Page 1 User manual Version 1.8 Page 1...
Page 2 Expert Sleepers Ltd. Expert Sleepers Ltd assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or inaccuracies that may appear in this document. Expert Sleepers® is a registered trade mark in the UK, the European Union, and the United States. Page 2...
Page 3: Table Of Contents
Table of Contents Introduction..............................7 Preamble..............................7 What does it do?............................8 What is it not?............................8 Getting started............................9 Example presets............................9 Installation..............................9 Controls..............................14 Navigation..............................15 Inputs and outputs..........................19 USB................................20 MIDI connections..........................20 MicroSD card............................21 Signal flow.............................28 Algorithm specifications........................29 Sample rate and buffer size........................30 CPU usage/overload..........................30 Preset editor/routing analyser.........................31 Menu reference............................32 Algorithms menu............................33 Presets menu............................34...
Page 4 Attenuverter............................60 Audio recorder............................62 Augustus Loop............................64 Auto-calibrator............................71 Auto-sampler............................73 Bit Crusher.............................76 Chaos..............................78 Chorus (Vintage)............................80 Clock..............................81 Clock divider............................84 Clock multiplier.............................86 Convolver...............................87 Crossfader..............................90 Debouncer..............................92 Delay (Mono)............................93 Delay (Stereo)............................95 Delay (Tape)............................97 Delayed Function...........................99 Dream Machine............................102 EQ Parametric............................106 Envelope (AR/AD)..........................108 ES-5 Encoder............................111 ESX-8CV Combiner..........................112 Euclidean patterns..........................114 Filter bank............................116 Granulator............................119 Kirbinator.............................128...
Page 5 Macro Oscillator 2..........................155 MIDI Player............................158 Mixer Mono............................162 Mixer Stereo............................164 Noise gate.............................166 Noise generator............................168 Notes..............................169 Oscilloscope............................170 Pitch reference............................172 Pitch Shifter............................174 Poly CV..............................176 Poly FM...............................179 Poly Multisample..........................182 Poly Resonator.............................185 Poly Wavetable............................188 Quantizer..............................193 Resonator.............................198 Reverb..............................201 Reverb (Clouds)...........................203 Sample and Hold..........................205 Sample player............................206 Saturation.............................209 Shift Register Random.........................210 Slew rate limiter...........................213 Spectral Freeze.............................215...
Page 6 USB audio (from host).........................243 USB audio (to host)..........................244 VCA/Multiplier............................245 VCF (State Variable)...........................246 VCO with waveshaping........................248 VCO - wavetable..........................251 Vocoder..............................253 Waveform Animator..........................255 UI Scripts.............................257 MIDI SysEx reference.........................258 I2C reference............................266 Updating the firmware.........................268 Acknowledgments..........................273 Page 6...
Page 7: Introduction
And most of all, buy your modules from them too. Preamble The disting NT is the latest in the line of modules from Expert Sleepers that started with the original disting in 2014, which performed one of 16 very different functions at the turn of a knob. This concept has evolved through the disting mk3 (2015) –...
Page 8: What Does It Do
What is it not? The disting NT is not a “virtual modular”. There are no virtual cables flying around. It simply collects together a variety of functions that are useful in the context of a modular synthesizer and makes it possible to use a number of them at once.
Page 9: Getting Started
Getting started First, carefully read the installation instructions below. Then, at least skim the ‘Navigation’ section. This will enable you to load some of the example presets from the MicroSD card. You might like to watch this quickstart video before going much further, which was made to help get new users up and running.
Page 10: Physical Dimensions
Power requirements The disting NT draws 211mA on the +12V rail, and 96mA on the -12V rail, when idling. The actual power consumption is heavily dependent on how many input and output socket LEDs are lit. Each fully illuminated socket draws about 4mA (from the +12V rail or -12V rail depending on the polarity), so you could in theory pull another 72mA, but that is highly unlikely to occur in actual use –...
Page 11 ES-5 Encoder and ESX-8CV Combiner algorithms (below). MIDI Connect a MIDI breakout to the header on the back of the disting NT marked J10 MIDI. MIDI can be used to remotely control the algorithm parameters, to share clocks, and to play notes in the synthesizer algorithms etc.
Page 12 CVM-8 If you feel the need for more CV inputs on the disting NT, please take a look at the CVM-8 , which has eight inputs and can connect via MIDI, I2C, or the Select Bus. Using the included breakout module The disting NT is supplied with a “Tiny MIDI Breakout”...
Page 13 There is a video showing how to connect the breakout here The diagrams below shows typical connections when using the breakout for MIDI and audio. The wire colours match those shown in the video. Jumpers/switches The jumper on the board labelled J12 SELECT BUS connects the module’s Select Bus circuitry to the power bus’s CV line.
Page 14: Controls
“Normal” to boot normally after installing new firmware. See below for a description of the usual firmware update procedure. Controls The disting NT has three pots, two encoders, and four pushbuttons. The pots and encoders also have a pushbutton action. Page 14...
Page 15: Navigation
The controls are unlabelled, on the basis that their function can be and is completely redefined in software. Popup help can be displayed on the display to help you keep track. In this manual, we will simply refer to “the left pot”, “the centre pot”, and “the right pot”; similarly, “the left encoder”...
Page 16 Menus You can easily tell when you’re in the menu system because there will be a dotted line border around the screen. Button 1 enters the menu system; it also immediately exits the menu system if pressed while you’re anywhere in the menus. The left encoder navigates the menu: turn it to select a submenu or menu item, and press it to descend one level.
Page 17 Algorithms overview Here you can see all the algorithms running, in a list starting with the module inputs at the top, and flowing down to the module outputs at the bottom. Turning the left encoder or the left pot scrolls through the algorithm list. The ‘current algorithm’...
Page 18 The pot uses a form of ‘soft takeover’ rather than jumping to the value that corresponds directly to the knob position. When a new parameter is selected for editing, turning the pot clockwise will always increase the value, and turning it anticlockwise will always decrease the value, wherever the pot happens to be.
Page 19: Inputs And Outputs
Inputs and outputs The disting NT's input and output jack sockets are illuminated, lighting red for positive voltage and blue for negative voltage. (Audio-rate signals appear purple, since you see a rapid alternation of positive and negative.) The sockets are 3.5mm TS jacks. Do not use TRS cables.
Page 20: Usb
- or even to connect them to a single socket, as a stereo TRS output. The module has a type C USB socket to the left of the display. The disting NT is a High Speed USB 2.0 device. It is not a USB host.
Page 21: Microsd Card
The ‘Select Bus protocol’ specifies certain messages to be used for preset saving and recall, which are combinations of MIDI program change and CC messages. The disting NT currently does not implement this protocol at all – it simply uses the Select Bus as a MIDI connection. It is particularly convenient since no additional cables are required –...
Page 22: Card Format
Card format The disting NT requires the card to be formatted as FAT32 or exFAT. If you need to format a card, we recommend that you use the formatting tool provided by the SD Association, which you can download here Card content Nothing on the card is actually required for the module to operate;...
Page 23 MTS (MIDI Tuning Standard) MTS can be used live, over a MIDI connection, or via SysEx dump files. The disting NT supports reading MTS bulk SysEx dumps from the card. Such files will be exactly 408 bytes in size, and should be put in the ‘MTS’...
Page 24 The current firmware supports up to 1000 folders of 1000 files each. Presets The disting NT uses JSON format for presets. As such they are human readable, and if necessary can be manipulated using a simple text editor, though this is not something we expect most users to do.
Page 25 NT. Look at the samples on the card provided with the module for some examples. The filenames are examined for various patterns, all starting with an underscore (‘_’), to set various properties of the files.
Page 26 The disting NT supports reading loop information embedded in the WAV file. If this information is not present, any playback that loops the sample simply loops the whole file. The disting NT looks for 'cue ' chunks and 'smpl' chunks. Which of these your files contain will 29 https://github.com/expertsleepersltd/distingEX_tools 30 https://github.com/expertsleepersltd/sf2_to_dex...
Page 27 depend on the authoring software. When interpreting a 'cue ' chunk, loops are inferred either from markers or regions, as follows: 1 marker point in file Marker is assumed to be loop start; loop is from the marker to the end of the sample.
Page 28: Signal Flow
Signal flow The disting NT implements a very straightforward scheme for passing signals around the system. There are no virtual patch cables or hidden paths between algorithms. All algorithms process data from, and to, a selection of ‘busses’...
Page 29: Output Mode
Algorithms can be independent The module is not restricted to running a single signal chain, from inputs to outputs. Implicit in the above bus scheme is the fact that algorithms can work on any bus, no matter where they are in the stack.
Page 30: Sample Rate And Buffer Size
audio channels of a mixer. Some algorithms have no specifications; currently, the highest number of specifications that any algorithm has is two. Specifications are set when initially adding an algorithm. If necessary, they can be changed later via the menu. Changing specifications interrupts audio, as it’s essentially causing the entire preset to be rebuilt.
Page 31: Preset Editor/Routing Analyser
● Removing an algorithm. ● Respecifying an algorithm. ● Bypassing an algorithm. ● Loading a preset or simply doing ‘New preset’. Preset editor/routing analyser There is a web-based tool in our GitHub repository (here ) for editing presets. This is very much a work-in-progress, but useful nonetheless.
Page 32: Menu Reference
Menu reference The pages that follow describe the disting NT’s menus. Page 32...
Page 33: Algorithms Menu
Algorithms menu The Algorithms menu is where you interact with the list of algorithms that makes up a preset – adding/removing algorithms, reordering them etc. In general the operations here apply to the ‘current’ algorithm, that is to say, the one highlighted in the algorithm overview.
Page 34: Presets Menu
Respecify algorithm Allows you to change an algorithm’s specifications, while maintaining its parameters and position in the list. As in the ‘Add algorithm’ menu, a memory gauge is shown. You cannot respecify an algorithm if doing so will cause its memory usage to exceed that available. Respecifying an algorithm may add or remove parameters (for example, respecifying the mixer will add or remove parameters to reflect the change in the number of mixer channels).
