User manual ALESIS MICRON

micron Reference Manual Table Of Contents Introduction ............................................................................................ 5 Welcome! ....................................................................................................................................................................... 5 Unpacking and Inspection................................................................................................6 How to Use This Manual....................................................................................................6 Connection Diagram ................................................................................................................................................... 7 Connecting AC Power ................................................................................................................................................ 7 Making Audio Connections........................................................................................................................................ 7 Connecting the Foot Pedals ....................................................................................................................................... 7 Chapter 2: First Session ....................................................................... 9 A Tour of the Micron ..........................................................................................................9 The Micron's top panel ......................................................................................................9 Volume........................................................................................................................................................................... 9 Real-time controllers.................................................................................................................................................... 9 Performance buttons ................................................................................................................................................... 10 Display ........................................................................................................................................................................... 10 Control knob circle ...................................................................................................................................................... 10 Key concepts.........................................................................................................................10 Programs........................................................................................................................................................................ 10 Rhythms......................................................................................................................................................................... 10 Patterns .......................................................................................................................................................................... 10 Setups ............................................................................................................................................................................. 10 Navigating with the transparent control knob and its buttons ............................................................................ 11 Play the Programs ..............................................................................................................12 Navigate through the programs................................................................................................................................. 12 Switch Octaves ....................................................................................................................13 Explore the Built-in Patterns...........................................................................................14 Explore the Rhythms..........................................................................................................15 Explore the Setups..............................................................................................................16 Record Some Phrases.........................................................................................................17 Connect External Instruments ........................................................................................18 Whew! .....................................................................................................................................18 Chapter 3: Patterns................................................................................ 19 Playing Patterns..................................................................................................................19 Using [latch] .................................................................................................................................................................. 19 Using [tap] ..................................................................................................................................................................... 19 Pattern Types: Arpeggios and Sequences ....................................................................20 Editing Patterns ..................................................................................................................21 1. Revert-to-stored? / Unrevert-to-edited?............................................................................................................. 21 2. Send to setup?........................................................................................................................................................... 22 3. Start new setup? ....................................................................................................................................................... 23 4. Pattern program ....................................................................................................................................................... 23 5. Length....................................................................................................................................................................... 23 6. Grid ........................................................................................................................................................................... 24 7. Type .......................................................................................................................................................................... 24 8. Span (arpeggios only) ............................................................................................................................................. 24 9. Order (arpeggios only) ........................................................................................................................................... 24 10. Real-time recording .............................................................................................................................................. 25 11. Step editing ............................................................................................................................................................ 26 12. Clear controllers? .................................................................................................................................................. 27 13. Clear pattern? ........................................................................................................................................................ 27 14. Pattern name ......................................................................................................................................................... 28 1 Table Of Contents 15. Send MIDI sysex?................................................................................................................................................. 28 16. Send syx bundle?................................................................................................................................................... 