Alesis
MICROVERB III
Users Manual
MICROVERB III
Before Unpacking Your Unit...
Introduction
Born from the original Alesis MICROVERB and MICROVERB II, the units that launched the revolution
in low cost professional digital reverberation, the MICROVERB III carries on this same tradition of
world class performance at a phenomenal price. Using 16 bit linear PCM processing like its
predecessors, MICROVERB III has 256 programs. These include 144 reverb programs, 96 delay
programs, and 16 special effects programs as well as High and Low Frequency Equalization,
MICROVERB III delivers awesome power to the recording efforts of every engineer, from 4 track home
studios to world class recording facilities. And, of course, MICROVERB III is full stereo, full 15KHz
bandwidth, and absolutely musical.
As with the original MICROVERBs, the MICROVERB III utilizes proprietary Alesis R.I.S.C. (Reduced
Instruction Set Computer) architecture which provides clean, quiet, professional digital reverberation,
delay, and effects with unprecedented ease of use. The entire digital processing system is contained
on a single chip, developed by the Alesis design team specifically for the MICROVERB III. Using high
speed complementary-metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) silicon processing, the MICROVERB III
chip replaces several circuit cards of components while providing a powerful level of sonic flexibility
that will expand and polish the sound of any recording.
The 256 programs in MICROVERB III are the distillation of years of exhaustive research by Alesis into
the phenomenon of reverberation. With input from the world’s top recording engineers and producers,
the reverb programs were carefully developed on our interactive room simulation and development
system. These programs cover every major category of reverb: plates, chambers, halls, and rooms,
each with a wide range of sizes and qualities. Included also are a number of special effect programs
such as gated and reverse reverbs, as well as a wide variety of ever-useful delay programs. From
small, intimate room settings to large unobstructed spaces to useful gated reverb effects to dramatic
special effects, MICROVERB III offers them all quickly and easily.
FEATURES
• Extremely easy to set up and use
• True 16 bit linear PCM
• 85 dB dynamic range
• Full 15kHz bandwidth
• Stereo input and output on 1/4” jacks
• Defeat jack on rear panel
• +4 dBV capable
• 256 programs
• 19” rack mountable
CONTROLS
INPUT STATUS INDICATOR
The INPUT STATUS INDICATOR is actually a 3 colored LED that shows several input conditions. When
the indicator glows yellow , the input signal to the MICROVERB III is too low and the INPUT level should
be increased. When the indicator glows green, the signal presently being fed to the MICROVERB III
is a usable level. When the indicator glows red, the MICROVERB III is being overloaded because the
incoming signal is too hot and the INPUT control should be decreased.
INPUT CONTROL
The INPUT control sets the level of signal that is applied to the MICROVERB III and should be set so
the INPUT STATUS INDICATOR reads in the red only on occasional transients.
MIX CONTROL
The MIX control determines the amount of Wet signal (reverb) or dry signal is sent to the output. If the
MIX control is set all the way to the right, then only reverb will be heard. If the MIX control is set all the
way to the left, then only dry (uneffected) signal will be heard. The 12 o’clock position will result in a
50/50 mixture of dry to reverb signal.
OUTPUT CONTROL
The OUTPUT control sets the output level of both channels of MICROVERB III. This should be set so
that the unit being fed by MICROVERB III is not overloaded.
LOW EQ CONTROL
The LOW EQ control provides ±10dB of attenuation at 100 Hz. This is usually used to control excessive
boominess sometimes caused by low frequency instruments such as drums. The LOW EQ control is
located prior to the digital section of the MicroVerb III and works on the input signal only.
HIGH EQ CONTROL
The HIGH EQ control provides ±10dB of attenuation at 4kHz. High EQ is used to help simulate the
natural high frequency rolloff of reverb or delay. The HIGH EQ control is located prior to the digital
section of the MicroVerb III and works on the input signal only.
PROGRAM TYPE SWITCH
The PROGRAM TYPE switch selects the category of program. These are Gated Reverbs, Plates,
Chambers, Large and Medium Halls, Small, Medium and Large Rooms, Reverse Reverbs, Short,
Medium and Long Delays, Regenerated Medium and Long Delays, Multitapped Delays, and Special
Effects.
PROGRAM VARIATION SWITCH
The PROGRAM VARIATION switch selects one of 16 possible program variations for each previously
selected program type.
DEFEAT JACK
The DEFEAT JACK, located on the rear panel, bypasses the reverb signal and allows only the dry signal
at the outputs. Any SPST type footswitch (such as the reverb footswitch that sometimes comes with
amplifiers) will work for this function.
INSTALLATION
Before unpacking your new Alesis MICROVERB III unit, take a moment to look through this instruction
manual. We’ve made it brief and informative and it will answer any questions that you might have.
