------------------------------------------------12 Ursa Minor Echoverb --------------------------------------------------------13 Pocket PL8 Reverb ----------------------------------------------------------15...
Page 3: Introduction
Check signals and tune oscillators with various utilities. The MFX user interface is designed to be familiar, quick and easy to use. Each program contains a wide range of controllable parameters both directly editable or freely assigned to CV or clocked control.
Page 4: Features
ALM-032 - ‘MFX’ Features • A large collection of effects programs with numerous controllable parameters. • All settings remain between power cycles. • Factory and user saveable presets per effect. • Stereo I/O paths. • 3 freely assignable CV inputs and 1 clock / trigger input.
Page 5: Operation
Stereo Audio Outputs General Usage The MFX provides a browsable selection of effects programs that can each be selected and made active. Once active, a program’s various parameters can be browsed, edited or assigned to CV. The programs have a number of common features as well as unique parameters speciﬁc to their functions.
Page 6 Some effects programs include a parameter for setting internal ‘INT’ or external ‘EXT’ clock. When external clock is enabled, the MFX then follows a clock pulse at the ‘Clk’ input. Additionally, some effect programs repurpose the clock input as a gate input for controlling special functions.
Page 7: Common Program Parameters And Features
As ‘Mix’ is increased, the affected signal is brought in until 100% is reached and no dry signal remains. When using the MFX in a mixer’s send and return, be sure to set ‘Mix’ to 100% wet for the expected behaviour.
Page 8 ﬁrmware updates) Bypassing At any time, the audio processing of the MFX can be bypassed to mute the effect and route the dry input source straight to the outputs. To do so, hold the back button + press the program knob. The word ‘Bypass’ is displayed in the bottom left corner of...
Page 9: Programs
ALM-032 - ‘MFX’ Programs Digi-PCM Echo Mono In → Mono or Stereo Out The ‘Digi-PCM Echo’ is an unapologetically digital delay inspired by early digital rack delays. It includes an assortment of additional features such as external clock sync, ﬁve different delay modes, audio quality settings and wide ranging times.
Page 10 ALM-032 - ‘MFX’ Bandwidth Mod Depth Sets the sampling frequency of the Sets the depth of modulation over the delay line. Doubles delay time with delay time. each step down. Mod Rate Bit Depth Sets the rate of modulation over the Sets bit depth of the delay line.
Page 11: Tape-Tech Echo
ALM-032 - ‘MFX’ Tape-Tech Echo Mono In → Mono Out The ‘Tape-Tech Echo’ is an analog tape style delay with a pitch shifter bolted on. Inspired by gritty vintage tape echo units, it has a darker analog sound. Several unique parameters including tape age and wow + ﬂutter, combined with the built in pitch shifter, make the Tape-Tech a fun and eccentric program.
Page 12: Crumbular Echo
ALM-032 - ‘MFX’ Crumbular Echo Mono In → Mono or Stereo Out The ‘Crumbular Echo’ is a granular type multi-tap delay designed to produce busy clusters of stuttering repeats. With a wide ranging set of parameters, it is capable of producing anything from broken glitch sounds to reverb-like washes of smeared grains.
Page 13: Ursa Minor Echoverb
ALM-032 - ‘MFX’ Ursa Minor Echoverb Mono In → Mono or Stereo Out The ‘Ursa Minor Echoverb’ is a complex, wide ranging multi-tap delay heavily based on a rack unit of a similar name. It is conﬁgurable as either a reverb or an echo and includes 20 different programs (time arrangements for the 8 delay taps).
Page 14 ALM-032 - ‘MFX’ TIPS: 1. Make sure not to overlook the four Tap Level parameters which serve the important purpose of controlling the mix between the 8 taps. 2. There are loads of sounds to discover, don’t forget to try out the many tap arrangements available in both the reverb and echo modes! 3.
Page 15: Pocket Pl8 Reverb
ALM-032 - ‘MFX’ Pocket PL8 Reverb Mono In → Mono or Stereo Out The ‘Pocket PL8 Reverb’ offers all the magic of a massive aluminium plate whilst remaining small enough to ﬁt in your pocket. It is based on early digital reverb algorithms with a dense metallic sound.
Page 16: Almicon Reverb
ALM-032 - ‘MFX’ Almicon Reverb Mono In → Stereo Out The ‘Almicon Reverb’ is a program based on classic 80s high end studio style reverb algorithms. Great for bright small rooms and extending into vast synthetic spaces, the Almicon offers a lush, polished reverb with a classic sound.
Page 17: Quaidra Reverb
ALM-032 - ‘MFX’ Quaidra Reverb Mono In → Stereo Out The ‘Quaidra Reverb’ is a 90s style reverb with a simple, musical set of parameters. It excels at unnaturally large and airy spaces, producing a rich atmosphere from any sound sent through it.
Page 18: Compressor
ALM-032 - ‘MFX’ TY-50 Compressor Stereo In → Stereo Out The ‘TY-50 Compressor’ is a ﬂexible stereo compressor with wide ranging attack and release times that make it great for adding punch, smoothing transients or as a clean mix bus compressor. Compression can range from super subtle to extremely intense, working great to shape any source material patched through it.
