Gotharman FX deFormer User Manual

Granular effects processor

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FX deFormer

Granular Effects Processor

User Manual V 040

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Page 1 Gotharman’s FX deFormer Granular Effects Processor User Manual V 040...
Page 2: Table Of Contents
Contents Of This Manual Introduction Structure Getting Started The User Interface Well, Now It’s Time For Some Action Editing Parameters Preset Parameters Setup Modulation Sources Sampler Sequencer Main Sample/Start Seq Tune/Xtra Seq Distortion Filter Granular Effects (EFX) Delay 1 Delay 2 Reverb 1 Reverb 2 PitchShaper...
Page 3 Update OS Xmit OS MIDI Implementation...
Page 4: Introduction
Introduction Thank you very much for purchasing/consider to purchase an FX deFormer. FX deFormer is the smallest member of the deFormer family, with most of its features derived from its bigger brothers. It has a simple monophonic sampler, a simple step sequencer, a distortion section and a filter, but the main powers in this box is in its granular effects section.
Page 5 It is possible to have one sampling, 4 sequencer tracks, one distortion effect, one filter, one granular effect, one expansion box and 4 LFO’s running at the same time.
Page 6 I hope you will deForm some great tracks with it.
Page 8: Getting Started
Getting Started Well, now that you got your FX deFormer, you probably can’t wait to get it up and going, so let’s jump right to it. Connecting: On the left end panel of your FX deFormer, you will find the connections for audio input and output and for an expansion box.
Page 9 On the right end panel of your FX deFormer, you will find the power switch and connections for power supply and MIDI in and out. If you plan to control FX deFormer from a MIDI device, connect that to its MIDI input.
Page 10 AnaX mkII banana and minijack models Makes it possible to use your FX deFormer together with analog gear. SP-Box Adds an extra Emu SP-1200 audio output stage to your FX deFormer, with 12 bit converter and analogue filter. Anamono Box Adds an extra output stage, derived from my anAmoNo synthesizer, with 2 analogue filters, analog distortion and a unique G-Ray feedback circuit.
Page 11 It’s a 9V, 660 mA type with a 2.1 mm DC plug, with positive middle. Turn it on Toggle the power switch on the right end panel, so its pin is pointing down. Your FX deFormer should now turn on.
Page 12: The User Interface
Dec and Inc buttons On the preset select screen, these will select preset. In the edit menu’s they will select among the different edit pages. Holding one of these buttons down, will cause FX deFormer to auto increment/decrement. Dec + Play/Enter - Edit button Holding the Dec button down, while pushing the Play/Enter button, will enter the edit menu’s.
Page 13 Volume knob Turns the output level of the FX deFormer up or down, depending on what direction you are turning it. Clockwise movement will turn the volume up, counterclockwise movement will turn the volume down.
Page 14: Well, Now It's Time For Some Action
Well, now it’s time for some action If you have followed the previous steps, your FX deFormer should now be turned on and connected. When it is turned on, it starts up on the preset select screen: [MetalVerb1 (0- 0) This is the FX deFormer main page.
Page 15: Editing Parameters
Editing parameters From the preset select screen [MetalVerb1 (0- 0) Hold the “Dec” button, and push the “Play/Enter” button one time, to enter this screen: Setup This is referred to as an ”Edit Group screen”. By pushing the ”Inc” and ”Dec” buttons, you can select between various edit group screens: Sampler Seq Main Sample/Start Seq...
Page 16 Xmit Preset Update OS Xmit OS To go back to the preset select screen, from the edit group screens, hold the “Inc” button, and push the ”Play/Enter” button. To enter the parameters for the selected group, hold the “Dec” button, while hitting the ”Play/Enter” button.
Page 17: Preset Parameters
Used% – 0 to 100. Shows how many percent of the sample memory, that are in use. This is not an adjustable parameter. Chan – 1 to 16. Common MIDI channel select. FX deFormer will receive note on’s and off’s, and will receive and transmit controllers on the channel selected here. This parameter is global, and are automatically globally stored, when changed.
