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ALM046 'MCO (mkII)' Operation
Contents
4.1 Panel Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.2 General Usage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.2.1
Assigning CV, LFO and Envelope Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.3 Common Voice Parameters and Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.3.1
Pitch (Global) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.3.2 Trig in Parameter (Global) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.3.3 Chords (Global) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.3.4 Ext Input . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4.3.5 Presets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4.4 Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4.5 Voice Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
4.5.1
DigiWave - Wavetable Oscillator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
4.5.2 ToneSum - Additive Synthesis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
4.5.3 BC8000 - Variable mode digi synth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
4.5.4 Sylon - Vocoder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
4.5.5 Virtana - 90s Analog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
4.5.6 Oomph - Bass synth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
4.5.7 SID Guts - SID Chip Emulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
7.1
I. Firmware update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
7.2
II. Factory reset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
7.3
III. AXON expanders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Manual
Version 0.1 / Firmware 100
December 2, 2024
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Summary of Contents for ALM ALM046 MCO (mkII)
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Page 1: Table Of Contents
ALM046 ’MCO (mkII)’ Operation Manual Version 0.1 / Firmware 100 December 2, 2024 Contents 1 INTRODUCTION 2 FEATURES 3 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS 4 CORE OPERATION 4.1 Panel Layout ........4.2 General Usage . - Page 2 IV. Uploading custom wavetables ......27 V. Uploading/downloading User Presets & configuration ....27 VI.
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Page 3: Introduction
1 INTRODUCTION The MCO mk II is a highly versatile digital VCO and voice module inspired by 90s/00s digital synths shrunk into just 6HP. It offers a broad collection of unique, high-quality synth voices, each with extensive, cus- tomizable parameters. These parameters can be directly controlled or modulated through assignable internal and external sources. -
Page 4: Features
2 FEATURES • Great collection of unique, varied, and great sounding synth voices each with numerous parameters. • All synthesis voices support up to 4 voice chord and dual outputs. • Built in Envelopes and LFOs for modulation and voice behaviour. •... -
Page 5: Core Operation
4 CORE OPERATION 4.1 Panel Layout V/Oct Trig Volts per Octave pitch input Assignable ‘External’ and ‘Trigger’ Inputs CV 1 CV 2 CV 3 Assignable CV Inputs Y Axis Hi Res Color Display CV2 In Back/Func button Encoder control Out A Out B Outputs 4.2 General Usage The MCO, at its core, functions like any other Eurorack VCO with a V/Oct input for pitch tracking,... - Page 6 Once a program is made active, its last edited parameter screen is displayed. Parameters can be cycled through by turning the program knob. Clicking the knob will highlight the selected parameter for editing, and turning will then set its value from a range of available values (and CV, envelope &...
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Page 7: Assigning Cv, Lfo And Envelope Control
Navigating Stacked Parameters Parameter Stack Selection Made Next Parameter Octave Octave 261.6Hz 261.6Hz 261.6Hz Push Push Selection highlights Remains selected indicating it’s editable for editing Next Parameter Exits Editing Cents Octave 261.6Hz 261.6Hz Push Push Remains selected (Or press back button) for editing At any time, the current parameter on screen can be reset to its default value by double clicking the program encoder. -
Page 8: Common Voice Parameters And Features
as well as inbuilt global LFOs and triggered envelope. With a parameter highlighted, a shortcut for assigning modulation, is holding the back button and twisting the program knob to immediately jump to the modulation assign options. TIP The global ’Mod Sel’ setting allows modulation assignment to be accessible only from this ’key combo’... -
Page 9: Pitch (Global)
having a small globe icon in the top right hand corner. 4.3.1 Pitch (Global) The pitch parameter sets the base frequency of the voice with any voltage patched to the V/Oct input added to it. It consists of 3 settings spread across stacked pages for Octave, Semitone and Cents providing increasingly fine control. -
Page 10: Ext Input
Adding Custom Chords Choose User Chord Selection Made Chord Edit Mode Chord Chord Chord User 1 User 1 User 1 Editing Push Push + Hold Notes highlighted for editing Add Notes Exits Editing Chord Chord User 1 User 1 Editing Twist Push Chord Saved... - Page 11 rameters just like external CV and the built in envelope. Parameters for controlling the rate, shape and mode of each of the internal global LFOs are changed from the settings menu. Each LFO can be set as Free running or to be Reset by a rising edge at the Trig input (NOTE: LFO reset only functions when the Trig in parameter is set to either Trig or Gate input).
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Page 12: Voice Programs
4.5 Voice Programs 4.5.1 DigiWave - Wavetable Oscillator The DigiWave is a wavetable based voice that produces two simultaneous morphing wave- forms from a factory or user uploaded wavetable bank. The waves can be combined in multi- ple different ways with pulse width modulation available across all shapes. A secondary one octave down sub oscillator output is simultaneously available with four possible wave shapes. - Page 13 Out B - Controls the shape of the 1 octave down sub oscillator (present at Out B). Ext Mode - Selects between Hard Sync or FM (frequency modulation) at the External input. • FACTORY DIGIWAVE PRESETS Digit - A sine based sound with mellow harmonics for a vintage wavetable character. Voice - The original MCO formant wave, intended to be used with a gate to trigger the slow ADSR envelope.