Some helpful setup thoughts are included along with some useful application hints.
CONNECTING TO INSTRUMENTS, MICROPHONES
The Alesis MICROVERB III has high impedance inputs that are ideally suited for use either with
instrument pickups or line level signals. Although microphones can be connected directly into the
MICROVERB III, it is recommended that they be connected to a mixing console first and then
connected to the MICROVERB III as described in Figures 3 or 4 for quietest operation.
The MICROVERB III is a stereo unit, meaning there are both left and right inputs and outputs.
However, it can be used with just a mono input (into the left input) with the result being a stereo output.
This will probably be how the unit will be used the majority of the time. It should be noted that if only
the right input of the MICROVERB III is used, the input signal will appear as mono (present in both
channels) at the dry side of the mix control. See figure 1
FIGURE 1
MONO CONNECTION OF MICROVERB III
CONNECTING TO A MIXING CONSOLE
The MICROVERB III handles mono or stereo sends at all system levels. The input circuitry of the
MICROVERB III can easily handle +4dBv levels (+20dBv peaks), while having enough input or output
gain to interface with the extremely low signal levels of budget recording systems.
The MICROVERB III may be connected to the mixing console in several ways. If several instruments
or vocals must be effected at the same time, then the MICROVERB III should be connected to the
auxiliary send and return controls of the console. Simply connect an aux send of the mixing console
to either of the inputs of the MICROVERB III (or 2 aux sends connected to both left and right of the
MICROVERB III for stereo) and then connect the output of the MICROVERB III back to either the aux
returns or input channels. Remember, in this situation, the mix control should always be set fully to
the right (clockwise) for maximum effect. Also, a mono input to MICROVERB III results in a stereo
output. See figure 2
Instrument or Mic
Left Input
Right Output
Left Output
To Amplifier or Mixing Console
FIGURE 2
STEREO CONNECTION TO MIXING CONSOLE VIA AUX SENDS AND RETURNS
Another way of interfacing the MICROVERB III unit to a mixer or recording console would be in-line
across the output of your mixing console. See figure 3 This method should only be used if you
needed to effect the entire mix, since the same effect would be on all of the instruments or vocals.
FIGURE 3
STEREO CONNECTION TO THE MICROVERB III USING THE MAIN OUTPUTS
POWER
The MICROVERB III is powered by a remote supply providing 9 volts AC through a 3.5mm barrel
plug. This power supply approach keeps stray magnetic fields from interfering with low level signals,
allowing easy conversion to alternate power sources (220V).
Main Out Right
Main Out Left
Left Input
Right Input
Left Output
Right Output
To Mixdown Deck or
Sound System
Aux Send 1
Aux Send 2 (Optional)
Left Input
Right Input
Left Output
Right Output
Aux Return or Input Channel
Aux Return or
Input Channel
OPERATION
MICROVERB III is easy to use in almost any application. Simply do the following:
1. Apply a signal to either the right input jack for mono (used with a single instrument), or both
left and right jacks for stereo.
2. Increase the
INPUT control until the INPUT STATUS INDICATOR briefly lights red on occasional
program peaks. The LED should remain “green” most of the time. This indicates that there
is sufficient level to maintain a good signal to noise ratio.
3. Increase the OUTPUT control until there is sufficient output level.
4. Adjust the MIX control until the desired ratio of dry to wet signal is achieved.
REMEMBER: In cases were the MICROVERB III is used with the aux sends of a recording
console, the MIX control should remain all the way to the right (all wet signal).
5. Select the program type desired by switching the PROGRAM TYPE selector switch.
6. Select the program variation desired by switching the PROGRAM VARIATION switch.
7. Increase or decrease the High and Low EQ as desired.
As a good rule of thumb for selecting programs, rhythmic instruments such as drums or instruments
with ostinato (quickly repeating) type patterns usually work best with shorter reverb programs and
delays. Long melodic lines and pads generally sound better with longer reverbs. This is only a place
to start, however. Use your ears and select the one that sounds best to you!
APPLICATIONS
About Reverb...
Reverb can be thought of as a great number of distinct echoes (called reflections) that occur so fast
and in such large number that our ear hears them and interprets them as one sound - the distinct
sound we know as reverb. Different size spaces give distinctly different sounding reverbs, depending
on the size and shape of the space, and the texture of the surfaces that the reflections bounce off of.
MICROVERB III has six different general reverb types, all of which simulate a different space or
produce a different effect. They are:
ROOMS
The room programs (Small, Medium, and Large) not only simulate rooms of various
sizes, but rooms with different surface material as well. A room with soft surfaces such
as carpet will produce a reverberant sound with much less high end (warm) than a room
with hard surfaces (bright). See your program chart for details about specific programs.
