Koma elektronik RH 301 User Manual

RH 301

RHYTHM WORKSTATION/
UTILITY TOOL
_

USER MANUAL

Dear KOMA user,

Thanks a lot for purchasing the KOMA Elektronik RH301
Rhythm Workstation / Utility Tool!

The RH-301 is our solution to a problem many musicians
are struggling with: analog and digital equipment that
needs to run side by side, in sync, but at the same time
still needs to be controllable, which is not always an easy
task! There are many standards out there: MIDI, DIN Sync,
analog clocks and control voltages in the form of LFOs and
envelopes. They all basically represent different approaches
to synchronize different instruments and effect units; some
of them are nearly as old as synthesizers themselves, some
are more recent. Some are intended to let devices run at the
same speed, some at creating repeated or single events
within a certain time frame that’s in sync with other gear.
Synchronization problems are always a time consuming and
annoying reality for many musicians. This is why we decided
to build a Rhythm Workstation / Utility Tool that helps
electronic musicians get the most out of their equipment by
properly syncing a large amount of devices in many different
ways, without losing a ‘hands-on’ feeling and creativity!
The heart of the RH301 is the master clock, of which the
tempo can be set by turning the Tempo knob, by tapping a
tempo on the tap button, by syncing it to MIDI, DIN Sync or
an external analog clock signal. The generated clock signal
can be passed on via two clock outputs, two division outputs
or via the MIDI Output and DIN Sync Output. An incoming MIDI
signal can also be passed along via the MIDI Thru and MIDI
Out sockets.
And that’s not all: besides having a master clock section,
the RH301 is also fitted with a LFO which can be synced to
the master clock or run freely from 0,25 Hz to 260 Hz in five
different waveforms: sine, triangle, square, S&H and noisine.
This means the pedal can also be used as a lo-fi oscillator,
when you turn the LFO up into the audible range. The LFO
has two separate outputs on the patch bay: LFO out and LFO
inverted out. Some of the features of the LFO can also be
modulated via control voltage, the pedal boasts CV inputs for
LFO SPEED, LFO RESET and LFO SYMMETRY.

The third main feature of the RH301 is an Envelope Generator
which can easily be synced to the master clock, a division
of the master clock or run in loop mode. Besides the normal
controls for ATTACK, DECAY, SUSTAIN and RELEASE the pedal
comes with a RANGE knob to change the time range of the
envelope created. The envelope generator comes with a
normal envelope output and an inverted envelope output
and can also be triggered by an external gate / trigger via
the external gate input.

To improve playability and to stimulate your creative process,
the RH301 also has a built-in infra-red motion controller,
which can be used to control the CV inputs of the RH301,
other KOMA products or any device that accepts CV inputs
in general, since it has it’s own dedicated SENSOR Output on
the patch bay.

No matter what your setup is, digital or analog, if you use
a modular synthesizer, DAW, drum computer, synthesizer
or our own BD101 and FT201 effect pedals, the RH301 is an
effective tool to make sure they all walk in line, while you
have your hands free to create beautiful tunes. Have fun!

All the best from Berlin,

The KOMA Elektronik Team

FRONT PANEL CONNECTIONS & CONTROLS

(Analog Clock Output) CLOCK 1

This is the main clock output. It sends a 50%
duty cycle square wave signal. The CLOCK
output is twofold and both outputs are
buffered.

(CV Output) ENV 5

The ENV CV output holds the signal of the
envelope generator. Signal ranges from 0V –

7.6V.

DIVISION A

Used to send a divi­sion or multiples of
the master CLOCK out­put. This ranges from
16th notes to once
every full bar – in ref­erence of the master
clock beats.

SOURCE B

Three way switch: the
TAP position allows
you to use the large
black push button to
tap in a certain tem­po. The FREE position
can be used to freely
set the main tempo
of the pedal with the
TEMPO button. The
EXT. position serves
as your choice when
you for example want
the RH301 to sync to
either MIDI, DIN Sync or
EXT. CLOCK input.

TEMPO C

Only active in FREE
mode and can be
used to freely adjust
the main tempo an­ywhere from 40bpm
to 240bpm (beats per
minute).

ATTACK D

Control to set the at­tack time of the enve­lope

DECAY E

Control to set the de­cay time of the enve­lope.

SUSTAIN F

Control to set the level
of the envelope while
the gate is high.

PUSH G

Push button to tap a tempo in TAP mode,
start or stop the unit when in FREE mode or
it can be used to resync the RH301 when the
unit is operating in MIDI slave mode.

RELEASE H

Control to set the release time of the enve­lope.

