Modal Electronics SKULPTsynth SE User manual

Modal SKULPTsynth SE

4 voice virtual-analogue synthesiser

User Manual

OS Version - 2.1

1

Important Safety Information

WARNING – AS WITH ALL ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS, care and general precautions must
be observed in order to operate this equipment safely. If you are unsure how to operate this
apparatus in a safe manner, please seek appropriate advice on its safe use.

ENSURE CORRECT BATTERY POLARITY - FAILURE TO INSTALL BATTERIES CORRECTLY
MAY CAUSE PERMANENT DAMAGE

This apparatus MUST NOT BE OPERATED NEAR WATER or where there is risk of the
apparatus coming into contact with sources of water such as sinks, taps, showers or outdoor
water units, or wet environments such as in the rain. Take care to ensure that no liquids are
spilt onto or come into contact with the apparatus. In the event this should happen remove
power from the unit immediately and seek expert assistance.

This apparatus produces sound that could cause permanent damage to hearing. Always
operate the apparatus at safe listening volumes and ensure you take regular breaks from
being exposed to sound levels

THERE ARE NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE THIS APPARATUS. It should only be
serviced by qualified service personnel, specifically when:

• The apparatus has been dropped or damaged in any way or anything has fallen on the
apparatus

• The apparatus has been exposed to liquid whether this has entered the apparatus or not

• The power supply cables to the apparatus have been damaged in anyway whatsoever

• The apparatus functions in an abnormal manner or appears to operate differently in any

• way whatsoever.

2 3

Index

00. Introduction

01. Getting Started

Basic Functions
UI Combinations
Presets

02. Connections

03. Synthesis Engine

Oscillators
Filter
Envelopes
LFOs
Keyboard
FX
Modulation
Modulation Slots
Arpeggiator
Sequencer
Settings

04. MIDI

MIDI Implementation Chart
MPE

05. Update

6

8

9
10
13

14

16

18
19
20
21
22
24
25
27
28
29
30

32

37
42

44

06. MODALapp

Getting Started
Editor Page
Controller Page
Sequencer Page
Preset Manager Page
Settings Page

Appendix A

Troubleshooting

Warranty Information

46

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49
50
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53

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58

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Modal SKULPTsynth SE is a portable 4-voice 32 oscillator virtual analogue synthesiser.

00

Introduction

It features morphable waveforms, state variable filter, a comprehensive modulation matrix, 8
modulation sources, including two audio rate LFOs, a fully featured arpeggiator and a realtime
sequencer.

SPECIFICATION:

• 4 voice – 32 oscillator virtual analogue synthesiser

• 8 oscillators per voice with 2 selectable morphable waveforms

• Mixer stage for osc levels along with FM, PWM, tuning and Ring Modulation options

• Monophonic, Duophonic and Polyphonic modes available

• Multi option Unison / spread to detune the 32 oscillators for a huge sound

• 8 slot modulation matrix with 8 sources and 37 destinations

• 3 x envelope generators for Filter, Amplitude and Modulation

• 2 x audio rate LFOs, one global and one polyphonic

• Realtime sequencer that will record up to 256 notes and up to 4 parameters of animation

• Fully featured arpeggiator with division, direction, octave, bipolar swing and sustain
controls

• Resonant filter that can be morphed from low pass, through band pass, to high pass

• Delay and distortion (waveshaping overdrive, not bitcrushing) effects

• Optional MIDI clock sync for LFOs and Delay

• 128 patch and 64 sequence storage locations

• 16 key touch MIDI keyboard

• Supports MPE-compatible MIDI controllers, allowing you to apply polyphonic control and
expression to individual notes.

• MIDI DIN In and Out – Analogue clock sync In and Out connections

• Class compliant MIDI provided over USB connection to host computer or tablet

• Headphone and line output

• Power by USB or 6 x AA batteries

• Optional software editor available for MacOS, Windows, IOS and Android

• Portable and compact design

• Dimensions:255mm x 135m x 68mm (10”x5 1/2”x 3”)

6 7

01

Basic Functions

Getting Started

Powering on

SKULPTsynth SE can be powered either through the micro USB socket, or by 6 x AA batteries
installed in the underside battery compartment.

To use USB power, simply connect the supplied Micro USB cable to a power source, and slide
the power switch to the left-hand “USB” position.

To use batteries install 6xAA in the battery compartment on the underside of the unit, and
slide the power switch to the right-hand “BAT” position.

PLEASE ENSURE CORRECT BATTERY POLARITY - FAILURE TO INSTALL BATTERIES
CORRECTLY MAY CAUSE PERMANENT DAMAGE.

Before powering up ensure the volume control is at minimum. Electronics during first power­on create a ‘pop’ and this may cause damage to your speakers and the sound guy’s ear drums.

Power on by using the power toggle on the rear of the unit to select to correct source as
outlined above the toggle.

WARNING!!
DO NOT hold the LFO2/RM button whilst powering on SKULPTsynth SE.

Doing so and holding the button for a further 4 seconds will erase the firmware and stop the
SKULPT from working. You can restore the firmware via the update process, but it’s best to
avoid doing this unintentionally.

Touch Pads

Playing notes

The 16 touch pads allow you to play the synthesiser without sending it MIDI from another
device. The octave can be configured using the OCT+ and OCT - buttons.The touch pads
also send MIDI notes out, which you can use to control other instruments or features on your
DAW.

Secondary functions

The touch pads all have multiple secondary functions that can be accessed by holding the
relevant SHIFT / PRESET (or combination) button in your selected mode. (See UI Combinations)

8 9

UI Combinations

UI Combinations

SKULPTsynth SE is a comprehensive and fully featured synthesiser despite its small size.
Therefore there are a number of user interface combinations that are required to access some
of the deeper fuctions of the synth:

SHIFT + DIAL/BUTTON = ORANGE PARAMETER

Presets

PRESET + KEY 1-16 = LOAD PRESET
PRESET + HOLD KEY 1-16 = SAVE PRESET

SHIFT + PRESET + KEY 1-8 = PATCH BANK
SHIFT + PRESET + KEY 9-12 = SEQ BANK
SHIFT + PRESET + HOLD KEY 13 = INIT PRESET
SHIFT + PRESET + KEY 14 = RANDOMISE (PATCHES ONLY)
SHIFT + PRESET + KEY 15/16 = DOWN/UP

Arpeggiator

ARP = ARPEGGIATOR ON/OFF
ARP + KEY 1-8 = ARP NOTE LENGTH
ARP + KEY 9-11 = ARP DIRECTION
ARP + KEY 12 = NOTE ORDER
ARP + KEY 13-16 = ARP OCTAVE

Sustain

SHIFT + ARP = SUSTAIN ON/OFF
SHIFT + HOLD ARP (1 second hold) = SUSTAIN LATCH MODE ON/OFF

Sequencer

PLAY = START/STOP SEQUENCE

SHIFT + PLAY = RECORD NOTES/PARAMETERS
SHIFT + HOLD PLAY = SEQ METRONOME

PRESET + TEMPO = SEQ QUANTISE

SHIFT + VOICE = SEQ MODE ON/OFF

SEQ MODE changes the behaviour of the 16 touch pads:

SEQ MODE + KEY 1-4 = PARAMETER ROW ON/OFF
SEQ MODE + KEY 5-8 = SEQ LENGTH
SEQ MODE + HOLD KEY 9-13 = CLEAR ROWS
SEQ MODE + HOLD KEY 14 = MUTE NOTE ROW
SEQ MODE + KEY 15 = HOLD + REPEAT STEP
SEQ MODE + KEY 16 + RELEASE = LOOP START + END
SEQ MODE + KEY 16 = EXIT LOOP

