Radikal Technologies Spectralis User Manual
SPECTRALIS 2
Spectralis 2
1
SPECTRALIS 2
Spectralis
Spectralis 2 manual
Vers. 2 for Spectralis 1/2 Versions above 1.5
Jörg Schaaf, Radikal Technologies Deutschland GmbH, http://www.raditec.de
Copyright © 2009
Radikal Technologies Deutschland GmbH
Mariahilfstr. 8
81541 München, Germany
Maintaining the highest quality standards is the top priority for Radikal Technologies
GmbH. This is why the design process for any of our new products continues even
after they are released to the public. Technical changes are implemented at any time
without prior notification, if we feel they serve to improve the product. According to
this statement the technical specifications and/or the look of the instrument might
vary from the specs and pictures shown in this Manual.
Any duplication, of all or parts of this manual, in any form and for any reason, requires
prior written permission from Radikal Technologies GmbH.
© 2009, Radikal Technologies Deutschland GmbH
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SPECTRALIS 2
We herewith confirm that the following product
conforms to the requirements of the council Directive 89/336/FWG for radio frequency
interference. It also complies with regulations for radio interference of electronic
devices (EMVG) dated August 30th, 1995.
Declaration of Conformity
SPECTRALIS 2
The following standards have been used to determine conformity:
-EN 50082-1:1992, EN 50081-1:1992, EN 60065:1993
This declaration has been made solely on behalf of the manufacturer:
Radikal Technologies Deutschland GmbH
Mariahilfstr. 8
D-81541 München
Munich/Germany, 01.04.2009
Jurgen Korduletsch, Managing Director
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Declaration of Conformity......................................................................................................................... 3
1.1 Warranty ............................................................................................................................................... 7
1.1.1 Term .................................................................................................................................................... 7
1.1.2 Coverage ...................................................................................................................... 7
1.1.3 Transfer of warranty .................................................................................................. 7
1.1.4 Liability ....................................................................................................................... 7
1.2 Safety notices ........................................................................................................................................ 8
2. Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 9
2.1 What is the Spectralis? ................................................................................................ 10
2.2 Preparations ........................................................................................................................................ 10
2.2.1 Unpacking .................................................................................................................. 10
2.2.2 Set-Up......................................................................................................................... 10
2.2.3 Firmware update ..................................................................................................... 10
2.3 Connections and File operation ........................................................................................................ 11
2.3.1 Audio connections ..................................................................................................... 11
2.3.2 MIDI connections ..................................................................................................... 12
2.3.3 Formatting Media ..................................................................................................... 13
2.3.4 Power connection ...................................................................................................... 13
2.4 Explanations of basic terms ............................................................................................................... 13
2.5 Frontpanel overview........................................................................................................................... 16
2.5.1 „Part“-button section ............................................................................................... 16
2.5.2 „Num-Button-Assignment“-section ........................................................................ 17
2.5.3 "Sequence-Edit"-section .......................................................................................... 18
2.5.4 "Groove-Edit"-section ............................................................................................. 18
2.5.5 "Filterbank"-section ................................................................................................ 19
2.5.6 "Mixing-desk"-section ............................................................................................. 20
2.5.7 "Master"-section ...................................................................................................... 20
2.5.8 "Creativator"-section ............................................................................................... 20
2.5.9 "Synth-Edit"-section (LFO, VCO, VCF, VCA) ..................................................... 21
2.5.10 "Transport"-section (the section with the green button) .................................... 21
2.5.11 Numeric buttons..................................................................................................... 22
2.6 Control elements ................................................................................................................................. 22
2.6.1 Buttons ....................................................................................................................... 22
2.6.2 Rotary encoders ........................................................................................................ 22
2.6.3 Display ....................................................................................................................... 22
3.0 "How to...?"-chapters: It's finally time to get started! ................................................................... 24
3.0.1 Preparations ..............................................................................................................24
3.0.2 Establishing audio connections ............................................................................... 24
3.0.3 Connect MIDI-keyboard .......................................................................................... 24
3.1 Select, play and adjust patterns - the ”Pattern-Jam” mode ......................................................... 25
3.1.1 Introduction............................................................................................................... 25
3.1.2 The first “Pattern-Jam”-session .............................................................................. 25
3.1.3 "Mute"-function – Muting individual parts ......................................................... 30
3.1.4 "Solo"-mode .............................................................................................................. 26
3.1.5 Adjusting levels to your liking ................................................................................. 26
3.1.6 Editing panorama and FX-sends ............................................................................ 26
3.1.7 Sound selection for your parts ................................................................................. 26
3.1.7a The pattern transpose function ............................................................................. 27
3.1.8 Saving patterns ......................................................................................................... 28
3.1.9 What data are saved inside a pattern? ................................................................... 29
3.1.10 Turning off the “Default”-sound .......................................................................... 29
3.1.11. Deactivating the “Pattern changed, Save First”-messages ................................ 30
3.2 Editing DSP-synthesizer sounds ....................................................................................................... 32
3.2.1 Introduction............................................................................................................... 32
3.2.2 Selecting a sample or multisample for the sound .................................................. 32
3.2.3 Tuning the sample set ............................................................................................... 33
3.2.4 Further Sample-Oscillator parameters .................................................................. 33
3.2.5 Reverse sample playback ......................................................................................... 34
3.2.6 Changing the volume envelopes .............................................................................. 35
3.2.7 Velocity Sensitivity and adjusting the VCA-level .................................................. 36
3.2.8 Using the digital multimode filter .......................................................................... 36
3.2.9 Playing filtered sounds ............................................................................................. 37
3.2.10 Envelope control of the filter frequency ............................................................... 37
3.2.11 Filter frequency keyboard scaling ......................................................................... 37
3.2.12 The DSP synth LFO section ................................................................................... 38
3.2.13 Assigning LFO and MIDI modulation to the cutoff frequency .......................... 39
3.2.14 Assigning LFO and MIDI modulation to the resonance, volume, panpot position
and sample-oscillator pitch ..................................................................................... 37
3.3 Playing the "Analog"-synthesizer .................................................................................................... 40
3.3.1 Differences to other synthesizers ............................................................................. 41
3.3.2 Let's go - Getting familiar with the analog filters. ................................................. 42
3.3.3 Short excursion: oscillators and envelopes ............................................................ 44
3.3.4 Back to analog-technology – the multimode filter and filter-routing. ................. 46
3.3.5 The LFO section of the analog-synth ...................................................................... 50
3.3.6 Oscillators – the improved LFO’s! .......................................................................... 58
3.3.7 The fixed filterbank .................................................................................................. 59
3.3.8 The envelopes of the Spectralis analog-synth ........................................................ 62
3.3.9 Note priority and multitrigger settings ................................................................... 63
3.4 Step-sequencer basics ......................................................................................................................... 65
3.4.1 Filterbank rhythms ................................................................................................... 65
3.4.2 Tonal sequences......................................................................................................... 69
3.5 Step-sequencer advanced I
3.5.1 Tonal Sequences ........................................................................................................ 69
3.5.2 Option 1: Adjusting preset values and entering steps ........................................... 70
3.5.3 Option 2: Setting pitch, length, probability and dynamic value separately ...... 71
3.5.4 Option 3: Input and editing of notes in the single-step editor .............................. 72
3.5.5 MIDI learn function for pitch .................................................................................. 73
3.5.6 Line rotation .............................................................................................................. 73
3.6 Target selection ................................................................................................................................... 74