The ENV INV CV output is the inverted enve­lope output. Signal ranges from 7.6V – 0V.the
higher the CV rises. The sensor output is 0 –
8V.

(Analog Clock Output) DIVISION

This is the division output, sending a 50%
duty cycle square wave signal depending on
the setting of the rotary DIVISION switch. The
DIVISION output is twofold and both outputs
are buffered.

RANGE I

Control to change the time range on the A, D
and R stages. By turning this knob clockwise
the envelope becomes slower and fades from
a snappy linear to a logarithmic behaviour.

ENV MODE J

Slide switch to chose between master clock
sync, division sync or free running mode.

.

(CV Output) ENV INV 2

3 EXT. CLOCK (Analog Clock Input)

This CV input accepts rising edge driven
analog clock signals. Every time a signal
rises from 0V – 3V the pedal counts one beat.

6

7 LFO SPEED (CV Input)

Controls the speed of the LFO. When you
insert a control voltage into this input the
RATE knob determines the offset voltage.
(Usable range from 0 – 5V).

K SENSOR

Emits a CV signal that can be patched up
with any CV receptive socket on KOMA prod­ucts and for example a (modular) synthesiz­er. By moving your hand over the sensor you
can control the parameters of the CV input
patched to it.

4 LFO SYMM (CV Input)

Controls the symmetry of the LFO. When
you insert a control voltage into this input
the SYMMETRY knob determines the offset
voltage. Usable range from 0 – 5V.

8 LFO RESET (CV Input)

The LFO RESET input can be used the
externally reset the LFO to bar 1 at any time.
The input reacts to any rising edge trigger
that changes from 0V to 3V.

9 sensor
(CV Output)

This is the CV output
of the infrared motion
sensor. The closer you
move something to­wards the sensor.

10 LFO INV
(CV Output)

Inverted LFO output of
the pedal. It is in phase
with the main LFO out­put but the voltages
are inverted. Signal
ranges from 7.6V – 0V.

11 LFO (CV Output)

Main LFO output of the
pedal. Signal ranges
from 0 – 7.6V.

12 ENV Gate

(CV Input)

Input for external ris­ing edge gate signals
to trigger the enve­lope.

o RATE

Sets the speed of the
LFO. If you chose to
have the LFO synced to
the master clock you
can select a division or
multiples of the mas­ter tempo to sync to.
If the LFO is running in
free mode you can set
any speed between

0.25Hz and 260Hz.

N SHAPE

Determines the output
wave of the LFO.
You can choose be­tween sine wave, tri­angle, square, sample
and hold, and a spe­cial waveform which
is composed of a sine
wave and digital noise.

L LFO Mode

Choose to have the LFO run freely or synced
to the clock.

M SYMMETRY

Used to wave shape the LFO output. You can
bend the symmetry of the wave from 10% to
90%.

GETTING STARTED

1. Unpack your machine

The package comes with the RH301 pedal, a 9VDC, 500mA,
center-negative power supply and this manual. Make sure
that the power supply is rated for the line voltage of your
country: 120 VAC for the USA, 220 VAC for Europe or most
other countries.

2. Connect it

Be sure your amp or mixer is turned off, then connect the
clock, envelope and LFO outputs to your instruments you
want to control. Or, connect external MIDI, DIN Sync or a clock
source to the RH301 to sync it.

3. Set up a basic patch

Set all controls and connections to a patch in basic settings.

4. Power up / Bypass

Connect the RH301 power supply to the RH301 DC input on
the backside of the pedal. When you press the PUSH switch,
you start the clock.

REAR PANEL CONTROLS

MIDI THRU

(Data): This is the un­processed MIDI signal
present at the MIDI
input jack chained
through.

(Clock Output) DIN
OUT This is the clock

output for DIN Sync
receptive devices. It
provides the clock in­formation (sync24) as
well as the start/stop
gate.settings.

(Clock Output) MIDI OUT
This is the connection for the outgoing MIDI
signal. It contains the clock information as
well as start and stop signals for MIDI recep­tive devices.

Socket for MIDI or DIN Sync clock input. The
RH301 can distinguish if, and consequently,
which signal is present at this connection, so
that you don’t have to worry about different
settings.

(Clock / Data Input) DIN/MIDI IN

AUX CONTROL (Trigger In)

Manual start/stop for the clock when there is
a rising trigger - functions the same as the
push button.(C

lock / data input):

CV ATTENUATORS

(Trim-pot)
There is one CV input
trimmer each for LFO
Symmetry and LFO
Rate. Turn the trimmer
fully CW to get 100%
signal going through
and turn the trimmer
fully CCW to get no in­coming CV signal.