28 17. Delete pattern? ...................................................................................................................................................... 28 18. Store a copy?.......................................................................................................................................................... 29 Store your changes! ...................................................................................................................................................... 29 Exiting pattern editing................................................................................................................................................. 29 Chapter 4: Rhythms............................................................................... 31 Playing Rhythms .................................................................................................................31 Using [tap] ..................................................................................................................................................................... 31 Editing Rhythms .................................................................................................................32 1. Revert-to-stored? / Unrevert-to-edited?............................................................................................................. 32 2. Send to setup?........................................................................................................................................................... 33 3. Start new setup? ....................................................................................................................................................... 34 4. Length....................................................................................................................................................................... 34 5. Grid ........................................................................................................................................................................... 34 6. Record rhythm (real-time)..................................................................................................................................... 35 7. Drum A through Drum H .................................................................................................................................... 36 8. Add? .......................................................................................................................................................................... 38 9. Clear rhythm? .......................................................................................................................................................... 39 10. Rhythm name ......................................................................................................................................................... 39 11. Send MIDI sysex?................................................................................................................................................. 39 12. Send syx bundle?................................................................................................................................................... 39 13. Delete rhythm?...................................................................................................................................................... 40 14. Store a copy?.......................................................................................................................................................... 40 Store your changes! ...................................................................................................................................................... 40 Exiting rhythm editing ................................................................................................................................................ 40 Chapter 5: Setups ................................................................................... 41 Playing Setups .....................................................................................................................41 Setup Components ..............................................................................................................41 Editing Setups......................................................................................................................41 1. Parts .......................................................................................................................................................................... 44 2. Use as........................................................................................................................................................................ 48 3. Add? .......................................................................................................................................................................... 48 4. Beats.......................................................................................................................................................................... 49 5. Add? .......................................................................................................................................................................... 51 6. FX Type ................................................................................................................................................................... 52 7. Clear .......................................................................................................................................................................... 52 8. Setup name .............................................................................................................................................................. 52 9. Send MIDI sysex?................................................................................................................................................... 53 10. Send syx bundle?................................................................................................................................................... 53 11. Delete setup? ......................................................................................................................................................... 53 12. Store a copy?.......................................................................................................................................................... 53 Store your changes! ...................................................................................................................................................... 53 Store your changes! ...................................................................................................................................................... 54 Exiting setup editing .................................................................................................................................................... 54 Chapter 6: Programs ............................................................................. 55 What is a "Program"? .........................................................................................................55 Chapter 5: Program Parameters ........................................................ 55 How the Micron Makes Sound .........................................................................................55 The Oscillators ............................................................................................................................................................. 55 The Pre Filter Mix........................................................................................................................................................ 56 2 Table of Contents The Filters ..................................................................................................................................................................... 