Dave Smith Instruments Mopho x4 Operation Manual
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Dave Smith Instruments Mopho x4 Operation Manual

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Summary of Contents for Dave Smith Instruments Mopho x4

  • Page 1 Operation Manual...
  • Page 3 Mopho x4 Operation Manual Version 1.0 July 2012 Dave Smith Instruments 1527 Stockton Street, 2 Floor San Francisco, CA 94133 ©2012 Dave Smith Instruments www.DaveSmithInstruments.com...
  • Page 4 Tested To Comply With FCC Standards FOR OFFICE USE This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

  • Page 5: Table Of Contents

      Contents   Quick Start ....................1   Getting Connected ..................3   Basic Operation ..................4   Global Parameters ..................8   Oscillators ....................12   Mixer ....................... 15   Filter ......................16   Envelopes ....................17   LFO ......................18  ...

  • Page 7: Quick Start

    Quick Start Thanks for purchasing your Mopho x4 synthesizer! Listen to the sounds, twiddle some knobs, have some fun! Please Register! Please go to www.davesmithinstruments.com and register your synth. If you purchased directly from us, there is no need to register—we already have your contact information.
  • Page 8 Download the free LE version of Soundtower’s Mopho x4 editor from www.soundtower.com/mophox4. I should mention that this manual does not include explanations of basic analog synthesizer functions.

  • Page 9: Getting Connected

    If for whatever reason you need to use a different supply, it must match the specifications printed on the back panel. Mopho x4 transmits and receives MIDI data via this standard, Type B, USB— USB receptacle. See Using USB on page 35 for more information.

  • Page 10: Basic Operation

    —Allows the keyboard to be transposed in one octave increments Transpose two octaves up or down. When transposed one octave, the corresponding LED will be lighted, but dim. If the LED is brightly lit, Mopho x4 is transposed two octaves. —Used to access the shifted parameters.
  • Page 11 —When editing a Program, press C to hear the saved version. OMPARE Compare Turn C off to return to the edited version. C can also be used to OMPARE OMPARE audition write destinations when moving a program. —Press W to save the program and write any edits to memory. You RITE Write can write the program to the same location or choose a different program...

  • Page 12: Modes Of Operation

    The sequence will average and smooth out any small timing differences. Modes of Operation Mopho x4 has three operating modes: program, edit, and global. In program mode, P 1, P 2, and I...

  • Page 14: Global Parameters

    Sets the method by which MIDI Parameter Receive: All, NRPN, CC, Off— Mopho x4 receives parameter changes via MIDI. As with transmission, NRPNs are the preferred method, though some controllers may only be able to send CCs.
  • Page 15 Mopho x4. When off, the controls are transmitted via MIDI but do not directly affect the “local” synth (that is, Mopho x4). This is primarily useful for avoiding MIDI data loops that can occur with some external sequencers.
  • Page 16 - —A momentary footswitch connected to Sustain: Norm +, Norm -, Arp +, Arp Mopho x4’s Sustain input can be used either as a sustain pedal or to latch the arpeggiator. Mopho x4 can be configured for use with either normally open (+) or normally closed (-) footswitches.
  • Page 17 This feature is handy for saving programs on RITE a computer in SysEx format, or for sending them to another Mopho x4 via a direct MIDI connection. The dumps include Program and Bank numbers, so when received, the programs will be stored in the same location.

  • Page 18: Oscillators

    Oscillators Mopho x4 has two digitally controlled analog oscillators, or DCOs, per voice. “Digitally controlled” does not mean the oscillators themselves are digital, just that the oscillators’ frequencies are under digital—rather than voltage—control. The advantage to that is that the tuning is exceptionally stable over a ten-octave range without having to compensate for variables like temperature.
  • Page 19 —The amount of random oscillator frequency tuning slop. Oscillator Slop: 0...5 The analog oscillators in Mopho x4 are very accurate, and will not drift. This works great for accurate sounds, and allows precise de-tuning. Oscillator Slop allows subtle amounts of frequency drift. For larger amounts, use a random LFO...
  • Page 20 —Determines how the Glide Mode: FixRate, FixRate A, FixTime, FixTime A oscillators respond when G is on. LIDE The time to transition between notes varies with the interval between FixRate: the notes; the greater the interval, the longer the transition time. The glide rate is fixed.

  • Page 21: Mixer

    Mixer The Mixer section balances the levels of the outputs of the Oscillators section and noise generator, and the Audio In/feedback loop before routing the summed signals to the low-pass filter. —Mixes the outputs of oscillators 1 and 2 in varying amounts. A Mix: 0...127 setting of 0 is equivalent to 100% oscillator 1 and 0% oscillator 2.