Page 35 Load disting EX preset Lets you choose a disting EX preset file and attempt to load it as a disting NT preset. At the time of writing, this will only succeed for disting EX ‘Poly Wavetable’ presets. If you have disting EX presets...
Page 36: Mappings Menu
Author name Lets you set a name that will be saved in presets as the “author”. Mappings menu Video The Mappings menu is where you set up remote control of algorithm parameters by CVs, MIDI, and I2C. Any parameter can be controlled by any combination of these. Also, any control source can control as many algorithm parameters as you like.
Page 37 The items that can be set up per mapping are as follows: Parameter Chooses the parameter to map. Source Chooses the CV source – ‘Own inputs’, ‘Module inputs’, or the outputs of one of the algorithms in the preset. Chooses the CV source bus. Unipolar? If set, the CV is clamped to 0V (i.e.
Page 38: Settings Menu
Relative CC? If no, the CC is a standard 0-127 value that directly sets the parameter. If yes, the CC is an up/down relative movement. Some MIDI controllers support this scheme as an alternative to soft takeover (see below). Sets the minimum parameter value that the mapping will set. Sets the maximum parameter value that the mapping will set.
Page 39 Display contrast Sets the display contrast (brightness). Display flip Allows you to flip the display and so use the module upside down. Screensaver (minutes) Sets the number of minutes after which the screensaver will kick in. Button 4 function Chooses the menu to which button 4 is a shortcut when in the single algorithm view.
Page 40 The option for “Breakout to Breakout” means that MIDI arriving on the breakout MIDI in will be passed to the breakout MIDI out. MIDI CC soft takeover If enabled, the disting NT supports the familiar 'soft takeover' paradigm for MIDI CCs, to avoid Page 40...
Page 41: Real Time Clock
CC changes, just like it is for front panel knob changes. Note that the disting NT also supports ‘relative’ MIDI CCs, which do away with the need for soft takeover. If a mapping is set to use relative CCs (see above), the soft takeover setting has no effect on MIDI Program Change If enabled, the module responds to MIDI Program Change messages by loading a preset.
Page 42 Calibration This menu contains various functions related to the calibration of the module. The module requires accurate calibration so that it can receive and generate accurate voltages and translate them to/from software. The module is calibrated at the factory, so you shouldn’t need to worry about doing it yourself. If you do decide to calibrate the module yourself, you will need an accurate source of a +3V reference voltage.
Page 43: Factory Reset
be very close to zero when no patch cables are connected. The readings here will only be accurate if the module is well calibrated. Audio recordings folder This setting allows you to choose the folder for new recordings made by the Audio recorder algorithm.
Page 44: Midi Monitor
If you connect the disting NT to a computer while in this mode it will appear as a removable drive, just as if you’d plugged in a USB thumb drive or portable harddrive. You can use this to manage files on the card without having to remove the card from the module and plug it into a MicroSD adaptor on your computer.
Page 45: Reset State
The ‘Show Clocks’ option selects whether to include MIDI clock messages (F8h) in the display, which tend to flood out any useful information if shown (unless, of course, you’re actually checking whether you’re receiving clocks or not). I2C monitor Runs an I2C monitor, showing the I2C messages that the module is receiving as text. MIDI This menu contains a couple of MIDI utilities.
Page 46: Common Algorithm Features
Common algorithm features A number of the disting NT algorithms share some features, which are described below. Bypass All algorithms have a ‘Bypass’ parameter. When enabled, the algorithm’s processing is completely skipped, and it consumes no CPU. When bypassed, an algorithm appears in the overview ‘grayed out’.
Page 47 Simply choose the files you want to use via the ‘Scala .scl’ and ‘Scala .kbm’ parameters. The ‘Scala .kbm’ parameter has another option, which is ‘Automatic’. In this case, a .kbm file is not required, and the algorithm constructs the equivalent information from two further parameters, ‘Auto kbm root’...
Page 48: Common Polysynth Features
1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 C D E F♯ G♯ A♯ Common polysynth features A number of the disting NT algorithms are “polysynths”, and share some features, which are described below. CV/gate setup Polysynths can use up to 6 input busses as gates. Each gate can use up to 11 input busses as CVs. The CV busses follow immediately after the gate bus e.g.
Page 49 MIDI channels for MPE are set using the ‘MIDI channel’ and ‘MPE channels’ parameters. The ‘MIDI channel’ sets the MPE common channel (typically channel 1). The ‘MPE channels’ parameter sets the range of channels that will be used for notes. If the common channel is 1, then the note channels will be from 2 up to a maximum.
Page 50 Chord/arp parameters Name Default Unit Description Enable Enables the chord generator and chooses which variant to use. The options are ‘Off’, ‘Shape’, and ‘SATB’. Sets the key of the chord (C, D , D, etc.). Mode Sets the mode, that is, the rotation of the notes within the scale.
Page 51 Break time 0 1000 The 'break' time for chords. See below. Break dir The 'break' direction. See below. Chord shapes The available shapes are as follows. Name Notes (within scale) Example (in C major) None Octave 1-1(8ve) C C(8ve) Two Octaves 1-1(8ve)-1(15ma) C C(8ve) C(15ma) Root/Fifth...
Page 52 Arvo Pärt. They make most sense when the cantus firmus is the alto part, which we will assume here – if not, the voices are calculated as explained and then simply permuted so what we call the alto here is the desired voice. The bass voice is simply chosen as one octave below the alto.
Page 53: Sustain Mode
Random3 The notes in the chord are played in a random permutation, then another random permutation, and so As Played Notes are played according to the order of their CV inputs. The “-8ve” modes differ from the basic modes in how they treat the Range parameter (above), for shapes which end in “+8ve”.
Page 54: Plug-Ins
Plug-ins As well as the various options for scripting (e.g. Lua Script algorithm, below), the disting NT supports bona fide plug-ins via a C++ API. Here we’ll focus on installing and load plug-ins from a user perspective, not on developing them.
Page 55 We have created such an “architecture” to allow Faust programs to be compiled for the disting NT. This is currently in our GitHub...
Page 56 It’s early days for Faust on the disting NT – if you have any experience to share, or thoughts on future development, please let us know. Currently it works quite well for audio effects (reverbs, filters etc.) and you’ll find working examples of these in our GitHub.
Page 57: Algorithm Reference
Algorithm reference The pages that follow detail the various algorithms available. Page 57...
Page 58: Accent Sweep
Accent sweep “AD envelope with variable peak” File format guid: 'acsw' Specifications: None Description This algorithm recreates a very specific aspect of the Roland TB-303’s circuitry. There is a lengthy write-up on it on the Devil Fish page here , but essentially it creates an AD (attack/decay) envelope which will reach a higher maximum level if repeatedly triggered.
Page 59: Routing Parameters
Discharge kΩ The value of the discharge resistor. kΩ The value of the potentiometer. Capacitance 10.0 µF The value of the capacitor. Routing parameters Name Default Unit Description Input The bus to use as input. Output The bus to use as output. Output The standard Add/Replace mode selector as mode...
Page 60: Attenuverter
Attenuverter “Attenuates and offsets signals” File format guid: 'attn' Specifications: ● Channels, 1-12: The number of bus channels to process. Description This simple algorithm scales and offsets signals. It is probably most useful for CVs, but can be used for audio as well. The signal is scaled and then offset i.e.
Page 61 Page 61...
Page 62: Audio Recorder
Audio recorder “Records audio to the MicroSD card” File format guid: 'wavr' Specifications: ● Max files, 1-10: The maximum number of simultaneous files to record. Description This algorithm records WAV files to the MicroSD card. A typical use for this would be to record the module’s inputs, but any bus can be the source for a recording, so you could also record the output of other algorithms - for example, you could run a mixer and record the stereo mix-down.
Page 63 Parameters Name Default Unit Description Record Starts/stops recording. Play Starts/stops playback. Record lock 0 If on, changes to the Record parameter are ignored. Play lock If on, changes to the Play parameter are ignored. Bit depth Chooses the bit depth for recording. The options are 16, 24, or 32 bit.
Page 64: Augustus Loop
Specifications: ● Max delay time, 1-44 seconds: The maximum delay time. Description Augustus Loop is a disting NT implementation of one of Expert Sleepers' oldest products, the VST plug-in of the same name (here ). Essentially, it's a tape-inspired stereo delay.
Page 65: Delay Parameters
There are four 'tape read heads' with independent delay times and stereo positions, allowing for straight stereo delays, ping pong delays, or hybrid multi-tap style effects. The display shows the feedback amount bottom left and the delay time bottom right. The centre area shows an animation indicating the tape direction and speed.
Page 66: Mix Parameters
R-L Level Scales the amount of the delayed right signal mixed into the left feedback path. R-R Level Scales the amount of the delayed right signal mixed into the right feedback path. Mono-ize Reduces the stereo width of the incoming signal. At zero the signal is reduced to mono, at a pan position set by the 'Initial pan' parameter.
Page 67 Inertia 1000 The fade time to use when in Inertia free mode. fade time Pitch CV The CV input to use for pitch. input Pitch LFO Sets the speed of the pitch modulation LFO. speed Pitch LFO Sets the depth of pitch modulation by the LFO. depth Clear loop When on, instigates a rapid clear of the delay...
Page 68: Tap Tempo
required change the delay time. See below. Routing parameters Name Default Unit Description Left input Sets the bus for the left input. Right input 1 Sets the bus for the right input. Left output 1 Sets the bus for the left output. Right Sets the bus for the right output.
Page 69: Effects Loop
Two taps are required to set the delay time. Taps more than 11 seconds apart are ignored. Clocks required When using the clock input, the algorithm's default behaviour is to follow every clock pulse and immediately change the delay time. This is appropriate if you're using a clock with variable timing (perhaps the gate output from a sequencer rather than a clock per se).
Page 70 Simple ideas include putting external VCAs in the loop to control the amount of feedback. Or you could put other delays, reverbs, or pitch effects (e.g. chorus) into the loop. Putting a pitch shifter into the loop gives you the classic “pitch spiralling off to infinity” sound. The two options for the effects loop position are 'Pre-Filter' and 'Post-Filter', which as you might expect places the external loop either before or after the filter, giving you the option of filtering before you send the audio to the external effects, or filtering the result that comes back in.