Modulation

8 MOD SOURCES = GLOBAL LFO1, POLY LFO2, MOD-EG, NOTE, VELOCITY, AFTERTOUCH,
MODWHEEL + EXT CC

MOD SOURCE BUTTON = ASSIGN ON/OFF
ASSIGN + PARAMETER = MOD SLOT PARAM + DEPTH
ASSIGN + VOL = MOD SOURCE GLOBAL DEPTH
LFO1 + LFO2 HAVE DEDICATED KNOB FOR DEPTH
ASSIGN + LED FLASH = INVALID DESTINATION

Clock

SHIFT + TEMPO = SWING
SHIFT + EG = MIDI SYNC (LFO1, LFO2 + DELAY)

CLOCK PRIORITY = 1) SYNC 2) EXT MIDI 3) INTERNAL

Chord

SHIFT + OCT+ = CHORD MODE ON/OFF

HOLD CHORD + SHIFT + OCT+ = SET CHORD

Transpose

SHIFT + OCT- = TRANSPOSE ON/OFF
SHIFT + OCT- + NOTE = TRANSPOSE MIDDLE C

SHIFT + LFO = MOD SLOT MODE ON/OFF

SLOT MODE changes the behaviour of the 16 touch pads:

SLOT MODE + KEY 1-8 = SLOT ON/OFF
SLOT MODE + HOLD KEY 9-16 = CLEAR SLOT 1-8

LED Animations

• Loading a patch - Key LED right to left scroll

• Loading a Sequence - Key LED left to right scroll

• Any preset save - Key LED flash

• Assigning mod slot - Key LED flash - Invalid Assignment / no more modulation slots
available

• Seq record LED and MIDI Sync LEDs flash at tempo

10 11

UI Combinations

Presets

There are a number of different latch-able ‘states’ that the panel and keyboard can be set
to to allow the the encoders, buttons and touch pads to control alternative functions. If
the panel and/or keyboard doesn’t appear to be functioning as expected, please check the
following things

• If the SHIFT button LED is on, the panel is latched in ‘shift mode’ for accessing the
secondary functions of the encoders and buttons (see orange text on panel).Simply press
the SHIFT button tounlatch this state and return to the regular state.

• If the VOICE LED is flashing this indicates the keyboard is latched in ‘sequencer edit
mode’ for controlling sequencer parameters (see orange text on keyboard). Press SHIFT +
VOICE to unlatch this state and return to the regular state.

• If the LFO ASSIGN button LED is flashing this indicates the keyboard is latched in ‘mod
slots edit mode’ for controlling the mod slots. Press SHIFT + LFO ASSIGNto unlatch this
state and return to the regular state.

• If any of the MOD section LEDs are on, or the LFO ASSIGN button LED is on or flashing,
this indicates that the panel is latched in ‘modulation assign mode’ for the illuminated
mod LED for assigning destinations to the selected source. Simply press the button of the
illuminated LED tounlatch this state and return to the regular state.

There are a two types of presets on SKULPTsynth SE, patch presets and sequence presets.

Patch presets are arranged into 8 banks of 16 giving you 128 slots in total.

Sequence presets are arranged into 4 banks of 16 giving you 64 slots in total.

LOAD A PRESET

Presets can be easily loaded by holding the PRESET button on the front panel and tapping
one the the 16 touch pads. Each touch pad represents the preset slot in the currently selected
bank.

You can change the currently selected bank by first entering SHIFT mode and then holding the
PRESET button on the front panel and tapping one of the touch pads 1-12.

The currently selected bank determines what type of preset is being loaded, patch or
sequence. Banks 1-8 contain the patch presets and banks 9-12 contain the sequence presets.

SAVE A PRESET

Presets can be saved by holding the PRESET button on the front panel and then HOLDING
one the the 16 touch pads. Each touch pad represents the preset slot in the currently selected
bank.

If the currently selected bank is a patch bank (Bank 1-8) then the current patch setting will be
saved into the selected slot. If the currently selected bank is a sequence bank (Bank 9-12) then
the current sequence is saved into the selected slot.

INIT PRESET

You can initialise a patch preset by first entering SHIFT mode and then holding the PRESET
button on the front panel and holding touch pad 13.

RANDOMISE PRESET

You can randomise a patch preset by first entering SHIFT mode and then holding the PRESET
button on the front panel and tapping touch pad 14.

PRESET UP/DOWN

You can quickly load the next preset in the corresponding slots by first entering SHIFT mode
and then holding the PRESET button on the front panel and pressing touch pad 15 for the
preset in the slot down or touch pad 16 for the preset in the slot up.

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02

Connections

SKULPTsynth SE has seven external connections: USB, Line out, Headphones out Clock Sync In,
Clock Sync Out, MIDI In and MIDI Out.

Line Out

Line level dual mono output on

3.5mm Stereo jack. This output can
be connected to any line level input
for monitoring and recording. The
line output is higher quality than the
headphone output, so always use it
when recording or performing.

USB

Micro USB Connection for power, MIDI
input and MIDI output. Simply connect
Skulpt to a powered USB socket, such
as on your computer, or a powered hub
with a standard micro USB cable. To
use MIDI, connect to your computer or
tablet with a micro USB cable and find
‘Skulpt Synth’ listed as a MIDI port on
your computer.

Headphones

MIDI (In, Out)

MIDI In / Out on MIDI 5-pin DIN cable.
These outputs can be used to
communicate with any other MIDI
devices. (See the MIDI section)

14 15

Clock Sync (In, Out)

Clock Sync In / Out on 3.5mm Mono
jack. Simply plug into your clockable
gear as desired. (See the Sync section)

Headphone output on 3.5mm Stereo
jack. The volume can be adjusted using
the VOL function (see the Getting
Started section), the MODALapp,
or through MIDI CC. (See the MIDI
section)

Power

Power switch for SKULPT.
SWITCH IN MIDDLE = POWER OFF
SWITCH TO BAT = POWERED BY 6xAA
BATTERIES
SWITCH TO USB = POWERED BY
MICRO USB

03

Synthesis engine

16 17

Oscillators

Filter

SKULPTsynth SE features 2 unique morphable waveform oscillators identified by Wave 1 and
Wave 2 labels. It has a total of 32 oscillators inside, that’s 4 voices with 8 oscillators per voice.

• Wave 1: This encoder allows you to sweep continuously thru the waveforms from Sine ­Triangle - Saw - Square - PWM.

• Wave 2: This encoder allows you to sweep continuously thru the waveforms from Sine ­Triangle - Saw - Square - Noise - Low Pass Filter down to -inf dB.

• Mix: The Mix encoder allows you to balance the volume between each wave. All the way
to the left you will hear only Wave 1, All the way to the right you will hear Wave 2. In the
centre you will hear a balanced blend of both waves.

• Fine: Holding the Shift key and turning this encoder allows us to control the fine tuning
of Wave 2 (Fine) +/- 100 cents

• Tune: Holding the Shift key and turning this encoder allows us to control the coarse
tuning of Wave 2 (Tune) at desirable intervals +/- 4 octaves.

Note: assigning modulation to the Tempo / Swing knob will control the Global Tune of
the oscillators.

• FM: Holding the shift key and turning this encoder controls the FM amount between
Waves where Wave 1 is the carrier and Wave 2 is the modulator. This means that Wave 2
is modulating Wave 1 up to a maximum of +/- 4 octaves & 100 cents.

Because of the wide range of Wave 2 detune and the flexibility of the LFOs, this can be
used to create a huge array of effects, from adding rich harmonics to interesting low­frequency modulations.

• RM: Holding shift and pressing the LFO2 button causes ring mod to be enabled and
disabled. By default Ring Mod is disabled. Enabling it will cause the LFO 2 LED to flash in
an on or off direction, depending on whether LFO 2 is being edited or not.

Ring modulation is a form of amplitude modulation where a modulating wave (Wave 1)
affects a carrier waveform (Wave 2). The effect generates new harmonics that are the
sum and difference of all frequencies present in the two waves used to generate the
effect, but this also causes the original frequencies in the carrier signal to disappear.