Page 19: Transient Shaper
ALM-032 - ‘MFX’ Transient Shaper Stereo In → Stereo Out The ‘Transient Shaper’ is a fast acting dynamics processor for reshaping the attack and release envelope of any sound. Parameters Attack Make Up Gain Shortens or lengthens the attack Sets the ﬁnal output gain of the transients of the incoming signal.
Page 20: Distortion
ALM-032 - ‘MFX’ TH-30 Distortion Stereo In → Stereo Out The ‘TH-30 Distortion’ is a versatile distortion program with a collection of different distortion types ranging from analog style saturation to intense digital wavefolding. A built-in wide ranging tilt ﬁlter allows for emphasis of the high or low frequency content of the distortion.
Page 21: 2051 Bit Corrupter
ALM-032 - ‘MFX’ 2051 Bit Corrupter Mono In → Mono Out The ‘2051 Bit Corrupter’ is a real-time audio buffer designed to imitate malfunctioning digital audio equipment. A large range of low res, rhythmic stuttering and glitch effects can be created with this one of a kind program.
Page 22: Modulating Panner
ALM-032 - ‘MFX’ Modulating Panner Mono or Stereo In → Mono or Stereo Out The ‘Modulating Panner’ is a clock-syncable mono or stereo auto-pan with an additional scan mode that cross fades between 2 input signals. It has a range of uses from adding slow stereo motion to clock-synced rhythmic panning.
Page 23: Ring + Freq Modulator
ALM-032 - ‘MFX’ Ring + Freq Modulator Mono or Stereo In → Mono or Stereo Out The ‘Ring + Freq Modulator’ is a pair of classic modulation effects - ring modulation and frequency shifting - tailored towards otherworldly and dissonant sounds.
Page 24: Ensembles Ensemble
ALM-032 - ‘MFX’ Ensembles Ensemble Mono In → Mono or Stereo Out The ‘Ensembles Ensemble’ is a diverse collection of chorus and ensemble effects based on circuits from the 70s and 80s. It includes many modes inspired by the on-board choruses found in synthesisers like the Juno-60 and Solina. A built in digital pitch shifter takes the effect beyond traditional chorus circuits.
Page 25: Utilities
ALM-032 - ‘MFX’ Utilities Mono In → Mono Out A basic utility program for tuning sources, viewing the incoming waveform and displaying the current ﬁrmware version. Pages Scope Displays a basic rendering of the incoming waveform. Time can be adjusted by clicking and turning the encoder.
Page 26: Limited Warranty
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 mistreatment (i,e dropping, submerging etc).
Page 27: Support
ALM-032 - ‘MFX’ 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 and instagram. Questions? email help@busycircuits.com...
Page 28: Appendix
II. Firmware Updates Remove the MFX from power. Locate the USB C port at the right side of the PCB just below the program knob. Using a standard USB C cable, connect the module directly to a computer.
Page 29: The 'Axon-1' Expander
Squid Salmple. It extends MFX’s functionality by adding 4 additional freely assignable CV inputs that behave exactly like the 3 built-in CV inputs. The ‘AXON-1’ connects to the 6 pin header on the back of the MFX via the supplied keyed cable. Connect before powering the MFX.
Page 30 ALM-032 - ‘MFX’ Axon-1 4HP module provides MFX with 4 additional freely assignable CV inputs. CV is assigned directly from the buttons or from the on-screen list alongside the 3 built in CV inputs. Per assignment digital attenuation and offset is accessed by long...
Page 31: Factory Presets
ALM-032 - ‘MFX’ IV. Factory Presets Digi-PCM Echo PRESET DESCRIPTION Pong Classic L/R ping pong echo for rhythmic widening. Broken Taps Lo-res 8 bit dual tap echo. Drum Resonator Comb ﬁlter style stereo resonators suited for percussion. Tube Flange Negative feedback ﬂanging with a tubular sound.
Page 32 ALM-032 - ‘MFX’ Ursa Minor Echoverb PRESET DESCRIPTION Springy Tonal, full bodied metallic resonator. Landscape Wide, impressionistic background echoes. Diffuser Small space ambience and smear. Particles Fast and restrained stereo trills. Inﬁnite Floating supernatural reverb. Scatter Diffused delayed reverb. Little Star Busy metallic ﬂutter echo.
Page 33 ALM-032 - ‘MFX’ TY-50 Compressor PRESET DESCRIPTION Subtle Bus Light compression for polishing a stereo mix. Tighten Heavy compression for adding glue and punch. Transient Eater Heavy compression for squashing transients. Clicky Sharp compression for emphasising transients. Parallel Comp 50 / 50 mix of the dry signal and an over-compressed version.
Page 34 ALM-032 - ‘MFX’ 2051 Bit Corrupter PRESET DESCRIPTION Connection Error Sputtering data transfer sounds. Beat Repeat Quick glitchy repeats at the end of every bar. Wavetable Generator Generates a real-time wavetable version of the input. Buffer size sets pitch. Random Reversal Randomly reverses segments of the audio.