Page 71: Auto-Calibrator
When discussing this process we may say “calibrate an output” or “calibrate a VCO” but what is really being calibrated is the combination of the disting NT output and the VCO. Both may in fact be perfectly well calibrated, in terms of tracking, but the absolute pitch of a VCO is usually determined by a physical tuning knob (not to mention temperature and other factors) and so is hard to know precisely.
Page 72 CV input The pitch CV input bus. CV output The pitch CV output bus. Always uses “Replace” output mode. Audio input 1 The audio input to use during calibration. Page 72...
Page 73: Auto-Sampler
Auto-sampler “Creates multisamples” File format guid: 'auto' Specifications: None Description This algorithm allows you to automatically create multi-sampled instruments in a format that can be used by the Poly Multisample algorithm, by triggering an external synth (by MIDI or CV/gate) and recording the resulting audio.
Page 74: Outputs Parameters
Outputs parameters Name Default Unit Description CV output The pitch CV output bus. Gate The gate output bus. output MIDI The MIDI output port (None, Breakout, Select Bus, output USB, Internal). MIDI The output MIDI channel. channel Setup parameters Name Default Unit Description...
Page 75 Activate parameters Name Default Unit Description Activate Activates auto-sampling when on. Test When on, triggers a note so you can test the timing parameters (Length and Gap) and the latency. Latency When you activate the Test note, the module listens for incoming audio and measures the delay (latency) between generating the note (sending MIDI or outputting a gate) and receiving audio.
Page 76: Bit Crusher
Bit Crusher “Sample rate and bit depth reduction” File format guid: 'btcr' Specifications: None Description This algorithm is an implementation of the disting mk4 algorithm of the same name. You may like to review the video about that algorithm, which is here The algorithm is a 'bit crusher' - it applies sample rate and sample depth reduction to deliberately introduce quantisation and aliasing artefacts.
Page 77 The ‘Mangling’ parameter selects the bit mangling mode. ‘Mangling’ value Bit mangling None Bit swap variant 1 Bit swap variant 2 Bit swap variant 3 Bit rotation Previous sample XOR variant 1 Previous sample XOR variant 2 Previous sample XOR variant 3 Crush parameters Name Default...
Page 78: Chaos
Chaos “CVs from the Lorenz equations” File format guid: 'xaoc' Specifications: None Description This algorithm generates chaotic CVs according to the Lorenz equations or Rössler equations Each generates three CVs, named X, Y, and Z, which are available on separate outputs. You can modify the parameters of the Lorenz equation –...
Page 79 Reset When this parameter is set to 1, the system is reset to initial conditions. Scale/offset parameters Name Default Unit Description X scale -20.0 20.0 10.0 The scale of the X output. X offset -20.0 20.0 An offset added to the X output. Y scale -20.0 20.0...
Page 80: Chorus (Vintage)
Chorus (Vintage) “Chorus effect based on an 80s polysynth” File format guid: 'junc' Specifications: None Description This algorithm is a stereo chorus effect, modelled on that of the classic Juno-6 polysynth, based on measurements of the author's own unit. Those with keen ears may recognise it as the chorus that is built into the Poly Wavetable algorithm on the disting EX.
Page 81: Clock
Clock “Generates clocks” File format guid: 'clck' Specifications: ● Outputs, 1-8: The number of clock outputs to generate. Description This algorithm produces and/or receives analogue clock pulses and/or MIDI clock. It is designed to synchronise the module with others, or with other devices that it communicates with via MIDI, or simply to be a source of clock pulses for other algorithms within the module.
Page 82 Time sig The time signature denominator: one of 1, 2, 4, 8, or denominato Clock input The external clock input. Run/stop The run/stop input for the external clock. input Output to If on, send MIDI clock to the breakout. breakout Output to If on, send MIDI clock to the Select Bus.
Page 83 Clock divisors The following options are available for the ‘Divisor’ parameter: 1/64T, 1/32T, 1/32, 1/16T, 1/16, 1/8T, 1/8, 1/4T, 3/16, 1/4, 1/2T, 3/8, 1/2, 1/1T, 3/4, 1/1, 3/2, 2/1, 3/1, Page 83...
Page 84: Clock Divider
Clock divider “Divides clocks” File format guid: 'clkd' Specifications: ● Channels, 1-8: The number of clock channels to process. Description This algorithm is a simple clock divider, outputting slower clocks from a faster one. The channels can use completely independent clocks, or share clocks. There is a shared reset input and a per-channel reset input.
Page 85 mode described above. Page 85...
Page 86: Clock Multiplier
Clock multiplier “Multiplies clocks” File format guid: 'clkm' Specifications: None Description This algorithm is a simple clock multiplier, generating a faster clock from a slower one. The output clock rate is updated on every clock received, except that the clock duration is limited to at most double each time.
Page 87: Convolver
Convolution is notoriously CPU-intensive, and the disting NT is a resource-constrained embedded system – you should not expect to achieve the same results as you might in the latest new fangled convolution reverb plug-in in your DAW, with orders of magnitude more CPU power and RAM.
Page 88 Sample rate: the disting NT's algorithms all run at 48kHz. However, by downsampling to a lower sample rate internally, a given time's worth of audio is cheaper to process and a longer impulse time can be achieved, at the expense of the bandwidth of the processed audio.
Page 89: Mix Parameters
Latency Sets the processing latency (5ms, 11ms, 22ms, or 43ms). Sample rate 0 Sets the processing sample rate (48kHz, 24kHz, 12kHz, or 6kHz). Partitions Allows you to fine tune the maximum impulse length, and consequently the CPU usage. Mix parameters Name Default Unit...
Page 90: Crossfader
Crossfader “Crossfades signals” File format guid: 'xfad' Specifications: None Description This algorithm crossfades between two sets of signals (from mono up to two sets of eight channels). Three different crossfade curves are available: ● Equal gain - Appropriate for crossfading phase-coherent material. ●...
Page 91 Routing parameters Name Default Unit Description Input A The first bus for input A. Input B The first bus for input B. Output The first bus for the output. Output The standard Add/Replace mode selector as mode described above. Width The number of busses to process.
Page 92: Debouncer
Debouncer “A switch debouncer” File format guid: 'debo' Specifications: ● Channels, 1-8: The number of bus channels to process. Description This algorithm implements a simple switch debouncer (see e.g. this Wikipedia page It was added primarily so that simple passive guitar footswitches can be attached to the module’s inputs (with a suitable voltage source) and used with, for example, the Looper algorithm.
Page 93: Delay (Mono)
Delay (Mono) “A simple mono delay effect” File format guid: 'delm' Specifications: ● Max delay time, 1-30 seconds: The maximum delay time. Description This algorithm is a simple delay effect. The delay time can be set manually, via a clock pulse, or via MIDI clock. It can also be modulated via its ‘V/oct input’, which halves the delay time for every 1V rise in CV (conversely, doubles it for every 1V fall in CV).
Page 94 Block DC Enables a DC blocker at the delay input. Recommended for audio use; disable when processing CVs. Sync parameters Name Default Unit Description Clock Chooses the clock source: ‘None’, ‘Clock input’, or source ‘MIDI clock’. Clock The input bus to use for the clock, if the source is input ‘Clock input’.
Page 95: Delay (Stereo)
Delay (Stereo) “A simple stereo delay effect” File format guid: 'dels' Specifications: ● Max delay time, 1-30 seconds: The maximum delay time. Description This algorithm is a simple stereo in/stereo out delay effect. The delay time can be set manually, via a clock pulse, or via MIDI clock. It can also be modulated via its ‘V/oct input’, which halves the delay time for every 1V rise in CV (conversely, doubles it for every 1V fall in CV).
Page 96 Time Sets how changes of delay time will be handled. The change options are ‘Slew’ (the delay time is smoothly interpolated, sounding a bit like a tape being played slower or faster) and ‘Crossfade’ (the effect rapidly crossfades from one time setting to the other). Fractional Enables fractional delay times.
Page 97: Delay (Tape)
Delay (Tape) “A tape delay effect” File format guid: 'delt' Specifications: ● Max tape length, 1-30 seconds: The maximum length of the ‘tape’. ● Stereo: Whether the algorithm is mono or stereo. Description This algorithm is based on the disting mk4 algorithm “D-2 Tape Delay”, which is itself a simplified version of the “Augustus Loop”...
Page 98 Routing parameters Name Default Unit Description Left/mono The left input bus. input Right input 1 The right input bus. Left/mono The left output bus. output Right The right output bus. output Output The standard Add/Replace mode selector as mode described above. Speed The tape speed CV input bus.
Page 99: Delayed Function
Delayed Function “Generates functions after a delay” File format guid: 'delf' Specifications: ● Channels, 1-8: The number of functions to generate. Description This algorithm generates a variety of one-shot functions after a delay, when triggered. The logic of each channel is as follows: •...
Page 100: Common Parameters
Common parameters Name Default Unit Description Disable all If set, disables all channels. Detection Sets the method of trigger detection, either ‘Efficient’ or ‘Accurate’. Per-channel parameters Name Default Unit Description Enable Enables the channel. Function Chooses the function from the table above. Delay 1000 Sets the delay time.
Page 101 Note The MIDI or I2C note number that will trigger the number function generator, or ‘-1’ for ‘Any’. Page 101...
Page 102: Dream Machine
Dream Machine “Just intonation drone synth” File format guid: 'drea' Specifications: None Description This algorithm is an implementation of the original Dream Machine algorithm on the disting EX. It is designed to generate drones, allowing the user to explore non-traditional harmonies based on prime ratios.
Page 103 Setting the frequency ratios To set the ratios of tones 1-4 relative to the fundamental, set the parameters for the denominator and the four numerators. When setting the numerators, the pitch of the tone is shown, as well as the ratio reduced to its lowest form.