Rooms can be used for drums, backing vocals, or just about anything that you wish to
give a feeling of space in your mix.
HALLS
Much larger than rooms, halls are characterized by their high ceilings, irregular shapes,
and general density of reflections. Due to their size and density, they work well for long,
sustaining sounds like keyboard string pads, vocals, horns, etc.
PLATES
The plate programs simulate an artificial reverb device known as a plate reverb. Large
and heavy, a plate was a 6 foot by 4 foot piece of steel plate (hence the name) with a
small speaker strategically placed on one end and either 1 or 2 transducers placed on
the other end to pick up the sounds reverberating through the steel. Because it is an
electro-mechanical device, a plate must be isolated from outside vibration and noise and
constantly tuned to maintain the integrity of the reverb sound. In the early days of
recording, plates were extremely popular because they were one of the only ways to add
any sort of artificial ambience to a recording. Plates have become quite popular over
the years, especially on vocals and snare drums.
CHAMBERS
The chamber programs simulate another way that studios produce artificial
reverberation, utilizing a device known as an acoustic chamber. The chamber is a
sealed, tiled room with a speaker at one end and a microphone at the other. Chambers
are not seen much these days since they are difficult to build and take up a great deal
of expensive real estate. Chambers are useful on all sorts of instruments, from drums
to guitars to vocals to horns.
GATES
Gated reverb is a very popular effect on drums first found on English records in the early
1980’s. The MICROVERB III’s gate programs simulate applying a noise gate (a device
that automatically decreases or cuts off the volume once a signal falls below a certain
level) across the output of the reverb causing the initial attack of the reverb to sound very
big, but the tail of the reverb to be cut off very quickly. This effect works great for modern
drums, percussion, and any quickly repeating, transient instrument.
REVERSE
The reverse programs are inverted reverbs in which the volume envelope has been
reversed. This means that the signal begins softly but grows louder until it is cut off,
rather than loud to soft as in the gate programs. Reverse reverbs are used on many
different kinds of instruments as a special effect.
DELAY
The MICROVERB III’s variety of digital delay programs can be used on all types of
instruments to enhance sound in a variety of ways. Very short delays (20-95ms) can be
used to thicken or double vocals or lead instruments. Medium, long, and regenerated
delays can be used to enhance an instrument or even create a whole new type of
musical sound. Since the delay programs on the MICROVERB III’s program chart have
been timed out in note values at specific tempos, shown in Beats Per Minute, (for
example, 110ms = 1/16 note @ 136 BPM) drums or guitars can be made to repeat in
time with the beat of your song. (One example of this is U2’s The Edge, who has made
rhythmically delayed guitar a trademark sound).
MULTITAP DELAY
Multitap delays can be best defined as a number of single delay lines with independent
panning and regeneration designed to work with one another to create a composite,
spacious effect. This is ideal for getting “space” into horn stabs or background vocals
without the decay tail of a reverb. Other creative examples of multitap delays can be
found on Def Leppard’s “Hysteria” LP.
SPECIFICATIONS
ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS
FREQUENCY RESPONSE 20Hz - 15KHz (Effect), 20KHz (Direct), ±2dB
DYNAMIC RANGE 85dB
HARMONIC DISTORTION .15% @ 1KHz @ 0 dBV
INPUT
NUMBER OF CHANNELS 2
NOMINAL LEVEL +4dBV
MAXIMUM LEVEL +20dBV
IMPEDANCE 50KΩ per channel in stereo
25KΩ per channel in mono
A/D - D/A CONVERSIONS
CONVERSION SCHEME 16 bit Linear PCM
PROCESSOR SPEED 2 Million Instructions per Second
PROCESSOR MEMORY 16K x 16 bit
SAMPLING FREQUENCY 31.25KHz
OUTPUT
NUMBER OF CHANNELS 2
FORMAT Matrixed Stereo
MAXIMUM LEVEL +14dBV (Effect), +20dBV (Direct)
IMPEDANCE 470Ω
FRONT PANEL
CONTROLS Input Level Program Variation
Mix Level High EQ
Output Level Low EQ
Program Selection
INDICATORS Tri-colored LED Level Indicator
REAR PANEL
JACKS Input Left and Right - 1/4”
Output Left and Right - 1/4”
Defeat - 1/4”
Power - 5.5mm Barrel Jack
POWER REQUIREMENTS 9 Volts AC, 5 Volt Amps external Transformer, UL approved and made in USA
DIMENSIONS (W x H x D) 19”x1.75”x4”
WEIGHT 2 lbs. 10 oz.
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