Moog Music MF-107 User Manual

Understanding and Using your

moogerfooger®

MF-107 FreqBox™

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction.................................................2

Getting Started Right Away!.......................4

Basic Applications......................................6

FreqBox Theory........................................10

FreqBox Functions....................................16

Advanced Applications.............................21

Technical Information...............................24

Limited Warranty......................................25

MF-107 Specications..............................26

1

Welcome to the world of moogerfooger® Analog Effects

Modules. Your Model MF-107 FreqBox™ is a rugged,
professional-quality instrument, designed to be equally at home on
stage or in the studio. Its great sound comes from the state-of-the­art analog circuitry, designed and built by the folks at Moog Music
in Asheville, NC.

Your MF-107 FreqBox is a direct descendent of the original
modular Moog® synthesizers. It contains several complete
modular synth functions: a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO)
with variable waveshape, capable of being hard synced and
frequency modulated by the audio input, and an envelope follower
which allows the dynamics of the input signal to modulate the
frequency of the VCO. In addition the amplitude of the VCO is
controlled by the dynamics of the input signal, and the VCO can
be mixed with the audio input. All performance parameters are
voltage-controllable, which means that you can use expression
pedals, MIDI-to-CV converter, or any other source of control
voltages to 'play' your MF-107. Control voltage outputs mean
that the MF-107 can be used with other moogerfoogers or voltage
controlled devices like the Minimoog Voyager® or Little Phatty®
synthesizers.

While you can use it on the oor as a conventional effects box,
your MF-107 FreqBox is much more versatile and its sound
quality is higher than the single xed function "stomp boxes" that
you may be accustomed to. You will nd that your FreqBox is a
deep musical resource. It will give you an amazing variety of new
sounds and will become your creative companion as you explore
its functions.

This manual begins with a "quick start" section that will get you
started without reading the whole manual – certainly a new device
must be used right away! Keep in mind that the MF-107 FreqBox

is a complex device, so we recommend you read and understand

2

the complete user’s manual to unlock its fullest potential. Included

in this manual is a section describing the theory of operation, a
tour and explanation of the front panel controls and rear panel
connections, and tips on usage both basic and advanced. A section
describing the product’s technical specications and information
about your limited warranty is at the end of the manual.

The Story Behind the FreqBox

Back in 2004, I had an idea for an oscillator that could hard sync
to any input signal. Thinking that this might be a really cool and
unique idea, I sketched it up and brought it to Bob Moog. I asked
him if such an idea would be feasible. He looked me in the eye and
produced one of his famous belly-laughs. He pointed over to our
engineering technician at the time, Mark Kline. Mark had brought
him this same idea a week or so earlier and had already begun
building a feasibility prototype. I compared my sketch to the plans
for the prototype. Lo and behold they were the same except for
a few minor differences – all without either of us discussing this
idea with each other! Bob loved this kind of occurrence, as he felt
it revealed the interconnectedness of all things. He said the idea
"must be in the air".
Mark soon left Moog Music to pursue a career in architecture,
and we put aside "The Big Sync", as we called it then, to work
on other projects. In 2006 it was time to revisit the design and
add a few things, like the dynamic control of the oscillator
volume, envelope follower modulation of the VCO and frequency
modulation from the input signal, and the FreqBox was born.
In Bob’s honor, I recommend connecting with your new
Moogerfooger and exploring the outer regions of its sonic space.
Enjoy!

Steve Dunnington,
Moog Music Inc.

3

GETTING STARTED RIGHT AWAY!

We have never known musicians who don’t want to try a new effect
out before reading the entire manual, so here is a quick guide to get you
started with your new FreqBox:

1) Inspect the carton and its contents: The MF-107 comes with the
Moogerfooger, a +9VDC, 300 mA, tip-positive power supply, and this
manual. Save the box and packing material in case you ever need to ship
your moogerfooger! Make sure that the power supply is rated for the line
Voltage of your country: 120 VAC for the USA, 100 VAC for Japan, or
220 VAC for Europe or most other countries.

2) Connections: Connect your instrument to the FreqBox AUDIO
INPUT. Connect the AUDIO OUTPUT
of the FreqBox to your amp. Connect
your Expression Pedal (such as the
Moog EP-1 or EP-2) to the FREQ input
(see gure 1). An expression pedal is

highly recommended, especially for
using the FreqBox with a guitar.

3) Set up the Front Panel/ Amp: Set

all the rotary controls on the FreqBox
as shown in gure 2. Make sure the

Figure 2 Basic Panel Setup

4

Figure 1 - Basic Connections

Expression pedal is in the heel
position. Turn down the volume of
your amplier.

4) Power up/Bypass: Connect the
moogerfooger power supply to the
FreqBox power connector. The
Bypass indicator will light up. I
RED means the effect is OFF and
GREEN means the effect is ON.