SKULPTsynth SE uses a Modal designed state variable 2-pole resonant filter (capable of
morphing from low pass, through band pass, to high pass).

• Cutoff: This parameter controls the low-pass filter cutoff frequency. This affects the
cutoff frequency of the filter, from 0Hz up to 20kHz.

• Reso: This parameter controls the amount of resonance of the filter.

• FEG: Holding the shift key and turning this encoder allows bipolar control of the Filter-EG

amount. (See the Envelopes section)

• Morph: Holding the shift key and turning this encoder allows control of the shape of the
filter: note that the filter is low-pass by default.

- At its minimum value you have a low pass filter;

- We move through a sort of low-shelving;

- At its midpoint we have a band-pass filter;

- At its maximum value a 1-pole high-pass filter.

TIP: With this feature at lower settings you can dampen the low frequencies while
maintaining a rich high-end texture.

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Envelopes

LFOs

SKULPTsynth SE provides 3 separate 4-stage Envelope Generators (i.e. envelopes), one for
the filter (FILT-EG), one for the amplifier (AMP-EG) and one for modulations (MOD-EG). With
negative amounts only the attack, decay and sustain levels are inverted, the release phase will
still tend to 0.

• Attack: This parameter controls the time passing from the moment you press a key (i.e.
‘MIDI Note On’ message) until the sound reaches its maximum value.

• Decay: This parameter controls the time passing for the envelope to drop from its
maximum value to a sustain level (see below).

• Sustain: This parameter controls the level of the sustain phase (i.e. the volume of the
sound while keeping the key pressed for AMP-EG). If there are no modulations active, this
volume keeps constant until you release the key. (The envelope then enters the ‘release’
phase)

• Release: This parameter controls the time passing from the moment you leave a key (i.e.
‘MIDI Note Off’ message) until the sound reaches silence.

• EG: This button cycles through which envelope generator the above controls are
representing. F = FILT-EG - A = AMP-EG - M = MOD-EG

TIP: Holding down the EG select button and changing the ADSR parameters will alter all
three envelopes simultaneously and is a useful shortcut to quickly change all envelopes at
once.

• AEG: While holding Shift and turning volume this controls the AMP-EG amount. This
controls the amount of modulation the AMP-EG has over the volume.

SKULPTsynth SE features two individual low frequency oscillators: LFO 1 is a simple LFO and
is ‘global’ across the patch (so it affects the whole sound); LFO 2 has more parameters and is
applied polyphonically or ‘per voice’ (so it affects each note/voice individually).

Both LFO1 and LFO2 can be set to Retrigger, Single and Free mode and have these
parameters:

• Rate: This parameter controls the speed of the LFO. On LFO2, using the second half of
the dial, the LFO rate is set to a division of the main frequency of the note being played.
This allows the LFO frequency to run into the audible range and maintain harmonious
modulations. A massive array of effects can be achieved in this way, including AM and
FM.

• Depth: This parameter controls the global depth for all LFO modulation for either LFO1
or LFO2.

• Shape: When holding the SHIFT key this encoder controls the LFO Shape. This allows you
to continuously sweep through the four available LFO waveforms (i.e. sine, sawtooth,
square and sample & hold).

• Mode: When holding the SHIFT key this encoder selects the Retrigger Mode. The modes
are:

Retrigger - in this mode, each new keypress restarts the LFO and it the continues to run ­particularly useful for Unison/Stack sounds.

Free - in this mode LFO 2 is never reset, so it could be at any phase when a note is
pressed.

Single - In this mode, the LFO will start when a new key is pressed, complete cycle and
stop, but will not retrigger when a new note is triggered and one is already held.

• Assign: Pressing this button enters assign mode for the selected LFO. This is how we
route the LFO’s to parameters in the matrix. Once in this mode, simply turning the knob
for the parameter that you would like the LFO to modulate, you will initially see keys
8 and 9 illuminated, showing there is currently 0 depth. As you continue to turn the
parameter knob the LEDs will illuminate to show you the depth. Modulation is bipolar so
twisting left achieves negative amounts and twisting right achieves positive amounts.

Tip: Make sure you exit assign mode once finished to avoid filling up all of the mod slots
with undesired modulations!

• MIDI Sync: When holding the SHIFT key and pressing the EG SELECT button you can
enable/disable the LFO’s ‘MIDI sync mode’: when this mode is on, the LFO is synced to the
current MIDI clock tempo.

• LFO2: This button switches which LFO we are controlling. By default we have access to
LFO 1 and once pressed the Assign, Rate, Depth and Mode will represent LFO2.

20 21

Keyboard

Keyboard

SKULPTsynth SE has some very flexible voicing and MIDI options

• Oct -/+ : These buttons control the key range available along the Touch Pads.

Tip: You can use this while holding notes to access unavailable notes. Particularly handy
when used in conjunction with Chord mode.

• Spread: This introduces additional oscillators to achieve unison and stacked octaves,
intervals and chords. In the first half of the dial, Wave 1 and Wave 2 are split into
individual oscillators and spread out over the frequency spectrum to create a fat unison
sound. This effect is increased up to the center position. Past half way, the oscillators
arrange themselves into chord shapes. A huge variation of chords can be created with
this control in conjunction with OSC2 detune.

Note: The average level of the sound will be lower when using the SPREAD control. This is
because the combining oscillators are phasing in and out and not constantly re-enforcing
each other as they would if the spread is set to zero.

• Chord: Holding Shift and pressing this button while holding a chord saves this chord. This
chord can then be played from a single note trigger until the chord is changed, or chord
mode is disabled. To change a chord, simply turn Chord mode off and repeat the process
holding your new chord shape.

• Transpose: Holding Shift and pressing this button enters Transpose mode. Here you can
directly transpose the pitch of both oscillators using the touch pads. Pad number 8 is the
default position. Pads 7-1 transpose down 1 semitone per pad and pads 9-16 transpose
up 1 semitone per pad.

Note: Using transpose will not trigger a new note. If you are using low EG settings you
may not notice the change. This can be used to great effect while sequencing Skuplt
from its Arp or Seq or from external sources.

• Glide: This parameter controls the speed with which the oscillators change their pitch,
‘sliding’ from one note to the next one pressed. Positive values will achieve normal always
active glide and negative amounts will achieve fingered glide and will only glide if another
note is already held. In MONO mode, envelopes will be retriggered with every note when
the glide control is centred. Moving the control in either direction will enable legato
mode, where envelopes are triggered only for the first note in a note stack.

• Arp: Pushing this button enables and disables the Arpeggiator. (See Arpeggiator section)

• Seq: Pushing this button enters and exits Sequencer mode. (See Sequencer section)

• Voice: This button selects which voice mode the patch is in. In Mono (1) all 32 oscillators

are stacked in a single voice. In Duo (2) there are 2 voices with 16 oscillators stacked
across each. In Poly (4) we have 4 voices with 8 oscillators per voice.

• Sustain: Holding Shift and pressing this button will sustain any notes played and is
indicated by a flashing LED below.

• Sustain Latch Mode: Holding the SHIFT button and holding the ARP button for one
second (until the ARP LED flashes) will enable Sustain ‘Latch Mode’ - press and release a
note / chord to sustain it, press a new note / chord to overwrite the existing one. This also
provides the classic arpeggiator ‘Hold’ functionality.

22 23

FX

Modulation

SKULPTsynth SE features two built in effects, a waveshaping distortion and a delay.

• Distortion: When holding the SHIFT key this encoder allows us to control the Distortion
amount. The distortion is a waveshaping overdrive and as such is incapable of bit­crushing effects.

