Moog Taurus 3 User Manual
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Moog Taurus 3 User Manual

Moog Taurus 3 User Manual

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FOREWORD by Cyril Lance ........................................
THE BASICS
How to Use this Manual ..........................................
Setup and Connections ...........................................
Overview and Features ...........................................
Signal Flow .......................................................................
Basic Operation ............................................................ 10
A. Oscillator/LFO Panel............................................. 11
B. Filter/Arpeggiator Panel ..................................... 15
C. CONTROL Footwheel ..................................... 18
D. Footswitches .......................................................... 19
E. Pedalboard ................................................................. 23
F. VOLUME Footwheel ........................................... 24
G. Input/Output Panel .............................................. 25
H. Interface Panel ........................................................ 26
Selecting Presets ........................................................ 27
THE USER INTERFACE
4
Preset Mode ............................................................................ 28
Master Mode ........................................................................... 30
A. Master Mode Menu Structure .................... 31
5
B. Master Mode Menus ....................................... 32
6
C. Advanced Presets Menus ............................... 35
7
D. MIDI Setup Menus ............................................ 38
9
F. System Utilities Menus .................................... 44
How the Taurus 3 handles MIDI .................................... 50
A - Arpeggiator Examples .............................................. 53
B - MIDI Implementation Chart ................................. 54
C - Service & Support Information ............................ 55
D - Caring for the Taurus 3 ............................................ 55
E - Specifications ................................................................... 56
F - MIDI Program Change Commands ..................... 57
GLOSSARY .......................................................................................... 58
42
Page 3

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  • Page 1: Table Of Contents

    D. Footswitches ............19 C – Service & Support Information ......55 E. Pedalboard ..............23 D – Caring for the Taurus 3 ..........55 F. VOLUME Footwheel ........... 24 E – Specifications ..............56 G. Input/Output Panel ..........25 F –...

  • Page 2: Foreword By Cyril Lance

    As we prepare to ship the first Taurus 3 pedals, this is really only the very beginning of the story. We are waiting for you to continue it…...

  • Page 3: How To Use This Manual

    Setup and Connections The following should get you set up and running quickly. When exploring the Taurus 3 for the first time, you may want to place the instrument on a table or other study surface so that you can easily reach and activate the front panel controls in order to become familiar with the basic operation.
  • Page 4 Set up Make sure you have an adequate place to set up your Taurus 3. You may want to place the instrument on a table or other study surface so that you can easily familiarize yourself with its operation. Keep in mind that the Taurus 3 is a substantial instrument, and the surface you place it on should be capable of supporting 45 lb.

  • Page 5: Overview And Features

    T3 User’s Manual - The Basics Overview and Features The Taurus 3 (‘T3’) is a monophonic analog bass synthesizer that is an updated version of the classic Taurus 1 synthesizer. The T3 features 2 ultra-stable oscillators, a genuine Moog 24dB/Octave low pass filter, two envelope generators and a Low Frequency Oscillator (LFO).
  • Page 6 Filter and Volume envelope generators. CV inputs allow the T3 to be controlled from expression pedals (like the Moog EP-2), or CV devices like the Moogerfooger® CP-251 Control Processor or MP-201 Multi-Pedal. The Gate input can be triggered with a gate signal.

  • Page 7: Signal Flow

    Volume Footwheel controller The Pedalboard is the main control source of the Taurus 3. Each time a pedal is pressed, the pedalboard produces Pitch CV and Gate signals. The Pitch CV determines the pitch of the oscillators; it is also applied to the Filter to control the Filter Cutoff parameter.

  • Page 8: Basic Operation

    Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The Basics Basic Operation The T3 has two operating modes: Master and Preset. • Master mode allows you to access and change global parameters and other utility options. A complete list of the Master mode functions and parameters is shown on page 30.

  • Page 9: The Components

    Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The Components The Components Let’s take a closer look at the features and functions of the components that make up the Taurus 3, start- ing with the Oscillator/LFO section. Then we’ll cover the Filter/Arpeggiator section, Control Footwheel, the Footswitch section, the Pedalboard, the Volume Footwheel, the Input/Output Side Panel, and the User Interface section.
  • Page 10 A 1-volt change of this voltage will change the pitch by NOMINALLY one octave. The jack accepts 0 to +5 volts, or an expression pedal like the Moog EP-2. The GATE jack on the side panel is a trigger input that accepts a Gate trigger signal (+5V). A Gate trig- ger applied to this input will cause both envelope generators (Volume and Filter) to trigger.
  • Page 11 Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The Components A.2. LFO Modulation effects in the Taurus 3 are provided by a wide-range LFO that allows you to se- lect from four waveforms, adjust modulation amounts to two destinations (Pitch and Filter), and set the LFO sync option.
  • Page 12 The FILTER jack on the side-panel is a CV input for external control of the filter cutoff parameter. The jack accepts 0 to +5 volts, or an expression pedal like the Moog EP-2. A voltage applied to this jack is added to the setting of the filter cutoff control.