  • Page 22: Filter

    Filter Mopho x4 features a selectable 2- or 4-pole, low-pass filter per voice. —Selects the filter configuration. When lighted, the filter is in 4-pole 4-Pole mode. A 4-pole, low-pass filter rolls off frequencies above the cutoff frequency at a slope of 24dB/octave. When the light is off, the filter is in 2-pole mode and has a slope of 12dB/octave and a more gradual rolloff of the higher frequencies.

  • Page 23: Envelopes

    Envelopes Mopho x4 has three 5-stage (Delay + ADSR) envelope generators per voice. Two are dedicated—one to the filter and the other to the amplifier—and the third is assignable to any modulation destination. —Selects the envelope to edit. When all three are lighted, the Envelope Select other envelope parameters control all three envelopes simultaneously.

  • Page 24: Lfo

    Mopho x4 has four low frequency oscillators (LFOs) per voice. The LFOs can be free-running, synced to keystrokes, or synced to the sequencer and MIDI clock. To edit the LFO parameters, choose LFO in the Modulation section. —Chooses the LFO to edit.
  • Page 25 Tip: The sequencer must be on for the LFO to sync, even if all four sequence destinations are set to Off. The sequencer will still gate the envelopes, so if you don’t want to hear the discrete sequencer steps, adjust the envelopes accordingly. (In other words, turn Amp and/or Filter Sustain and Release up as needed until you don’t hear the steps.) Editing F shows the values in the following table.

  • Page 26: Sequencer

    (more legato) or shorter (more staccato) effects can be achieved by editing the envelope rates. Mopho x4’s sequencer is a gated sequencer. That means it requires a note to be gated on—that is played from the keyboard, the P button, or via MIDI—...
  • Page 27 does not respond to MIDI start/stop/continue messages, but it can still sync to an external clock. Simply turn on the sequencer and then play and hold a note to start. Or use the P button’s toggle feature to latch a note on with one push and release it with another;...

  • Page 28: Programming The Sequencer

    Sequence one has an additional value, Rest, that appears in the list after Reset. Rest prevents the envelopes from being gated by the corresponding step, so a rest in sequence one affects all four sequences. If the sequences are the same length, rests will occur in the same place in all four sequences as they loop.
  • Page 29 The rate of change is called the slew rate and one common application is to create a glide (aka portamento) effect between notes. Among the possible destinations for Mopho x4 sequences two and four is a sequence-only parameter called Slew. Slew behaves a little differently from the other modulation destinations, in that it is not really a destination at all;...
  • Page 30 Note: Depending upon the BPM and C settings, the slew LOCK IVIDE rate can actually exceed the time the envelopes are gated on, causing a step in the affected sequence to not reach its set value. For example, if Slew is applied to oscillator frequency, high Slew values may cause a step to sound flat or sharp.

  • Page 31: Modulators

    Modulators lets you configure the modulation routing and amount for Mopho x4’s four general-purpose modulation slots. Since each Mopho x4 modulation source has a single destination, the four general purpose modulators provide a way to send a mod source (such as a sequence or LFO) to additional destinations, with a different amount.

  • Page 32: Miscellaneous Modulators

    Miscellaneous Modulators There are certain standard controllers that Mopho x4 consigns to dedicated modulators, things like mod wheel, pressure (AKA aftertouch), and velocity. The most obvious benefits to doing this is it provides a shortcut to setting up commonly used controllers and it frees up the four general-purpose mod slots for other, more Mopho x4-specific applications.

  • Page 33: Clock

    (and LFO, when C is on). LOCK There are also switches to turn the arpeggiator and sequencer on and off. —Turns Mopho x4’s arpeggiator on and off. The tempo and note Arpeggiator value are determined by the BPM and C settings. A...
  • Page 34 The Arpeggiator (and Sequencer) can sync to MIDI clock from an external sequencer or other device. See “Clock” in Global Parameters on page 8 for more information. —Turns Mopho x4’s gated sequencer on and off. See Sequencer on Sequencer page 20 for more information.
  • Page 35 Note: BPM is based on quarter notes, so clock divisions are relative to a quarter-note beat. For example, when C is set to Eighth, two LOCK IVIDE notes or steps will play per beat.

  • Page 36: Miscellaneous Parameters

    Miscellaneous Parameters Miscellaneous Parameters groups together programmable parameters that do not conveniently fall into any obvious section or, if they do, are parameters that are less frequently used. They are important, but generally not required for performance. Sets the volume of the current program to match Voice Volume: 0…127—...
  • Page 37 Push It Note: C0…C10— Sets the MIDI note-on velocity. Push It Velocity: 0…127— —When on, Mopho x4 behaves like a monophonic synthesizer Unison On/Off and only one note will play at a time. See also “Unison Mode,” below. —Sets how voices are allocated and tuned when unison is on.