3.6.1 Special features for MIDI targets ............................................................................ 75
3.7 Creating triggergroups - multiple analog synth parts .................................................................... 75
3.7.1 Playing the triggergroups ........................................................................................ 76
3.7.2 The definition of triggergroups ............................................................................... 77
3.8 Step-sequencer advanced II
3.8.1 Parameter lines ......................................................................................................... 79
3.8.2 Triggerpoint muting and overwriting ..................................................................... 81
3.8.3 Single step editor ....................................................................................................... 81
3.8.4 Single parameter editor ............................................................................................ 82
3.9 Editing motifs and patterns ............................................................................................................... 83
3.9.1 Exchanging motifs .................................................................................................... 83
3.9.2 The motif edit menu.................................................................................................. 84
3.9.3 Initialising motifs and part parameters .................................................................. 85
3.9.4 Exchanging drum grooves ....................................................................................... 85
3.9.5 Recording your own motifs ...................................................................................... 86
3.9.6 Realtime recording ................................................................................................... 86
3.9.7Start Realtime Recording during playback ............................................................ 87
3.9.8 Step by Step Input ..................................................................................................... 88
3.9.9 "Chord-Trigger" recording - independent note and rhythm input ................... 88
3.9.10 Programming new rhythms with the beat-matrix ............................................... 90
3.9.11 Swing feeling and shuffle quantisation ................................................................. 92
3.9.12 Randomize patterns ................................................................................................ 93
3.9.13 Randomize sounds .................................................................................................. 94
SPECTRALIS 2
3.10 The song-chain mode ....................................................................................................................... 96
3.10.1 Playing a song ....................................................................................................... 96
3.10.2 Jumping into pattern-jam mode ......................................................................... 97
3.10.3 Editing a song chain ............................................................................................. 97
3.11 External synchronisation and metronome settings ....................................................................... 99
3.11.1 External synchronisation .............................................................................................................. 99
3.11.2 Metronome settings ....................................................................................................................... 99
3.12 Part activity monitoring................................................................................................................. 100
3.13 FX1 and FX2 ................................................................................................................................... 101
3.13.1 Editing the FX-settings ......................................................................................... 101
3.13.2 Storing of FX programs ....................................................................................... 102
3.14 The arpeggiator .............................................................................................................................. 103
3.15 Keyboard Transpose ...................................................................................................................... 105
3.16 Signal routings - foreword .................................................................................... 107
3.16.1 Routing DSP-parts to the analog-synthesizer .................................................. 107
3.16.2 Routing external signals to the analog synth ................................................... 108
3.16.3 Feed parts to individual outputs ....................................................................... 109
4.0 Hybrid Synthesizer reference manual ................................................................... 110
4.1 Edit Menus general usage ....................................................................................... 110
4.2 The Oscillators section of the hybrid engine.................................................................................. 110
4.2.1 The oscillator wave menu....................................................................................... 110
4.2.2 The oscillator pitch menu....................................................................................... 116
4.2.3 The oscillator glide menu ....................................................................................... 119
4.3 Master LFO section .......................................................................................................................... 119
4.3.1 LFO wave menu ...................................................................................................... 119
4.3.2 LFO depth menu ..................................................................................................... 119
4.3.3 LFO rate menu ........................................................................................................ 121
4.4 Filter section ...................................................................................................................................... 121
4.4.1 24dB lowpass filter .................................................................................................. 121
4.4.2 Multimode filter ...................................................................................................... 124
4.4.3 Filters envelope generator menu ........................................................................... 127
4.5 Triggergroup edit menu ................................................................................................................... 129
4.6 VCA section ....................................................................................................................................... 131
4.7 Filterbank section ............................................................................................................................. 133
5.0 Quicksound function ........................................................................................................................ 134
5.1 Storing sounds ................................................................................................................................... 135
5.1.1 Saving a new sound in an existing soundbank ..................................................... 135
5.1.2 Creating a new soundbank .................................................................................... 137
5.2 Using your own samples .................................................................................................................. 138
6.1 Controlling external MIDI gear ...................................................................................................... 140
6.1.1 Assigning a part to MIDI .............................................................................................................. 140
7.1 The USB port and storage media ................................................................................................... 143
7.1.1 Safe file operation ................................................................................................... 144
7.1.2 USB Troubleshooting.............................................................................................. 144
8.0 Spectralis Realtime Clock ................................................................................................................ 145
8.1 Filetypes and the directory structure of the Spectralis flash memory ........................................ 145
8.2 Restoring the factory patterns, songs, sounds and samples ......................................................... 147
8.3 Switching the Sample-Set file-type from "fix" to "dynamic" loading........................................ 148
9.0 Help needed? The integrated spectralis help-system .................................................................... 149
9.1 Final comments ................................................................................................................................. 150
9.2 Spectralis accessories ....................................................................................................................... 150
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SPECTRALIS 2
1.1 Warranty
1.1.1 Term
Radikal Technologies warrants all electronic und mechanical components of this
product, subjects to the conditions herein described, for a period of 12 months from
purchase. If any covered malfunctions arise during the warranty period, the unit will
either be repaired or replaced at the Manufacturer’s election. The general business
terms and conditions of Radikal Technologies GmbH Germany shall apply.
1.1.2 Coverage
Radikal Technologies Deutschland GmbH reserves the right to perform warranty
repairs or product replacement only subject to prior warranty registration by the
customer. Such registration needs to be submitted together with a copy of dealer
invoice or sales receipt. The final decision concerning validity of the warranty is
made by Radikal Technologies GmbH. In case of a justified warranty claim the
submitted product will be repaired or replaced within 30 days of receipt at Radikal
Technologies offices.
Any physical damage to the instrument or unauthorized attempts to open or fix the
unit will render the warranty null and void. Repair of non-registered products or
products with a lapsed warranty will be performed at customer’s expense. We
strongly recommended that customers ask for an estimate of costs before sending in
their instruments for repair. Cost of packaging and shipping will be charged additionally.
In case of covered warranty claims the product will be shipped back to the customer
free of charge. Shipment to customers residing outside of Germany will take place at
the cost of the customer.
Warranty
1.1.3 Transfer of warranty
This warranty is exclusive and personal to the original owner and may not be
transferred. Other than Radikal Technologies Deutschland GmbH, no third party
(retailer, etc.) is authorized to promise or perform warranty services. Services other
than ones specified herein are not covered under this warranty
1.1.4 Liability
Claims for additional damages of any kind, including all claims of financial damages
as a result of malfunction of a product, are specifically excluded hereunder. The
liability of Radikal Technologies Deutschland GmbH in all cases is expressly limited
to the purchase price or the adjusted value of the product only. All warranty services
and shipments are performed subject exclusively to Radikal Technologies Deutschland GmbH’general business terms and conditions.
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SPECTRALIS 2
1.2 Safety notices
CAUTION: Please do not open the instrument’s case at any time, to avoid the
possibility of electric shock. There are no functions or features inside the unit intended
for the user. Do not ever make any attempt to repair the instrument yourself! Any
technical problems should be addressed with qualified service personnel only.
WARNING: Do not expose the unit to rain or humidity to avoid electric shock or
shorts.
- Before using your unit please read the security and user instructions
carefully.
- Store the safety and user instructions in a readily accessible place.
- Never use the unit close to water (i.e. bathtub, sink, swimming-pool)!