• Delay: When holding the SHIFT key this encoder allows us to control the Delay amount
within this patch.This parameter affects the Dry/Wet mix of the of the delay audio effect
at the end of the audio signal chain. When set to minimum, only the dry signal will be
heard. When set to maximum, only the delayed signal will be heard.

• Time: When holding the SHIFT key this encoder allows us to control delay Time of the
Delay effect, from 0.022 to 750ms.

• Feedback: When holding the SHIFT key this encoder allows us to control Delay Feedback.
This sets the amount of delayed audio signal fed back into the delay input. When at the
fully left position, only the first delayed signal will be heard. All the way to the right,
almost the entire level of the delayed signal is fed back into the delay. This can be used
to create a wide array of effects from an echo or reverb-type effect, to noise and metallic
sounds.

• Sync: When holding the SHIFT key this button allows you to select which (if any) of the
two LFO’s or Delay’s frequency or time should be syncopated to BPM (Extrenal or Internal
clocks) you can cycle through every combination. This will snap the frequency or time to
the closest division of the tempo you’re working with and turning the encoder will cycle
through divisions.

SKULPT synthsiser has a comprehensive Modulation Matrix with 8 Slots, 8 Modulation Sources
and 37 Modulation destinations.

These Mod slots can be used to assign any combination of modulation sources to destinations,
meaning that 1 modulation source can be assigned to 8 different destinations, or 8
modulation sources can be assigned to a single destination, or any other combination thereof.

You cannot make the same assignment twice, each mod slot must be unique.

The Mod Matrix on Skulpt is additive - Modulation values are added or subtracted from
the modulated parameter value and limited to the parameter range. If a parameter is at 0,
negative modulation values will not be audible until the parameter value is increased. The
opposite is true for parameters at max value.

All modulation depths are bipolar, meaning sources can be inverted using negative depths.

When multiple mod slots are assigned to the same destination, the modulation from all
assigned slots is summed and limited before being applied.

Not all source to destination combinations are valid e.g. you cannot assign a polyphonic
modulation source to a monophonic destination.

Valid combinations are listed here:

Parameter LFO1 LFO2 MOD-EG NOTE VELO AFTT MODW CC

Wave 1

Wave 2

Mix

Global Pitch

Osc1 Pitch

Osc2 Pitch

FM

LFO1 Rate X X X X

LFO2 Rate

LFO1 Shape X X X X X

LFO2 Shape X

LFO1 Depth X X X X X

LFO2 Depth X

24 25

Modulation

Modulation

Parameter LFO1 LFO2 MOD-EG NOTE VELO AFTT MODW CC

Cutoff X

Reso

Morph

FEG Amount X

FEG Attack X

FEG Decay X

FEG Sustain X

FEG Release X

AEG Amount X

AEG Attack X

AEG Decay X

AEG Sustain X

AEG Release X

MEG Amount X

MEG Attack X

MEG Decay X

MEG Sustain X

MEG Release X

Distortion

Delay X X X X

Time X X X X

Feedback X X X X

Spread

Glide X

On SKULPTsynth SE each modulation source has its own dedicated assign button on the
front panel. Assign buttons can be latched so you don’t have to hold them while assigning
modulation destinations or accessing shift functions! Slots can also be easily muted or cleared
by enetering the MOD SLOTS mode.

• MEG: Similar to the Assign button, this button allows us to assign which parameters the
Mod-EG affects in the matrix. After pressing simply begin twist the knob that you would
like the Mod-EG to modulate you will see touch pads 8 and 9 illuminated showing their
is no modulation as you continue to twist the LEDs will illuminate to show you depth.
Modulation is bipolar so twisting left achieves negative amounts and twisting right
achieves positive amounts.

• Note: This button allows you to assign a bipolar amount of keytracking modulation to
a selected destination: at positive values, the higher the note you press, the higher the
modulation value.

• Velo: This button allows you to assign a bipolar amount of velocity modulation to a
selected destination: at positive values, the harder / faster the note you press, the higher
the modulation value on the selected destination.

• Modw: When holding the SHIFT key this button allows you to assign a bipolar amount of
mod wheel modulation to a selected destination

Tip: Assign an LFO to control Tune. Reduce the depth of the LFO and assign the Modw to
the depth (+or-) adjust rate to taste for that classic mod wheel vibrato!

• Aftt: When holding the SHIFT key this button allows you to assign a bipolar amount of
monophonic aftertouch modulation to a selected destination.

• Ext: When holding the SHIFT key this button allows you to assign a bipolar amount of
External Expression (MIDI CC 11) to a selected destination

• Mod Slots: When holding the SHIFT key this button allows you to observe and edit
the modulations used within a patch using the 16 touch pads. Pads 1-8 represent each
modulation slot, they can be enabled or disabled. Pads 9-16 will clear the corresponding
slot 1-8 when held down for a certain time.

Scaling

LFO1 and LFO2 are scaled such that if they are assigned with maximum depth and the
modulated parameter is at its centre value, the full parameter range will be modulated.

All other modulation sources are scaled such that if they are assigned with maximum positive
depth and the modulated parameter is at 0, the full parameter range will be modulated.

Modulation LEDs

• Entering an assign mode while on the mod edit page will flash all slots currently assigned
from that source.

• When assigning a modulation and adjusting the assignment depth, the led for the
modulation slot is flashed.

• If you try to enter an invalid or duplicate modulation the 16 touch pad LEDs will all flash
together.

26 27

Arpeggiator

SKULPTsynth SE features an arpeggiator with division, direction, octave, bipolar swing and
sustain controls

Sequencer

SKULPTsynth SE has a realtime sequencer that can record up to 256 notes at midi clock
resolution with 4 notes of polyphony. Overdub is automatic - simply keep adding notes when
the sequencer is recording.

The speed of the arpeggiator is controlled by the current clock which can either be received
from the sync in port, external MIDI or from the internal clock in SKULPT.

• Tempo: This controls the tempo of the arpeggiator and sequencer.

• Swing: This allows you apply swing to the arpeggiator. A positive value delays the even

step, however a negative value brings the even step forward in time.

Note: assigning modulation to the Tempo / Swing knob will control the Global Tune of
the oscillators.

The arpeggiator can be enabled using the dedicated button in the keyboard section labelled
ARP.

However, when this button is held down the 16 touch pads can be used to edit the arp
parameters:

• Division: Pads 1-8 select the division or note length of the arp. The available divisions
are 1/32 (demi-semi-quaver), 1/24 (semi-quaver triplets), 1/16 (semi-quaver), 1/12 (quaver
triplets), 1/8 (quaver), 1/6 (crotchet triplets), 1/4 (crotchet) and 1/2 (minum)

• Direction: Pads 9-12 select what order the held notes are played back in. There are 6
possible combinations, with FWD (forward), BACK (backwards), PEND (forwards then
backwards) and then a toggle NOTE (note order vs played order).

• Octave: Pads 13-16 select how many octaves are played back from 1 to 4 octaves.

• Sustain: When holding the SHIFT key and pressing the ARP button this enables sustain.

This allows you to keep the arpeggiator running without needing to hold the notes
down.

• Sustain Latch Mode: Holding the SHIFT button and holding the ARP button for one
second (until the ARP LED flashes) will enable Sustain ‘Latch Mode’ - press and release a
note / chord to sustain it, press a new note / chord to overwrite the existing one. This also
provides the classic arpeggiator ‘Hold’ functionality.

The sequencer also allows animation of 4 parameters as part of the sequence - simply move
the parameter you wish to automate when the sequencer is recording. Overdub is automatic

- moving a parameter that is already animated (when recording) will overdub the recorded
animation. Sequencer note lane and animator lanes can be muted/cleared from the sequencer
page.

• Play: Starts and stops the sequence.

• Record: When holding Shift this allows you to record enable and disable. If the sequence

in’t playing when you press record it will begin. You can enable or disable the metronome
in the MODALapp or by holding SHIFT + PLAY until the record LED flashes for a short
burst.

