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twisted electrons TherapSID User Manual

Sid synth
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TherapSID
USER MANUAL
Note: All functions apply to MKII and MKIII
Apr 29 2025

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Summary of Contents for twisted electrons TherapSID

  • Page 1 TherapSID USER MANUAL Note: All functions apply to MKII and MKIII Apr 29 2025
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  • Page 2 ASID engine! Thanks to Themis for all the testing and concept contributions over the years and on going. The TherapSID code is now open-source and available on GitHub so please feel free to join the party! https://github.com/twistedelectrons/TherapSID Please use GitHub if possible to submit feature requests and bug reports! Enjoy!
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  • Page 3 Connectivity & Power (rear view) TherapSID features from right to left: • Power input: TherapSID requires a centre positive DC voltage source of 15v at least 200mA • 1/4” audio inputs and outputs for both chips (mono TS) • MIDI input & output •...
  • Page 4 Presets TherapSID comes preloaded with a total of 99 assorted presets get you started. It is important to note that these presets are fully customisable and can be modified to suit individual preferences. It is worth mentioning that the presets were developed specifically using the 6581 variant of the SID chip.

  • Page 5: Pulse Width

    Voice Section TherapSID’s 3 voices are laid out across the top half of the control panel. The 3 voice strips are identical in functionality, explained from left to right: Waveforms Each voice each consists of 4 waveforms: Square,Triangle,Sawtooth and Noise.

  • Page 6: Master Volume

    Fat Modes TherapSID also supports a second SID chip, and there are several "Fat Modes" available that allow you to take advantage of both chips. To switch between the different Fat Modes, hold down the filter button and press the arp mode button.
  • Page 7 Auto Chord To use the auto chord feature on the TherapSID, please follow these instructions: 1. Hold down a chord on your MIDI keyboard. 2. While still holding the chord, press and hold the arp mode and press the Retrig button to engage the auto chord feature.
  • Page 8 Ring Mod When set to voice 1 or 3, replaces the Triangle waveform output of that voice with a “Ring Modulated” combination of Oscillators 1 and 3. When set to voice 2, replaces triangle waveform output of voice2 with a “Ring Modulated”...

  • Page 9: Filter Modes

    Filter The SID chips are equipped with a multimode resonant filter. The filter is the analog section of the circuit and its warm/dirty sound contributes to the authentic SID character. Filter Modes Press the filter button to toggle through the eight filter states: Off, Low Pass, Low+Band Pass, Band Pass, Band+High Pass, High Pass, Low Pass+ High Pass (notch), LP+BP+HP Cutoff...

  • Page 10: Lfo Waveforms

    Modulation (LFO) TherapSID has 3 LFOs to bring your synth to life! Note: the LFO values can also be transmitted as midi CCs to modulate other MIDI capable instruments. LFO Waveforms There are 5 LFO types to choose from: Square, Triangle, Saw, Noise and Env3 (ADSR envelope of voice 3).
  • Page 11 Re-trigger & Loop The LFOs can be used as "one-shot" envelopes by deactivating the looping feature using the loop button. This is useful for achieving pitch decay on percussive sounds and other effects. Additionally, the LFOs can be re-triggered on every key press by toggling the retrig button.
  • Page 12 Arpeggiator TherapSID MKII has a brand new arpeggiator that is easy to use but can become wild when modulated by LFO! When active, the arpeggiator re-triggers LFOs The arpeggiated notes are also transmitted via MIDI Arp Modes The arpeggiator has 7 modes that you can access by pressing the mode button.
  • Page 13 Scrub You can use the scrub knob to jog through the arpeggiator notes. This is particularly powerful when linked to an LFO. Note: The arpeggiator has to be in OFF mode for Scrubbing to work. Rate & Range Use the rate knob to adjust the speed of the arpeggiator and the range knob to set the octave span (1-4).
  • Page 14 MIDI TherapSID can transmit and receive MIDI. A little dot at the right of the first LED digit indicates incoming MIDI, a dot at the right of the second LED digit indicates outgoing MIDI MIDI Master Channel Selection TherapSID can receive and send MIDI on the channels of your choice.
  • Page 15 Hold Preset Down during startup. The SYSEX is automatically sent out of the MIDI port. To receive SYSEX: Hold Preset Up during startup. TherapSID will enter SYSEX receive mode, indicated Re on the LED display panel. You can now send the SYSEX you previously dumped to TherapSID.