- Do not to set your unit up too close to heat-sources (heaters, Amps,
etc.). To ensure proper air ventilation it is important not to obstruct the
unit’s heat vents.
- Make sure to place the unit on a solid surface strong enough to support
its weight.
- Connect the unit only with the correct and sufficient power sources.
- Position the power-cord carefully, so nobody will fall over it.
- Only use undamaged and fully functioning power-cords
- Turn your unit off and remove the power-cord before moving or
transporting the unit.
- Unplug the power-cord before cleaning the unit
- When you’re not using the unit for any extended period of time make
sure to turn it off and to remove the power-cord.
- Clean the unit only with a dry or slightly damp cloth. NEVER use
cleaning solutions!
- Make sure that no hard particles or liquid can get inside the unit.
- As a result of rapid temperature-changes it is possible that condensation
canform inside the unit. Make sure your unit has sufficient time for the
condensation to dry off, before reconnecting it to a power-supply after
such temperature change.
Safety notices
The unit needs to be checked by a qualified service-technician in case:
- The power-cord or the plug has been damaged
- Hard particles or liquid have managed to get inside the unit
- The unit has been exposed to rain or humidity
- The unit has been dropped and/or shows physical damage
- The unit is not functioning in the usual or described fashion
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SPECTRALIS 2
2. Introduction
We first would like to thank you for purchasing the Spectralis 2. You have
purchased a modern music instrument, which not only sounds great, but also
doubles as a powerful ”music-machine”, which will provide new impulses for
your future LIVE-performances as well as production activities. This manual
is intended to help you to utilize as much of the Spectralis 2’ potential right
from the get-go. It should accompany you through the basic exploration period
and introduce you to a number of its special features. Beside the reference
sections it is mostly of a practical users guide and workshop handbook, which
can provide you with a pretty extensive overview of the Spectralis’ potential.
The emphasis is on practical, repetitive and repeatable lessons. The Spectralis
comes with an integrated help system which works a little bit like an additional
on board reference manual. If you need further information about the meaning
of an displayed parameter name just press the shift button and touch the encoder
button of the assigned rotary encoder.
2.1 What is the Spectralis 2?
The Spectralis is a performance-oriented music instrument with multiple
sequencer-sections optimized for LIVE-operation. In addition it is also an extravagant and powerful sound-design tool. The Spectralis also doubles as a
workstation and can handle complete music production jobs - due to its sampling
engine which comes with digital multimode-filters.
Introduction
What the Spectralis has to offer:
– A pattern-based 17-track sequencer with unique performance-
possibilities, drum-grid, „Step by Step“- and realtime programming/
editing
– A complex, subtractive synthesizer with 4 digital oscillators and analog
filters.
– Sample/DSP based sound-engine with 32 stereo-voices, sound
processing with 128 MB RAM, 4 GB internal flash rom for data
storaging.
– A 32 track analog-style step-sequencer, which not only plays notes, but
can also modulate most of the soundparameters of the Spectralis.
– A filterbank with ten bands (8 bandpass-, plus one high- and one lowpass
filter), controllable with the help of the step sequencer.
– A DSP based effect section and an internal audiomixer with various In-
and Outputs.
– SD Card slot for data backups, sample import and firmware upgrade
transfers
As you spend more time with your Spectralis you’re sure to realize and master
its full potential. Hopefully this manual will prove to be a valuable companion
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SPECTRALIS 2
on your path to enlightenment! In case you do come across questions not
sufficiently addressed in this guide it is probably something we overlooked. In
any such case we invite you to visit the spectralis user forum at our Spectralis
website:
http://www.spectralis.de/phpBB2/
We will be posting additional tips and tricks, FAQ-entries and example patterns
regularly, in the beginning probably quite frequently.
2.2 Preparations
2.2.1 Unpacking
You should find the following contents in your shipping box:
- Spectralis 2
- the power-cord
- this Spectralis 2 manual
- a backup DVD with the current patterns and samples/factory presets.
Unpacking, Set-Up, Firmware Update
Firmware:
The Firmware is the
program operating
the Spectralis hard-
ware platform.
Contrary to the
hardware, which is
fixed, the firmware can
be updated to add new
functions or to improve
functionality
Please contact your retailer right away if any of the above items are missing.
You may also contact Radikal Technologies GmbH (j.schaaf@raditec.de). If
you do notice any physical damage to the Spectralis 2 after shipping, please
immediately contact the shipping company with your complaint. We will be
happy to assist you with further documentation if needed.
2.2.2 Set-Up
Place the Spectralis on a level, clean and sufficiently spacious surface or a suitable
Keyboard stand. Make sure that there is no obstruction to the ventilation slots. Avoid
operating the Spectralis close to technical equipment which generates heat.
In case you wish to install the Spectralis 2 in a 19” rack you can order the
optional rack-ears available at your retailer or directly from Radikal
Technologies. The Spectralis will take up 5 rack spaces plus a little extra headroom room for the cables connected to it. Make sure to follow the instructions
described in the rack-setup instructions.
2.2.3 Firmware update
We currently are working full steam on adding more and more features to the Spectralis
firmware. For this reason we advise you to update your Spectralis whenever new
firmware versions are announced. To check for and obtain the latest versions you
can visit the user-forum of the Spectralis website http://www.spectralis.de/
phpBB2. In the section ”updates” you can easily download the latest versions free of charge of course. There are usually detailed descriptions available of
the new features or differences to previous releases. Please take time to read
the information provided for the respective firmware expansions or updates.
The update process is rather simple. However, it is definitely recommended to
read the update Info on the website first and to follow the instructions carefully
to ensure a successful upgrade process.
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SPECTRALIS 2
2.3 Connections and operation
2.3.1 Audio connections
I. Connect the outputs ”Sum R” and ”Sum L” with your audio/monitoring
system. You can use the inputs of a normal stereo-system, the inputs of a mixer,
a soundcard with hardware monitoring or active monitors. If you’re connecting
the Spectralis to a stereo system or a separate stereo preamp, select inputs with
suitable impedance. In no case should you use the phono-inputs of your stereosystem! Suitable inputs for the Spectralis are ”cd”, ”aux” or ”line in”. All audio
signals of our preset patterns from the various sections of the Spectralis are
output via the sum-outs. Signals can also be routed to the sum outputs just as
well as to the individual outs. In an extreme case you can even add the signal
of a single oscillator to a sum output, in order to modulate an external analog
sound generator.
II. Signals of the hybrid synth section can be recorded individually via the “A
SYNTH R” und “A SYNTH L” Outputs.
Connection and operation
Hybrid-
Synthesizer
indicates a tone
generator
where the resulting
sounds consist of a
combination of
digital and analog
components
Due to the analog sounds and the analog filters, we have are using the term
analog synth on the frontpanel, to create a clearer distinction between
samplebased tone-generation and the hybrid synth. From here on in and for
these same reasons we will use the term ”analog-synthesizer” instead of
”hybrid-synthesizer” frequently, even though a large part of the sound
creation was accomplished digitally.
Please keep in mind, that direct outputs always deliver a dry signal. Potential
effects, which you may have used in the other DSP for processing of the analog-synth sound, will not be part of the signal on these outputs.
III. You can add random signals of the DSP/sample or the analog-synthesizer
section to the "DIRECT“ 1 – 4 outputs with adjustable level.
IV. Connect the "PHONES“-Output with your headphones. The signal is
equivalent to the level of the sum-out pair. The level of the headphone signal
can be controlled with the (master-volume)-encoder
V. Connect the external inputs with the audio-outs of external instruments if
you wish to process their audio-signals with the Spectralis.