• Quantise: the realtime sequencer can be given a quantise value to ensure that played
notes can be kept in time. The available values are OFF - 1/32 - 1/16 - 1/8. You can
change the quantise value by holding PRESET and turning the TEMPO dial.

Like the arpeggiator the sequencer controls can be edited on the 16 touch pads by holding
SHIFT and using the SEQ button. This button can be held down or latched to give access to
the following parameters:

• ANIM 1-4: Pads 1-4 enable or disable the 4 rows of parameter animation.

• Bar: Pads 5-8 selects the length of the sequencer. The available lengths are 1 BAR, 2 BAR,

4 BAR and 8 BAR

• Clear: Pads 9-13 allow you to clear the current data in the 4 parameter animation rows
and the note row.

• Mute: Pad 14 enables or disables the note row.

• Hold: Pad 15 holds the current sequencer step and repeats it, like a beat repeater. When

the pad is released the sequencer carries on from the location it should have been before
the step was repeated so it will still be in time.

• Loop: Pad 16 allows you to loop certain parts of the sequencer. When the pad is first
pressed is the loop start point and when it is released becomes the loop end point. When
a loop is active pressing pad 16 again will disable the loop.

The Sequence position LED will always cycle 1 - 16 over the current sequence length. Eg. if
sequencer is set to 4 bars, it will take 4 bars for the sequencer LED to scroll from 1 to 16 (i.e.
not steps) If sequencer is running, any sequencer length changes will only take affect at the
beginning of a bar.

28 29

Settings

General

• Clock Source: Sets the clock source for the SKULPTsynth SE with the following available

options: Internal, MIDI, Sync-In, Auto. If ‘Auto’ is selected then the SKULPTsynth SE will
automatically use any detected clock source (prioritising Sync-In over MIDI) else it will use
the internal clock. Please note that if ‘MIDI’ or ‘Sync-In’ is selected whilst there is no MIDI
or Sync-In clock present then clocked-synced functions (sequencer, arpeggiator, delay FX,
LFOs) may not work correctly or at all.

This can be set from the panel by holding the PLAY button whilst powering on the device
and using the touch pads to select the source (1-4 = Internal, 5-8 = MIDI, 9-12 = Sync-In,
13-16 = Auto)

• Global Tune: Sets the global tuning of the SKULPTsynth SE with a range of +/- 1
semitone. You may need to adjust this if using the SKULPTsynth SE with other synthesisers
that are not tuned to the standard tuning (e.g. old analogue synthesisers).

• Touch Sensitivity: Allows you to change the sensitivity of touch pad 1. A device reboot
is required to apply any changes made to this setting.

30 31

04

MIDI

MIDI

SKULPTsynth SE is a fully USB-MIDI class-compliant, meaning you can plug it into your
computer, no drivers required, and gain access to a huge array of extra features. Simply plug
in SKULPTsynth SE to a USB port and it will show up as a MIDI input and output device in any
software that supports external MIDI devices.

On Mac OSX, SKULPTsynth SE will
show up in ‘Midi Studio’, found in
Applications > Utilities > Audio MIDI
Setup. (Once open, select Window >
Show MIDI Studio)

On Windows, SKULPTsynth SE will
show up as a sound device in the
Device manager.

Remember to enable the device
input and output in your DAW’s
preferences.

32 33

MIDI

MIDI

MIDI Channel

On SKULPTsynth SE the MIDI channel can be set from the front panel, or with the MODALapp.

Power on holding PRESET and the current midi channel will flash on one of the touch pads
1 - 16. Select a new MIDI channel using the buttons 1 - 16. Once selected release preset and
Skulpt will return to its regular operation mode. You can also change MIDI settings in the
settings tab of the MODALapp.

MIDI Output

SKULPTsynth SE can sequence your DAW or any device that can send MIDI notes over USB,
MIDI or CV clock using the touch pads, Sequencer or Arpeggiator.

All of the encoders on SKULPTsynth SE output MIDI messages (The appropriate CC message
depending on the SHIFT state) This allows Skulpt to be used as a fully functional plug and play
MIDI controller!

When a change is detected on any of the parameters, a CC message is sent out. See the MIDI
implementation chart to find which parameters send which CC numbers. The touch pads also
send the appropriate MIDI notes for the Octave range, Chord, Sustain and Arp mode that they
are in.

MIDI Input

SKULPTsynth SE can be played by sending it MIDI notes. This means you can use your DAW or
any device that can send MIDI notes over USB, MIDI or CV clock to sequence Skulpt or control
any of the parameters featured in the CC Implementation List

MIDI Clock

Program Change

Sending a program change to SKULPTsynth SE will load the relevant preset.

Sync

The analogue sync connections on SKULPTsynth SE are configured to use a 3.3v, rising edge, 1
pulse per 16th note signal. PLEASE DO NOT EXCEED 5V INPUT AND OUTPUT.

Any signal received by the SYNC IN connection is automatically forwarded to the SYNC OUT.

When running off internal clock or external clock SYNC OUT sends out the received clock.

Sync auto detects incoming clock / sync signals and will select these in priority order:

1) Sync, 2) Ext MIDI and 3) Internal.
Sync will fall back to the next available sync source in reverse priority order after a timeout of
3 seconds.

Din MIDI Filters

SKULPTsynth SE has app-configurable midi filters on the Din input and output:
Notes, CC, Program Change, Aftertouch, Pitchbend, Transport, Clock and Sysex
By default DIN IN allows all message types
By default DIN OUT allows all message types except clock.

MIDI In Omni

MIDI can be made omni within the Settings tab of MODALapp. Omni mode makes
SKULPTsynth SE listen to all midi channels, for all received midi (din or usb). Transmitted MIDI
is still sent out on the current midi channel.

Configure your DAW to send MIDI clock (Sync) to SKULPTsynth SE and it will automatically
configure itself to work in time with your track tempo. When no clock is detected, the
SKULPTsynth SE will continue to use whatever tempo it is configured to.

MIDI Soft Thru

SKULPTsynth SE has two soft thru settings configurable from the app:

• DIN Thru - Forwards Midi received on din in to din out

• USB Thru - Soft interface mode which forwards midi received on din in to USB out, and
USB in to din out

Local

Enables / disables the internal keyboards’ connection with the internal sound engine. If you
are using SKULPTsynth SE with an external sequencer you may need to set the Local setting to
‘Off’ to eliminate the double-triggering of notes caused by MIDI loops / echoes.

This can be set from the panel by holding the NOTE button whilst powering on the device and
using touch pads 1-8 to turn off this setting or touch pads 9-16 to turn on this setting.

MIDI-In Octave Offset

Enables / disables the Keyboard Octave parameter from transposing MIDI-in notes.

34 35

MIDI

MIDI CC Implemention Chart

Arp / Seq Out

Enables / disables MIDI note output from the arpeggiator and sequencer. If this setting is
enabled and the arpeggiator is active then the internal keyboard notes will not be transmitted
to MIDI-out. Please note that MIDI-in notes that are being arpeggiated will also be transmitted
to MIDI-out if this setting is enabled, which may cause MIDI loop / echo issues in complex
MIDI setups.

This can be set from the panel by holding the ARP button whilst powering on the device and
using touch pads 1-8 to turn off this setting or touch pads 9-16 to turn on this setting.

Polychaining

Polychaing is available for up to 4 SKULPTsynth SE or SKULPTsynthesiser units together for up
to 16 voices of polyphony:

• Connect desired master din out to first drone din in.

• Connect additional drones (Maximum 3 drones per master, 4 in total) in the same way,
din out -> din in.

• Power on drone SKULPTsynth SE or SKULPTsynthesiser.

• Power on master SKULPTsynth SE or SKULPTsynthesiser holding down the VOICE button
and select the number of drones on the Touch Pads.