Page 18: Modulation Sources
Modulation Sources Many of FX deFormer’s parameters can be modulated. Here are a complete list of the possible modulation sources. Modulation destinations are explained in each parameter group section. Lf1+ - LFO1 Lf1- - LFO1 inverted Lf2+ - LFO2 Lf2- - LFO2 inverted...
Page 19: Sampler
SAMPLER All parameteres in this section, is stored with each preset. FX deFormer can hold up to 127 samples, with a total maximum length of 10 minutes, in its sample FLASH memory. Samples can be recorded from its audio input, or imported as a wav file, if you have the USB box connected.
Page 20 Strt – 0 to 253, Seq. The selected samplings start point. When triggering the sampling, playback will start from the adjusted point. This parameter is relative to the selected samplings length. . If set to “Seq”, the steps of the sequencer start track will set the start point of the sample. Fine –...
Page 21: Sequencer Main
All parameteres in this section, is stored with each preset. FX deFormer’s sequencer has up to 16 steps. It has 4 tracks, and a value can be adjusted for each step of each track. It can trigger a sampling, select samplings, control the sample start point and pitch, and modulate almost any parameter.
Page 22: Sample/Start Seq
Sample/Start Seq All parameteres in this section, is stored with each preset. Sample select and sample start point tracks. Step – 1 to 16. Selects the step for editing. Smpl – 1 to 127, Off. Selects the sampling to be triggered at the step selected for editing, if sample select in the Sampler section, is set to “Seq”.
Page 23: Tune/Xtra Seq
Tune/Xtra Seq All parameteres in this section, is stored with each preset. Sample tune and Xtra (for modulation) tracks. Step – 1 to 16. Selects the step for editing. Tune – -23 to +8. Selects the sample pitch at the step selected for editing, if Tune in the Sampler section, is set to “Seq”.
Page 24: Distortion
Distortion All parameteres in this section, is stored with each preset. FX deFormer has a distortion, that can do anything from giving the sound a bit of grit, to totally destroy it. Effect – Distortion effect select. Choices are: -Valve – A digital simulation of a classic valve distortion.
Page 25: Filter
Filter All parameteres in this section, is stored with each preset. This filter is placed right after the distortion. The sampler and audio input will go through the filter, when the “Conn” parameter are at setting “On”. By other settings of the Conn (connection) parameter, it is possible to use the filter in combination with the selected granular effect.
Page 26 folr – 0 to 255. An envelope follower is added to this filter. This parameter adjusts the speed of the envelope follower. fEnv - -128 to +127. Adjusts how much the envelope follower will affect the filter cutoff frequency. Negative values will reverse the envelope. mEnv - -128 to +127.
Page 27: Granular Effects (Efx)
Granular effects (EFX) All parameteres in this section, is stored with each preset. Here you will find time and pitch based effects, like reverb, delay, granulators and pitch manipulators, with granular parameters. Effect – Selects the Granular effect. Choices are, at this moment: -Delay 1 –...
Page 28 When it is set to “Off”, FX deFormer will keep its granular memory buffer at any time, and sometimes it might play back fragments of a previously played back preset.
Page 29: Delay
Effects parameters Delay 1 Grp – 0 to 3. Delay time group. This is a very coarse adjustment of the delay time. Time – 0 to 255. Delay time. Fine – 0 to 255. Delay time fine adjust. Feed – 0 to 255. Delay feedback. At settings below 128, the feedback is decreasing. At setting 128 (middle position) the feedback is 1:1.
Page 30 DeepMod (2 parameters) – Lf1+ to Cc6-. Deep modulation source. 0 to 255. Deep modulation amount. For a complete list of modulation source, please refer to the “Modulation Sources” list earlier in this manual.
Page 31: Delay
Delay 2 Grp1 – 0 to 1. Delay time group tap 1. This is a very coarse adjustment of the delay time. Tim1 – 0 to 255. Delay time tap 1. Fin1 – 0 to 255. Delay time fine adjust tap 1. Fed1 –...
