Abstrakt Instruments Avalon Manuale utente

2AVALON - Reference Manual

REFERENCE MANUAL

v1.01

September 2015

www.abstraktinstruments.com

Information contained in this manual is subject to change

without notice. No part of this manual may be reproduced

or transmitted in any form, or by any purpose other than the

purchaser's personal use, without the express written

consent of Abstrakt Instruments LLC.

All other product and company names used in this manual

are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective

owners.

3AVALON - Reference Manual

WARNING

To reduce the risk of fire, electrical shock or product damage:

Do not expose the unit to rain, moisture, dripping or splashing. Also avoid placing objects filled with liquid, such as vases, on the unit.

Do not expose the unit to direct sunlight, nor use it in ambient temperatures exceeding 30°C as this can lead to malfunction.

Do not open the casing. There are no user repairable or adjustable parts inside. Leave service and repairs to trained service technicians only.

EXTERNAL POWER SUPPLY SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

The adapter is not safety grounded and may only be used indoors.

To ensure good ventilation for the adapter, do not place it in tight spaces. To prevent risk of electric shock and fire because of over-heating,

ensure that curtains and other objects do not prevent adapter ventilation.

Do not expose the power adapter to direct sunlight, nor use it in ambient temperatures exceeding 40°C.

In the EU, only use CE approved power cords.

1. Do not use this product near water - for example, in the rain, near a bathtub or sink, in a wet basement, or near a

swimming pool or the like.

2. This product, in combination with an amplifier and headphones or speakers, may be capable of producing sound levels

that could cause permanent hearing loss. Do not operate for a long period of time at a high volume level or at a level that is

uncomfortable.

3. Never use aggressive cleaners on the casing. Remove dust, dirt, and fingerprints with a soft, dry, non-abrasive cloth. If the

unit is persistently dirty use a slightly damp cloth using only water. Do not use a liquid cleaner, alcohol, acetone,

turpentine, or any other organic solutions.

4. Install in accordance with the instructions. Make sure you place the unit on a stable surface before use.

5. The product should be located away from heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, or other products that produce

heat.

6. Connect the unit to an easily accessible electrical outlet that is close to it.

7. The product should be connected to a power supply only of the type described in the operating instructions or as

marked on the product.

8. Unplug the unit during lightning storms or when it is not used for long periods of time.

9. Care should be taken so that objects do not fall and liquids are not spilled into the enclosure through openings.

10. When transporting the unit, use accessories recommended by the manufacturer or the original box and padding.

11. Abstrakt Instruments is not responsible for any damage caused by improper operation of the instrument.

IMPORTANT SAFETY AND MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS

Read all instructions below and follow them.

4AVALON - Reference Manual

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device,

pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection

against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can

radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may

cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference

will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or

television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is

encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is

connected.

Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

European Union regulation compliance statement

This product has been tested to comply with the Low Voltage Directive 2006/95/EC and the

Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive 2004/108/EC. The product meets the requirements of RoHS 2

Directive 2011/65/EU.

This symbol indicates that your product must be disposed of properly according to local laws and

regulations.

This Class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference-Causing

Equipment Regulation.

Cet appareil numérique de la classe B respecte toutes les exigences du Règlement sur le matériel

brouilleur du Canada.