  • Page 16: Filter Calibration

    Filter Calibration With version 3.0, TherapSID introduces filter calibration to balance out the varying filter behavior — a trait that is common with original chips. These differences are not due to faulty chips, but rather strong non-linearities, particularly noticeable between different revisions of the 6581 model. Whether you use revision R2, R3, or R4 of the 6581, non-linear behavior can appear across all versions, and it is difficult to generalize whether older chips tend...
  • Page 17 (8580 / 6581) So if you have 2x 8580 chips or 2x ARMSIDs installed, calibration will probably not be necessary. However, if you want to operate the TherapSID with two different chip models (8580 / 6581) or with 2x 6581 simultaneously,...
  • Page 18 Entering the filter calibration mode By pressing and holding the arp mode button in combination with a pressed chain button, the filter calibration mode can be activated while the TherapSID stays in normal operation. The calibration mode initially displays “FC” and is signaled by flashing chain LEDs for the available chips and can be exited...
  • Page 19 At the end, the setting can remain permanently in the EEPROM and the TherapSID also adopts this range when the device is rebooted. Of course, the calibration also has an influence on the ASID playback. It can be switched on (by default) and off during playback of SID tunes using the LFO TRI button ("uC"...
  • Page 20 Elektron Sidstation as a way of playing back Commodore 64 SID-files, but has later seen usage on other SID-based instruments as well. Since firmware revision 2.3, TherapSID can not only play SID tunes over ASID but also remix them in real time using the knobs and buttons. A massive thanks to Thomas Jansson for making this possible.
  • Page 21 The following quick guides will give you a visual overview of all the functions that are possible. Further details can be found in “Remix controls, reference” below. Here are links to download and print the quick guides: https://github.com/twistedelectrons/TherapSID/blob/main/doc/asid_quick_guide_01.png https://github.com/twistedelectrons/TherapSID/blob/main/doc/asid_quick_guide_02.png https://github.com/twistedelectrons/TherapSID/blob/main/doc/asid_quick_guide_03.png...
  • Page 22 Solo / reset / combine waveforms:...

  • Page 23: Supported Files

    Supported files The ASID mode supports several types of SID-files: • When using standard MIDI interfaces and one or two SID-chips: - Single-SID files at 50/60Hz (the most common format). The SID playback is duplicated on the second SID. • When using Turbo MIDI (Elektron TM-1 interface and similar) also the following: - Dual-SID files ("Stereo SIDs”) - Multi-speed SID files (2x, 3x, 4x etc)
  • Page 24 Remix controls, reference • NOISE waveform button mutes/unmutes the corresponding track • RECT/TRI/SAW/SYNC/RING waveform buttons force that feature on/off (ignoring incoming changes from the SID file). RECT/TRI/ SAW combinations are possible with the shift button (LFO NOISE) held down. Noise will always be let through. •...
  • Page 25 a channel to solo also sets the channels of the duplicated SIDs to solo too. This allows you to switch between the chips without losing the solo configuration.. • PRESET UP/DOWN will change the default chip for remixing - from affecting both to only one of them (useful for one-handed remixing of one chip, not needing to hold RETRIG/LOOP).
  • Page 26 MIDI Controller Implementation Note: the knobs and buttons (AND LFOs!) send their corresponding MIDI CCs out too, so you can double TherapSID as a powerful MIDI controller for other synths! Note for MK2 owners: We use TRS MIDI TYPE A...
  • Page 27 MIDI Message Range Result Direction Control CC#2 1-127 Voice1 Pulse Width receive/send Control CC#10 1-127 Voice2 Pulse Width receive/send Control CC#18 1-127 Voice3 Pulse Width receive/send Control CC#4 1-127 Voice1 Fine receive/send Control CC#12 1-127 Voice2 Fine receive/send Control CC#20 1-127 Voice3 Fine receive/send...
  • Page 28 MIDI Message Range Result Direction Control CC#38 0=off 1=on Voice1 Triangle receive/send Control CC#39 0=off 1=on Voice1 Saw receive/send Control CC#40 0=off 1=on Voice1 Noise receive/send Control CC#41 0=off 1=on Voice2 Rect receive/send Control CC#42 0=off 1=on Voice2 Triangle receive/send Control CC#43 0=off 1=on...
  • Page 29 To use the online tool, your web browser must have MIDI support enabled (like Chrome). No downloads or drivers are necessary, as the tool runs directly in your browser. The tool is available at the following web address: https://twisted-electrons.com/tool/therapSID/ Settings Tool showing default settings...

  • Page 30: Changing Settings

    1. Select MIDI input and output ports: To use the online tool, you need to select the MIDI input and output ports that are connected to your TherapSID. You can do this by using the drop-down menus located at the top of the screen.

  • Page 31: Firmware Updates

    • Power the unit back on When you enter the boot-loader mode, all the LEDs on the control panel will light up. This indicates that the TherapSID is ready to receive the sysex data from your computer. Windows If you're using a Windows PC, we recommend using MIDI-OX to update your TherapSID's firmware.
  • Page 32 In the top drop-down menu, select your MIDI interface (if it's not already selected). Drag the MIDI SysEx file from the Finder into the frame of SysEx Librarian Select the file by clicking on it with your mouse. Click the Play button to send the firmware update to your TherapSID.
  • Page 33 If you are having difficulty removing or replacing the bottom chassis try releasing the 1/4” Jack nuts a little… When installing SID chips into your TherapSID, make sure to follow these guidelines: The C-shaped notch on the chip should be pointing to the left.
  • Page 34 PLEASE SET THE SWITCHES TO THE 2 ABOVE SETTINGS ONLY! Removing chips To remove a SID chip from your TherapSID, follow these steps: Gently lever the chip up on one side, lifting it to about a 30-degree angle. Slide a flat-blade screwdriver under the chip to help lift it straight from underneath.
  • Page 35 This upgrade is made possible thanks to the firmware contributions of Thomas Jansson. To benefit from this enhancement, a minor hardware modification and a custom firmware are required. Please click the link provided below for the firmware and hardware modification guide. https://twisted-electrons.com/tool/TherapSID/arm2sid.zip...

This manual is also suitable for:

Therapsid mkiiTherapsid mkiii