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SPECTRALIS 2
MIDI connections
MIDI:
The shortcut „MIDI“
stands for Musical
Instrument Digital
Interfac and is used for
unified digital control of
different electronic
musical instruments.
Before MIDI was inven-
ted, it used to be very
difficult to connect
electronic sound gene-
rators by different
manufacturers.
2.3.2 MIDI connections
The MIDI port enables the communication between different synthesizers,
serves to synch up various music-machines (synchronizing tempos and the
start/stop process) and is used to connect to a computer. No audio signals are
transmitted via the MIDI port – only control-data. The control data are uniform for all manufacturers and make it possible to use instruments by a variety
of companies together.
I. Connect the MIDI OUT of a keyboard or a MIDI-interface with the MIDI IN
on your Spectralis, to play Spectralis sounds via an external controller-keyboard.
II. Connect the MIDI OUT of your Spectralis with the MIDI IN of another
MIDI- device, such as another synth, MIDI-interface and the like, to control
any such external devices/ soundsources with the Spectralis. You can find additional information in the manual of the respective MIDI-instrument.
III. Connect the MIDI THRU port of the Spectralis 2 with other soundsources,
in case you want to transmit MIDI-data received by the Spectralis 2 to other
instruments. Generally you should not connect more than 3 instruments serially
via MIDI THRU and MIDI IN, because you might encounter data transmission
lost depending on the quality of the optocopplers used in the instruments. It is
advisable to centrally connect your studio equipment using a MIDI-interface.
For this purpose you will need MIDI-interfaces with multiple outputs or MIDI
THRU-boxes, which can distribute an incoming MIDI-signal to multiple MIDI
THRU ports.
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SPECTRALIS 2
2.3.3 Formatting Media (internal Flash and SD-Cards)
In case something goes wrong after all or when using a SD-Card for the first
time it will be necessary to format the media. The formatting should have to be
done in the Spectralis 2.
To start formatting use the [Shift]-button and hold it down while simultaneously
pushing the [Browse]-button. All two of the media in the Spectralis will now
show up in the 2x40 character display of the Spectralis. When pushing any of
the encoders assigned to one of the drives showing in the display, drive
information will be displayed. Using the [Page-Up]- and [Page-Down]-buttons
you can browse the selected medium.To begin formatting use the [Record]button, after selection of the desired medium. You will need to confirm your
intent to format by pushing the [Enter]-button.
Use the [Exit]-button to leave the browse menu.
Once you’re done formatting you might be looking at an empty display
window. Don’t panic! As soon as you push one of the select buttons on the
Spectralis 2 text will appear once again in the Display.
Formatting, power and explanation of terms
2.3.4 Power connection
The Spectralis has a power connection on the back of the instrument, right next to
the power switch. Please use the enclosed power-cord to connect your Spectralis
2 with a wall socket or power strip. The Spectralis has an internal switching
AC-Transformer which can be operated from 100 to 240 Volts and at 50 and
60 Hz.
2.4 Explanations of basic terms
To make this manual easy to understand we would like to explain a few frequently
used terms, which are of significance with the Spectralis 2..
2.4.1 Sound:
A Sound-Program of the Hybrid Synthesizer or a sample-based Sound of
the DSP-Synth.
2.4.2 Part:
A part is a track in the sequencer, played by a particular instrument. Each
part of the Spectralis has its own sound parameters and a special set
channel on the internal mixer of the Spectralis. Due to the pre-assignment
of various part categories it becomes easy to create new patterns simply
by swapping motifs. You will find the following parts in the Spectralis:
Kick, Snare, Closed HiHat, Open HiHat, Clap, HiTom, MidTom and
LoTom, three Percussion-parts, the Analog Synth-part plus three additional polyphonic DSP Synthesizer parts.
2.4.3 Motif:
An exchangeable musical phrase consisting of a series of notes, which
can be assigned to a part.
2.4.5 Drum Groove:
The Parts 1 – 11 (Kick – Perc3) can be treated as a Group independent of
the Parts with tonal Instruments and are referred to jointly as ”Drum
Groove”.
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SPECTRALIS 2
2.4.6 Pattern:
Consists of up to 17 parallel parts. Patterns can be changed in real-time
sonically and musically by selecting and swapping songs, motifs and
drum-grooves.
The pattern is also the most important storage level of the Spectralis.
When you add a new motif to a part, the contents of the motif will be
automatically copied to the Pattern Slot. In short the Spectralis
automatically creates a copy of the motif. The same applies for the sound
parameters. Rather than administering a program number in the pattern,
the pattern always contains the complete set of parameters for the sound.
Due to this form of storage management you never run the risk to lose a
setting for instance in pattern ”xy” when making changes in pattern ”yz”.
2.4.7 Song:
You can combine up to 32 Patterns in a song, which can be played back
either in a predetermined order which can be accessed, changed, varied
or transposed during LIVE operation.
step.
2.4.8 Sequence:
With the Spectralis a ”sequence” is a succession of notes or soundparameter changes, which are generated by the internal ”quasi-analog”
step-sequencer. This means you can not only control the note-output but
also the sound of the Spectralis rhythmically. Contrary to the data of the
drum-grid and the realtime sequencer the settings of the step-sequencer
are stored within an "analog-synthesizer"-sound.
2.4.9 Fixed Filterbank:
In recent years it’s become a bad habit to refer to any instrument with
more than one filter as a filterbank. This can be rather confusing for the
user, which is why we would like to describe what actually constitutes a
fixed filterbank. There are very few musical instruments which don’t
have at least some kind of filter. Most feature a lowpass filter, which cut
off overtones upward of a predetermined frequency more or less steeply.
You may be used to decreasing or increasing the cutoff-frequency to
create the typical synthetic sounds. However, it is not possible with this
kind of filter, to selectively boost multiple different frequency bands
simultaneously, while other bands above, below or in between these bands
are being limited. In nature this kind of behavior is quite common.
Your oral cavity serves as a prime example. Different vocal sounds can
be shaped by unconsciously changing your oral cavity’s shape to form
different types of resonance bodies which will emphasize some
frequencies and dampen others. The fixed filterbank of the Spectralis
can effectively do the same thing. For this reason they consist of multiple, parallel bandpasses, fed thru amplifiers allowing you to emphasize
or limit selected frequencies.
These levels of these amplifiers can be controlled by the step-sequencer
of the Spectralis. This set-up allows you to create quite unusual sounds,
which far exceed the sound-repertoire of a normal ”subtractive”
synthesizer.
The Step Sequencer
originated at a time
when the possibility
of recording musical
Motifs simply by
playing them was
just a fantasy. The
classical Step
Sequencer consisted
of one or more rows
of potentio-meters
which were read in
sequential order -
sending an individual value per
If you applied the
control frequency to
the pitch modulation
input of
an VCO, the Sequen-
cer changed the
pitch ac-cording to
the potentio-meter
Settings.
Explanations of terms
14
SPECTRALIS 2
2.5 Frontpanel Overview
15
SPECTRALIS 2
2.5 Frontpanel overview
The following is a first overview of the assorted sections of the frontpanel.The
enclosed picture and written descriptions are provided for easy orientation and
to help you easily understand the basic structure of the Spectralis. Once you’re
done reading this chapter and are moving on to the section dealing with practical
tips for the use of the Spectralis, you will find this basic orientation helpful.