Page 104: Mix Parameters
Octave Sets an octave shift for the fundamental. Transpose Adjusts the tuning of all frequencies in (12-TET) semitone steps. Denominat Sets the denominator of the frequency ratios. Numerator 1024 Sets the numerator of the frequency ratio of tone 1. Numerator 1024 Sets the numerator of the frequency ratio of tone 2.
Page 105: Other Parameters
Pan 3 -100 Stereo pan position for tone 3. Pan 4 -100 Stereo pan position for tone 4. Other parameters Name Default Unit Description Attack Attack time for the envelopes. time Decay Decay time for the envelopes. time FM input 1 0 Which input bus to use to frequency modulate (FM) tone 1.
Page 106: Eq Parametric
EQ Parametric “Multi-band parametric EQ” File format guid: 'eqpa' Specifications: ● Channels, 1-12: The number of bus channels to process. ● Bands: 1-4: The number of EQ bands per channel. Description This algorithm is a multi-channel, multi-band, parametric EQ. Each channel can process a number of busses - you might typically have a channel processing one or two busses for a mono or stereo signal, but you could, say, process all 12 of the inputs with the same EQ settings by using a single channel with a width of 12.
Page 107 Per-channel per-band parameters Name Default Unit Description Enable Enables the EQ band. Type Chooses the type of the EQ band. The options are “Low pass (1st)”, “High pass (1st)”, “Low pass (2nd)”, “High pass (2nd)”, “Low shelf”, “High shelf”, and “Peak”. Frequency 16383 8192...
Page 108: Envelope (Ar/Ad)
Envelope (AR/AD) “A simple attack/release envelope” File format guid: 'env2' Specifications: ● Channels, 1-8: The number of envelopes to generate. Description This algorithm generates simple attack/release or attack/decay envelopes. It is based on the disting mk4 algorithm “E-1 AR Envelope”. In the disting mk4 version the envelope times were always set together from a single knob;...
Page 109 Parameters Name Default Unit Description Trigger The trigger mode. The options are: mode ● Attack/release ● Attack/decay ● Looped AD Time mode The envelope time mode. The options are: ● Macro (asymmetric) ● Macro (symmetric) ● Independent Joint time 1023 Sets the attack and release times if the ‘Time mode’...
Page 110 The I2C channel on which notes can trigger the channel envelope. Note The MIDI or I2C note number that will trigger the number envelope, or ‘-1’ for ‘Any’. Page 110...
Page 111: Es-5 Encoder
ES-5 Encoder “Converts gates into ES-5 outputs” File format guid: 'es5e' Specifications: ● Channels, 1-8: The number of gates to process. Description This algorithm allows you to drive the outputs of an attached ES-5 expansion module, or of an ESX- 8GT expander attached to the ES-5.
Page 112: Esx-8Cv Combiner
Description This algorithm allows you to drive the outputs of an ESX-8CV module attached to an ES-5 expander which is in turn attached to the disting NT. Adaptive Mode The ‘Adaptive’ parameter controls whether the algorithm will update all eight of the hardware outputs continuously (non-adaptive mode), or only those outputs that are changing (adaptive mode).
Page 113 The inputs bus from which to drive output 6. The inputs bus from which to drive output 7. The inputs bus from which to drive output 8. Page 113...
Page 114: Euclidean Patterns
Euclidean patterns “Generates Euclidean rhythm patterns” File format guid: 'eucp' Specifications: ● Channels, 1-8: The number of simultaneous patterns to generate. Description This algorithm generates rhythmic patterns of output pulses known as Euclidean patterns. For a detailed description of these patterns and how they are commonly found in music around the world see e.g.
Page 115 Per-channel parameters Name Default Unit Description Enable Enables the channel. Steps The number of steps in the pattern. Pulses The number of pulses in the pattern. Rotation The rotation of the pattern. Repeat The overall repeat count i.e. the number of clocks until the pattern repeats.
Page 116: Filter Bank
Filter bank “A fixed filter/resonator bank” File format guid: 'fbnk' Specifications: ● Filters, 1-12: The number of filters in the bank. Description This algorithm is based on the disting EX algorithm of the same name. You may like to review the in- depth video for that algorithm here The disting EX manual states “this algorithm provides a bank of eight parallel stereo bandpass filters...
Page 117 The display shows the notes to which each filter is tuned, overlaid on a bar to represent the envelope level of the voice. Globals parameters Name Default Unit Description Audio input 1 The first audio input bus. Width The number of audio input busses (e.g. set to 2 for stereo).
Page 118: Cv/Gate Parameters
MIDI/I2C parameters Name Default Unit Description MIDI The MIDI channel to listen on. channel Controls how the algorithm will respond to MPE. channels See above. Sets the I2C channel. channel Controlled Sets the number of filters that will be controlled by voices MIDI or CV/gate.
Page 119: Granulator
Granulator “A granulator” File format guid: 'gran' Specifications: ● Max buffer size, 1-32 seconds: The maximum size of the recording buffer. Description This algorithm is an implementation of the original Granulator algorithm on the disting EX. It implements a granular synthesis engine, taking as its source material either live audio input or audio loaded from the MicroSD card.
Page 120 You can of course simply add them as extra algorithms on the disting NT, and do so with more routing flexibility. The “Main feedback” (which echoes the granulator output to the buffer input) and “Input feedback” (which effectively applies an echo on the input signal) paths are still available.
Page 121: Record Parameters
buffer’ options change the buffer length to match the sample length (up to the maximum buffer size as per the specifications). ● & Normalize - The options with ‘& normalize’ post-process the sample to normalize its level so the peak signal level is the nominal maximum. Can be useful when loading quiet samples. Forget sample This tells the algorithm to forget the sample location, so it will not be reloaded when the preset is loaded.
Page 122 Record 1000 The duration of the fade applied when starting and fade stopping recording, to avoid clicks. Grains parameters Name Default Unit Description Shape The grain envelope/window shape. See below. Spawn How grains are spawned. See below. mode Rate mean 1000 The average time between new grains being spawned.
Page 123: Modulation Parameters
Pitch Quantizes the random pitch deviation (the quantize sum of the 'Pitch mean' and 'Pitch spread') to musical intervals. See below. Opacity The 'opacity' of a note, which is the percentage of grains that would normally make up the note that actually sound.
Page 124: Setup Parameters
Drone 1-3 parameters Name Default Unit Description Drone 1-3 48/36/60 The MIDI note number for the drone. Remember pitch that ‘Natural pitch’ sets how these are interpreted. For the default Natural pitch of 48, done pitch 48 is the same pitch, drone pitch 36 is an octave down, and drone pitch 60 is an octave up.
Page 125 Output The standard Add/Replace mode selector as mode described above. Delay The input bus to use to control the grain delay. A mean input CV of 5V corresponds to 100% of the buffer size. Delay If enabled, the Delay mean input is sampled once at mean the start of a note.
Page 126 Pitch quantize The available values for the Pitch quantize parameter are as follows. Octaves Fourths Fifths Major Triad Minor Triad Shape The 'Shape' parameter sets the volume envelope (also called 'window' in some of the literature) of the grains. The options are as follows. Page 126...
Page 127 Value Name Description Image Gaussian A gaussian bell curve. Tukey A rectangle convolved with a raised cosine. Triangle A simple triangle shape. Expodec A decaying exponential curve. Rexpodec A rising exponential curve. Equal power Back-to-back square root curves. Page 127...
Page 128: Kirbinator
Kirbinator “Stochastic audio processor” File format guid: 'krby' Specifications: ● Buffer size, 1-44 seconds: The maximum size of the audio buffer. Description This algorithm continuously records audio into a buffer and plays slices of the buffer under the influence of various probabilities. The slices can be pitched up and down, played forwards and backwards, and panned in stereo.
Page 129: Transient Detection
first. Simon Kirby gave a nice explanation of this (with video) in the Discord server, here Transient detection If you enable the ‘Detect’ parameter, the algorithm will detect transients in the incoming audio and automatically apply marks in the audio buffer, allowing you to use the algorithm without an explicit Mark input.
Page 130 Probabilities parameters Name Default Unit Description Pitch up The probability that playback will be pitched up. Pitch down The probability that playback will be pitched down. Fifths The probability that, if playback is pitched up or down, it will be by a perfect fifth; otherwise, it will be by an octave.
Page 131 Min jump The minimum number of slices away from the current record position to jump. Max jump The maximum number of slices away from the current record position to jump. Stutter Sets whether stutter is ‘Free’ (unconstrained apart from by the minimum and maximum parameters), or ‘Metrical’...
Page 132 Transients parameters Name Default Unit Description Detect Enables transient detection. See above. Sensitivity The transient detection sensitivity. Mix parameters Name Default Unit Description Dry gain The level of the input signal passed through to the output. Effect gain -40 The output level of the Kirbinator effect. Pan mean -100 The average pan position of slice playback.
Page 133: Lfo
“A low frequency oscillator” File format guid: 'lfo ' Specifications: ● Channels, 1-4: The number of LFO outputs. Description This algorithm offers a number of flexible low frequency oscillators. The global ‘Quality’ parameter offers two options: ● ‘Stepped’ quality is extremely low CPU usage, and is appropriate for automating parameters of other algorithms (via mapping).
Page 134 Per-channel parameters Name Default Unit Description Enable Enables the channel. Speed 16383 8605 Sets the LFO speed, from 0.05Hz to 15Hz with an exponential scaling. Multiplier Sets a multiplier for the LFO speed. The options are “x0.1”, “x1”, “x10”, & “x100”. Sine -10.00 10.00...
Page 135 MIDI. See below. Clock Sets the clock multiplier, if syncing to external multiplier clocks. MIDI Sets the MIDI clock divisor, if syncing to MIDI divisor clock. LFO sync modes The Sync parameter allows LFOs to synchronise themselves to external clocks or to MIDI clock. The options are: Clock The LFO syncs its speed to a clock on the bus specified by the ‘Clock input’...