• Release VOICE button. An LED animation should run accross all SKULPT units and will
disable the drone’s front panel. The VOICE LEDs will be lit and the drone number flashing
on the touch pads.

Function CC Values

Seq Load 0 0 - 63

Modulation Wheel 1 “

Glide 5 0 - 2.5 seconds, exponential

Headphone Volume 7 Silence - full volume

Voice Mode 9 0 - 42 = Mono; 43 - 85 = Duo; 86 - 127 = Poly;

Expression Pedal 11 “

Distortion 12 Dry - Wet

Delay 13 Dry - Wet

Delay Time 14

Delay Feedback 15 0% - 90%

Osc1 Wave 16 0 - 21 Sine / 22-42 Tri / 43-63 Saw / 64-127 PWM duty 50% - 5%

Osc2 Wave 17

Osc Mix 18 Osc1 - Osc2

FM Amount 19 0 - Full

Spread 20

Chord Mode 21 0 - 63 = OFF / 64 - 127 = ON

No Sync: 0 - 250 milliseconds / Sync: 8 steps, Longest delay time

possible divided down

0 - 21 Sine / 22-42 Tri / 43-63 Saw / 64-85 Square / 86-127 White

Noise

0 - 63 Unison / 64 - 70 Major / 71 - 77 Minor / 78 - 84 Major 6th /

85 - 91 Sus 4th / 92 - 98 5ths / 99 - 105 5th + Oct / 106 - 112 Oct

+ 1 + 2/ 113 - 119 Oct + 1 -1 / 119 - 127 Oct -1 -2

FEG Attack 22 0 - 4 Seconds

FEG Decay 23 0 - 4 Seconds

FEG Sustain 24 0 - 1

FEG Release 25 0 - 4 Seconds

AEG Attack 26 0 - 4 Seconds

AEG Decay 27 0 - 4 Seconds

AEG Sustain 28 0 - 1

AEG Release 29 0 - 4 Seconds

Osc2 Course

Detune

30 +/- 4 Octaves

36 37

MIDI CC Implemention Chart

MIDI CC Implemention Chart

Function CC Values

Osc2 Fine Detune 31 -/+ 1 Semitone

FEG Amount 32 63 (0) +/- 63

Morph 33 0 = LP / 64 = BP / 127 = HP

Cutoff 34 0Hz - 22kHz

Reso 35 None - Full

LFO1 Rate 36

LFO1 Depth 37 63 (0) +/- 63

LFO1 Shape 39

Octave 40 Octaves -2 to +4

MEG Attack 43 0 - 4 Seconds

MEG Decay 44 0 - 4 Seconds

MEG Sustain 45 0 - 1

MEG Release 46 0 - 4 Seconds

LFO2 Rate 47

LFO2 Depth 48 63 (0) +/- 63

MEG Amount 49 63 (0) +/- 63

LFO2 Shape 50

AEG Amount 51 63 (0) +/- 63

LFO1 MIDI Sync 52 0 - 63 = OFF / 64 - 127 = ON

Ring Mod 53 0 - 63 = OFF / 64 - 127 = ON

LFO2 MIDI Sync 54 0 - 63 = OFF / 64 - 127 = ON

SYNC: 0-7 = 1/16 / 8-15 = 1/8 / 16-23 = 3/16 / 24-31 = 1/4 /

32-39 = 3/8 / 40-47 = 1/2 / 48-55 = 3/4 / 56-63 = 1 / 64-71 = 3/2

/ 72-79 = 2 / 80-87 = 3 / 88-95 = 4 / 96-103 = 6 /104-111 = 8 /

0-32 Sine to Triangle / 33-64 - Triangle to Sawtooth / 65-96 -

Sawtooth to Square / 97-127 - Square to Sample and Hold

NO SYNC: 0-63 = 0-32Hz Free / 64-71 Root/8 / 72-79 Root/4 /

80-87 Root/2 / 88-95 Root / 96-103 Root*1.5 /104-111 Root*2 /

SYNC: 0-7 = 1/16 / 8-15 = 1/8 / 16-23 =1/4 / 24-31 =1/2 / 32-39

= 1 / 40-47 = 5/4 / 48-55 =2 / 56-63 = 4 (Cycles per beat)

0-32 Sine to Triangle / 33-64 - Triangle to Sawtooth / 65-96 -

Sawtooth to Square / 97-127 - Square to Sample and Hold

NO SYNC: 0-127 = 0.02Hz - 32Hz

112-119 = 12 / 120-127 = 16

112-119 Root*2.5 / 120-127 Root*3

Function CC Values

LFO1 Mode 56 0-41 Retrig / 42-83 Free / 84-127 Single

LFO2 Mode 57 0-41 Retrig / 42-83 Free / 84-127 Single

Arp Status 58 0 - 63 = OFF / 64 - 127 = ON

Arp Octave 59 0 - 31 1Oct / 32-63 2Oct / 64-95 3Oct / 96-127 4Octaves

Arp Direction 60

Arp Division 61

Velo Depth 62 63 (0) +/- 63

Note Depth 63 63 (0) +/- 63

Sustain Pedal 64 0 - 63 = OFF / 64 - 127 = ON

Aftertouch Depth 65 63 (0) +/- 63

Ext Depth 66 63 (0) +/- 63

Sequence Length 67 0 - 31 = 1 Bar / 32-63 = 2 Bars / 64-95 = 4 Bars / 96-127 = 8 Bars

Sequence Hold 70 0 - 63 = OFF / 64 - 127 = ON

Sequence Loop 71

Transpose 75 -24 to +36 sent as (value + 24) * 2

Swing 78 0 - 127

Anim 1 CC 80 CC number of new destination

Anim 2 CC 81 CC number of new destination

Anim 3 CC 82 CC number of new destination

Anim 4 CC 83 CC number of new destination

All Envelope Attack 84 0 - 4 Seconds

All Envelope Decay 85 0 - 4 Seconds

All Envelope Sustain 86 0 - 1

All Envelope Release 87 0 - 4 Seconds

0-20 = Forwards, 21-41 = Backwards, 42-62 = Pendulum, 63 - 83

= Note Forwards, 84 - 104 = Note Backwards, 105-127 = Note

Pendulum

Value / 16 = 1/32nd, 1/24th, 1/16th, 1/12th, 1/8th, 1/6th, 1/4th,

1/2nd

To Skulpt: 127 sets loop start point, 0 sets loop stop point. From

Skulpt: 127 is currently looping, 0 is not looping

Delay MIDI Sync 55 0 - 63 = OFF / 64 - 127 = ON

38 39

MIDI CC Implemention Chart

MIDI CC Implemention Chart

Function CC Values

Mod Slot 1 Depth 88 63 (0) +/- 63

Mod Slot 2 Depth 89 63 (0) +/- 63

Mod Slot 3 Depth 90 63 (0) +/- 63

Mod Slot 4 Depth 91 63 (0) +/- 63

Mod Slot 5 Depth 92 63 (0) +/- 63

Mod Slot 6 Depth 93 63 (0) +/- 63

Mod Slot 7 Depth 94 63 (0) +/- 63

Mod Slot 8 Depth 95 63 (0) +/- 63

ModW Depth 96 63 (0) +/- 63

Mod Slot 1 Source 101 0 - 7

Mod Slot 2 Source 102 0 - 7

Mod Slot 3 Source 103 0 - 7

Mod Slot 4 Source 104 0 - 7

Mod Slot 5 Source 105 0 - 7

Mod Slot 6 Source 106 0 - 7

Mod Slot 7 Source 107 0 - 7

Mod Slot 8 Source 108 0 - 7

Function CC Values

All Sound Off 120 -

Reset All Controllers 121 -

All Notes Off 123 -

Omni Off 124 -

Omni On 125 -

Mod Slot 1 Dest 101 0 - 36

Mod Slot 2 Dest 102 0 - 36

Mod Slot 3 Dest 103 0 - 36

Mod Slot 4 Dest 104 0 - 36

Mod Slot 5 Dest 105 0 - 36

Mod Slot 6 Dest 106 0 - 36

Mod Slot 7 Dest 107 0 - 36

Mod Slot 8 Dest 108 0 - 36

40 41

MPE

MPE

MIDI Polyphonic Expression (or MPE) is a method of using MIDI to enable expressive electronic
musical instruments to control multiple dimensions of sound polyphonically. In MIDI, channel­wide messages (such as pitch bend, CCs, and channel aftertouch) are applied to all notes
being played on a single channel; therefore, in MPE each note is assigned its own channel so
that those messages can be applied to each note individually.