  • Page 13: Filter/Arpeggiator Panel

    Selects the Resonance parameter. Resonance is adjustable from 0 to self-oscillation. TECH NOTE: Like the Taurus 1, the source of the Taurus 3 filter envelope generator is a pulse signal, which is great for simulating the timbre of a plucked string. Adjusting the filter envelope attack time slows the rise time of this pulse, but it also limits how far up the pulse rises.
  • Page 14 Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The Components B.2. Arpeggiator The Arpeggiator is a note pattern generator based on the notes played on the pedalboard and stored in the note stack (the note stack is a ‘memory bank’ for the arpeggiator). For any note or series...
  • Page 15 Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The Components Arpeggiator Panel Controls (con’t): ON/OFF: Sets the arpeggiator ON/OFF condition. When ON, the Arpeggiator creates patterns of notes based on the Order, Pattern, Octave and Latch parameter settings, plus any applicable Advanced Preset settings. If the TRANSPOSE/PGM footswitch is programmed to control ‘ARP ON/OFF’, that footswitch can be used...

  • Page 16: Control Footwheel

    Analogue Mode parameter. NOTES: The CONTROL footwheel will transmit the MIDI CC message that corre- sponds to the active parameter. For a complete list of MIDI CC messages, see ‘How the TAURUS 3 handles MIDI’ on page 50 Page 18...

  • Page 17: Footswitches

    Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The Components D – Footswitches The eight footswitches in the footswitch section provide controls for selecting individual Presets and Preset Banks, and for turning selected functions ON/OFF. All of the footswitches have an LED above the switch mechanism, which illuminates when the switch is in the ON state.
  • Page 18 Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The Components During the bank selection process, the LCD will display the currently selected bank and preset location: NOTE: When selecting Banks using the footwheels, the LCD becomes a non-editable display. You cannot select the Bank or Preset using the VALUE encoder in this mode.
  • Page 19 Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The Components The TRANSPOSE/PGM footswitch is a dual-function program switch. It operates either to initiate the Transpose function, or to access alternate functions for the GLIDE, DECAY and OCTAVE footswitches. Transposition: To set the transpose interval, press and release the TRANSPOSE/PGM footswitch. The TRANSPOSE...
  • Page 20 Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The Components The GLIDE, DECAY and OCTAVE footswitches are used to turn their respective functions ON/OFF, and also to access performance parameters not available on the control panel. The GLIDE footswitch enables or disables the portamento effect between notes. Glide is ON when the footswitch LED is illuminated.

  • Page 21: Pedalboard

    The Pitch Bend range is set by the Pitch Bend UP/DOWN menu in Advanced Presets, making it possible to set independent Pitch Bends on a per-Preset basis. NOTE: When moving or transporting the Taurus 3, do not lift the instrument by the pedals or by the footguard.

  • Page 22: Volume Footwheel

    Output level. The jack accepts a positive control voltage from 0 to + 5 volts, or an expression pedal like the EP-2. A voltage of 0 volts silences the Taurus 3, and a voltage of +5 volts corresponds to the maximum output level set by the VOLUME footwheel and the Master Volume parameter.

  • Page 23: Input/Output Panel

    Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The Components G – Input/Output Panel The Side Panel provides all of the input and output connections. In addition to two Audio Output jacks, there are CV and Gate inputs, and connections for MIDI and power.

  • Page 24: Interface Panel

    Pressing the MASTER button places you in Master mode. In this mode, the VALUE knob is used to scroll through the Master mode menus for the Taurus 3. For a list of the Master mode menus, see page 31. Preset: Pressing the PRESET button places you in Preset mode.

  • Page 25: Selecting Presets

    Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The Components Selecting Presets Presets are selected using one of four methods: 1. Using the VALUE encoder 2. Pressing one of the four PRESET access footswitches 3. Pressing the BANK select footswitch followed by one of the Footpedals 4.

  • Page 26: Preset Mode

    Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The User Interface MIDI Program Change Commands With Local Control set to ‘ON’ or ‘OFF’, and Program Change Receive set to ‘YES’, Presets can be changed by MIDI Program Change Commands received on the current MIDI In channel. Valid program change com- mand values are from 00 –...
  • Page 27 Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The User Interface Storing Presets To store a preset, press the STORE button. This function is used to save an edited preset, or to change the location of a stored preset. When you press STORE, the LCD will display a message similar to the one shown at left.

  • Page 28: Master Mode

    Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The User Interface Master Mode Master mode accesses the global settings and Advanced Preset settings for the Taurus 3, and the options for sending and receiving data. To enter master mode, press the MASTER button. By default, the first master menu entry is Tuning Mode.