9V DC CONNECTOR

Standard BOSS Style
adapter (2.1 x 5.5mm
barrel plug), 9V, center polarity
negative, 500mA minimum. Only
use the KOMA Elektronik power
supply shipped with this pedal.

5. PLAY

Now play that machine! Adjust divisions and multiplications
of the clock as well as LFO and envelope settings to further
manipulate your sounds and rhythms!

IMPRINT

KOMA Elektronik GmbH is a subsidiary
company of KOMA Elektronik B.V.

Vertretungsberechtigte
Geschäftsführer / Managing Director:
Christian Zollner & Wouter Jaspers
Sitz der Gesellschaft / Registered Office:
Berlin, Germany

Registergericht / Court of Registration:
Amtgericht Berlin-Charlottenburg
Registernummer : HRB 145453
Umsatzsteuer ID / VAT ID: DE285522050

KOMA Elektronik GmbH

Mahlower Strasse 24
12049 Berlin-Neukölln
Germany

(f.e. isopropinol). Make sure you use it safely, that stuff is pretty flammable. Also make
sure there is no solvent mixed in, this will remove the screen printing of the pedal.
We noticed by using a clean toothbrush you can cleanup the sensor! We recommend
using a soft or medium one, not too hard, so you don’t scratch the sensor surface.

I have my DAW as a master clock controlling the RH301 but the tempo is fluctuating.
What can I do?

Many sequencer programs and other music software will send all available MIDI
information on all available MIDI channels at the same time which can sometimes lead
to unstable MIDI clock information because of sound card or hardware limitations. Try
to disable unnecessary MIDI information and choose the right MIDI channel to send
your data to the RH301. This will improve the accuracy of the MIDI clock signal being
sent into the RH301.

BASIC SETTINGS

FEATURES

The RH301 enables you to accomplish a couple of different tasks, including convert­ing clock signals from different formats into other formats. The RH301 can work with
and be synced to analog clocks, MIDI and the DIN Sync format.

My LFO will randomly reset while syncing to external clock signals?

Please check your MIDI/DIN Sync/analog clock connections. Many problems come
from cheap or broken cables. Also make sure that you don’t accidentally modulate
your LFO rate via a CV signal attached to LFO SPEED and keep in mind that if you do
so, the LFO needs one bar to adjust to the new tempo.

I connected my DAW to the RH301 via MIDI but the pedal doesn’t seem to start?

First make sure that you set the master clock sync source to EXT and make sure
that your DAW is sending the correct MIDI signals. The RH301 expects a MIDI clock
signal, not a MIDI time code. Further, your DAW should send a start signal whenever
you hit play. Sometimes it can happen that programs only send a start signal in the
beginning of a song, not every time when you hit Play – for example in Ableton Live
you should try to set “MIDI Clock Type” to “Pattern” in the MIDI Sync preferences tab.
Your RH301 also won’t start to sync to MIDI when there is a cable plugged into the EXT.
CLOCK jack on the patch bay – even if no clock signal is present at that input. Also,
check your MIDI cables. A large percentage of problems with MIDI sync come from
cheap or broken MIDI cables. If you have the opportunity, try different MIDI cables.

Some of my equipment is starting to hum when I attach a MIDI cable?

This can happen in some setups, mostly involving USB MIDI interfaces or other
equipment with a USB MIDI connection (sound cards, hardware MIDI controllers,
etc.). Try to prevent ground loops and check your MIDI connections – did we already
mention that a lot of problems come from cheap or broken MIDI cables?

When I connect my drum machine to the DIN OUT of the RH301 it starts and stops
randomly?

Please check the DIN cable that you use. Like with MIDI, most of the problems stem
from defective or wrong DIN cables. Make sure that all the pins on the cable are
connected from one end to the other. With some MIDI cables it can happen that only
the pins used for MIDI are actually connected through the cable. MIDI and DIN use the
same cable and plug but not the same pins on that cable.

RH301 AS MASTER

For the RH301 to be the master clock
source, there are two possibilities: set the
master clock to FREE and adjust the tem­po with the TEMPO knob. Pressing the black
push button, creates the start / stop func­tions. Or set the master clock to TAP, then
use the black push button to tap a tempo.
After the third tap a start byte and gate is
created automatically.

EXT CLOCK AS MASTER

Set the master sync source to EXT. and
insert a cable with a clock into the EXT.
CLOCK jack. The pedal reacts to rising edge
clock signals from 0V to at least 3V. Use
the black push button to send start / stop
bytes (MIDI) and start / stop gates (DIN) on
the next rising edge trigger. The EXT. CLOCK
input is a switching type jack that overrides
the other sync settings.