56 The Post Filter Mix...................................................................................................................................................... 56 Output............................................................................................................................................................................ 57 Signal Flow Diagram ................................................................................................................................................... 57 Modulation............................................................................................................................58 The LFOs ...................................................................................................................................................................... 58 The Envelopes.............................................................................................................................................................. 59 Playing Programs ...............................................................................................................60 Editing Programs ................................................................................................................60 1. Revert-to-Stored? / Unrevert-to-Edited? ........................................................................................................... 60 2. Add to Faves? / Remove Fave? ........................................................................................................................... 60 3. Send to Setup? .......................................................................................................................................................... 61 4. Start New Setup?...................................................................................................................................................... 62 5. Voice parameters .................................................................................................................................................... 63 6. Oscillator parameters ............................................................................................................................................. 67 7. Pre-filter mix parameters ....................................................................................................................................... 68 8. Filter parameters ..................................................................................................................................................... 69 9. Post-filter mix parameters ..................................................................................................................................... 70 10. Output .................................................................................................................................................................... 71 11. Envelopes .............................................................................................................................................................. 72 12. Low Frequency Oscillator (LFO) settings........................................................................................................ 75 13. Sample-and-Hold (S&H) settings ...................................................................................................................... 77 14. Track (Tracking Generator)................................................................................................................................ 78 15. Mod (Modulation Routing)................................................................................................................................. 79 16. Category ................................................................................................................................................................. 83 17. Program name....................................................................................................................................................... 83 18. Delete?.................................................................................................................................................................... 84 19. Send MIDI sysex?................................................................................................................................................. 84 20. Store a copy?.......................................................................................................................................................... 84 Store your changes! ...................................................................................................................................................... 84 Exiting program editing .............................................................................................................................................. 85 Chapter 7: Configuration ..................................................................... 87 Configuration.......................................................................................................................87 Configuration Parameters ................................................................................................87 1. Contrast .................................................................................................................................................................... 87 2. Tuning ...................................................................................................................................................................... 87 3. Transpose................................................................................................................................................................. 87 4. Velocity Curve......................................................................................................................................................... 88 5. Local Control........................................................................................................................................................... 89 6. MIDI mode ............................................................................................................................................................. 90 7. MIDI channel.......................................................................................................................................................... 90 8. MIDI sync................................................................................................................................................................ 91 9. Sysex: send all......................................................................................................................................................... 91 Chapter 8: MIDI ...................................................................................... 93 What is MIDI?.......................................................................................................................93 MIDI Connections ...................................................................................................................................................... 93 Saving Programs, Setups, Rhythms, and Patterns via MIDI System Exclusive........................................................................................................................................................................ 95 Loading Programs, Rhythms, Patterns, and Setups via MIDI ............................................................................. 96 What's a bundle?........................................................................................................................................................... 96 Compatibility with Alesis Ion programs................................................................................................................... 97 Sharing programs between the Alesis Micron and the Alesis Ion ....................................................................... 97 Updating Software Via MIDI .................................................................................................................................... 