2.5.1 „PART“-button section
(upper left)
Just like the ”Num-Button-Assignment” Section, the ”Part Section” also can
be used to change the assignments of numeric Buttons [1]-[16].
[Select]
The [Select]-button assigns the part-selection to the numeric buttons. A
part selected with a numeric button can be edited using the encoders and
buttons of the ”Synth-Edit” Section (LFO-,VCO,VCF,VCA-Section). A
real-time recording of the sequencer starts the recording of the motif
always for the selected part. Any keyboard sending data on MIDI-channel
1, will always be assigned to the currently selected part. In addition to
the part-numbers the part-names are also printed on the panel right above
the corresponding numeric buttons. For instance you can access the analog-synth-part by pushing numeric button [12].
Panel overview, "Part"-section
Transposing:
Transposing is the
shifting of the pitch of a
"motif of tones" by a
musical interval.
16
[Mute]
The [Mute]-button allows you to mute individual parts using the numeric
buttons. Once you’ve muted one or more parts and are done with the
”Mute”-selections and want to move on to assign a different function to
these buttons, the [Mute]-button will blink. This is to remind you that
you are not currently hearing all of the parts.
[Solo]
The [Solo]-Button enables you to Solo individual parts once again using
the numeric buttons. Once you’ve Solo’ed one or more parts and want to
assign a different function to the numeric buttons, the [Solo]-button will
continue to blink, to remind you that you are not currently hearing all of
the parts.
[Play]
The [Play]-Button also allows you to use the numeric Buttons as a
”Keyboard” in case you don’t have a MIDI-keyboard handy.
[TRANSPOSE]
By pushing [PLAY] while holding down the [SHIFT] button you can
transpose the pitch of a selected pattern. The pattern will be played in its
original key when the C1 key is pushed. Numeric buttons [1]-[13] shift
the pitch of all tonal motifs in half-tone steps, the numeric buttons [14]
and [16] transpose the key by full octaves. In this case the [PLAY] button
blinks.
SPECTRALIS 2
Whichever function you use last in this Section, determines the assignment of
the numeric Buttons. It’s all quite simple – once you know!
TIP: Changing numeric Button assignments temporarily:
When you are pushing the ”Part-Section” Button, the corresponding
function kicks in and the assignment is permanent. Holding the ”PartSection” Button down however and pushing a numeric Button at the same
time, activates the function only temporarily. Once you release the button
you’ll return to the previously selected Menu.
2.5.2 „Num-Button-Assignment“-section
(upper left above the encoders 1-16)
This is the section where you can determine the assignment of the numeric
buttons [1]-[16]. Any function activated in the part section can be turned off
with these buttons. Only one of the "Num Button Assignment"-buttons can be
active at a time.
[Song]
By using the [Song]-button you can select one of the 16 current songs
via the numeric buttons [1]-[16].
Overview: Num-Button-Assignment
[Pattern]
When using the [Pattern]-button, you can select patterns of the current
songs by using the numeric buttons [1]-[16] in combination with [Shift]
+ [1]-[16]. The patterns you’ve selected, will start playing instantly once
you push the numeric buttons. There is no need to push the [Play]-button
in the transport field.
You will find a separate chapter ”How to..." Jamming with patterns starting
on page 25.
[Drum-Groove]
Using the [Drum-Groove]-button you can simultaneously change the
motifs 1-11 of the patterns in order hear a selected pattern with a different drum-rhythm, by pushing the numeric buttons [1]-[16] or rather
[Shift] + [1]-[16].
[Quicksound]
The quicksound button gives access to a special soundbank with your
favorite sounds for drums, DSP synth and analog synth parts. This bank
holds 32 Hybridsynth sounds, 32 DSP synth sounds and additional 16
sounds for each drumpart. Patches 17 - 32 can be recalled by holding
down shift and pressing numberbuttons 1-16. Press and hold [SAVE]
and touch the desired memory location on the num buttons to save a
patch into the quicksound bank.
17
SPECTRALIS 2
2.5.3 "Sequence-Edit"-section
(to the right next to the NUM BUTTON ASSIGNMENT-Section)
Edit-Section of the step-sequencer, with the following control elements:
[Function]
The use of the [Function]-button opens the display-menu for the editing
of the step-sequencer. The step-sequencer menu has a number of pages,
which can be accessed via the [Page-Up]- and [Page-Down]-buttons.
After pushing the [Function]- button the value data for the individual
steps will be assigned to the encoders 1-16. By holding down the
[Function]-button you can access a number of useful functions with the
numeric buttons directly. These functions are printed on the frontpanel
between numbers 1–10. (Trig, Skip, Glide, Mute, Last, FWD, BWD,
F&B, RND).
Please take note that all of these functions for each sequencer line can be
adjusted differently! True step-sequencer afficinados will be thrilled with
this information and make the most of it. As a basic overview though
this may be information overkill at this early stage. On page 66 you will
find a practical "How to...?" chapter for this powerful tool!
The step-sequencer menu itself also has a number of display pages, which
can be accessed by using the [Page-Up]- and [Page-Down]-buttons.
Overview: "Sequence"- and "groove edit"-section
[Iteration]
The [Iteration]-button opens a menupage for changing the playback of
a sequence-line. The lines can be rotated by steps.
[Target]
The [Target]-button opens the menu for the change of sequencer-line
targets. Sequencer lines can control parameters of the analog-synth, trigger
note events for the DSP- and the analog synth and can control external
MIDI-equipment!
2.5.4 "Groove-Edit"-section
(in the middle of the panel directly above the encoders 1-16)
In the "groove-edit"-section of the Spectralis you can create new rhythm motifs for
your patterns.
[Step/Accent]
The [Step/Accent]-button opens the beatmatrix menu in the display. The
Beatmatrix is a powerful grid editor which enables you to create and edit
new drum grooves fast and easily in the style of vintage drum computers.
The Beatmatrix uses the buttons [1]-[16] for creating new rhythms. A
practical lesson for the input of new rhythm-motifs can be found on page
78 of this manual.
18
SPECTRALIS 2
[Function]
The [Function]-button opens an additional display menu with the swing
and shuffle quantisation.
2.5.5 "Filterbank"-section
(In between the transport field and the encoder row 1-16)
In this section you have access to the fixed filterbank.
[Level]
By using the [Level]-button you can adjust the levels of the filterbank
amps with the help of the encoders 1-15, as well as insert the output of
the filterbank into the various sections of the Spectralis. The assignment
of the encoders when the filterbank-[Level]-button is active is printed
just above the encoders. The filterbank has 10 filter bands.
Encoder 1 (LP) controls the output level of the lowpass filter, which lets
all frequencies below the lowest bandpass pass through.
Encoders 2-9 control the levels of the individual bandpasses. The
bandpasses are factory set to the following middle frequencies:
265Hz, 390Hz, 550Hz, 800 Hz, 1200Hz, 1770Hz, 2650Hz, 3900Hz
Encoder 10 (HP) changes the level of the highpass filter, which only lets
frequencies above the highest bandpass pass through.
Using encoder 11 (FB Level) you can adjust the sum-volume of the
filterbank to the level of the overall signal of the Spectralis.
Using encoder 12 (FB->FX1) und 13 (FB->FX2) you can determine
with what level the output signal of the filterbank is fed into the two
effects.
With encoder 14 you can feed the output signal of the filterbank into the
24dB lowpass filter.