  • Page 38: Modulation Sources

    Modulation Sources Display Source No source selected Sequence 1 Sequence1 Sequence 2 Sequence2 Sequence 3 Sequence3 Sequence 4 Sequence4 LFO 1 LFO 1 LFO 2 LFO 2 LFO 3 LFO 3 LFO 4 LFO 4 Filter Envelope Filt Env1 Amp (VCA) Envelope VCA Env 2 Envelope 3 Envelope3...

  • Page 39: Modulation Destinations

    Modulation Destinations Display Destination No destination selected Oscillator 1 Frequency Osc 1 Freq Oscillator 2 Frequency Osc 2 Freq Oscillator 1 and 2 Frequency OscAllFreq Oscillator Mix Osc Mix Noise Level NoiseLevel Oscillator 1 Pulse Width Osc1 PulsW Oscillator 2 Pulse Width Osc2 PulsW All Oscillators Pulse Width Osc All PW...
  • Page 40 Modulator 3 Amount Mod 3 Amt Modulator 4 Amount Mod 4 Amt Feedback Amount Fback Amt Sub Oscillator 1 Level Sub Osc 1 Sub Oscillator 2 Level Sub Osc 2 Feedback Gain Fback Gain Sequencer Slew* Slew *Appears as a destination in sequences 2 and 4 only.

  • Page 41: Using Usb

    “normal” MIDI connection. USB Notes Under Mac OS X, Mopho x4 will appear as a MIDI port when connected via USB and can be configured using the Mac’s Audio MIDI Setup application (typically found in Applications/Utilities).
  • Page 42 In Windows, if you unplug the USB cable and plug it back in while a program has the Mopho x4 port open, you may have to resync. That usually means going to the USB Audio Device (or DSI Mopho x4) Properties, as in the procedure above, and clicking OK.

  • Page 43: Using Poly Chain

    Using Poly Chain Mopho x4’s Poly Chain output enables it to be connected to other DSI synths for up to 20-voice polyphony. Products that can be chained include the Tetra, Prophet '08 (module and keyboard), and desktop Mopho. It will not chain with the Evolvers and Poly Evolvers due to the different voice architecture.
  • Page 44 Note: If syncing to an external MIDI clock, set MIDI Clock (Global menu) on the master and any intermediate units to MIDI In/Out. Set the last instrument in the chain to MIDI In. When Poly Chain is set to Off, the Poly Chain MIDI out jack simply duplicates the MIDI out jack.

  • Page 46: Support

    Still experiencing a problem with Mopho x4? Reset the Global parameters (in the Global menu). Contacting Technical Support If you are still having a problem with Mopho x4, contact Technical Support at support@davesmithinstruments.com. Please include your Mopho x4’s serial number, the version of the operating systems (Main and Voice displayed on startup), and the purchase date.

  • Page 47: Warranty Repair

    Please contact support@davesmithinstruments.com to determine the best course of action for getting your Mopho x4 repaired. For your own protection, as well as ours, please do not return any product to Dave Smith Instruments without a return authorization (RA) number. To issue an RA number,...

  • Page 48: Midi Implementation

    MIDI Implementation Mopho x4 receives MIDI data according to the mode controls under G . In LOBAL addition, there is interaction between some of the Program parameters that determine the overall response of Mopho x4 to MIDI data. Following are the Global parameters that affect response to MIDI: Selects the MIDI channel to send and receive MIDI Channel: ALL, 1…16 —...

  • Page 49: Midi Messages

    MIDI Messages System Real-time Messages Status Description 1111 1000 MIDI Timing Clock Received Channel Messages Status Second Third Description 1000 nnnn 0kkkkkkk 0vvvvvvv Note Off. Velocity is ignored 1001 nnnn 0kkkkkkk 0vvvvvvv Note On. Note off if vvvvvvv = 0 1010 nnnn 0kkkkkkk 0vvvvvvv...
  • Page 50 Transmitted Channel Messages Status Second Third Description 1000 nnnn 0kkkkkkk 0000000 Note Off. 1001 nnnn 0kkkkkkk 0vvvvvvv Note On. 1011 nnnn 0vvvvvvv 0vvvvvvv Control Change; see “Transmitted Controller Messages” table following 1100 nnnn 0ppppppp Program change, 0 – 127 for Programs 1 – 128 within current Bank 1101 nnnn 0vvvvvvv...
  • Page 51 Additional Continuous Controllers (CCs) Transmitted/Received The following table details how CCs are mapped onto Mopho x4’s controls. They are transmitted when MIDI Parameter Send is set to CC in Global, and recognized when received when MIDI Parameter Receive is set to either CC or All in Global.

  • Page 52: Nrpn Messages

    NRPN Messages The Non-Registered Parameter Number (NRPN) MIDI messages are used to transmit and receive both global and program parameters. They are transmitted when MIDI Parameter Send is set to NRPN in Global, and received when MIDI Parameter Receive is set to either NRPN or All in Global. The messages are handled in standard MIDI format using the NRPN CC commands in running status byte format.