Page 32: Reverb 1
Reverb 1 Time – 0 to 255. Reverb time. The total reverb time is a combination of time, timeX, feed and feedX. Fine – 0 to 255. Reverb time fine adjust. TimX – 0 to 255. Adjusts how much the following reverb taps will decrease in time. Lower settings is good for a short reverb, and higher settings for a long reverb.
Page 33: Reverb 2
Reverb 2 Time – 0 to 255. Reverb time. The total reverb time is a combination of time, timeX, feed and feedX. Fine – 0 to 255. Reverb time fine adjust. TimX – 0 to 255. Adjusts how much the following reverb taps will decrease in time. Lower settings is good for a short reverb, and higher settings for a long reverb.
Page 34: Pitchshaper
PitchShaper Sens – 0 to 255. Pitch tracking sense. At lower settings it will find more pitch tracking points, which will make the pitch higher on complex sounds, while at higher settings it will find less pitchtracking points. Pitc – 0 to 255. Pitch Coarse. Fine –...
Page 35: Glitchshifter 1 And 2
GlitchShifter 1 and 2 Sens – 0 to 255. Pitch tracking sense. At lower settings it will find more pitch tracking points, which will make the pitch higher on complex sounds, while at higher settings it will find less pitchtracking points. Folr –...
Page 36: Sample Pitch
Sample Pitch Sens – 0 to 255. Pitch tracking sense. At lower settings it will find more pitch tracking points, which will make the pitch higher on complex sounds, while at higher settings it will find less pitchtracking points. Size – 0 to 255. The size of the RAM buffer used for the pitchshifting Pitc –...
Page 37: Variator
Variator Time – 0 to 255. The size of the RAM buffer used for the variator Size – 0 to 255. The size of one grain. Gran – 0 to 255. Determines the variation pattern. Pitc – -128 to +127. Pitch Coarse. Feed –...
Page 38: Time Stretcher
Time Stretcher Tune – -128 to +127. Pitch Coarse. Size – 0 to 255. The size of the RAM buffer used for the TimeStretcher Strc – -128 to +127. Time stretch. A negative value will stretch the sound longer, a positive value will compress the sound to apper shorter.
Page 39: Abstruct0
AbstructO RecT – 0 to 255. Adjusts the record buffer size. Determines for how long time it should record the input, before it starts over again. Ply1, Ply2, Ply3 – Off, 1 to 255. Adjusts for how long time each of the playback heads should play back, until it jumps to a new random location.
Page 40: Anagran (Granulator)
AnaGran (Granulator) Last – Value 1 to 16: Sets how many steps the granulator sequencers should go through, until they starts over again from step one. Time – Value 0 to 255: Adjust the total size of the Granulator record and play buffer – How long time it will record the input signal, until it starts over again.
Page 41 FeedMod (2 parameters) – Lf1+ to Cc6-. Feedback modulation source. 0 to 255. Feedback modulation amount. For a complete list of modulation source, please refer to the “Modulation Sources” list earlier in this manual.
Page 42: Chorus
Chorus Time1 – Value 0 to 255: Adjusts the Chorus delay time for tap 1. Feed1 – Value -128 to +127: Adjusts the Chorus feedback amount, which can be negative or positive, for tap 1. Time2 – Value 0 to 255: Adjusts the Chorus delay time for tap 2. Feed2 –...
Page 43: Lfo's
LFO’s All parameteres in this section, is stored with each preset. FX deFormer has 4 LFO’s, that are available as modulation sources. These can morph between triangle, sawtooth, square, pulse and random. The LFO’s themselves can also be modulated. Parameters: Rat1: 0 to 255.
Page 44 LFO2WaveMod (2 parameters) – Lf1+ to Cc6-. LFO 2 wave modulation source. 0 to 255. LFO 2 wave modulation amount. For a complete list of modulation source, please refer to the “Modulation Sources” list earlier in this manual. LFO3RateMod (2 parameters) – Lf1+ to Cc6-. LFO 3 rate modulation source. 0 to 255.