With encoder 15 you can feed the output signal of the filterbank into the
analog multimode filter.
Pushing one of the rotary encoders 1-15 buttons allows you to change
additional parameters of the filterbank in the display menu.
Overview: Filterbank-section, mixer-section
[PAN]
Pushing the [Pan]-button you can set the stereo position of the individual
filter-outputs via encoders 1-10.
You will find another "How to" chapter for filterbank use on page 64 of this
manual.
19
SPECTRALIS 2
2.5.6. "Mixing-desk"-section (to the right above the encoders 1-16)
This section assigns the 16 encoder row to the Part-Mixer of the Spectralis.
[Volume]
Pushing the [Volume]-button in the mixer section activates the volume-control
via encoders 1-16. Encoders 1-15 control the volumes of parts 1-15 and encoder
16 controls the volume of all drum-parts, relative to the set value.
In reality the activated volume-controls in regards to drum-parts 1-11 don’t
affect the part-volumes, but rather determine the level at which the parts are
being routed into the subgroup ”drums”. This allows for smooth control of the
whole rhythm group with just one controller – the ”drums” subgroup volumecontrol 16.
The use of one of the 16 encoder buttons opens a channel strip for the respective
part. In the corresponding mixer menu, visible in the display, all mixer
parameters of a part can be edited directly. This menu has multiple edit pages,
which can be accessed using the [Page-Up] and [Page-Down]-buttons.
Overview: Mixer-section, master-section, creativator
[Pan]
The [Pan]-button assigns the control of the stereo position of the parts to
encoders 1-15.
[FX1-Send] + [FX2-Send]
The [FX1-Send] and [FX2-Send]-buttons assign the control over effect-
intensity for the two effect-processors to encoders 1-16. Encoders 1-15
control the effect-intensity for the Parts 1-15 and encoder 16 for the
subgroup drums.
Using one of the encoder buttons functioning as FX sends, will open the
menu for changes to the effect-programs.
2.5.7. "Master"-section
(to the far right, about half way up on the Panel)
Using the master volume control you can change the output level of the sumoutput and the headphones output. The Spectralis saves the most recently
selected volume level when the unit is being turned of, so you won’t experience
any disadvantage compared to having a volume-potentiometer.
2.5.8 "Creativator"-section
(right in the middle of the panel)
20
In the Creativator-section you will find possibility to apply the arpeggiator to
a selected part, having it create new patterns randomly or letting it create new
sounds in random fashion.
[Randomize]
The [Randomize]-button opens a display menu for the selection of
assorted randomize-functions.
SPECTRALIS 2
[Arpeggiator]
The [Arpeggiator]-button opens the display-menu for editing the
arpeggiator settings. A typical classic arpeggiator is a setting which breaks
down played chords (a polyphonic sound consisting of multiple notes)
into individual notes and plays these notes corresponding to a variety of
instructions sequentially.
2.5.9 "Synth-Edit"-section (LFO, VCO, VCF, VCA)
This Section provides the encoders and buttons needed for editing sounds.
They always affect the currently selected part or in the case of subgroup drums
always relative to the selected parameters of all drumparts (available in Versi-
on 1.0). A more detailed description of these sections will be contained in the
reference manual. Suggestions on adjusting the DSP synth parts can be found
in Lession 3.2 on page 36 of this manual. Still, we don’t want to keep you
completely in the dark regarding the analog-synth, which is why we’ve also
included a basic overview of this powerful synthesizer in a dedicated "How
to"-chapter on page 43.
Overview : Filterbank-section, mixer-section
2.5.10. "Transport"-section (the section with the green button)
If we had to guess we’d think that the transport-section is probably the one section
of the Spectralis which will generate the fewest questions.
[
] = [Stop]
Using the [Stop]-button will stop the sequencer. When restarted, the
sequencer will start with beat 1 of the song or the selected pattern.
[ ] = [Play]
Pushing the [Play]-button starts the Sequencer. If the [Play]-button is
pushed while the sequencer is running, the button doubles as a ”pause”function. Pushing the [Play]-button again will start the Sequencer right
at the position where it was stopped.
[Rec]
Pushing the [Rec]-button activates the record function for the currently
selected part. In the menu visible in the diplay you can change the meter
length and tempo settings. The real recording process though will only
start once the [Play]-button is pushed
[Overdub]
This button starts overdub recording directly.
21
SPECTRALIS 2
2.5.11 Numeric buttons
Corresponding to the selection in the num button assignment- or the part-section,
you can use the numeric buttons [1] – [16] to select songs, patterns, drumgrooves or motifs, as well as transpose patterns and select, mute, solo or play
parts. In addition the numeric buttons are used in various edit-sections for
direct input of rhythmical structures.
2.6 Control elements
The Spectralis has an abundance of buttons and encoders. To make things a
little easier we will introduce them in more detail.
2.6.1 Buttons
The buttons of the Spectralis have lighting elements so a selected function can
be easily made visible or to draw your attention to events. You can find details
about this in the respective section chapters. The [Shift]-button in the upper
right has a particular function. It allows the selection of alternative functions
for encoders and buttons. The alternative assignment choices are also printed
on the panel near to the respective control elements in a white, circular field.
Overview: Nummeric buttons, control elements
2.6.2 Rotary encoders
Encoder is the name for the rotary knobs on the Spectralis. They allow you to
control a parameter always from the currently memorized setting. Accordingly
you won’t have to worry during LIVE performances about value changes
frequently encountered with traditional potentiometers. To make sure that you
won’t miss out on real ”potentiometer-feeling” these encoders have a high
resolution and in most cases can cover the whole value range of a parameter
with one turn of the encoder. When turning the encoder fast, a larger value
range is covered with the same segment move as with a slow turn of the encoder.
All of the encoders have an additional push button function. This allows for
the direct
call-up of menu pages in the display menus, which are in direct correlation
with the selected assignment of the encoder. For instance, if you are pushing
the encoder button (CutOff LP) of the 24dB lowpass filter, you will see
parameter pages in the display, which offer particular parameters for adjusting
the cutoff frequency of the filter. All menus addressed via one of the encoderbuttons, can also be exited by pushing the [Exit]-button.
Additional special functions of the encoder buttons are explained in the
descriptions of the individual sections of the Spectralis.
2.6.3 Display
The 2x40 characters display of the Spectralis will provide you with lots of
useful information while you are jamming and programming. It’s easiest to
illustrate the structure of the display-info with two specific examples. Let’s
start with the display notice you will find right after turning on your Spectralis.
Once powered up the Spectralis will be automatically in pattern-jam-mode:
22
SPECTRALIS 2
1/9:24dB Lowpass:Cutoff Modulation LFO
FMWve:0 FmRte:0 FMDpt:0
In the upper row you will see the current information such as song-number
(S01), current song-name (Song01), the name of the selected pattern and the
selected song-tempo in BPM (beats per minute).
The lower row shows parameters, which can be changed with the encoders located
below the display. The significance of the various parameters is explained in the
respective chapters in this manual.
The type of entry will indicate the functionality of the encoders at the time:
For all display-entries where the description is followed by a colon and a parameter
value or a selection option turning the encoder will either prompt a selection list or
change of parameters.