For most applications it is necessary to achieve two things: First, sync the tempi of
two or more pieces of gear so that they are running at the same speed. The second
thing you need to achieve is to have the two synced tempi run in phase, for example
let them start running at the same time. These two steps are solved differently in the
three clock formats that the RH301 is compatible with.

MIDI is a digital communication standard from the 80s, coming in the flavor of a serial
protocol. With MIDI clock, the clock signal itself consists of 24 pulses (called ‘ticks’)
per quarter note to sync the tempi together. For a synchronized start and stop of se­quencers, LFOs or other functions, start and stop bytes are sent over the same cable.
When you run the RH301 in SLAVE mode, all incoming MIDI messages are merged
with the clock to the output.

DIN Sync is an even older synchronization possibility from the pre-MIDI age. It usually
uses 24 pulses (sync24 – seldom sync48, sync96 or even sync192 (you can set your
preferred DIN sync format via a jumper on the main PCB, it’s set to Syns24 by default)
per quarter to sync tempi together. For the synchronized starting and stopping of
devices, a gate signal is used. If the gate is high, it means start/run,while if it is low,
it means stop.

With analog clocks, the matter is also pretty straight forward: the clock signal con­sists of a pulse or square wave that syncs the tempi. Starting and stopping can be
solved through various approaches, most of them include a start/stop gate. All of
the mentioned standards have been brought together in the RH301 to provide a us­able working environment, no matter what setup you use.

The difference between MIDI, DIN Sync and Analog Clock Signals

ANALOG CLOCK IN ANALOG CLOCK OUT

I patch my sensor to the CV inputs and it doesn’t seem to change anything?

Make sure you use the correct PSU (9V, 500mA, center polarity negative) for the
sensor to work correctly. Have a look at the back of the pedal and check if your CV
attenuators are in the right setting. Also keep in mind that the incoming CV signal is
added to the corresponding knob on the front panel (LFO RATE and LFO SYMMETRY)
and you won’t hear your changes if they are set too high.

I set my RH301 to FREE mode / EXT. mode and sync to an external clock signal but my
DAW/synthesizer/drum machine doesn’t start playing?

The RH301 converts incoming start / stop signals from MIDI to DIN Sync. If, however,
you miss those start/stop signals because they were sent before you plugged in the
cable or none are sent at all you have to create them yourself by pressing the large
black pushbutton.

CV THEORY

The concept of control voltage (CV) is not hard to understand: Instead of turning a
knob on your pedal, you simply connect a voltage – the control voltage – to the cor­responding CV input that does the job for you. So for example if you want to have
a quickly varying LFO SYMMETRY you don’t have to turn that knob all the time, back
and forth until your fingers fall off, but simply connect an alternating CV to the LFO
SYMMETRY input.

RHYTHMICALLY

CHANGING LFO PATTERN

Take a standard 1/4” patch cable and con­nect it from the envelope output to the
LFO speed input. Set both LFO and enve­lope generator to sync and create a slow­ly changing envelope. The envelope will
change the LFO division in a rhythmical
manner. Pattern mayhem!

LO-FI PWM OSCILLATOR

Use the LFO as an oscillator and a loop­ing ENV into the LFO SYMM to modulate
the pulse width of the waveform. Experi­ment with other wave shapes for different
sounds and adjust the speed to change
the pitch.

MIDI DIN SYC

SYNC OFF BEAT

The push button can also be used to sync “off beat”: If you push it while the RH301 is
running already the pedal will reset its internal clock to 0, in sync with the incoming
clock. This way you can manually sync the RH301 into shifted clock signals.

UPDATING FIRMWARE

The RH301 provides the possibility of updating its firmware by sending (‘dumping’)
MIDI SysEx data through a MIDI cable connected to the DIN/MIDI input on the back of
the pedal. To get into firmware update mode, unplug the power cable as well as any
other connections on the patchbay or back panel jacks. Press and hold the large
black pushbutton while re-connecting the power cable. Keep holding the button
for 2 seconds. If executed correctly, the blue light around the pushbutton should
now steadily glow blue. Connect a MIDI cable between the DIN/MIDI input on the back
panel of the RH301 and your MIDI host. The RH301 is now ready to receive firmware
updates. For more detailed information on this topic and the latest firmware please
check out the RH301 product page on www.koma-elektronik.com

You can use control signals from any source to manipulate certain features of the
RH301. All of the CV inputs of the RH301 accept bipolar as well as unipolar control
voltages, but work best with CV from 0 – 5V. The incoming CV signals are mixed to­gether with the corresponding knob on the RH301 itself and we provide you with a
attenuator for each CV input on the backside of the panel.

