Manikin Memotron User Manual
MEMOTRON
OS v1.3
User Manual
Preface
Many thanks for purchasing the Memotron. The Memotron enables you to reproduce the famous sound of
the original instrument with highest authenticity. Thanks to latest digital technology, the Memotron is easy to
use and most reliable in every stage- and studio-situation.
To become familiar with the Memotron’s capabilities, we recommend you to take a break and study (and
internalize...) this manual at first. Enjoy your Memotron!
Your Manikin team
The Memotron developement team:
Thorsten Feuerherdt : Hardware, Design
Markus Horn : Software, Design
Mario Schönwälder : Beta testing
Klaus Hoffmann-Hoock : Sounds, Beta testing, user manual, sound collection user manuals
Matthias Fuchs : User manual
Version : Septermber 2009
Special thanks to
Andre Alvarez †,Till Kopper, Stephen Parsick, Christian Peters, Shawn Cleary, Thomas Fanger, Andreas
Schneider, Evi Kruckenhauser, Nicole Lehmann, Pamela und Nele, Kathja, Marit und Niels and all others, we
might have forgotten to mention here.
Note
Manikin Electronic will not assume any responsibility for errors which may occur in this manual. The content
of these instructions is subject to change without prior notice. When this manual was created, good care was
taken to exclude any mistakes and contradictions. Manikin Electronic will not accept any guarantees for this
manual except those provided by commercial law.
No part of this user manual is allowed to be reproduced without the expressly written consent of the
manufacturer.
Manikin Electronic, Lipaer Straße 5, D-12203 Berlin, Germany
Table of contents
Introduction..........................................................................................................................1
About this manual.............................................................................................................................1
Symbols used..............................................................................................................................1
Marking of parameters.................................................................................................................1
General safety instructions...............................................................................................................2
Suitable location..........................................................................................................................2
Mains connection.........................................................................................................................2
Operation.....................................................................................................................................2
Maintenance................................................................................................................................2
Proper use...................................................................................................................................2
Controls & Connectors........................................................................................................3
Front.................................................................................................................................................3
Rear.................................................................................................................................................3
Setting Up.............................................................................................................................4
Unpacking........................................................................................................................................4
Installation........................................................................................................................................4
Connections.....................................................................................................................................4
Basic Operation....................................................................................................................5
Power On.........................................................................................................................................5
Power Off.........................................................................................................................................5
Menu-driven Functions.....................................................................................................................6
Track-Menu ..........................................................................................................................8
Load Tracks.....................................................................................................................................8
Save Tracks.....................................................................................................................................9
Delete Tracks...................................................................................................................................9
Initialise Tracks...............................................................................................................................10
Frame Functions................................................................................................................11
Loading Frames.............................................................................................................................11
Saving Frames...............................................................................................................................12
Deleting Frames.............................................................................................................................12
Initialise Frames.............................................................................................................................13
Storage Device Functions.................................................................................................14
Changing Discs..............................................................................................................................14
Changing Memory Cards................................................................................................................14
Sound-Settings...................................................................................................................15
Effect-Setup........................................................................................................................16
MIDI Setup...........................................................................................................................17
Operation-System Update / Info-Page.............................................................................18
Appendix.............................................................................................................................19
Product-Support.............................................................................................................................19
Technical data................................................................................................................................20
Disposal.........................................................................................................................................20
MIDI Implementation Chart.............................................................................................................22
Glossary.........................................................................................................................................23
Introduction
Even if you are perfectly used to electronic instruments and studio equipment, it will be useful to read
this manual entirely. It will help you to get the best out of your Memotron in shortest time.
About the Memotron
The Memotron is an advanced sample playback based musical instrument to reproduce a famous,
specific and genuine sound in highest audio quality. Thanks to its digital technology, it is most reliable
and easy to use. Features are:
• Access to up to three sounds simultaneously
• Fully polyphony
• Internal effect processor
• Complete MIDI-implementation
• Data storage on CD-Rom and Compact-Flash-Card
• Compatible with G-Media M-Tron® sound library
The special characteristics of the original have been carefully emulated. This includes a maximum
duration of a played note of about 8 seconds (about 16 seconds at HALF SPEED).
The Memotron supports standard data structures of CD-Roms and memory cards. This compatibility
enables you to create and organise your own Memotron sound library in your PC. The data structure
of the Memotron with its directories, folders and files fits to your PC and is easy to understand.
The Memotron is compatible with the G-Media M-Tron® plug-In and therefore capable to use its sound
library without limitations. You may use CD-ROMs delivered with the G-Media M-Tron® plug-In
directly in your Memotron. The Memotron is not compatible to the newer M-Tron Pro® plug-In.
About this manual
This manual is intended to make the first steps of using the Memotron easier for you. Moreover it also
provides support and hints to the experienced user for his/her daily work.
Symbols used
To ensure a better overview, this manual uses standardized spelling and symbols which are explained
below. Important notes are highlighted in bold print.
! Attention – Pay special attention to this note to avoid malfunctions
i Gives some short additional information
☞ Instructions – Observe these instructions to execute the requested function
Marking of parameters
All designations of buttons, controllers and parameters of the Memotron in the text are highlighted in
bold print.
Example: Press the ESC-button
The value range permitted for a parameter setting is highlighted by indicating the maximum and
minimum values in italics, separated by three dots. Settings, which cannot be represented by a value
range, are separated by a comma.
Example: Rx Channel 01 ... 16, omni
Memotron OS v1.3 User Manual 1
General safety instructions
Please read the safety instructions below very carefully. They comprise some basic rules for the use of
electronic devices. Please read all the notes before you start using the device.