5AVALON - Reference Manual

CONTENTS

1 INTRODUCTION................................................................................................ 7

1.1 ABOUT THIS MANUAL ....................................................................... 7

1.2 ABBREVIATION & CONVENTIONS ................................................ 7

1.2.1 BUTTON NAMES........................................................................ 7

1.2.2 BUTTON COMBINATIONS (SIMULTANEOUS) ............... 7

1.2.3 STEP BUTTONS .......................................................................... 7

1.2.4 CHROMATIC KEYBOARD ....................................................... 7

1.2.5 PATTERN BUTTONS ................................................................. 7

1.2.6 BUTTONS 1-4 ............................................................................. 7

1.2.7 NOTE, TIE, & REST BUTTONS ............................................... 8

1.2.8 NEXT & BACK BUTTONS......................................................... 8

1.2.9 ROTARY KNOBS......................................................................... 8

1.2.10 LED INDICATORS..................................................................... 8

2 OVERVIEW........................................................................................................... 9

2.1 FRONT PANEL......................................................................................... 9

2.2 REAR PANEL .........................................................................................10

2.3 INITIAL CONNECTIONS....................................................................10

3 ANALOG SYNTH .............................................................................................11

3.1 ZERO THE SYNTHESIZER ................................................................. 11

3.2 OSCILLATOR.........................................................................................11

3.3 FILTER .....................................................................................................11

3.4 FILTER ENVELOPE.............................................................................. 12

3.5 AMPLIFIER............................................................................................. 12

3.6 MODULATION ENVELOPE..............................................................12

3.7 OUTPUT.................................................................................................12

4 SEQUENCER OVERVIEW..............................................................................13

4.1 PRIMARY MODES............................................................................... 13

4.1.1 CHANGING PRIMARY MODES ............................................13

4.1.1.1 BETWEEN PATTERN MODES ....................................13

4.1.1.2 BETWEEN TRACK MODES..........................................13

4.1.1.3 BETWEEN PATTERN & TRACK MODES.................13

4.2 WHAT IS A PATTERN? ......................................................................13

4.2.1 THE PATTERN STEP.................................................................13

4.2.2 PATTERN STEP ATTRIBUTES............................................... 13

4.2.3 PATTERN MODIFIERS............................................................. 13

4.2.4 PATTERN OVERALL STRUCTURE.......................................14

4.3 PATTERN SELECTION ........................................................................14

4.3.1 PATTERN BANK.........................................................................14

4.3.2 PATTERN GROUP ..................................................................... 14

4.3.3 PATTERN NUMBER.................................................................. 14

4.4 PATTERN PLAYBACK.........................................................................14

4.4.1 TEMPO ..........................................................................................14

4.5 WHAT IS A TRACK?............................................................................ 15

4.6 TRACK SELECTION.............................................................................15

4.7 TRACK PLAYBACK .............................................................................. 15

5 PATTERN WRITE MODE............................................................................... 16

5.1 OVERVIEW..............................................................................................16

5.2 NORMAL MODE ...................................................................................16

5.2.1 PATTERN CLEAR, COPY & PASTE ...................................... 16

5.2.2 PATTERN CHAINING............................................................... 17

5.2.3 PATTERN MODIFIERS............................................................. 17

5.2.3.1 PATTERN LENGTH ........................................................ 17

5.2.3.2 LAST STEP ........................................................................17

5.2.3.3 TIME SIGNATURE ..........................................................17

5.2.3.4 SHUFFLE ...........................................................................18

5.2.3.5 PATTERN DIRECTION ..................................................18

5.2.3.6 PATTERN ROTATE......................................................... 18

5.2.3.7 PATTERN RANDOMIZE ..............................................18

5.2.3.8 PATTERN TRANSPOSE ................................................18

5.2.3.9 FILTER B MODE ............................................................. 18

5.2.4 PITCH ATTRIBUTES ................................................................. 19

5.2.4.1 PITCH................................................................................. 19

5.2.4.2 ACCENT & SLIDE............................................................ 19

5.2.4.3 TRANSPOSE..................................................................... 19

5.2.4.4 MODULATION ENVELOPE TRIGGERS ................. 19

5.2.4.5 SLIDE TIME....................................................................... 19

5.2.4.6 FILTER CV OFFSET........................................................ 19

5.2.4.7 GATE LENGTH ................................................................ 20

5.2.5 TIME ATTRIBUTES .................................................................. 20

5.2.5.1 NOTE EVENTS................................................................ 20

5.2.5.2 NOTE LENGTH, TIES & RESTS................................. 20

5.2.5.3 ACTIVE STEPS................................................................ 20

5.3 PITCH & TIME STEP ENTRY MODES ............................................ 21