Page 45: Save Preset
Save Preset This section will decribe how to save a preset on the FX deFormer. All parameter settings and sequences will be saved within a preset. Only MIDI channel, sync options and input mode select are automatically saved as common data, and are not part of the preset.
Page 46 Sample Rec On these pages, you can record or erase a sampling. Samples can be recorded from FX deFormer audio input or output, or a mix between these. With the optional USB box connected, it is also possible to import wav files as samples. For instructions on how to do this, please consult the separate Usb box manual.
Page 47 If you pushed “Inc” from the record/erase screen, you will now enter the sample record page. This lets you record your own samplings. You should listen to FX deFormer’s audio output, and adjust the level of the device you would like to sample from, which should be connected to FX deFormer’s audio input, so the sound does not distort.
Page 48 If you choose to push ”Dec”, you will go to this screen: Save = <Enter> Push the “Play/Enter” button, to confirm that you would like to save your sampling, or hold “Inc”, while pushing “Play/Enter, to exit without saving.
Page 49: Expansion Box
Expansion Box If you have any of the optional expansion boxes connected to your FX deFormer, the name of the expansion box and its parameters/functions, will be shown on these pages. All parameter adjustment will be saved within the selected preset, when it is saved.
Page 50: Xmit Preset
Send the currently selected preset as sysex data through MIDI out. Connect a computer or another MIDI device, that is able to record sysex data, to your FX deFormer’s MIDI out, and use this function to transmit the preset data, for back-up or for sharing with other FX deFormer’s. Notice that only the preset parameter data is sent, NOT the sample data.
Page 51 MIDI utility program MIDI-OX. And please donate, if you feel like. It is probably also possible to use other programs that supports .syx files, but the FX deFormer firmware updates has been created using MIDI-OX, so this program is probably the one that will work best.
Page 52 4. After installing MIDI-OX, open the program, and click on ”Options” > ”Configure Buffers”: 5. Enter the number ”20000” in the ”Bytes” box under ”Low Level Output Buffers” 6. Click ”OK”.
Page 53 7. Go to ”Options” > ”MIDI devices”, and select the MIDI interface you intend to use for the updating, as your output device. 8. Connect MIDI out on the selected MIDI interface to MIDI in on your FX deFormer. 9. Click on ”View” > ”Sysex”...
Page 54 13. On your FX deFormer: -Turn it off. -Hold down the “Play/Enter” button, while turning it on. -The display should now read: Waiting for MIDI data… -From the preset select screen, hold the “Dec” button, while pushing “Play/Enter”, to enter the edit group pages.
Page 55 MIDI data. If this number stops incrementing, there might be something wrong with your MIDI connection, and you should turn off your FX deFormer, and check it out. If you are sure your connections are ok, try to go back to step 5, and put a higher number in the ”Low level output buffers”...
Page 56 16. Turn off your FX deFormer, and turn it on again. Your FX deFormer has now been updated. If your FX deFormer any where in the process reads: CHECKSUM ERROR! Something has went wrong somewhere. If it does this repeatedly, your MIDI cable might be bad, or...
Page 57 Xmit OS If you want to keep a backup of your FX deFormer’s firmware, before you update it, you can use this function. Connect a MIDI device that is capable of recording .syx files (Like a pc with MIDI- OX installed), and hold “Dec”, while pushing “Play/Enter” to activate.
Page 58: Midi Implementation
MIDI Implementation Notes on/off It is possible to play back the selected sampling from a MIDI keyboard connected to FX deFormer’s MIDI in. The accepted notes are from C#2 (note number 37) and 2 and a half octave up, with the original sample pitch being played back at C4.
Page 59 Effect Bypass – MIDI CC 14 If FX deFormer receives a MIDI CC 14, with a value below 64, it will bypass distortion, filter and granular effect. If it receives the value 64 or above, it wil active these effects.
Page 60 Written by Flemming Christensen ”Gotharman” 2015 www.gotharman.dk...