If you notice a significant distortion or clipping in your control signal waveform or
strange CV behavior simply turn the attenuator counter-clockwise (towards the word
‘CV’) until you hear your desired result. By turning it counter-clockwise you attenuate
the incoming CV signal. Fully counter-clockwise means that the incoming CV signal
is completely gone, whereas fully clockwise means that the incoming CV signal is
arriving to the circuit unattenuated. Furthermore you can set an offset voltage to
your control voltage to adjust the CV signal to your needs. The offset voltage is set
by the corresponding knob on the front panel (LFO RATE and LFO SYMMETRY). There’s
also a distinction between bipolar and unipolar signals. This is best explained with
a few pictures:

BIPOLAR CV SIGNALS

So, what happens? The incoming CV signal is shifted around the voltage that you
select with the corresponding knob. Example: if you insert a -5V to +5V sine wave
into the LFO SYMMETRY CV jack you will get the following results while turning the
SYMMETRY knob:

BIPOLAR CV SIGNALS

S-TRIG

Some synthesizers – especially older Korg,
Moog and Yamaha ones – expect S-Triggers
on certain trigger inputs. Set the LFO to
square wave and connect the inverted LFO
output to the S-Trigger input. Set the LFO to
sync mode, turn the LFO symmetry fully CCW
to be on-beat, and turn it clockwise to add

a groovy feeling to it.

LFO ENVELOPE PING PONG

LFO Envelope Ping Pong: Take a standard
1/4” patch cable and connect it from the
inverted LFO output to the envelope gate
input (ENV GATE). Set the LFO to SYNC and
chose the square wave shape. Play around
with the LFO symmetry knob. Your envelope
will now start its cycle every time the LFO
just went low, so they are playing in a nice
ping-pong way but still in sync with the rest
of the clock signals.

TECHNICAL SPECS

Casing

Powder coated aluminum casing, silk
screened text and wooden side panels.

Dimensions

23 cm x 20 cm x 5 cm (L x W x H) /
9" x 9.8" x 2" (L x W x H)

Net. Weight

1000 gr / 2.2 lbs

Shipping Weight

1.5 kg. / 3.3 lbs including power adapter
and this instruction manual.

Power requirements

9V DC power adapter, 500mA min, center
polarity negative (only use the KOMA
adapter shipped with the pedal).

WARRANTY

KOMA Elektronik warrants its products to be free of defects in materials / workmanship
and conforming to specifications at the time of shipment for a period of two years
from the date of purchase. During the warranty period any defective products will be
repaired or replaced at KOMA Elektronik’s option on a return-to-factory basis. This
warranty covers defects that KOMA Elektronik determines are no fault of the user.

Returning your product?

You must obtain prior approval in the form of a RMA (Return Material Authorization)
number from KOMA Elektronik before returning any product.
Email us at [e-mail] to request the RMA number. All products
must be packed carefully and shipped with the KOMA Elektronik supplied power
adapter. Sorry, the warranty will not be honored if the product is not properly packed.
Once you have received the RMA#, write it on the box together with the word:
WARENRUCKSENDUNG and carefully pack your product, ship the product to KOMA
Elektronik with transportation and insurance charges paid, and include your return
shipping address.

A similar thing happens to unipolar CV signals: Their point of origin (0V) is shifted by
the amount set with the corresponding knob. In other words: You add the voltage of
your knob to the voltage of your incoming unipolar CV signal.

UNIPOLAR CV SIGNALS

DIN AS MASTER

Set the master sync source to EXT and plug
the DIN cable into the DIN/MIDI IN jack. An
incoming start / stop gate is translated
into a corresponding start / stop byte at
MIDI OUT. If no start / stop gate is received
by the pedal, create your own by pressing
the black push button. This starts the pedal
and sends a MIDI start / stop byte to MIDI

OUT as well as a start / stop gate to DIN OUT.

DAW AS MASTER

Set the master sync source to EXT. and plug
the MIDI cable with the clock signal into the
DIN/MIDI IN jack. A start / stop byte from the
external clock is translated into a corre­sponding byte, received by the pedal and
sent to the DIN and MIDI OUT jacks. If there’s
no start / stop byte, the black push button
can be used to start/stop the pedal and
send out the information from the DIN and
MIDI OUT jacks.

What will we do?

Once received, we will examine the product for any obvious signs of user abuse or
damage as a result of transport. If the product has been abused, damaged in transit,
or is out of warranty, we will contact you with an estimate of the repair cost. Warranty
work will be performed and KOMA Elektronik will ship and insure your product to your
address free of charge.

How to initiate your warranty?

Please initiate your warranty online by sending an email to
[e-mail]!