5.3.1 PITCH STEP ENTRY................................................................. 21

5.3.2 TIME STEP ENTRY ................................................................... 21

5.4 RECORD MODE ................................................................................... 21

5.4.1 ENTER & EXIT RECORD MODE............................................. 21

5.4.2 RECORDING REALTIME PERFORMANCE........................ 21

5.4.2.1 RECORD NOTES ............................................................ 22

5.4.2.2 RECORD TRANSPOSE................................................. 22

5.4.2.3 RECORD ACCENT & SLIDE........................................ 22

5.4.2.4 RECORD MOD ENV...................................................... 22

5.4.2.5 RECORD SLIDE TIME................................................... 22

5.4.2.6 RECORD FILTER CV OFFSET .................................... 22

5.5.1 REALTIME ACCENT & SLIDE ............................................... 22

5.5.2 REALTIME MOD ENV .............................................................. 22

5.6 ARPEGGIATOR ..................................................................................... 23

5.6.1 ARP ON/OFF............................................................................... 23

5.6.2 NOTE ENTRY .............................................................................. 23

5.6.2.1 VIA AVALON KEYBOARD........................................... 23

5.6.2.2 VIA EXTERNAL MIDI .................................................... 23

5.6.3 ARP MODE .................................................................................. 23

5.6.4 REALTIME ACCENT, SLIDE, & MOD ENV ........................ 23

5.6.5 ARP RECORD.............................................................................. 23

5.7 PATTERN SYSEX DUMP.................................................................... 23

5.7.1 TRANSMIT................................................................................... 23

5.7.2 RECEIVE........................................................................................ 23

6 PATTERN PLAY MODE ................................................................................. 24

6.1 OVERVIEW ............................................................................................. 24

6.2 NORMAL MODE................................................................................... 24

6.2.1 PATTERN SELECTION............................................................. 24

6.2.2 PATTERN CHAINING............................................................... 24

6.3 REALTIME MODE................................................................................. 24

6.3.1 TRANSPOSE............................................................................... 24

6.3.2 REALTIME ACCENT & SLIDE ............................................... 25

6.3.3 REALTIME MOD ENV .............................................................. 25

6.3.4 REALTIME MUTE ..................................................................... 25

7 TRACK WRITE MODE .................................................................................... 26

7.1 OVERVIEW ............................................................................................. 26

7.2 SELECTING TRACKS ........................................................................... 26

7.3 NORMAL MODE................................................................................... 26

7.3.1 TRACK STEP INDICATORS.................................................... 26

7.3.2 LAST TRACK STEP.................................................................... 26

7.3.3 TRACK CLEAR, COPY & PASTE ........................................... 27

7.3.4 WRITING A TRACK................................................................... 27

7.3.4.1 SELECT PATTERN .......................................................... 27

7.3.4.2 TRANSPOSE..................................................................... 27

7.3.4.3 ADD REPEATS................................................................. 27

7.3.4.4 PREVIOUS & NEXT STEP............................................. 27

7.3.4.5 LAST STEP ........................................................................ 28

7.3.4.6 INSERT & DELETE.......................................................... 28

7.3.4.7 SETTING D.S. AND .................................................... 28

7.4 REALTIME MODE................................................................................. 28

7.4.1 REALTIME ACCENT & SLIDE ............................................... 28

6AVALON - Reference Manual

7.4.2 REALTIME MOD ENV ..............................................................28

7.4.3 REALTIME MUTE...................................................................... 29

7.5 TRACK SYSEX DUMP .........................................................................29

7.5.1 TRANSMIT ...................................................................................29

7.5.2 RECEIVE........................................................................................ 29

8 TRACK PLAY MODE........................................................................................30

8.1 OVERVIEW..............................................................................................30

8.2 SELECTING TRACKS ...........................................................................30

8.3 NORMAL MODE ...................................................................................30

8.3.1 TRACK STEP INDICATORS ....................................................30

8.4 REALTIME MODE.................................................................................30

8.4.1 REALTIME ACCENT & SLIDE ............................................... 30

8.4.2 REALTIME MOD ENV ..............................................................30

8.4.3 REALTIME MUTE...................................................................... 30

9 MIDI PLAY ......................................................................................................... 31

9.1 STOP THE SEQUENCER..................................................................... 31

9.2 SET MIDI INPUT CHANNEL..............................................................31

9.3 DISABLE MIDI SYNC...........................................................................31

9.4 MIDI RECEIVE PARAMETERS..........................................................31

9.4.1 NOTE ON / ACCENT/ SLIDE ..................................................31

9.4.2 FILTER CUTOFF .........................................................................31