  • Page 29: Master Mode Menu Structure

    Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The User Interface A. Master Mode Menu Structure The chart below shows the structure of the Master Mode menus. With the exception of the Advanced Preset parameters, which are individually stored with each preset, all Master Mode menu parameters effect the T3 globally.

  • Page 30: Master Mode Menus

    Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The User Interface B. Master Mode Menus Here are the Master Mode menu items : FINE TUNE: The Fine Tune parameter allows you to adjust the tuning of the T3. To make an adjustment, use the CURSOR button to highlight the Amount parameter value, the use the VALUE knob to adjust the tuning.
  • Page 31 Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The User Interface TRIGGER MODE: Allows you to select from three trigger mode options. For monophonic instruments like the T3, trigger mode determines how the envelopes are triggered when more than one pedal is pressed on the pedalboard. A setting of ON means that the envelopes are not retriggered until the pedal(s) are released.
  • Page 32 Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The User Interface MIDI CHANNELS IN/OUT: Allows you to select the T3 MIDI In and Out channels. The T3 can send and receive on only one channel at a time, but the send and receive channels can be set independently.

  • Page 33: Advanced Presets Menus

    Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The User Interface C. Advanced Preset menus The Advanced Preset menu provides a set of additional programming parameters for each Preset. These parameters are stored individually for each Preset. To access the Advanced Preset menus, press the CUR- SOR button.
  • Page 34 Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The User Interface NOTE LATCH ON /OFF: Allows you to control the action of the Envelope Gate, enabling you to sustain notes without keeping a pedal held down. When NOTE LATCH OFF is selected, the Gate goes on and the note is held as long as a pedal is held down.
  • Page 35 Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The User Interface ARPEGGIATOR RATE (ARP RATE): Allows you to set the Arpeggiator Rate. When the ARP CLOCK parameter is set to ‘INT’, the actual Arp Rate value is set with the VALUE encoder. When the ARP CLOCK parameter is set to ‘MIDI’, the...

  • Page 36: Midi Setup Menus

    Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The User Interface D. MIDI Setup Menus MIDI Setup menus are used to select the T3 MIDI options. To enable MIDI Setup menus, press the CUR- SOR button. This will highlight the menu options shown on the second line of the display. Once highlighted, use the VALUE knob to scroll through the menus.
  • Page 37 Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The User Interface MIDI SETUP (con’t) MIDI OUTPUT: Allows you to select the MIDI output connection (None, DIN, USB or both). To specify the MIDI output connection, use the CURSOR button to highlight the output selection, then use the VALUE knob to select the new output.
  • Page 38 If you have two Taurus 3 synths, you would connect MIDI OUT from the first one to MIDI IN on the second, then you would turn on MIDI MERGE on the second T3 and connect its MIDI OUT to the MIDI IN on the first T3.
  • Page 39 Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The User Interface MIDI SETUP (con’t) VELOCITY RESOLUTION: Allows you to select the MIDI velocity output resolution of the T3. A setting of FULL provides the full output range (0-127). A setting of 1 provides a fixed velocity output value of 100. A setting of 2 provides two velocity values, a setting of 4 provides four velocity values, a setting of 8 provides eight velocity output values, etc.

  • Page 40: System Exclusive (Sysex) Menus

    Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The User Interface E. System Exclusive (SysEx) Menus SysEx menus are a set of commands to transmit and receive selected presets, bulk dumps and firmware dumps. To enable SysEx menus, press the CURSOR button. This will highlight the menu options shown on the lower line of the display.
  • Page 41 Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The User Interface SEND FIRMWARE: This option allows you to save the entire state of the T3 (including all global data and Preset data) for later recovery. To execute a bulk dump, enable the device that is to receive the SysEx data, then press STORE to initiate the data transfer.

  • Page 42: System Utilities Menus

    Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The User Interface F. System Utilities Menus System Utilities provide a set of useful system-level commands to set global options, restore factory defaults and calibrate the T3. To enable System Utilities menus, press the CURSOR button. This will highlight the menu options shown on the second line of the display.
  • Page 43 Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The User Interface RESTORE FACTORY: Allows you to perform a ‘Factory Restore’, which will restore the global default values and all factory presets. To execute this operation, press STORE to activate. NOTE: You should back up any presets you wish to save prior to performing this action.
  • Page 44 Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The User Interface CALIBRATION: Allows you to calibrate the Taurus 3. The calibration utilities allow you to perform individual calibrations on the VOLUME and CONTROL Footwheels and the Note Range. For example, the Note Calibration operation individually tunes each note exactly for each oscillator and octave setting.
  • Page 45 Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The User Interface CALIBRATION (con’t) NOTE CALIBRATION: Allows you to perform Note calibration. This calibrates individual notes exactly for each oscillator and octave setting. Press STORE to access the Note calibration menu. The Note calibration menu will be displayed, allowing you to set the calibration range.
  • Page 46 Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The User Interface CALIBRATION (con’t) VOLUME WHEEL Allows you to calibrate the VOLUME Footwheel. Press STORE to ac- cess the VOLUME Footwheel calibration menu. You will be asked if you wish to proceed. Use the VALUE knob to select YES or NO.
  • Page 47 Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The User Interface CALIBRATION (con’t) CONTROL WHEEL: Allows you to calibrate the CONTROL Footwheel. Press STORE to access the CONTROL Footwheel calibration menu. You will be asked if you wish to proceed. Use the VALUE knob to select YES or NO.