An MPE instrument typically has three dimensions of expression / control – left-right (X-axis);
front-back (Y-axis); and pressure (Z-axis) – each axis can be mapped to various parameters of
sound and be applied on a per-note basis.

SKULPTsynth SE is an MPE-compatible synthesiser, which means any valid MPE instrument can
control multiple parameters of SKULPTsynth SE’s sound engine polyphonically. The majority of
the SKULPTsynth SE parameters can be controlled by MPE.

Setting up MPE on SKULPTsynth SE

Enabling SKULPTsynth SE to respond to MPE involves the following steps:

1. Turn on MPE Mode. This can either be done on the SKULPTsynth SE device or on
MODALapp. To set it on the device:

• With SKULPTsynth SE powered off, hold the MEG button.

• Power on the device and wait for the power-on animation to finish.

• Press any touch pad in the range of 9-16 to turn on MPE Mode, or press any touch pad in
the range of 1-8 to turn off MPE Mode. The touch pad LEDs will show the selected mode.

• Release the MEG button once selected the MPE mode.

2. Using MODALapp, set ‘MPE Master Channel’ to match that of your MPE instrument. Your
MPE instrument may refer to this as its ‘MPE Zone’ – ‘Lower Zone’ uses channel 1 and
‘Upper Zone’ uses channel 16. Some MPE instruments may not specify a Master Channel
/ Zone – in this case the most likely value to use here is ‘1’. Please refer to the MPE
instruments settings or documentation for more information.

3. Using MODALapp, set ‘MPE Number of Channels’ to match that of your MPE instrument.
Some MPE instruments may not specify a Number of Channels – in this case the
most likely value to use here is ‘15’. Please refer to the MPE instruments settings or
documentation for more information.

4. Using MODALapp, set ‘MPE Pitch Bend Range’ to that of your MPE instrument. Your
MPE instrument may refer to this as its ‘Pitch Bend Sensitivity’. Some MPE instruments
may not specify, or use, a fixed Pitch Bend Range – in this case use this value to set your
preferred semitone range of the MPE X-axis. Please refer to the MPE instruments settings
or documentation for more information.

Each MPE dimension is mapped to the SKULPTsynth SE sound engine as follows:

• Left-right / X-axis (sent as MIDI Pitch Bend) – This controls the pitch of the note, with the
range set using the ‘MPE Pitch Bend Range’ global setting (see above).

• Front-back / Y-axis (sent as MIDI CC 74) – This controls the SKULPTsynth SE Mod Wheel
modulation assignments.

• Pressure / Z-axis (sent as MIDI Channel Aftertouch) – this controls the SKULPTsynth SE
Aftertouch modulation assignments.

As the MPE Y and Z dimension assignments are built into SKULPTsynth SE’s existing
modulation matrix, these assignments are saved and recalled with each patch.

Using MPE on SKULPTsynth SE

If using MODALapp / MODALplugin please ensure that you are running the version (or above)
of MODALapp / MODALplugin released with SKULPTsynth SE firmware v2.0 to ensure correct
communication between the app / plugin and the SKULPTsynth SE.

If using in conjunction with non-MPE MIDI controllers or software, please set their output MIDI
channel to match the SKULPTsynth SE’s ‘MPE Master Channel’ to ensure correct behaviour.

SKULPTsynth SE MPE limitations:

• If Y+ or Aftertouch is assigned to any global sound parameters (LFO1 and Delay
parameters) then these parameters will change for all notes / voices and only the latest /
newest MPE note will have control of these parameters.

• MPE is not available in Polychain mode

• MPE expression data cannot be recorded into the SKULPTsynth SE sequencer, and any
MPE notes recorded into the sequencer are converted in ‘master’ notes.

42 43

05

Update

Update

The firmware on SKULPTsynth SE can be updated remotely. This means that you will be able to
update your SKULPTsynth SE to the latest version each time an update is released.

You can update SKULPTsynth SE using the MODALapp.

MODALapp is available for macOS, iOS, Windows, and Android.

To find the app on your platform, visit www.modalelectronics.com/MODALapp

DO NOT run any other MIDI software that could be sending messages to SKULPTsynth SE
during the update process.

44 45

06

MODALapp

MODALapp

MODALapp adds visual feedback for SKULPTsynth SE and access to a handful of extra settings
outlined above. All parameters are accessible from a single interface split into 4 tabs.

• All UI parameters accessible from a single interface

• Editor page to quickly view and edit the current patch

• Controller page featuring an on screen MIDI controller & quick access to 16 assignable
parameters

• Sequencer page to manage and edit sequencer settings, record parameter automation
and enable/disable sequencer tracks

• Patches and Banks can be stored locally into the banks provided, organised using the
toolbox and imported or exported locally or to the SKULPTsynth SE

• Settings page to configure MIDI settings and update the firmware

MODALapp is available for macOS, iOS, Windows, and Android.

To find the app on your platform, visit www.modalelectronics.com/skulpt

46 47

Getting Started

Connecting devices

MODALapp can be attached to an iPad using a Camera Connection kit, or an Android device
using a USB OTG (On-the-go) adapter.

NOTE: If you wish to use more than one USB device with your tablet, phone or computer, or in
some cases your mobile device may not be powerful enough to power SKULPTsynth SE please
connect SKULPTsynth SE and any other devices through a powered USB hub.

MODALapp can only be connected via USB MIDI and not by MIDI DIN.

Install and open MODALapp. You will see a splash screen until a SKULPTsynth SE has been
detected, at which point you will see the Editor page appear.

Playing Skulpt

At this point, you can play your SKULPTsynth SE with any MIDI controller! MODALapp
forwards all incoming MIDI to SKULPTsynth SE automatically. Just make sure that your MIDI
controller is sending to the same MIDI channel that the SKULPTsynth SE is assigned to.

Editor Page

This is the main tab for patch design / editing. You will find oscillator, filter, envelope, LFO,
arpeggiator, sustain, modulation and effects sections here.

Switch between viewing the currently loaded patch or sequence with the PATCH / SEQ
buttons on the top left hand side.

The currently selected patch or sequencer is shown at the top. You can get to the preset
management page by clicking on the preset name. There are also options for previous or next
preset, init preset and randomise.

To save a preset first click the save button. You can then select the slot you would like to save
the new preset with the - / + buttons. You can change the name of the preset by clicking on
the preset name. Finally click either SAVE again to confirm or EXIT to discard any name / slot
changes.

48 49

Controller Page

Sequencer Page

This page provides a MIDI controller for playing your SKULPTsynth SE with 16 assignable
macro controls.

You can select the number of octaves of playable on screen keyboard has using the 3, 2 or 1
buttons.

Below this is the Keyboard section where you can access pitch bend, modwheel, transpose,
chord on / off & set as well as Arp and Sustain on / off as mentioned above.

You will find the complete arpeggiator (and some sequencer) options to the right of here as
well as a quick access macro bank of 16 configureable encoder.