9.4.3 MODULATION ENVELOPE TRIGGER ................................ 31

10 CONFIGURATION MODE ..........................................................................32

10.1 ENTER CONFIG MODE ..................................................................... 32

10.1.1 SYNC INPUT .............................................................................32

10.1.1.1 MIDI SYNC IN BEHAVIOR ........................................ 32

10.1.2 SYNC OUTPUT ....................................................................... 32

10.1.3 MIDI INPUT CHANNEL......................................................... 32

10.1.4 MIDI OUTPUT CHANNEL.................................................... 32

10.1.5 USB MIDI.................................................................................. 32

10.1.6 LED DIMMING........................................................................ 32

10.2 EXIT CONFIG MODE ......................................................................... 32

11 INPUTS & OUTPUTS ................................................................................... 33

11.1 AUDIO I/O........................................................................................... 33

11.2 CV & GATE I/O................................................................................... 33

12 SPECIFICATIONS.......................................................................................... 34

13 TB-303 SETTINGS........................................................................................ 35

13.1 ANALOG VOICE................................................................................. 35

13.1.1 OSCILLATORS ......................................................................... 35

13.1.2 FILTER ........................................................................................ 35

13.1.3 FILTER ENVELOPE.................................................................. 35

13.1.4 VCA ENVELOPE ...................................................................... 35

13.1.5 MODULATION ENVELOPE................................................. 35

13.2 SEQUENCER........................................................................................ 35

13.2.1 PATTERN WRITE MODES.................................................... 35

13.2.2 PATTERN MODIFIERS.......................................................... 35

13.2.3 PATTERN STEP ATTRIBUTES ............................................ 35

14 BLOCK DIAGRAM ........................................................................................ 35

APPENDIX A - CALIBRATION ......................................................................... 37

APPENDIX B - FILTER & VCA BEHAVIOR.................................................. 39

APPENDIX C - AVALON VS. TB-303 SEQUENCER................................. 43

APPENDIX D - MIDI IMPLEMENTATION................................................... 44

7AVALON - Reference Manual

1 INTRODUCTION

Thank You for purchasing the Avalon Bassline Synthesizer! The

Avalon is a powerful synth and sequencer designed to be equally at

home in the studio or in live performance.

Be sure to visit www.abstraktinstruments.com for the latest firmware

and tutorials.

1.1 ABOUT THIS MANUAL

This manual was written to help familiarize you with Avalon

synthesizer. There are a lot of features packed into the Avalon, we

recommend reading this manual in its entirety.

1.2 ABBREVIATION & CONVENTIONS

Additional info on a given topic.

Tips to simplify specific topics.

1.2.1 BUTTON NAMES

Button names are illustrated in bold uppercase. For example, the

button labeled "home" is written HOME. Buttons that are specific to

"pitch", "time" or secondary "functions" are typed in color-coded

brackets, such as [PITCH],[TIME]and [FUNCTION].

1.2.2 BUTTON COMBINATIONS (SIMULTANEOUS)

Whenever multiple buttons are to be pressed simultaneously the "+"

sign is used. The first button name is the first button pressed. The

second button name after the "+" sign is the second button pressed

(while holding the first button). In some cases there are additional

button presses.

For example, to clear a pattern the "function" and "clear" buttons are

pressed in order as shown below. This would be written as

[FUNCTION]+ [CLEAR], and illustrated as shown below:

In some instances button combinations are indicated using the

"finger point" graphic. In these instances the order of button presses

is indicated by the number of each hand. For example, SECTION +

BUTTON 2 is equivalent to the graphic below.

1.2.3 STEP BUTTONS

The (16) step button indicators are used for entering various step

attributes. They are also used for certain secondary functions such as

setting MIDI channels and Sync modes. The step buttons will be

abbreviated as STEP BUTTON * in bold font where "*" denotes the

step number. For example "step button 4" would be denoted STEP

BUTTON 4.

1.2.4 CHROMATIC KEYBOARD

The buttons that make up the one octave keyboard are used for

multiple functions. Whenever they are used for pitch (note) entry the

buttons will denoted by [BUTTON KEY *] in bold font. For example,

when referring to the "C#" key it would be written [BUTTON KEY C#].

The upper C is denoted [BUTTON KEY C'].

1.2.5 PATTERN BUTTONS

The "white" keys of the chromatic keyboard are used for pattern

selection. Whenever the pattern 1-8 buttons are used in reference to

pattern selection they will be denoted by PATTERN BUTTON in

bold font. For example, when referring to pattern 6 it would be

written as PATTERN BUTTON .

1.2.6 BUTTONS 1-4

The black buttons labeled 1-4 are used for various duties such as

selecting pattern sections, pattern time signature, and for setting

gate lengths and slide times per step.

When these buttons are referenced they are written BUTTON 1,

BUTTON 2, BUTTON 3, & BUTTON 4. When referred to as a group

they are written BUTTON 1-4.

8AVALON - Reference Manual

1.2.7 NOTE, TIE, & REST BUTTONS

The note, tie and rest buttons are indicated by musical notation on

the control surface of the Avalon. When used in this manual these

buttons will be written NOTE, TIE and REST.

NOTE = (16th note symbol)

TIE = (16th tie symbol)

REST = (16th rest symbol)

1.2.8 NEXT & BACK BUTTONS

The Avalon has NEXT and BACK operations that are used in some

modes. These buttons are not labeled with text, but rather with

direction arrows ( ) as shown below. When used in this manual

these buttons will be written NEXT and BACK.

1.2.9 ROTARY KNOBS

Rotary knob names are shown in uppercase bold italic. For example

the "tune" control would be written as TUNE.

1.2.10 LED INDICATORS

LED states are illustrated below.