Page 136: Linear/Exponential
Linear/Exponential “Converts e.g. V/Oct <-> Hz/V” File format guid: 'lexp' Specifications: None Description This algorithm implements a linear-to-exponential converter and an exponential-to-linear converter, typically used when interfacing between Volt/octave and Hz/Volt CV standards. The 0V point for the V/octave signals is taken as C3 (130.8Hz approximately). The display shows the input and output voltages, and the internal calculated frequency, for each converter.
Page 137 Input The input (exponential, V/octave) bus. Output The output (linear, Hz/V) bus. Output The standard Add/Replace mode selector as mode described above. Page 137...
Page 138: Logic
Logic “Performs various logical operations” File format guid: 'logi' Specifications: ● Channels, 1-8: The number of channels to process. Description This algorithm is based on the disting mk4 algorithm of the same name. You may like to review the video on that algorithm, which is here. Each channel of the algorithm is independent and performs logical operations on its X &...
Page 139 Globals parameters Name Default Unit Description Threshold 0.00 10.0 1.00 Sets the input threshold. Signals above this voltage are treated as a logic ‘1’/true. Hysteresis 0.00 10.0 0.50 Sets the input hysteresis. Once over the threshold, signals must fall by this amount before being treated as a logic ‘0’/false.
Page 140: Looper
Looper “A looper” File format guid: 'loop' Specifications: ● Loops, 1-4: The number of simultaneous loops. ● Max time, 1-90: The maximum total loop time Description This algorithm is a looper, based on the disting EX algorithm of the same name, but significantly extended.
Page 141 The quoted time in the specification is for mono 32 bit. Making a loop stereo halves its maximum length; making it 16 bit doubles the maximum length. Be aware that clipping can occur when using 16 or 24 bit modes, so watch your input levels. No clipping can occur when using 32 bit float.
Page 142 • ‘M’ instead of two vertical lines indicates ‘mute’ rather than ‘pause’ The length of the loop, and the position within the loop, are shown top right (both in seconds). The loop’s envelope level is indicated by the vertical bar at the right side. Basic looping The procedure is as follows: •...
Page 143 Pausing/muting/retriggering the loop Once a loop is playing, pressing 'Play' pauses or mutes the loop, depending on the 'Pause/mute' parameter. If the loop is paused, the symbol changes to the 'double vertical line' icon. If the loop is muted, the symbol changes to an 'M'. Pressing 'Play' again returns the loop to play mode.
Page 144 Envelopes Two attack-decay envelopes are provided; one for when a loop is started and stopped, and one for when overdubbing starts and ends. While the loop is in the decay stage, fading out towards pause/mute, a downwards-pointing triangle is shown next to the icon in its display. While the end of overdub decay stage is active, the record indicator (the circle) pulses.
Page 145 You can move between layers with the ‘Undo’ and ‘Redo’ commands, or by directly manipulating the ‘Current layer’ parameter. If you ‘Undo’ on the first layer this is treated as a ‘Redo’ – this is a convenience for situations where you only have a single pedal/button set up. The ‘Layer fade’...
Page 146 Play Activates play or stop. Reverse Activates ‘reverse’ (toggles the target loops between playing forwards and backwards). Octave Activates ‘octave down’ (toggles the target loops down between playing at normal speed and half speed). Retrigger Activates retrigger. Stop all Activates ‘stop all’. See above. Bypass While this parameter is held, commands such as clock...
Page 147 Decay The loop envelope decay stage shape. shape Overdub 1000 The overdub envelope attack time. The scale is attack time exponential, from 1ms to 30s. Overdub 1000 The overdub envelope attack time. The scale is decay time exponential, from 1ms to 30s. Overdub -24.0 Sets how much the previous loop content will fade...
Page 148 MIDI If enabled, MIDI clock start will start (or retrigger) transport loop playback, and MIDI clock stop will stop playback. Lock range 1000 See ‘Clocked operation’, above. Sync out parameters Name Default Unit Description PPQN (out) 1 The number of pulses per quarter note for output clocks.
Page 149: Midi Parameters
Input The input bus for the left (if stereo) or mono signal. left/mono Input right The input bus for the right signal, if stereo. Output The output bus for the left (if stereo) or mono signal. left/mono Output The output bus for the right signal, if stereo. right Output The standard Add/Replace mode selector as...
Page 150 Undo The MIDI note to automate ‘Undo’. Redo The MIDI note to automate ‘Redo’. Fade to The MIDI note to automate ‘Fade to clear’. clear Saving/loading loops Functions for saving and loading audio to/from the MicroSD card are available through the ‘Looper’ menu.
Page 151: Lua Expression
Lua script seems like overkill (or, if you’re out and about without a computer on which to write the script). For more extensive discussion of Lua on the disting NT, see the Lua Script algorithm (below) and the UI Scripts (below).
Page 152 Input A-H Whether the input is interpreted as a voltage (a mode floating point number in the expression) or a logic input (a boolean value in the expression). Per-expression parameters Name Default Unit Description Output The bus to use for the expression output. Output The standard Add/Replace mode selector as mode...
Page 153: Lua Script
We have an active community on our Discord server, which has a dedicated channel for Lua scripting here Writing scripts Further documentation of Lua scripting on the disting NT can be found in the separate Lua scripting document, which can be found on the firmware download page (here ), right next to the download link for this manual.
Page 154: Program Parameters
Program parameters Most of the parameters here will be defined by the script. Name Default Unit Description Program Selects the program to run. Routing parameters These are entirely defined by the script, and relate the script’s inputs and outputs to the system busses. Page 154...
Page 155: Macro Oscillator 2
The disting NT has no way of knowing whether its sockets are connected or not, so this algorithm relies on the various 'input' settings being enabled or not. To take the same example, if the 'Trigger input' setting is set to ‘None’, the algorithm will generate constant sound;...
Page 156: Outputs Parameters
Harmonics Sets the harmonics control. Timbre Sets the timbre control. Morph Sets the morph control. -100 Sets the FM depth. Timbre -100 Sets the timbre modulation depth. Morph mod -100 Sets the morph modulation depth. Low-pass Sets the LPG colour (VCFA-VCA blend). gate Time/decay Sets the envelope decay time.
Page 157: Control Parameters
Output The standard Add/Replace mode selector as mode described above. Main gain The level of the ‘Main’ output signal. Aux gain The level of the ‘Aux’ output signal. Control parameters Name Default Unit Description MIDI Controls the algorithm's response to MIDI. See mode below.
Page 158: Midi Player
MIDI Player “Plays MIDI files from the MicroSD card” File format guid: 'midp' Specifications: None Description This algorithm plays standard MIDI files, outputting the MIDI messages, and converting the MIDI to CVs and gates. It will use an internal clock (using the file's tempo, if specified), or sync to analogue clocks or incoming MIDI clock.
Page 159 Transport parameters Name Default Unit Description Folder Chooses the folder of MIDI files on the card. File Chooses the MIDI file within the folder. Play Starts/stops playback using the internal timebase. Start from Sets the bar number within the file from which to start playback.
Page 160: Clock Parameters
Drum first The first (lowest) note for the drum converter. note Drum MIDI channel for the drum converter. channel Trigger Sets the length of output trigger pulses. length Convert If enabled, MIDI sent to the algorithm is converted live MIDI by its MIDI/CV converters as if it originated in the MIDI file.
Page 161 Output to Enables MIDI output to the Select Bus. Select Bus Output to Enables MIDI output to USB. Output to Enables internal MIDI output – that is, MIDI is internal sent to the other algorithms. Page 161...
Page 162: Mixer Mono
Mixer Mono “A mono mixer” File format guid: 'mix1' Specifications: ● Channels, 1-12: The number of mixer channels. ● Sends, 0-4: The number of aux sends per channel. Description This algorithm is a mono mixer - it mixes mono inputs to a mono output. Up to four aux send busses are available, which can be switched to pre- or post-fade.
Page 163 Per-send parameters Name Default Unit Description Destinatio The output bus for the send. Note that the send always uses ‘Add’ output mode. Pre/post Whether the send is Pre-fade or Post-fade. Output The standard Add/Replace mode selector as mode described above. Per-channel parameters Name Default...
Page 164: Mixer Stereo
Mixer Stereo “A stereo mixer” File format guid: 'mix2' Specifications: ● Channels, 1-12: The number of mixer channels. ● Sends, 0-4: The number of aux sends per channel. Description This algorithm is a stereo mixer – it mixes mono or stereo inputs to a stereo output. Up to four aux send busses are available, which can be switched to pre- or post-fade.
Page 165 Output gain -70.0 The mixer output gain. Per-send parameters Name Default Unit Description Destinatio The output bus for the send. Note that the send always uses ‘Add’ output mode. Pre/post Whether the send is Pre-fade or Post-fade. Width Whether the send is mono or stereo. Stereo sends use the destination bus and the next one up.
Page 166: Noise Gate
Noise gate “A simple noise gate” File format guid: 'nsgt' Specifications: ● Channels, 1-12: The number of bus channels to process. Description This algorithm is a multi-channel noise gate. Each channel is fully independent - this being a multi- channel algorithm is simply a convenience so that if you, say, want a noise gate on all 12 module inputs, you don’t need to add 12 copies of the algorithm to do so.
Page 167 Hysteresis -24.0 -3.0 The level, relative to the threshold, that the input must drop below before the gate closes again. Attack 1023 The attack time for the gate opening, from 0.2ms to 200ms with an exponential scale. Hold 1023 The minimum time that the gate remains open, from 1ms to 1000ms with an exponential scale.
Page 168: Noise Generator
Noise generator “Generates various colours of noise” File format guid: 'nois' Specifications: ● Channels, 1-8: The number of output channels. Description This algorithm is a simple noise generator. Various standard “colours” of noise can be generated. Globals parameters Name Default Unit Description Gain...
Page 169: Notes
Notes “A place to store some text” File format guid: 'note' Specifications: None Description This algorithm is simply a place to enter some text, perhaps an explanation of how the preset works, or your set list, or a reminder to buy milk. It has absolutely no effect on the busses and consumes no CPU.
Page 170: Oscilloscope
Oscilloscope “Oscilloscope for viewing waveforms” File format guid: 'oscs' Specifications: None Description This algorithm implements a simple but useful 2-channel oscilloscope. The display shows one or both waveforms according to the display mode. Inputs parameters Name Default Unit Description Input 1 The bus for input 1.