  • Page 53: Global Parameter Data

    Received NRPN Messages Status Second Third Description 1011 nnnn 0110 0011 0vvvvvvv NRPN parameter number MSB CC 1011 nnnn 0110 0010 0vvvvvvv NRPN parameter number LSB CC 1011 nnnn 0000 0110 0vvvvvvv NRPN parameter value MSB CC 1011 nnnn 0010 0110 0vvvvvvv NRPN parameter value LSB CC 1011 nnnn...
  • Page 54 Param NRPN Range Description 0 - 1 MIDI Out Select*: 0 MIDI Out 1 MIDI Thru 0 - 6 Poly Chain*: 0 Off 1 Out 1 2 Out 4 3 Out 5 4 Out 8 5 Out 12 6 Out 16 0 –...

  • Page 55: Program Parameter Data

    Program Parameter Data The following table lists Mopho x4’s voice parameters. The parameter number in the program and edit buffer dumps are different than the NRPN numbers as seen; this was to maintain NRPN compatibility with the Prophet ’08 as much as possible.
  • Page 56 0 - 127 Filter Keyboard Amount 0 - 127 Filter Audio Modulation 0 - 1 Filter Poles 0: 2-pole; 1: 4-pole 0 - 254 Filter Envelope Amount; -127 to +127 0 - 127 Filter Envelope Velocity Amount 0 - 127 Filter Envelope Delay 0 - 127 Filter Envelope Attack...
  • Page 57 0 - 127 LFO 2 Amount 0 - 47 LFO 2 Mod Destination; See Modulation Destination list below 0 - 1 LFO 2 Key Sync Off/On 0 - 166 LFO 3 Frequency; same as LFO 1 0 - 4 LFO 3 Shape; same as LFO 1 0 - 127 LFO 3 Amount 0 - 47...
  • Page 58 0 - 254 Pressure Amount; -127 to +127 0 - 47 Pressure Destination; See Modulation Destination list below 0 - 254 Breath Amount; -127 to +127 0 - 47 Breath Destination; See Modulation Destination list below 0 - 254 Velocity Amount; -127 to +127 0 - 47 Velocity Destination;...
  • Page 59 0 - 14 Arpeggiator Mode: Down Up/Down Assign Random Up 2 Octaves Down 2 Octaves Up/Down 2 Octaves Assign 2 Octaves Random 2 Octaves 10 Up 3 Octaves 11 Down 3 Octaves 12 Up/Down 3 Octaves 13 Assign 3 Octaves 14 Random 3 Octaves 0 - 1 Arpeggiator;...
  • Page 60 The following tables list the values used with the program parameters to specify modulation destinations and sources. Mod Destinations Value Osc 1 Freq Osc 2 Freq Osc 1 and 2 Freq Osc Mix Noise Level Osc 1 Pulse Width Osc 2 Pulse Width Osc 1 and 2 Pulse Width Filter Frequency Resonance...
  • Page 61 Mod 1 Amt Mod 2 Amt Mod 3 Amt Mod 4 Amt Feedback Amt Sub Osc 1 Level Sub Osc 2 Level Feedback Gain Slew* *Appears as a destination in sequences 2 and 4 only. Mod Sources Value Sequence Track 1 Sequence Track 2 Sequence Track 3 Sequence Track 4...

  • Page 62: Sysex Messages

    Request Program Transmit 0000 00vv Bank Number, 0 - 7 0vvv vvvv Program Number, 0 - 127 1111 0111 End of Exclusive (EOX) Mopho x4 will respond by sending out the Program Data in the format described below in Program Data Dump.
  • Page 63 0000 0110 Request Program Edit Buffer Transmit 1111 0111 End of Exclusive (EOX) Mopho x4 will respond by sending out the current Program edit buffer in the format described below in Program Edit Buffer Data Dump. Request Global Parameter Dump Status...

  • Page 64: Packed Data Format

    Status Description 1111 0000 System Exclusive (SysEx) 0000 0001 DSI ID 0010 1001 Mopho x4 ID 0000 0011 Edit Buffer Data 0vvv vvvv 256 bytes expanded to 293 MIDI bytes in “packed MS bit” format (see page 58.) 1111 0111...

  • Page 65: Hidden" Functions

    To run the calibration routine, hold C and press the Oscillators S OMPARE HAPE button. The display will show the progress and prompt you to restart Mopho x4 when calibration is complete. —To restore Mopho x4’s program banks Copy Factory Banks to User Banks...
  • Page 68 Dave Smith Instruments 1527 Stockton Street, 2 Floor San Francisco, CA 94133 www.DaveSmithInstruments.com...

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