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Page 14: Tonesum - Additive Synthesis
4.5.2 ToneSum - Additive Synthesis The ToneSum is an additive based voice that produces a range of physical and organic sound- ing tones entirely from twelve combined sine waves. It allows complex and nuanced tones to be shaped intuitively from familiar EQ and filter style spectrum controls as well as other unique options such as harmonic distribution and detuning. - Page 15 Warm 2 - A second ultra warm emotional tone, intended to be used with a gate to trigger the slow ADSR envelope for instant warm SNES like melodies. Vibes - A classic vibraphone emulation, intended to be used with a gate to trigger the percussive ADSR envelope.
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Page 16: Bc8000 - Variable Mode Digi Synth
4.5.3 BC8000 - Variable mode digi synth The BC8000 is a multimode synthesiser voice inspired by the specialty oscillator types avail- able in the classic JP8000 synthesiser. It can produce an array of different textures and sounds from its Supersaw, Triangle Mod, Noise and Feedback oscillator modes. A built in resonant multimode filter and dedicated pitch-mod LFO make this voice the likely choice for organic and expressive sounds. - Page 17 State Variable Filter Additional controls for a state variable filter available in all modes. – Filter - Selects between low-pass, high-pass, band-pass and notch filter types. – Cutoff - Sets the cutoff frequency of the filter. – Rez - Sets the resonant peak of the filter (narrows the width of the Notch filter). •...
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Page 18: Sylon - Vocoder
4.5.4 Sylon - Vocoder The Sylon is a feature packed vocoder and FFT-based-reconstruction voice that produces rich robotic and harmonic sounds based on any source patched to the MCO’s External input. Sim- ilar to the ToneSum, it includes simple EQ and filter style controls for intuitively designing ex- citing, dynamic vocoder or FFT sounds. - Page 19 Mix parameter. Try selecting a chord for a more musical sound. Vintage - A lower fidelity gritty vintage vocoder sound. Try lowering the quality further for even more vintage buzz. Reverb - Mimics the sound of a short reverb tail. Change the pitch of the vocoder to vary the ’reverb’...
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Page 20: Virtana - 90S Analog
4.5.5 Virtana - 90s Analog The Virtana is a 90s style dual oscillator ’virtual-analog’ synthesiser voice great for producing classic subtractive sounds with bright digital clarity. Along with controls for oscillator wave shapes, tuning and mix, it also includes a resonant low pass filter and special Drift control for adding subtle vintage style pitch instability. - Page 21 Ovrtone - A filtered square tone with subtle 5th overtone and filter modulation from LFO1. Anim8ted - An aggressive animated lead. Intended to be used with a gate to trigger the ADSR envelope set to modulate the filter. Vocal - A droning vocal style tone. Sounds best at mid to higher octave settings. •...
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Page 22: Oomph - Bass Synth
4.5.6 Oomph - Bass synth The Oomph is a one of a kind kick drum and bass synthesiser voice designed to produce pow- erful modern kicks, basses and tonal percussion sounds. It can operate both as a free running bass oscillator or as a drum voice when a ’Trig In’ is assigned to an envelope and a trigger is patched (revealing extra parameters). - Page 23 sound. 909 BD - Warm and punchy, a classic 909 style kick. Set to Pitch near G3 for authentic sound. BitKick - A distorted and bit reduced kick with short decay. Driven - A hyper punchy tonal kick with medium decay. OPLBass - A classic 2 operator FM OPL chip style bass tone.
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Page 24: Sid Guts - Sid Chip Emulation
4.5.7 SID Guts - SID Chip Emulation The SID GUTS voice is a C64 style SID chip emulation based on our (now out of production) SID GUTS and SID GUTS DELUXE modules. This classic voice offers distinct lo-fi digital charm with aliased waves, pitched digital noise, ring mod and a slower update rate that produces idiosyncratic imperfections in the sound for tones reminiscent of classic 80s computer game music. - Page 25 Flute - A sweet mellow lead sound with 80s warmth and aliasing. Intended to be used with a gate to trigger the slow ADSR envelope. NylonSt - A mellow 80s style nylon string guitar emulation. Liftoff - A rocket blast from your favourite 80s game. Sounds most authentic with an LFO or envelope patched to the V/Oct input.
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Page 26: Limited Warranty
By using this product you agree to these terms. 6 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. Any questions? Please visit http://busycircuits.com/support. -
Page 27: Appendix
7 Appendix 7.1 I. Firmware update With the unit unpowered, connect a USB cable from the port at the right side of the PCB to a computer. The module will appear as a standard removable storage device. Copy a valid firmware file to the root directory to update. -
Page 28: V/Oct Calibration
7.6 VI. V/OCT calibration All MCO IIs are shipped with the V/Oct expertly calibrated at the factory. If you wish to recali- brate, please follow instructions. • With the module powered off, disconnect all jacks. • Power on the module with the back button pressed down. Hold until the bar has com- pleted. -
Page 29: Vcv Rack Version
7.7 VII. VCV Rack version ’VCV Rack’ is an open-source cross-platform software based virtual modular environment. A fully featured emulation of the MCO II will be available for purchase via the VCV Rack store: https://library.vcvrack.com/ALM046/ The emulation runs identical core code and has the same user interface as the physical mod- ule.
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