Page 171: Display Parameters
Time Sets the time range corresponding to the full width range of the display. The special value “Auto” sets the time range to the time between consecutive triggers. Display parameters Name Default Unit Description Display Sets which waveforms are displayed and how. The mode options are “Overlaid”, “Split”, “Channel 1”, “Channel 2”, and “XY”.
Page 172: Pitch Reference
Pitch reference “Generates a pitch reference tone” File format guid: 'ptch' Specifications: None Description This algorithm simply generates a sine wave tone at a particular pitch or frequency. Note that if using a note to specify the pitch, it respects the global tuning setting. The display shows the chosen pitch as a MIDI note name plus cents, as a fractional MIDI note number, and as a frequency in Hz.
Page 173 Gain The level of the output signal. Page 173...
Page 174: Pitch Shifter
The pitch shift amount is the sum of the various shift amount parameters and the CV input. The algorithm was extracted from the disting EX ‘Tracker’ algorithm, as was the disting NT’s ‘Tracker’, below. As such these two algorithms make a natural pairing.
Page 175: Routing Parameters
Routing parameters Name Default Unit Description Audio input 1 The bus to use as the audio input. Shift input The bus to use as a V/octave pitch shift amount CV. Output The output bus. Output The standard Add/Replace mode selector as mode described above.
Page 176: Poly Cv
Poly CV “A polyphonic MIDI/CV converter” File format guid: 'pycv' Specifications: ● Voices: 1-14: The number of simultaneous voices. Description This algorithm takes the polysynth control logic from the other polysynths and uses it not to produce sound, but to output CVs and gates. This makes it most obviously useful as a MIDI/CV converter, but it can also be used as a chord/arpeggio engine controlled by CV/gate inputs.
Page 177 MIDI/I2C parameters Name Default Unit Description MIDI The MIDI channel to listen on. channel Controls how the algorithm will respond to MPE. channels See above. I2C channel 0 Sets the I2C channel. Sustain The standard polysynth sustain mode parameter. See mode above.
Page 178 Pitch mode 0 The standard Add/Replace mode selector as described above for pitch CV outputs. Velocity The standard Add/Replace mode selector as mode described above for velocity outputs. Microtuning parameters The algorithm uses the standard polysynth microtuning parameters, as described above. Chord/arp parameters The algorithm uses the standard polysynth chord and arpeggiator parameters, as described above.
Page 179: Poly Fm
Poly FM “A polyphonic FM synthesizer” File format guid: 'pyfm' Specifications: ● Timbres, 1-4: The number of timbres. ● Voices: 1-24: The number of simultaneous voices. Description This algorithm is inspired by the original Poly FM algorithm on the disting EX. It is a polyphonic, multitimbral, FM synthesizer.
Page 180 When adjusting the microtuning parameters, more information about the chosen tuning is displayed. Globals parameters Name Default Unit Description Global gain A global gain adjustment applied to all timbres (in addition to their individual gains). Sustain The standard polysynth sustain mode parameter. See mode above.
Page 181 Per-timbre setup parameters Name Default Unit Description Left/mono The left or mono output bus. output Right The right output bus. output MIDI The MIDI channel to listen on. channel Controls how the algorithm will respond to MPE. channels See above. Sets the I2C channel.
Page 182: Poly Multisample
Poly Multisample “A polyphonic sample player” File format guid: 'pyms' Specifications: ● Timbres, 1-4: The number of timbres. ● Voices: 1-16: The number of simultaneous voices. Description This algorithm is inspired by the original “SD Multisample” algorithm on the disting EX. It is a polyphonic, multitimbral, sample playback instrument, playing WAV files from the MicroSD card.
Page 183 Globals parameters Name Default Unit Description Global gain A global gain adjustment applied to all timbres (in addition to their individual gains). Sustain The standard polysynth sustain mode parameter. See mode above. Gate offset 10.0 Offsets (delays) the gate inputs relative to the pitch inputs.
Page 184 Velocity Sets the amount by which the note velocity affects the note volume. Sustain Directly controls the sustain (like a MIDI sustain pedal). Chord/arp parameters The algorithm uses the standard polysynth chord and arpeggiator parameters, as described above. Per-timbre setup parameters Name Default Unit...
Page 185: Poly Resonator
Poly Resonator “It's lots of Rings!” File format guid: 'pyri' Specifications: ● Voices: 1-8: The number of simultaneous voices. Description This algorithm is a polysynth where each voice is essentially a Rings (the open source Rings module by Émilie Gillet). Rings itself does support a kind of polyphony, but it’s limited by having a single pitch and gate input –...
Page 186 Rings parameters Name Default Unit Description Mode Selects the resonator mode. Synth effect 0 If the mode is 'Synth', selects the audio effect applied to the synth output. Coarse tune -36 Provides a coarse tuning control. Fine tune -100 cents Provides a fine tuning control.
Page 187 Output The output level (of both the Odd and Even gain outputs). Dry gain The level of the input audio mixed into the output(s). Setup parameters Name Default Unit Description MIDI The MIDI channel to listen on. channel Controls how the algorithm will respond to MPE. channels See above.
Page 188: Poly Wavetable
Poly Wavetable “A polyphonic wavetable synthesizer” File format guid: 'pywt' Specifications: ● Voices: 1-24: The number of simultaneous voices. Description This algorithm is inspired by the original Poly Wavetable algorithm on the disting EX. It is a complete polyphonic synthesizer, using wavetable oscillators. Each voice has two envelopes, a filter and an LFO.
Page 189: Filter Parameters
Wave input Which input bus to use to control the position in the wavetable. Envelope 1-2 parameters Name Default Unit Description Attack Envelope attack time. Range 1ms-15s. Decay Envelope decay time. Range 20ms-15s. Sustain Envelope sustain level. Release Envelope release time. Range 10ms-30s. Attack Envelope attack shape.
Page 190 LFO spread 0 Degr Sets the phase to which LFOs are retriggered. The value, in degrees (360° per LFO cycle), is multiplied by the voice number to give the initial LFO phase. When retrigger is off, this sets the phase relationship between the free-running LFOs.
Page 191 Girth parameters Name Default Unit Description Unison The number of voices to play simultaneously for each note triggered. Unison cents The detune amount when Unison is active. detune Output -100 The amount of output spread. spread Spread The output spread mode. See below. mode Microtuning parameters The algorithm uses the standard polysynth microtuning parameters, as described above.
Page 192 Sustain The standard polysynth sustain mode parameter. See mode above. Sustain Directly controls the sustain (like a MIDI sustain pedal). Bend range The MIDI pitch bend range. CV/gate parameters The algorithm uses the standard polysynth CV/gate parameters, as described above. Spread modes The available values for the ‘Spread mode' parameter are as follows: Spread by voice...
Page 193: Quantizer
Quantizer “A CV quantizer” File format guid: 'quan' Specifications: ● Channels, 1-12: The number of bus channels to process. Description This algorithm is a multi-channel CV quantizer, loosely based on the Quad Quantizer algorithm on the disting EX. It supports microtuning (see above), but this is not a requirement. It quantizes CV inputs and generates CV outputs and/or MIDI output.
Page 194 will give you a one octave rise in pitch. ● In Mapped mode, the output will depend on the chosen keyboard map (kbm) file. You might have a keyboard map which chooses one of the 31-EDO pitches per semitone, but still only defines 12 pitches per octave.
Page 195 Quantizer parameters Name Default Unit Description Quantize Sets the quantization mode: ‘Nearest’, ‘Mapped’, or mode ‘Warped’. Input Sets the input transposition, in 12-TET semitones. transpose Shift Sets the in-scale shift. Sets the key (C, D , E, etc.). Mode Sets the mode, that is, the rotation of the notes within the scale.
Page 196 Per-channel parameters Name Default Unit Description CV input The pitch CV input bus. Gate input The (optional) gate input bus. CV output The pitch CV output bus. Always uses ‘Replace’ output mode. Gate The gate output bus, according to the ‘Output gate output mode’...
Page 197 ‘MIDI (any octave)’ allows the quantizer to choose notes as held, but in any octave. For example, if you hold any C and any G on your keyboard, the quantizer is free to choose any C or G. ‘MIDI (exact)’ allows the quantizer to choose only the actual notes played. For example, if you hold C4 and G5, the quantizer may only choose C4 or G5, not any other C or G.
Page 198: Resonator
The disting NT has no way of knowing whether its sockets are connected or not, so this algorithm relies on the various 'input' parameters being enabled or not. To take the same example, if the 'Strum input' parameter is set to ‘None’, the algorithm will generate its own strums;...
Page 199 Brightness Controls the resonator 'brightness'. Damping Controls the resonator 'damping'. Position Controls the resonator 'position'. Chord Chooses the chord to use for resonator modes that use one. In the original, set from the Structure knob. Noise gate Enables a noise gate on the audio input. Always enabled in the original Rings.
Page 200 Even The bus to use for the Even output. output Even The Add/Replace mode for the Even output. output mode Output The output level (of both the Odd and Even gain outputs). Dry gain The level of the input audio mixed into the output(s).
Page 201: Reverb
Reverb “A general purpose reverb effect” File format guid: 'revb' Specifications: None Description This algorithm offers a classic algorithmic reverb effect. It does not seek to emulate any particular hardware, or for that matter, any particular physical reverberant space. Reverb parameters Name Default Unit...
Page 202 Left output 1 The left audio output bus. Right The right audio output bus. output Output The standard Add/Replace mode selector as mode described above. Page 202...
Page 203: Reverb (Clouds)
Reverb The input gain to the reveberator. input gain Sample rate 0 Allows you to run the algorithm at the disting NT’s own sample rate (‘Native’) or the sample rate of a real Clouds module (‘Authentic (32kHz)’). Routing parameters Name...
Page 204 Left output 1 The left audio output bus. Right The right audio output bus. output Output The standard Add/Replace mode selector as mode described above. Page 204...