FMWve:0 FmRte:0 FMDpt:0
For all entries which are shown in square parenthesis [ ] the encoder only has a
push-button function:
Overview: Display-section
C:Funky | [NO] [YES]
There are additional encoder functions in the menus for editing of sounds. Just
push the encoder button (OSCWAVE) in the oscillator-section right after turning
on the Spectralis. You will see the following display-message:
01/26:VCO Shape
^Osc1:100 ^Osc2:100 ^Osc3:100 ^Osc4:100
Here as well you will see a parameter description followed by a parameter-value,
however there is also an additional up-arrow right before the description. In this case
you can turn the encoder to change a parameter-value – the arrow however indicates,
that the encoder has also a button function – usually to call up a submenu connected
to this parameter.
23
SPECTRALIS 2
3.0 "How to...?"-chapters: It's finally time to get started!
We wouldn’t be at all surprised if this is actually the first chapter in this manual,
which you are reading. After all we’re already on Page 24 of the manual and so
far we haven’t even addressed getting your Spectralis to make noise! It’ll get
much more entertaining from here on in!!
3.0.1 Preparations
You should make the following preparations, before you start working your way
through the ”How to...?” part of the manual:
3.0.2 Establishing audio connections
a.) Make sure that all your equipment (mixer, amplifier, active speakers, Spectralis
etc.) are turned off.
b.) Connect the sum-outs of the Spectralis with the input of the audio-system you are
using – whatever that may be.
c.) One by one turn on your other gear. Ideally start with the Spectralis. This eliminates
any chance that any sound from switching on power will reach your speakers. Turn
the mixer on next, then the amplifier and in case of self-powered speakers, turn them
on last.
d.) Once everything is powered up, first lower the master-volume of the Spectralis.
e.) You can now use one of the numeric buttons, to start a pattern and can start
raising the volume – SLOWLY! Try to avoid running your system in the red all the
time - even if you like your music loud! You should set your input gain at level that will
only occasionally overdrive your LEDs rather than turning them into constant warning
lights.
f.) Finally adjust the playback level on your amplifier. This should keep the distortion
level under control and you can work at your desired volume level.
It's finally time to get started
24
3.0.3 Connect MIDI-keyboard
There are times when you will want to play your Spectralis via a keyboard for one of
the included "How to?"-chapters. Proceed as follows:
a.) Set your MIDI-keyboard up in close proximity to the Spectralis and connect it
with a power supply.
b.) Set the MIDI-channel of the keyboard to MIDI-Channel 1.
c.) Connect the MIDI-Out of your keyboard with the MIDI-In of the Spectralis
using a MIDI-cable.
d.) Once turned on the Spectralis can now receive the note-information sent by your
keyboard on MIDI-channel 1 and will assign the notes to the analog synthesizer
section. In case you are playing your keyboard right now, you should hear what you
are playing.
Now that you’re all set we’re ready to GO!
SPECTRALIS 2
3.1 Select, play and adjust patterns - the ”Pattern-Jam”
mode
3.1.1 Introduction
Patterns are connections of assorted musical motifs with a duration of 1 to 16 bars,
normally consisting of drums, bass, chords and melodies of a song segment. Once
you put a number of these patterns together you end up with a complete song.
Contrary to many sequencer programs the pattern-sequencer of the Spectralis has a
very different design. While the goal of the average sequencer usually is the definite
production of a piece of music, the sequencer of the Spectralis was optimized with
an eye towards LIVE-use and LIVE "On the Fly Editing". That’s the feature we
would like to introduce to you first.
3.1.2 The first “Pattern-Jam”-session
In case it is not lit up already, push the [Pattern]-button in the "Num-ButtonAssignment"-section now. Next use one of the numeric buttons [1]-[16] or
[Shift]+[1]-[16], which will start the corresponding pattern. Use the tempo encoder
in the transport-section to set the tempo of the pattern corresponding to your personal
preference and liking.Up to 32 pattern can be holded by one song.
"Pattern-Jam"-mode
[Shift] allows to view
the part activity during
playback. Just hold the
[Shift] button down
during muting or
soloing parts to see,
which parts are play-
ing. The corres-ponding
Num-Button LEDs will
It's much easier to
identify a part you want
to mute if the part
activity is visible.
3.1.3 "Mute"-function – Muting individual parts
While jamming with the patterns it is likely you won’t want to hear all of the parts all
of the time. Usually you will want to start by playing a few of the parts and continue
adding more parts as you go along. That’s exactly what we will do next.
Push the [Mute]-button in the part-section next. Now the [Mute]-button will be lit
while the [Pattern]-Button light is turned off.
Tip:
The buttons of the "Num-Button-Assignment"-section and the buttons
of the "Part"-section change the assignments of the numeric buttons.
This is why only one of these function can be accessed at a time. As a rule
this will be the most recently selected function.
Using the numeric buttons 1-15 you are now able to mute individual parts. After
you’re done muting once again push the [Pattern]-button. If one of the parts is still
muted when you push the button, you will see the [Mute]-button blinking, signaling
that you are not currently hearing all of the tracks. When you are selecting a new
pattern, the settings of the new pattern will override your current mute settings.
Sometimes you may just want to selectively mute a few parts – without losing the
previous assignments of the numeric buttons. That is definitly possible.
Tip:
If you are currently in "Pattern-Jam"-mode, you can also select the mutefunction on a ”temporary” basis. Hold down the [Mute]-button in the
"Part"-section and push the numeric button of the parts which you wish
to mute. Once you release the numeric button the Spectralis will
automatically revert to the "Pattern-Select"-mode. This tip will also work
with the [Select]-and the [Solo]-button.
25
SPECTRALIS 2
Tip: What actually happens during muting if you are pushing numeric
button 16 – [Drums]? Pushing that button will actually mute the whole
drum section!
3.1.4 "Solo"-mode
The Solo-Mode allows you to activate individual tracks for closer analysis. Of
course the "Solo"-function is also a popular gimmick when jamming with a
pattern. Push the [Solo]-button in the part-section , then push one or more of
the numeric buttons, which will solo the tracks you’d like to hear by themselves
Tip:
The "Solo"-mode can also be activated ”temporarily”. The process is
exactly the same as the one described for the "Mute"-function.
Tip : Of course you can also use the "Solo"-function to hear the subgroup ”Drums” all by itself.
"Pattern-Jam"-mode
3.1.5 Adjusting levels to your liking
You’re not happy with what you’re hearing? The balance of the Sounds just
isn’t quite right and individual sounds are too loud or soft? Let’s change that
now! First push the [Volume]-button in the "Mixer"-section. Now adjust the
levels corresponding to your taste using encoders 1-15. Additionally you can
use encoder 16 to adjust the overall level of the whole drum-group.
3.1.6 Editing panorama and FX-sends
Now that you’re happy with the level settings, you can also adjust the FXsends and pan-position in the same way.
- Push the [Pan]-button in the "mixer"-section
- Using the encoders 1-15 you can now move each part between the two speakers
until you‘re perfectly happy with the stereo-balance.
- Push the [FX1-Send]- or the [FX2-Send]-button
- Using encoders 1-15 you will now be able to adjust the FX-level for each part
individually.
3.1.7 Sound selection for your parts
You’re saying the Kick-drum is too boomy, the Snare doesn’t have enough
attack and the Hi-Hat doesn’t sizzle enough? Well maybe you should try some
different sounds!
Push the [Select] button in the "Part"-section.
Use numeric button [1] to choose the Kick-part
You will now see the following message in the display (of course song-number
and pattern-names may vary!):
26
SPECTRALIS 2
S01:<Song 01> Pattern:<Patt01> Tempo:120
C:Kick S:TR-Alike 808Deep <Vol>
C:Kick
Using the first Encoder you can now select the sound-category.