Fully Lit

Dimly Lit

Blinking

Off

LED indicators are illustrated by their function. This usually

corresponds to the button text above or below the LED. For example,

the accent led above the accent button would be written as [ACCENT

LED].

9AVALON - Reference Manual

2 OVERVIEW

2.1 FRONT PANEL

[1] TUNE control sets the master tune of the oscillators.

[2] SUB/INPUT sets the level of the sub oscillator or

external input.

[3] WAVEFORM switches select the waveshape for the main

and sub oscillators. The main oscillator can be selected between

saw, square and off. The sub oscillator can be selected between

saw, triangle, and square waveforms.

[4] FILTER controls are used to set the cutoff, resonance

and key tracking amounts.

[5] FILTER ENVELOPE controls are used for setting the filter

envelope decay times, modulation depth, and accent amount.

[6] MODULATION ENVELOPE controls are used for setting the

attack and decay times of the modulation envelope and for

setting the modulation depth to the filter and final amplifier.

[7] VCA DECAY sets the decay time of the VCA envelope.

[8] VOLUME sets the output level to the main output and

headphones.

[9] STEP BUTTONS are used to select and display sequence step

parameters.

[10] TIME is used to enter TIME related parameters and for entering

TIME ENTRY mode for step input.

[11] RECORD is used to record realtime performance into a

sequence.

[12] ARP - ARP MODE are used for enabling the arpeggiator and

setting the arp direction.

[13] BUTTONS 1-4 are used when selecting parameters such

as such as pattern sections, time signatures, pattern & arp

directions, and various pitch and time step attributes.

[14] KEYBOARD is used for selecting the pitch of notes. The white

keys together with the GROUP A/B buttons and PATT. BANK

selector are also used for pattern selection.

[15] HOME is used to return the sequencer back to NORMAL MODE

for each primary mode.

[16] RUN is used to start and stop the sequencer.

[17] FUNCTION is used when selecting various alternate functions.

[18] PITCH is used to enter PITCH related parameters and for

entering PITCH ENTRY mode for step input.

[19] TEMPO sets the bpm of the sequencer when using internal sync.

[20] TRACK / PATT. BANK selects the current track or pattern bank.

[21] MODE selects the sequencer primary mode.

10 AVALON - Reference Manual

2.2 REAR PANEL

[1] DC POWER connector for connecting the external 6VDC PSU.

[2] PWR switch for turning the machine on and off.

[3] MAIN OUT is a 1/4" unbalanced jack for connecting the main

output to the sound system.

Make all audio connections before you turn on the power to

your audio mixer or amplifier. Turn on the power of your

powered speaker or amplifier last. Turn off the power of your

powered speaker or amplifier first.

[4] PHONES is a stereo 1/4" output jack for connecting

headphones.

[5] CV & GATE IN are 1/8" mono jacks used for controlling the

Avalon keyboard CV and filter/amp envelope gating from

external analog gear.

[6] CV & GATE OUT are 1/8" mono jacks that output sequencer

pitch CV and gate. The CV output is 1V/Oct and the range is 0V

to 5V. The gate output is a 0-12V V-trigger.

[7] SWP OUT is a normalized copy of the accent sweep control

voltage that is derived on accented notes. The output is 0V to

5V max.

[8] FILT CV accepts a CV input for controlling filter cutoff frequency.

The response is 1V/Oct. The useful range is 0-5V.

[9] VCA OUT is the output signal from the VCA.

[10] EXT IN is an audio input to the filter. It accepts a wide range of

signal levels as it has an internal preamp stage. When the

external input is used the sub oscillator is bypassed.

[11] CARTRIDGE SLOT is used for optional filter cartridges.

[12] SAW and SQR are +/-5V buffered outputs from the oscillator.

[13] USB class compliant port for connection to a PC or Mac.

[14] MIDI jacks for MIDI input & output.

[15] DINSYNC jacks for DINSync input & output.

[16] FR selects the low frequency response of the audio between

normal and extended range. Normal range is -6dB @ 70Hz.

Extended range is -6dB @ 30Hz.

[17] FILT B selects between the internal filter and a filter cartridge.

When the switch is pushed in (enabled) the filter cart is

selected. If FILT B is selected and there is no filter cartridge

inserted there will be no audio output from the synth.

[18] SUB (-2) selects the octave of the sub oscillator between (-1)

and (-2) octave. When the switch is pushed in (-2) octaves is

selected.

2.3 INITIAL CONNECTIONS

AUDIO OUTPUTS. To hear the audio output from the synth you

will need to use headphones or connect the main output to your

sound system.

POWER. Turn on the unit. The step indicators will splash a startup

pattern.

Indice

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