97 All Notes Off................................................................................................................................................................ 98 3 Table Of Contents MIDI Implementation Chart ..................................................................................................................................... 99 Appendix A: Frequently Asked Questions ....................................... 101 How do I split/layer the keyboard? .......................................................................................................................... 101 What is a MIDI Sequence? ......................................................................................................................................... 101 Where can I get more Programs? .............................................................................................................................. 101 Are Micron programs compatible with Ion programs? ......................................................................................... 101 Appendix B: Troubleshooting ............................................................. 103 Recovering from a Crash ............................................................................................................................................ 104 Checking the Software Version ................................................................................................................................. 104 Cleaning Your Micron................................................................................................................................................. 104 Specifications.......................................................................................... 109 Sound Engine ............................................................................................................................................................... 109 Audio Input................................................................................................................................................................... 109 Audio Output ............................................................................................................................................................... 109 Audio Performance...................................................................................................................................................... 109 Physical .......................................................................................................................................................................... 109 Warranty/Contact Alesis....................................................................... 111 Alesis Limited Warranty.............................................................................................................................................. 111 Alesis Contact Information ........................................................................................................................................ 112 4 Introduction Welcome! Congratulations on your purchase of the Alesis Micron! The Micron is a powerful, 8-voice Analog Modeling synthesizer based on the award-winning sound engine of the larger Alesis Ion. The Micron has every bit of sound-producing DSP horsepower contained in the Ion along with a few tricks of its own. The Micron's front-panel interface is streamlined to give you full access to its Analog Modeling power while meeting the demanding requirements of real-time performance. Not only synth patches but melodic patterns and drum beats also are available to you in most cases simply by pressing a button and turning a knob. You can create sophisticated rhythms combining up to ten different sounds. You can create really rich setups combining as many as 26 different programs with anywhere from 0 to 26 different rhythms, all simultaneously active. This is an exciting time for analog-style synthesizers. After a period of relative neglect brought on by the appearance of sampleplayback digital synths (which excel at realistic mimicry of various sound sources), the unique sounds of analog-style synths have been rediscovered. Analog Modeled basses dominate certain styles of music, and other analog-type elements ­ from drums to leads to pads ­ are frequently heard in contemporary popular music. Alesis has been at the center of this resurgence. Our first product in the line was our A6 Andromeda, a true analog synth considered by many to be the most powerful non-modular analog synthesizer ever made. Next came the Alesis Ion, praised as one of the most powerful and best sounding Analog Modeling synthesizers ever. Now, the Micron furthers this legacy, taking the Analog Modeled synthesizer in yet another new direction. Please be sure to register your Micron at the Alesis website, www.alesis.com. And since the Micron's operating system is upgradeable via MIDI, try to check the site once in a while for updates and extra goodies. We hope and trust that you'll find the Micron to be an inspiring instrument that you can turn to again and again for new ideas, new sounds, and new inspiration. Sincerely, The people of Alesis For more effective service and product update notices, please register your Micron online at: http://www.alesis.com /support/warranty.htm 5 Introduction Unpacking and Inspection The shipping carton for your Micron should contain the following items: Micron synthesizer AC power adapter This instruction manual A warranty card Please log on to the Alesis website at www.alesis.com to register your new Micron synthesizer. This will help us give you the best support we possibly can. How to Use This Manual We're sure you'd like to jump in and start using your Micron quickly. To help you do this, refer to Chapter 1 for hook-up instructions, and then read Chapter 2 ­ "First Session." This will get you playing in no time. If you have any questions, refer to the Frequently Asked Questions in Appendix A on page 101. Chapters 3 through 6 cover the main operating modes of the Micron ­ the patterns, rhtyhms, setups, and programs. For information on using the Micron along with other MIDI devices, refer to Chapter 8 "MIDI." Near the end of the manual are troubleshooting tips and specifications. The names for all buttons, knobs, and wheels on the Micron are formatted throughout the manual so as to be easily identified. Here are some examples: [setups] The top panel buttons are bolded and [bracketed]. Wheels, knobs, sliders, and rear-panel jacks are bolded and placed in (parentheses). Editable parameters are bolded. Specific settings for various parameters are italicized. When something important appears in the manual, an exclamation mark (like the one shown at left) will appear with some explanatory text. Helpful tips and advice are highlighted in a shaded box like this. (m1) Parameters length 6 1 Connections Connection Diagram Connecting AC Power Before making any power connections, make sure the Micron's power switch is turned off. Then plug the adapter into the Micron and into a wall outlet. Making Audio Connections · Stereo outputs. Connect two cables from the Micron's left and right outputs to two inputs of an amp or mixer. · Headphones. Plug a set of headphones into the headphone jack on the rear panel. WARNING: When connecting audio cables or turning power on and off, make sure that the amplifiers in your system are turned off or the volume controls are turned down. If you don't do this, you can create loud bursts of sound that might damage your speakers. Connecting the Foot Pedals The Micron has two pedal jacks marked (sustain) and (expr). Plug a sustain pedal (not included) into the jack marked (sustain). (sustain) is designed to work with any standard momentary footswitch. It doesn't matter whether the footswitch is normally open or closed, as long as you plug it in before powering up your Micron; the instrument will calibrate itself. (expr) is designed to work with a Roland EV-5 pedal or equivalent. NOTE: If your sustain pedal response is backward (i.e., notes sustain when your foot is off the pedal), turn off your Micron and make sure the footswitch plug is fully inserted into the (sustain) jack. Then, turn the Micron back on while keeping your foot off the footswitch. 