Arpeggiator section - Here you can set the note division (1/32, 1/24, 1/16, 1/12, 1/8, 1/6, 1/4
or 1/2), direction conditions (Fwd, Back, Pend or Note) the octave range of the arpeggiator
(1oct, 2oct, 3oct, 4oct)
Global Arp & Sequencer options - Here you can toggle play and record of the sequencer as
well as set the swing amount and tempo using either the tap tempo button or tempo slider.

Here you can access the complete sequencer and animation options as well as the global
arpeggiator and sequencer options from the previous page.

You have an animator grid that you can click and drag across to draw. The Animator is
basically another Sequencer for parameters: when running, each sequence will run through its
own animation cycle.

You can select which of the 4 animation rows you are looking at, record enable that row,
choose its destination and clear its contents. To the right of this you can clear the sequences
notes, toggle mute, hold and loop, select the length of the sequence and sequence quantise.

You also retain the Keyboard, global Arp & Sequencer options, playable keyboard on this tab.

50 51

Preset Management Page

Settings Page

This page allows you to backup, curate and restore your saved presets for both patches and
sequencer. The interface is split into 3 sections:

SKULPT SYNTHESISER - On the right are the current presets on your SKULPTsynth SE, there
are 8 banks of 16 patches and 4 banks of 16 sequences.

Local - On the left hand side you will find the local storage section. These are presets that are
saved to your local storage on the device MODALapp is running on.

Toolbox - The toolbox is an area you can drag patches in to currate new banks and then save
them to your SKULPTsynth SE or add to local storage.

The interface is drag’n’drop so you can move presets or banks around to different slots by first
clicking on them and then dragging them to the desired location.

Local patches or banks can be imported/exported by right clicking on a preset or bank button.
Presets can also be quickly renamed by double clicking on the preset buttons.

In the Settings Tab there are options for updating your SKULPTsynth SE to the latest versions.
MODALapp will notify you when a new update is available.

Finally there is access to the other settings available on SKULPTsynth SE. For a list of all settings
available please read the MIDI section and Settings section of this manual.

52 53

A

Troubleshooting

Appendix

My SKULPT doesn’t turn on?

When you provide power to the SKULPTsynth SE and power on using the power switch, you
should see LEDs light up. If this isn’t the case, please check the following:

• Check that the switch is selecting the correct power sourece, USB or BAT (6xAA batteries)

If powering by USB:

• Unplug and plug the USB cable back in.

• Try using a different USB cable.

• Check that you are using a USB port on the computer or powered USB hub, rather than a
keyboard or a non-powered hub, which may not be able to provide enough current.

If powering with a batteries:

• Check that the batteries are fully charged and in the correct orientation.

My SKULPT turns on and looks like it’s working, but there’s no sound?

• Check that all the connectors are attached properly.

• Check that your headphones or line connections are connected properly and working as
they should (Testing with another device to provide sound is a good way to do this).

• Try sending MIDI to the synth to identify if it is an issue with the touch pads.

The SKULPT doesn’t show up as a MIDI device?

SKULPTsynth SE uses a class-compliant MIDI over USB connection, which means most
operating systems will recognise it as a MIDI device without the need to install additional
drivers. If you’re not seeing ‘Skulpt Synth’ listed as a MIDI device, check the following:

• Check to see if the device shows up on your computer, as described in the MIDI section
of this manual.

• Some systems may take some time to search for any required drivers, simply wait until
your operating system has finished this process.

• Check that your DAW or other software has enabled MIDI input and output to ‘Skulpt
Synth’. This is usually found in Preferences > MIDI.

• Check that the USB cable is not faulty, and that the USB socket on your computer works
properly.

• Make sure that the USB sockets are free from dust or dirt.

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Troubleshooting

My SKULPT doesn’t respond to MIDI

Please check that you have SKULPTsynth SE set to the same MIDI channel that you are sending
MIDI to.

Also please check the current MIDI filters in the MODALapp if using a DIN connection.

The touch pads don’t seem to work properly or the sound keeps re-triggering?

The touch pads work though ‘capacitive sensing’, detecting the presence of your touch in a
similar way to your smartphone screen. If you are having difficulty using the touch pads, it’s
likely to be to do with either your skin contact, or the power source.

• First ensure that all connectors are attached properly and that the synth is not damaged.

• Ensure your hands are clean and dry and that you are not wearing any gloves.

• Try powering the SKULPT from an alternate power source. Powering from batteries and
listening on headphones will isolate the synth from any other equipment that may be
affecting the SKULPT. If this fixes the issue, try unplugging any other equipment that may
be affecting the power, such as your laptop charger.

• Try sending MIDI to the SKULPT to identify if it definitely is an issue with the touch pads,

My SKULPT makes erratic noise when powered off when powered by a USB power
adaptor or batter pack

Some USB power adaptors (phone chargers in particular) and battery packs try to conserve
energy by switching off when not in use. To enable them to spring instantly to life when
something is connected, they trickle a tiny bit of current into the data lines of the USB. The
idea being that if a device is detected then the power supply turns on. For the SKULPT, even
though the power is switched to OFF, the charger / battery bank continues to supply power
into parts of the SKULPT circuitry.

If you are using a power supply source (charger, battery pack etc.) with auto sensing, you may
need to physically disconnect the SKULPT from the power source when switching off as the
power source itself may continue to power the unit via the data lines after switching off.

For any other issues please check our knowledgebase on our support website or
email [email protected]

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Warranty Information

Warranty Information

Warranty Statement

• The Modal warranty period for any product purchased is 12 months from the date of the
original purchase.

• The warranty is not transferable to a second user.

• Modal products are built using the latest manufacturing technology, tested to the highest
possible standards and by using premium components this should result in providing you
with reliable performance for many years.

• The warranty is return to base, meaning the unit must be returned, carriage paid,
to the Dealer you purchased the unit from or the exclusive territory Distributor
responsible for the country in which you purchased the product.

• Some of the products returned under warranty are found not to exhibit any fault at all
when they are retested at our Service Centre’s so it’s always useful to contact our Support
team first to try to avoid inconvenience to you at [email protected]

• If you suspect that your unit is suffering from a component or manufacturing defect
during the warranty period please contact either Modal support or the dealer that you
purchased the Modal product from.

• In the event of a component or manufacturing defect becoming evident during the
warranty period, Modal will ensure that the product is repaired free of charge or replaced.

• Whilst this warranty is provided by Modal, the warranty obligations are fulfilled by the
exclusive territory Distributor responsible for the country in which you purchased the
product.

• The Dealer will advise you of the appropriate procedure for resolving the warranty issue.

• In every case it will be necessary to provide a copy of the original invoice or Dealer
purchase receipt to the Distributor.

• In the event that you are unable to provide proof of purchase directly then you should
contact the Dealer from whom you purchased the product and attempt to obtain proof
of purchase from them. The Dealer | Distributor will then advise the procedure to follow.

• This limited warranty is offered solely to products purchased from an Authorised Modal
Dealer (defined as a Dealer which has purchased the product directly from Modal in
the UK, or one of our Authorised Distributors outside the UK). Please note that if you
purchased the product from outside of your country of residence you must return the unit
to the original point of purchase for repair.

• The Modal warranty term is additional to any statutory rights in the country of purchase
or as offered by the dealer at the time of purchase.

What is meant by a Manufacturing Defect?

• We define this as a defect in the performance or specification of the product as described
and published by Modal.

• A Manufacturing Defect does not include damage caused by post-purchase shipping,
storage or careless handling, nor damage caused by misuse.

Warranty Limitations

• This warranty does not cover damage resulting from accident or misuse.

• The warranty is void unless repairs are carried out by an authorised service centre.

• The warranty is void if the unit has been modified other than at the manufacturer’s
instruction.

• The warranty does not cover components which have a limited life, and which are
expected to be periodically replaced for optimal performance.

• We do not warrant that the unit shall operate in any other way than as described in this
manual.

For further details please contact: [email protected]

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