Suitable location
• Only operate the device in closed rooms.
• Never operate the device in humid environments such as bathrooms, washing rooms or swimming
pools.
• Do not operate the device in extremely dusty or dirty environments.
• Ensure unhindered air supply to all sides of the device. Do not place the device in close proximity
of heat sources such as radiators.
• Do not expose the device to direct sunlight.
• Do not expose the unit to heavy vibration.
Mains connection
• Only use the supplied connection cable or the supplied power supply.
• If the supplied mains connector does not fit into your socket you should consult a qualified
electrician.
• Disconnect the mains connector from the socket if you do not use the device for a longer period of
time.
• Never touch the mains connector with wet hands.
• When disconnecting, always pull the connector and never the cable.
Operation
• Never place any vessels containing liquids on top of the device.
• Ensure that the device cannot move during operation. Use a solid base or a suitable keyboard-
stand.
• Ensure that no objects can get inside the device. Should this happen against all odds, switch the
device off and disconnect it from the mains. Then contact a qualified technician.
Maintenance
• Do not open the device. Any repair or maintenance should be done by qualified tech-personnel
only. There are no parts inside the device that could be maintained by the user. You will also lose
your right to claim warranty if you open the device.
• Only use a dry, smooth cloth or brush for cleaning the device. Do not use any alcohol, solvents or
similar chemicals. They will damage the surfaces.
Proper use
This device is exclusively intended for creating audio signals and creating and processing control
signals according to the MIDI standard. Any other use is not permitted and will exclude any warranty
claims towards Manikin Electronic.
Memotron OS v1.3 User Manual 2
Controls & Connectors
Front
DATA: Encoder with click-function to edit menu-driven functions
ESC: Exits the current menu-page, cancels a function
A B C: Simulates the selection of a track by moving the tape-heads
HALF SPEED: Simulates half tape-speed
PITCH: Changes pitch of +/- 3 halftones
TONE: 12 dB lowpass-filter to enable change in timbre
VOLUME: Master-volume
Rear
MEMORY CARD: Cardslot for insertion of a Compact-Flash-memory-card
OUTPUT Phones: Headphones-out
OUTPUT Left / Right: Stereo audio-out, Line-level, unbalanced.
PEDAL Volume: Volume-control pedal input.
LCD: Contrast adjustment of LC-Display
MIDI In: MIDI-Data input
MIDI Thru: Data coming in on MIDI-In jack is transmitted to the MIDI-thru jack.
MIDI Out: MIDI-Data output
Memotron OS v1.3 User Manual 3
Setting Up
Unpacking
When unpacking, please check if all parts are included. If something should be incomplete, please
contact your local Manikin Dealer immediately.
The Memotron box contains:
• the Memotron
• power cable
• this manual
• a CD-ROM packed with sounds
We recommend to keep the original box for further transportation – or better – purchase a suitable
road-case.
Installation
Place the Memotron on a clean, flat surface. Installation on a solid keyboard-stand is highly
recommended. The required space is 34,9” x 15,8”, weight approx. 20 lbs.
Connections
You require a mains outlet and a suitable audio system or at least a headphone.
i The Memotron automatically adapts to your local power system (110V – 240V AC)
☞ How to hook up the Memotron:
1. Make sure, that both the Memotron and your audio system are powered OFF.
2. Connect the included power cable to the Memotron’s AC socket and to a suitable power
outlet.
3. Connect the audio-output of the Memotron to the line-level inputs of your audio system. Use
shielded high quality ¼ inch mono jack cables. By connecting only the „LEFT“ socket of the
Memotron, it can be hooked up to a mono audio system.
4. If you wish to play other MIDI-equipped sound generators from the Memotron’s keyboard,
connect the MIDI-out of the Memotron to the MIDI-in of these sound generators respectively
your MIDI-system.
5. If you wish to play the Memotron via a suitable external MIDI-keyboard or –sequencer (e.g.
the Manikin Schrittmacher), please connect the MIDI-in of the Memotron to the MIDI-out of
this external MIDI-device. Make sure to use suitable MIDI-cables.
6. Power ON the Memotron and subsequently your audio system (!)
7. Proceed with chapter „Basic Operation“ on the next page.
Memotron OS v1.3 User Manual 4
Basic Operation
Power On
Move the Power-switch in the back of the Memotron to ON. The Memotron will need some seconds to
initialise and will then be ready for use.
! Attention – First power ON the Memotron and secondly power ON your audio system in
order to avoid a cracking noise.
Power Off
Move the Power-switch in the back of the Memotron to OFF.
! Attention – First power OFF your audio system and secondly power OFF the Memotron in
order to avoid a cracking noise.
Realtime Sound-manipulation Functions
The Memotron is capable of keeping up to three sounds at one time in its internal memory. A sound is
called “track”. The panel offers various controls to tweak sound-parameters in realtime. These
parameters are performance oriented and will not be stored as part of a track.
• A B C selects one of the three tracks that have been loaded into the Memotron's internal memory
(RAM). When moving the knob, the tracks are continuously cross-faded in order to simulate the
move of the tape heads.
• PITCH shifts the pitch 3 halftones up and 3 halftones down. This will slightly affect the maximum
duration of a played note.
• TONE changes the sonic character with help of a passive 12 dB lowpass filter.
• HALF SPEED emulates halving the tape speed. The duration of a played note is increased from 8
to 16 seconds. The playback-pitch will be lowered by one octave. HALF SPEED also emulates a
slight reduction of the audio quality, especially in higher frequency ranges.
• VOLUME adjusts the master volume.
Memotron OS v1.3 User Manual 5
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