5) Set levels: Turn on your amplier. Make sure the Bypass indicator is
RED. Play your instrument and adjust the volume of the amplier so it is
at a comfortable level. Press the Bypass switch and the Bypass indicator
will change to GREEN which means the effect is active.

6) Play: Now play a little on your instrument. If necessary adjust the
Drive control to match the level of the effected signal to the bypassed
signal. ***The most predictable results will come from playing single

note riffs or melodies. This is especially true when the Sync switch is
ON***. You can use the expression pedal to sweep the frequency, which

in this setting will sound something like a grungy wah-wah type effect
that also responds to the dynamics of your playing. To hear more of the
effect, increase the Mix setting.

For your rst experiment, try turning the FM Amount down. The effect
will now sound smoother. This sounds like a really fuzzed-out wah sound
with the expression pedal.

Now try turning the FM amount all the way up, and turn the Sync
OFF. You’ll get a sizzly sound that is not clearly pitched. Turn the
Waveform down all the way and the effect gets less sizzly. As you turn
the Waveform control back up you’ll hear the sound become increasingly
complex.

Now try turning FM amount back down, and turn the Env Amount
control all the way down. When you play you’ll hear just the VCO at
a single pitch. You can play the frequency of the Oscillator with your
expression pedal for a "foot theremin" effect.

7) READ THE MANUAL TO FULLY UNDERSTAND THIS
DEVICE!!! The FreqBox has a lot more possibilities once you

understand how it works. If you want to explore the FreqBox further
before reading the manual, skip ahead to Basic Applications on page

6. It contains simple diagrams and descriptions of ways to setup the
FreqBox. If you want to know about the Theory of the FreqBox, it’s
covered in the section called FreqBox Theory starting on page 10. If
you are planning on using the FreqBoxwith other effects, or as an extra
oscillator for your Minimoog Voyager® or modular synth system check
out the section about this in Advanced Applications on page 21.

5

BASIC APPLICATIONS

The following are diagrams of basic settings of the FreqBox.
They are good staring points for learning how to use the FreqBox. For
each setup, set the knobs on your FreqBox to the position shown. Adjust
the Drive and Output Level controls to match your input signal. Make
sure the Bypass LED is GREEN to hear the effect.

Basic Sync Setup:

This setup is best used
with an expression pedal
plugged into the Freq. input
and clean, single note lines.
The expression pedal can be
used to sweep the frequency
of the VCO slowly for slow
harmonic sweeps, or quickly
and rhythmically for an effect
reminiscent of a wah wah.
Note that with the expression
pedal in the heel position,
notes above a low A on a
guitar are choked out. Use
the expression pedal to keep
the VCO frequency above the
note that you are playing. This
is the basic setup for a classic
hard sync sound.

Figure 3 - Basic Sync Setup

6

Sync+FM

This setup is the same
as the previous, but adds
a dose of FM, which gives
the sound an extra bit of
growl, especially when
the frequency of the VCO
is swept with the Freq
control, or an expression
pedal plugged into the Freq
Input.

Figure 5 - AutoSyncSweep

Figure 4 - Sync+FM

AutoSyncSweep

This setup uses the
dynamics of your playing to
modulate the frequency of
the VCO using the envelope
follower. Hard playing causes
the frequency to go up and you
get more sweep of the VCO
from the envelope follower.
This is a really good setup to
use with guitar, reminiscent
of an auto-wah type of effect.
The key to this setup is in
setting the Drive control (not
too much red showing on
the Level indicator) and the
Envelope Amount control.
Using an expression pedal to
control the frequency sounds
good with this setup.

7

Drone

This is a fun setup for modal
jams or morning ragas – it
uses just the sound of the
VCO set to one frequency,
tuned to the key that you’re
playing in. If you’re in A,
just tune the VCO to A with
the Freq control. The drone
sound can be fattened up if
detuned a little bit from a
bass note in the key. Setting
the Mix control is important
for a nice balance between
the instrument sound and
the VCO sound.

Figure 6 - Drone

Foot Theremin

Figure 7 - Foor Theremin

This is basically the same
as the previous setup with
the addition of an expression
pedal to control the VCO
frequency. It’s difcult to
control the frequency of
the VCO precisely with an
expression pedal, but quite
fun to attempt. Try playing
staccato for synth-like bleeps
and bloops, or play sustained
tones with wild expression
pedal movements for instant
psychedelic freakout sounds
a la the "Whole Lotta Love"
breakdown (just add a little
echo).

8

FM Gongs

This is a setup that just
uses FM for sounds
somewhat reminiscent of
gongs. It works well with
slow, guitar-like signals
plucked and allowed to
fade out. Don’t play too
hard or the gongs may
sound atulent.

Figure 8 - FM Gongs

FM sizzler

Figure 9 - FM Sizzler

This is a weird one – good
for otherworldly synth-type
sweeps. An expression
pedal controls the VCO
frequency. Try starting with
the expression pedal in the
toe position and sweep the
frequency down slowly
as you play – you’ll hear
a symphony of sidebands
swirling around…

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