Page 205: Sample And Hold
Sample and Hold “Simple sample (or track) and hold” File format guid: 'saho' Specifications: ● Channels, 1-8: The number of bus channels to process. Description This algorithm is a simple sample/track and hold utility. A common gate/trigger input controls the sampling/tracking of a number of signal channels.
Page 206: Sample Player
Sample player “A simple sample player” File format guid: 'samp' Specifications: ● Triggers, 1-8: The number of individual sample triggers. Description This algorithm plays samples from the MicroSD card. It is loosely based on the “SD 6 Triggers” algorithm on the disting EX. Whereas the “Poly Multisample”...
Page 207 Folder Sets the folder from which to choose a sample. Sample Sets the sample within the folder. Transpose Sets the sample tuning in semitones. Fine tune -100 cents Sets the sample fine tuning. Gain The output level. -100 The stereo pan position. Vel(ocity) Sets the amount by which the velocity affects the depth...
Page 208 until the end. Attack Sets the envelope attack time. Decay Sets the envelope decay time. Sustain Sets the envelope sustain level. Release Sets the envelope release time. Page 208...
Page 209: Saturation
Saturation “Soft-clipping saturation” File format guid: 'satu' Specifications: ● Channels, 1-8: The number of bus channels to process. Description This algorithm implements a simple soft-saturation effect. It can be used simply for creative tone- shaping, but it is particularly useful for avoiding harsh digital clipping when signals get loud. (It is the same processing that is built into many of the disting EX algorithms as a final “output bus”...
Page 210: Shift Register Random
Shift Register Random “Generates random CVs” File format guid: 'srra' Specifications: None Description This algorithm generates random CVs via the popular rotating shift register method, often known simply as a “Turing Machine” after this module The joy of this method is that it generates a loop of CVs, with a controllable likelihood of change, including the possibility to lock the loop so it does not change.
Page 211 Length Sets the length of the shift register, and so sets the number of steps in the sequence. CV parameters Name Default Unit Description Scale -20.0 20.0 10.0 Scales the output CV. Offset -10.0 10.0 Offsets the output CV. Trigger parameters Name Default Unit...
Page 212 mode Trigger The Add/Replace mode for the trigger bus. output mode Page 212...
Page 213: Slew Rate Limiter
Slew rate limiter “Smooths CVs and creates glissandos” File format guid: 'slew' Specifications: ● Channels, 1-8: The number of bus channels to process. Description This algorithm is a simple slew rate limiter, offering both logarithmic and linear slew. You can choose to use a single slew rate for both rising and falling signals, or specify them separately. You can also choose to use the same rates for all the busses, or specify them individually.
Page 214 Input The input bus. Output The output bus. If set to ‘None’, the input bus is used as output, and the mode is always ‘Replace’. Output The standard Add/Replace mode selector as mode described above. Page 214...
Page 215: Spectral Freeze
Spectral Freeze “An audio ‘freeze’ effect” File format guid: 'spfz' Specifications: ● Voices, 1-8: The number of simultaneous voices. ● History, 4-2048: The length of the history stored for each voice. ● FFT size, 8-12: The size of the FFT used internally. Description This algorithm is an audio ‘freeze’...
Page 216: Pitch Shifting
moving the synthesis source around in a small history window previous to the moment of freezing. The ‘Movement’, ‘Rate’, and ‘Depth’ parameters allow you to apply an amount of motion automatically. Depth sets the amount of time over which motion can occur. It is specified in terms of FFT frames, though an equivalent time in milliseconds is also shown.
Page 217 Freeze gate Activates a new freeze when the parameter changes from ‘0’ to ‘1’, and releases the freeze when the parameter changes from ‘1’ to ‘0’. Freeze Chooses the voice for the next freeze, or ‘0’ for target ‘Auto’. Unfreeze When this parameter changes to ‘1’, all active freezes are released.
Page 218 Per-voice parameters Name Default Unit Description Freeze Activates a new freeze on the corresponding voice when the parameter changes from ‘0’ to ‘1’, and releases the freeze when the parameter changes from ‘1’ to ‘0’. Coarse shift -48 Sets the coarse pitch shift amount. Fine shift -100 cents...
Page 219: Step Sequencer
File format guid: 'spsq' Specifications: None Description This algorithm is a 16-step note sequencer, based on the sequencers in the Expert Sleepers FH-2 module. It can output CVs and/or MIDI. Each step has pitch, velocity, and a general-purpose “modulation” value. It also has a “Division”, which can either be a repeat count (the step is repeated a number of times on subsequent clocks) or a ratchet count (the step fires a number of gates within the duration of one clock).
Page 220: Sequencer Parameters
The step whose parameter is being edited is shown highlighted. The steps’ divisions, patterns, and ties are shown graphically. If the current parameter is a pitch, velocity, or modulation, these values are shown via the thin lines to the left of the steps. Divisions (repeats or ratchets) are shown as stacks of blocks: Ties are indicated by longer bars: Setting pitches via MIDI...
Page 221: Step Parameters
Start The first step to play. A reset will jump to this step. The last step to play. Direction The sequencer direction. See below. Permutation The sequencer permutation. See below. Gate type Sets the gate type: “% of clock” or “Trigger”. Gate length Sets the length of the gate output if the type is “% of clock”.
Page 222 Randomise What will be randomised – “Nothing”, “Pitches”, what “Rhythm”, or “Both”. Note Chooses the probability distribution for the note distribution pitches – “Uniform” or “Normal”. Min note The minimum note pitch, if the distribution is “Uniform”. Max note The maximum note pitch, if the distribution is “Uniform”.
Page 223 Reset mode Sets the mode for the reset input. The options are: ● the input is a reset trigger. ● the input is a run/stop signal. ● the input is a ‘one shot’ trigger. Pitch output The bus to use for the pitch CV output. Pitch output The standard Add/Replace mode selector as mode...
Page 224 Output to Enables MIDI output to the Select Bus. Select Bus Output to Enables MIDI output to USB. Output to Enables internal MIDI output - that is, MIDI is sent internal to the other algorithms. Mod CC The MIDI CC to generate from the modulation lane. MIDI Sets the input MIDI channel for assigning step channel (in)
Page 225 Halves The second half of the steps are interleaved with the first half e.g. 1, 5, 2, 6, 3, 7, 4, 8, 1 … Inwards The first and last steps play, then the second and penultimate, and so on e.g. 1, 8, 2, 7, 3, 6, 4, 5, 1 …...
Page 226: Step Sequencer Head
Step Sequencer Head “An extra playback head” File format guid: 'spsh' Specifications: None Description This algorithm shares the sequence of another Step Sequencer algorithm (above), and replicates the parameters that define how that sequence is played. This allows you to, for example, have the same sequence played in different directions simultaneously, or at different speeds, or with different transpositions.
Page 227 Routing parameters Name Default Unit Description Clock input The bus to use as the clock input. Reset input The bus to use as the reset input. Reset mode Sets the mode for the reset input. The options are: ● the input is a reset trigger. ●...
Page 228 Output to Enables MIDI output to the breakout. breakout Output to Enables MIDI output to the Select Bus. Select Bus Output to Enables MIDI output to USB. Output to Enables internal MIDI output - that is, MIDI is sent internal to the other algorithms.
Page 229: Stopwatch
Stopwatch “Real-time clock for timing things” File format guid: 'stpw' Specifications: None Description This algorithm is simply a clock, for timing how long things (for example, your performance) have been going on, or for showing a countdown (for example, until you should stop your performance and get off the stage).
Page 230 Controls parameters Name Default Unit Description Start/stop Starts and stops the timer/countdown. Reset Sets the timer to zero, or resets the countdown to that specified by the countdown parameters. Page 230...
Page 231: Temporal Midi Quantizer
It only affects MIDI notes – other MIDI messages are not processed. Because there is no concept of ‘replacing’ or ‘consuming’ MIDI events in the disting NT, you will usually want to use different input and output MIDI channels e.g. receive MIDI notes from your keyboard on channel 1 and output quantized notes on channel 2, and then have your synth algorithm(s) respond on channel 2.
Page 232 Input The MIDI channel on which to receive notes. channel Output The MIDI channel on which to send notes. channel Divisor The MIDI clock divisor, if Sync is set to MIDI. Prune short If enabled, notes that are already over by the time the notes clock pulse comes around are suppressed.
Page 233: Three Pot
Although the focus is on converted FV-1 programs, the conversion works by translating the programs to C++ and then compiling them for the disting NT – so you can if you like actually write C++ directly and use this algorithm to run it on the module.
Page 234 The UI for this algorithm is currently unique on the disting NT in that it not only provides a custom display, but it also changes the way the knobs work. Having three physical pots on the module, matched up to the three controls on each program, was just too good an opportunity to ignore.
Page 235 While selecting a new program, the whole display is given over to showing the program description, which can be quite long: Program parameters Name Default Unit Description Program Selects the program to run. Pot 1 100.0 50.0 The first program ‘pot’ parameter. Pot 2 100.0 50.0 The second program ‘pot’...
Page 236 Left input The left audio input bus. Right input The right audio input bus. Left output The left audio output bus. Right The right audio output bus. output Output The standard Add/Replace mode selector as mode described above. Page 236...
Page 237: Tracker
Tracker “A pitch and envelope tracker” File format guid: 'trak' Specifications: None Description This algorithm is based on the disting EX algorithm of the same name. You may like to review the video on that algorithm, here . The pitch shifter part of the EX algorithm was split out into a separate algorithm on the NT (above), which you can combine with this algorithm if it suits your needs.
Page 238 Track bias Sets a signal threshold below which no attempt is made to track pitch. Harmony parameters The Harmony parameters are mostly the standard polysynth chord parameters, as described above. There are three additional parameters: Name Default Unit Description Harmony Sets the harmony mode –...
Page 239 Chord 1 The standard Add/Replace mode selector as output described above, for the first chord note CV output. mode Chord 2 The pitch CV output bus for the second chord note. output Chord 2 The standard Add/Replace mode selector as output described above, for the second chord note CV mode...