If you want to stick with the Category ”Kick” the Spectralis will offer
you a selection of sounds (in this case ONLY Kicks), which are part of
this category. By setting the category to "ALL" you can select all drum
sounds stored in the machine.
S:TR-Alike
Using the second Encoder you can select another subcategory.
Subcategories allow to make a kind of preselection for your sound search.
If you for example are looking for TR-909 kicks, select TR-Alike and
the Spectralis will list all sounds, taken from the TR-family of
drumcomputers.
"Pattern-Jam"-mode
808Deep
The third encoder selects the sound itself. The sound you are selecting
will will not be loaded until you push down the encoder button. That is
necessary for all sample-based sounds to avoid unnecessary sample
loading during your sound search. But you can overcome this by simply
hitting the [page-up] and [page-down] buttons for selecting and activating
a samplebased sound. That often also works faster than the rotary encoder
function. By selecting subcategory "All" in advance, you can switch
through the entire range of kick drums available on your machine.
<Vol>
Using the fourth encoder you can determine the Volume of the new sound.
Currently (version 097L) this encoder has no function. But you can adjust
the volume in the volume mixer by hitting [Volume] in the mixing desk
section and dialing the encoder of the desired part.
3.1.7a The pattern transpose function"How to...?"
The Pattern transpose function is enabled in pattern jam mode as well. Just
play a pattern, hit and hold the [SHIFT]-button and hit the [PLAY] button in
the part section. Now the pattern get gat transposed by pressing the num buttons
1 - 13. 14 and 16 switch the whole transpose range one octave up or down.
27
SPECTRALIS 2
3.1.8 Saving patterns
Now that you have made some changes to the patterns, you’re probably curious
how you can actually save your changes – especially since the Spectralis will
remind you to do so after changes during each pattern-change. As soon as you
have made a change, the [Save]-button will start to blink. If you are pushing
the [Save]-button you will see the following display-menu:
What do you want to save?
<Sound> [Pattern] <Song> <Creativ>
Use the encoder-button below the entry [Pattern]. This should prompt the
following display message:
Select Memory Location and press „SAVE“
<extern> [Song] [Current] [Exit]
As you can see, you will have three options available. The option <Extern> is
not available yet but will be part of a future firmware revision.
Saving patterns
[Song]
Once you select [Song] using your soft button, you will be able to save
the current pattern to multiple memory locations at the same time. This
option also provides the possibility to save the changed pattern to a different slot than the one containing the original pattern. Confirm by pushing
[Song] and you should see the following display-message:
Choose Pattern-Number(s) and „Save“
Have a look at the numeric buttons. Memory locations already in use
will be lit. Select the numeric button 1-16 with which you would like to
be able to select your new patterns at a later stage. Please keep in mind
that each song can have up to 32 patterns. You can reach the second bank
of 16 patterns, by using the [Shift]-button during selection. Flashing
numeric buttons will indicate your memory slot selection. You can also
remove a selected memory slot by pushing the flashing button once more.
Once you’re done with your selection, confirm the save procedure by
pushing the [Save]-button once more.
[Current]
[Current] just updates the current pattern memory with the changes,
you have programmed. This is a very useful function if all you want to
do is to make your changes permanent for the currently selected pattern.
You will automatically leave the "Pattern-Save"-menu thereafter.
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[Exit]
Exits the ”Pattern-Save”-menu without saving any changes!
SPECTRALIS 2
3.1.9 What data are saved inside a pattern?
With many synthesizer workstations or grooveboxes you’ll encounter a common
problem, which is that you have to know at all times what you want! All you
may do is change a sound and suddenly a dozen patterns sound different than
before. Another time you edit a rhythmic motif and the changes appear also in
patterns which were perfectly alright. This is mostly the result of the memory
structure of these instrument. In many cases a pattern is nothing else than a
assigned selection of sounds and motifs, which are being read from internal
memory somewhere in the unit once selected. To make things less confusing,
the Spectralis saves its data in a different fashion. If you decide to save a pattern,
all of the current sound-settings and musical motifs, as well as the mixer settings
become part of the pattern. You can always count on the fact that a pattern will
sound the way you heard it before saving it. You won’t have to concern yourself
with any of the other storage slots during this process.
Here once again as a reminder a small List of the Data contained in a Pattern:
I. The settings of the analog synthesizer including filterbank and step-
sequencer settings.
II. The sound setting for the DSP-synth, incl. all of the drum sounds.
III. All motifs used
IV. The mixer settings
V. The mute- and solo-settings of the pattern
Saving patterns
What's not saved?
For a number of reasons the samples of the DSP-synth are not being
saved within a pattern. You will however receive a warning display
message when accessing a pattern, if the originally used sample set cannot
be found in memory. This message will only show up for a few seconds.
However - you can recall this message by pressing [Shift]+[Page-Up].
The message will resist there until another text info has been displayed.
Additionally the Spectralis – if you want it to – will play an alternative
sound, once you are starting a pattern the samples of which are not in
RAM memory. You will hear immediately that something isn’t right with
the pattern. You can also turn off the ”Default”-sound if you wish.
3.1.10 Turning off the “Default”-sound
As already mentioned in the previous chapter, the Spectralis will play a standard
sound, whenever a motif tries to access a sound, the samples of which are not in
RAM memory of the Spectralis 2 – if you want it to! This of course could
result in some unpleasant surprises, especially during LIVE operation. On the
other hand at home while arranging a song it could turn out to be useful, because
you’re more likely to notice a wrong sound than a missing part. This is the
way you can deactivate the ”Default Sound”:
I. Use the [Shift]-button, hold it down and push the [Save/System]-button.
II. Push the [Page-Up]-button once. This will prompt the following display
message.
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SPECTRALIS 2
2/5: System
USB:HIGH DSnd:Yes Sync:Dis Play:Yes
The first Parameter is of no interest for this purpose. The second parameter,
“DSound:Yes” turns the default-sound on (YES) or off (DIS).
“DIS” stands for “Disable”, which in this case means “deactivate”.
3.1.11. Deactivate the “Pattern changed, Save First”-messages
Occasionally it is quite helpful to get a reminder not to forget saving your
changes – however it can also be a nuisance, when it starts to affect the flow
and fun of jamming.
When selecting another pattern the following display message will appear when
changes are being made to the current pattern:
Sxx:<Song0 |Pattern Changed, Save first?
C:Funky | [NO] [YES]
Saving of patterns
If you chose to ignore this message without answering [NO] or [YES] via the
encoder buttons, the pattern won’t be changed.
[NO]
Confirming [NO] will enable the Pattern to change and your changes
will be lost!
[YES]
If you confirm [YES] the changes are being saved into the active Pattern.
This is the equivalent of saving a pattern with the option ”Current” in the
previous chapter.
Even if you have not selected any of the options it doesn’t mean you have lost
your pattern changes – however, you will then have to save them via the ”Save”function.
If you don’t the next pattern-change will definitely have the same result. If you
can’t keep an eye on the display during LIVE operation and don’t react to the
messages, the Spectralis just won’t effect pattern changes. That could become
a problem.
In order to turn off the warning messages, you will have to change the basic
settings of the "system"-menu. Use the [Shift]-button, hold it down and push
the [Save/System]-button. This should prompt the following diplay-message:
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1/5:System SN:00xxxxxx V1.5
Drum:OFF Contr:100 Save:Yes Load:Ask
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