  • Page 48: How The Taurus 3 Handles Midi

    Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The User Interface How the Taurus 3 handles MIDI When you adjust any one of the Taurus 3 panel controls, MIDI Continuous Controller (CC) messages are transmitted to the MIDI Output. The information contained in these MIDI messages varies accord- ing to the selected parameter.
  • Page 49 Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The User Interface SECTION CONTROL FUNCTION VALUE/RANGE Adjusts the active parameter. The MIDI CC parameter transmitted by the CONTROL CONTROL Varies 0 – 127 footwheel depends on the active parameter that is being modified. VOLUME Adjusts the output volume 0 –...
  • Page 50 Taurus 3 User’s Manual - Appendices SECTION CONTROL FUNCTION VALUE/RANGE MSB 27 AMOUNT Adjusts the amount of the filter envelope 0 – 127 LSB 59 ATTACK Adjusts the filter envelope attack time MSB 23 0 – 127 LSB 55 DECAY...

  • Page 51: Appendicesa - Arpeggiator Examples

    Taurus 3 User’s Manual - Appendices Appendix A - Arpeggiator Examples The Arpeggiator takes the currently played note or group of notes and generates a note sequence based on the Arpeggiator ORDER, PATTERN and OCTAVE settings. Here are some examples of sequences gener- ated by the Arpeggiator for specific settings: Example 1.

  • Page 52: B - Midi Implementation Chart

    Taurus 3 User’s Manual - Appendices Appendix B - MIDI Implementation Chart MIDI Implementation Chart Moog Music Date: 12/28/09 Taurus 3 Analog Bass Synthesizer Version 1.0 FUNCTION TRANSMITTED RECOGNIZED REMARKS Basic channel Default Changed 1-16, OFF 1-16, OFF User selectable...

  • Page 53: C - Service & Support Information

    Music before returning any product. You can request an RMA number on-line using the ‘Product Register’ link on the Moog Music home page or call us at (828) 251-0090. The Taurus 3 must be returned in the original inner packing including the foam inserts. The warranty will not be honored if the product is not properly packed.

  • Page 54: E - Specifications

    Taurus 3 User’s Manual - Appendices Appendix E - Specifications Type: User Interface: Programmable monophonic analog LCD Display, 2 x 16 characters bass synthesizer w/52 presets Mode switches: Master Synth Engine: Preset Oscillator Section: Selection/Navigation controls: Oscillators A & B: Cursor Octave: 32’, 16’, 8’...

  • Page 55: F - Midi Program Change Commands

    Appendix F - MIDI Program Change Commands The Taurus 3 uses a Bank/Location numbering system to select presets. If you are using a MIDI Controller, sequencer or DAW to remotely control the Taurus 3, these devices will transmit standard MIDI Program Change commands (0 - 127) to select T3 presets.

  • Page 56: Glossary

    Taurus 3 User’s Manual - Glossary Glossary Here are a few key terms that cover the basics of sound generation as used in the Taurus 3 synthesizer. Amplitude – The strength of a sound’s vibration measured in Decibels (dB). Amplitude corresponds to the musical term Loudness.
  • Page 57 EEPROM – EEPROM stands for ‘Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory’. This is a type of digital memory used to store information, even after the power is turned off. In the Taurus 3, the EEPROM is used to store global settings and presets, and operating system parameters such as tuning information.
  • Page 58 Taurus 3 User’s Manual - Glossary Mixer – A circuit for combining multiple sound sources or signals. The Taurus 3 uses a simple mixer to mix the ‘A’ & ‘B’ oscillators. Modulation – Modulation is the use of a control voltage to shape a tone. Modulation has a source, a destination, and an amount.
  • Page 59 VCF – Abbreviation for ‘Voltage Controlled Filter’. A VCF is a filter circuit where the filter cutoff frequency is a function of the control voltage. A VCF is used to control the timbre of a sound. In the Taurus 3, the VCF is paired with the Filter Envelope Generator for dynamic control.
  • Page 60 Notes Taurus 3 User’s Manual © Moog Music 2010, all rights reserved Text and illustrations by Greg Kist, Cyril Lance, Steve Dunnington, and Amos Gaynes...

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