Page 240: Tuner (Fancy)
Tuner (fancy) “A sophisticated tuner” File format guid: 'tunf' Specifications: None Description This algorithm provides four simultaneous tuners. It uses an autocorrelation pitch detection method which is fairly CPU heavy, but which provides reliable pitch detection for most signals. For simpler tones, you may prefer the “Tuner (simple)” algorithm.
Page 241 recommended in most cases. Sets a signal threshold below which no attempt is threshold made to track pitch. Microtuning parameters The algorithm uses the standard microtuning parameters, as described above. Page 241...
Page 242: Tuner (Simple)
Tuner (simple) “A basic tuner for simple tones” File format guid: 'tuns' Specifications: None Description This algorithm provides four simultaneous tuners. It uses a simple pitch detection method which will only work reliably for simple tones, but happily “simple tones” covers most of those that you will get from an analogue VCO, which in a Eurorack environment you might find yourself tuning quite often.
Page 243: Usb Audio (From Host)
This algorithm exposes the USB audio from the host, if one is connected. The host sees 8 output channels. Each one of these can be output to any of the disting NT’s busses. Note that the signals from the USB host don’t just have to emerge directly from the module’s outputs;...
Page 244: Usb Audio (To Host)
Description This algorithm routes signals to the USB audio host, if one is connected. The host sees 12 input channels. Each one of these can be set to receive any of the disting NT’s busses. Note that the signals seen by the algorithm, and so by the host, depend where in the list of algorithms this one appears.
Page 245: Vca/Multiplier
VCA/Multiplier “Four quadrant multiplier” File format guid: 'vcam' Specifications: ● Channels, 1-8: The number of bus channels to process. Description This algorithm is a voltage multiplier, which can be used as a VCA. The CV on the common channel is used to multiply the voltages on the other channels. Common parameters Name Default...
Page 246: Vcf (State Variable)
VCF (State Variable) “Second order LP/BP/HP filter” File format guid: 'fsvf' Specifications: None Description This algorithm is a voltage controlled filter using the common ‘State Variable’ topology, which yields simultaneous low-, band-, and highpass filter responses. All three filter outputs are available individually, plus an output which can be blended from lowpass, through bandpass, to highpass.
Page 247 Blended Level control for the blended output. gain Lowpass Level control for the lowpass output. gain Bandpass Level control for the bandpass output. gain Highpass Level control for the highpass output. gain Routing parameters Name Default Unit Description Audio The audio input bus. input Width The number of busses to process.
Page 248: Vco With Waveshaping
VCO with waveshaping “Simple VCO with adjustable outputs” File format guid: 'vcow' Specifications: None Description This algorithm is based on the OG disting algorithms “B-8 VCO with waveshaping” and “B-7 VCO with linear FM”. There are four oscillator outputs: ● Triangle/saw ●...
Page 249 Octave Adjusts the VCO tuning in octaves. Transpose Adjusts the VCO tuning in semitones. Fine tune -100 cents Adjusts the VCO tuning in cents. Oversampli Enables oversampling, to reduce aliasing noise at higher frequencies. The options are “None”, “2x”, and “4x”. FM scale 1000 Sets the Hz/V sensitivity of the linear FM input.
Page 250 FM input The linear FM input. Triangle/ The output bus for the triangle/saw signal. saw output Triangle/ The add/replace mode for the triangle/saw signal. saw mode Square/ The output bus for the square/pulse signal. pulse output Square/ The add/replace mode for the square/pulse signal. pulse mode Sub output...
Page 251: Vco - Wavetable
VCO - wavetable “A wavetable VCO” File format guid: 'vcot' Specifications: None Description This algorithm is a simple VCO which uses wavetables for its wave shapes. Please see the section above on how wavetables are formatted and arranged on the MicroSD card. The display shows a single cycle of the current wavetable waveform, and the VCO’s pitch as a MIDI note name plus cents and as a frequency in Hz.
Page 252 Routing parameters Name Default Unit Description Pitch input The pitch CV input (1V/octave). Wave Sets an input bus to modulate the wave offset. input Output The output bus. Output The standard Add/Replace mode selector as mode described above. Page 252...
Page 253: Vocoder
Vocoder “A classic vocoder” File format guid: 'voco' Specifications: None Description This algorithm implements a vocoder. The spectral characteristics of the modulator input are applied to the carrier input. In classic usage, the modulator might be a human voice, and the carrier might be a synth sound, or simply noise.
Page 254: Noise Parameters
Noise parameters Name Default Unit Description Noise Sets the level of noise added to the carrier input, which can improve speech intelligibility. The noise is high-pass filtered at the frequency of the highest vocoder band. Routing parameters Name Default Unit Description Modulator The bus to use for the modulator signal.
Page 255: Waveform Animator
Waveform Animator “Embiggens simple waveforms” File format guid: 'wfan' Specifications: None Description This algorithm is version of the disting mk4 algorithm of the same name. You may like to watch the video on that algorithm here . From the disting mk4 manual: “This algorithm recreates a popular analogue circuit variously known as a waveform animator or wave multiplier.
Page 256 Separation The spread of the actual comparator thresholds around the value set by ‘Threshold’. -100 The output mix, from -100% (only the input signal) to 100% (only the squares). At 0% both the input and squares are at full amplitude. LFO rate 1000 The LFO rate, scaled exponentially from 0.2Hz to...
Page 257: Ui Scripts
Lua interpreter. Writing scripts Further documentation of UI scripts and of Lua scripting on the disting NT in general can be found in the separate Lua scripting document, which can be found on the firmware download page (here right next to the download link for this manual.
Page 258: Midi Sysex Reference
01H – Take screenshot F0 00 21 27 6D <SysEx ID> 01 F7 This causes the disting NT to respond with a SysEx message containing a screenshot of what is currently on the module's display, using the '33H – Screenshot' format, below.
Page 259 22H – Request version string F0 00 21 27 6D <SysEx ID> 22 F7 This causes the disting NT to respond with a SysEx message containing the module's version string as text, using the '32H – Message' format, below. 30H – Request number of algorithms F0 00 21 27 6D <SysEx ID>...
Page 260 run, not the number of algorithms instantiated in the current preset. The response uses the '30H – Number of algorithms’ format, below. 31H – Request algorithm info F0 00 21 27 6D <SysEx ID> 31 <16 bit index> F7 Queries for details of the indexed algorithm (in the list returned by the 30H message). The response uses the '31H –...
Page 261 41H – Request preset name F0 00 21 27 6D <SysEx ID> 41 F7 Requests the current preset name. Responds with '41H – Preset name', as below. 42H – Request number of parameters F0 00 21 27 6D <SysEx ID> 42 <algorithm index> F7 Requests the number of parameters in the indexed algorithm.
Page 262 49H – Request enum strings F0 00 21 27 6D <SysEx ID> 49 <algorithm index> <16 bit parameter number> F7 Requests the value strings for an 'enum' type parameter. Responds with '49H – Enum strings', as below. 4AH – Set focus F0 00 21 27 6D <SysEx ID>...
Page 263 52H – Request parameter pages F0 00 21 27 6D <SysEx ID> 52 <algorithm index> F7 Requests the parameter pages for an algorithm. Responds with '52H – Parameter pages', as below. 60H – Request number of algorithms F0 00 21 27 6D <SysEx ID> 60 F7 Requests the number of algorithms in the current preset.
Page 264 40H – Algorithm guid F0 00 21 27 6D <SysEx ID> 40 <index> <4 byte guid> <string> F7 This message is transmitted in response to a ‘40H – Request algorithm guid’ message. The string is the algorithm’s custom name, as shown on the overview screen. 41H –...
Page 265 4BH – Mapping F0 00 21 27 6D <SysEx ID> 4B <algorithm index> <16 bit parameter number> <version number> <mapping data> F7 Contains the mapping information for one parameter. 50H – Parameter value string F0 00 21 27 6D <SysEx ID> 50 <algorithm index> <16 bit parameter number> <ASCII string> F7 Contains a value string for a parameter.
Page 266: I2C Reference
I2C reference In general the disting NT acts as a follower on the I2C bus, not as a leader. It receives messages in the following format: <address> <command> <optional bytes according to command> A table of supported commands is below.
Page 267 Set parameter X to value Y (using 0..16384 range) <address> 0x47 <parameter number> <value MSB> <value LSB> The 0-16384 value range will be scaled to the actual parameter value range. Notes Set pitch for note id. <address> 0x54 <note id> <pitch MSB> <pitch LSB> Note on for specified note id.
Page 268: Updating The Firmware
Note that various versions of the tool may be available. At the time of writing, the current version is v10. You need to use the correct version that matches the disting NT firmware package that you want to install. The tool version for each firmware version is noted on the firmware download page.
Page 269 When you first run the tool, you should be presented with the “New Workspace” dialog: Click the text at the bottom that says “Import manufacturing package”. Browse for the firmware zip file that you downloaded. Page 269...
Page 270 Click the “Create” button. You should now see a window titled “Manufacturing Tool”. The connection section may be all red; if so, click “Auto detect”. If a disting NT in bootloader mode is connected via USB, the tool will now find it.
Page 271 To flash the firmware: 1. Put the downloaded firmware package into the ‘flash’ folder, and unzip it. 2. Put the disting NT into bootloader mode as described above. 3. Run the script ‘flash_mac.sh’ (macOS/Linux) or ‘flash_win.bat’ (Windows), supplying it the 103 https://spsdk.readthedocs.io/en/latest/examples/_knowledge_base/installation_guide.html...
Page 272 folder name of the firmware you want to install. For example, your ‘flash’ folder might look like this (here we’ve downloaded two firmware packages and unzipped them): You would then run e.g.: Page 272...
Page 273: Acknowledgments
Acknowledgments The Kirbinator algorithm was designed in collaboration with Simon Kirby Many thanks to all the beta testers. Fonts The small pixel font used throughout the UI is ‘PixelMix’ by Andrew Tyler, for which Expert Sleepers Ltd has a commercial license. The large font is Microsoft Selawik (Copyright 2015, Microsoft Corporation), licensed under the SIL Open Font License version 1.1.

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