7 1 Connections This page intentionally left blank. 8 2 First Session A Tour of the Micron In this session, we'll: Explore the Micron's top panel Define some key concepts. Play some of the Micron's basic sounds (called programs). Learn different ways to navigate the Micron's programs. Explore the built-in patterns. Capture and play back some phrases. Explore the Micron's drum sounds and play some rhythms. Explore the Micron's setups. Setups are where programs, patterns, rhythms, and more all come together in powerful, flexible combinations. The Micron's top panel Volume The (volume) knob on the far left-hand side of the Micron raises and lowers the volume. If you don't hear anything as you play the Micron, suspect the (volume) knob's setting. Real-time controllers The (m1) and (m2) sliders, (pitch) wheel, and (x/y/z knobs), located on the left half of the Micron, provide real-time control of the Micron's sounds. 9 2 First Session Performance buttons The buttons in this cluster switch octaves, set the tempo, and perform other performance-related functions. Display Information relevant to the current operation is shown here. Control knob circle These are the Micron's most important controls ­ the control knob and the buttons that surround it. Pressing one of these buttons ­ [programs], [setups], [config], [patterns], or [rhythms] ­ puts you into one of the Micron's primary modes of operation. Turning the control knob then cycles through options. Pressing the control knob allows for editing. Key concepts Here are the Micron's most important concepts: Programs Programs are the Micron's sounds, built from its oscillators, envelopes, filters, modulation matrix, and other analog-style components. Rhythms Rhythms are combinations of drum programs with patterns. Think of a drum machine with its interchangeable sounds and patterns. That's pretty close to what rhythms are. Patterns Patterns are repeating melodic and/or rhythmic motifs. Arpeggios and step sequences are examples of patterns. Setups Setups combine multiple programs, rhythms, patterns, and more. They are the Micron's most powerful and most sonically sophisticated element. 10 2 Navigating with the transparent control knob and its buttons Use the transparent control knob to the right of the display and its surrounding circle of buttons to navigate through the Micron's options. Most Micron functions involve pressing the buttons and then turning or pushing this knob. "Green Light/Red Light" The buttons circling the control knob glow green when selected and glow red when the control knob has been pushed (entering edit mode). The exception is the [config] button. [config] only glows red, since it only performs editing functions. At any one time, only one of the buttons will glow, indicating that the Micron is operating within that mode. "Turn" Turn the control knob to cycle through various options. "Push" Push the control knob to edit the option displayed. Push again to stop editing. See the following visual illustration: First Session 11 2 First Session Play the Programs The Micron's basic sounds are called "Programs." Play some of these programs now. Find the [programs] button on the right side of the top panel. Press it; then spin the control knob. Notice how the programs are organized by category ­ first basses, then leads, then pads, etc. Turn the volume up and listen to some of these programs. Experiment with the (pitch) wheel, the (x/y/z knobs), and the two sliders. Here are a few points to note: The (pitch) wheel glows progressively brighter as you turn it.. The (x/y/z knobs) do different things depending on the Program. Sometimes, they increase or decrease the quickness of the attack. Sometimes, they change the tone by adjusting the filter resonance. Each time you change Programs, the X/Y/Z knobs reset to their original positions. The (m1) slider typically ­ but not always ­ adds vibrato. The (m2) slider typically ­ but not always ­ sweeps the filter frequency, radically changing the tone. Play some notes before, during, and after moving the (m2) slider. You'll most likely hear the classic analog synthesizer "filter sweep" sound. Navigate through the programs Rotate the control knob enough, and you'll pass through 13 categories of programs. At the end of the list, all of the programs are presented alphabetically, regardless of category. Using the [programs] + white key shortcut Notice the red text just above the keyboard. This text corresponds to the 13 categories and also includes the all, uncategorized listing. To access a category instantly, hold down [programs] and then press the associated white key. 12 2 Special categories All As we've already seen, the all category is an alphabetical listing of all the Programs. Recent The Programs you've played recently are stored for you automatically under the Recent category. They are still listed under their primary categories. This is a duplicate listing to allow for super-fast access. Note that you cannot directly edit this listing. You need to select and then play the Programs you want to be listed here. Faves Adding Programs to Faves When you find a Program you particularly like, add it to the Faves ("Favorites") category. In [programs] mode, press the control knob to enter edit mode. You will be prompted to Add to faves? Press the control knob once again to add the Program to the Faves category. Press the [programs] button again if you want to cancel this action and exit the editing screens. Removing Programs from Faves To remove a Program from the Favorites list, call up the program and press the control knob. You will be asked, Remove fave? Press the control knob to perform the action. First Session Switch Octaves While the Micron is a compact unit, all of its sounds span the full 128-note MIDI range. Use the [octave] buttons to the left of the display to transpose the keyboard up and down to cover that range. Notice how one or the other [octave] lights glows progressively brighter as you push it. This provides a visual indication of the current octave setting. Press both [octave] buttons simultaneously to return to the default octave setting. 13 2 First Session Explore the Built-in Patterns The Micron features a powerful pattern sequencer with lots of editing capabilities. We'll discuss the editing features later. For now, let's get our feet wet playing some patterns. Press the [patterns] button to the left of the display. Turn the control knob to cycle through various preset patterns. Play the keyboard to hear them. [tap] Tap the [tap] button to the left of the display. Watch and hear how [tap] controls the tempo. Note that the pattern's tempo immediately locks to the speed at which you tap. To adjust the tempo with finer control (one-tenth of a beat per minute), hold down the [tap] button and turn the control knob left or right to slow down or speed up. The display will indicate the current tempo. [latch] Press the [latch] button, also to the left of the display. Remove your hands from the keyboard. The pattern keeps playing. Press [latch] again to stop the pattern from playing. 14 2 Explore the Rhythms Rhythms combine drum/percussion programs with specifically designed rhythm patterns. Press [rhythms]. Turn the control knob to cycle through different rhythms. First Session To play a rhythm Press and hold any key from the bottom of the keyboard up to the middle G#. (These are the keys labeled from recent through all.) To play a rhythm's individual drum sound Press one of the white keys from middle A (labeled voice) upward. The keyboard's middle A corresponds to the rhythm's Drum A. The next higher note, B (labeled osc), corresponds to Drum B. Proceeding higher, drums C, D, E, etc. are triggered. Any keys higher than the rhythm's highest note will do nothing. To play a rhythm hands free Press any key from middle G# down on the keyboard. While holding down that key, press [latch] to keep the rhythm going. Press [latch] a second time to stop the rhythm. To change the tempo Tap the [tap] button a few times, or hold down [tap] and turn the control knob. To change to a different rhythm Turn the control knob to change the rhythm. The newly selected rhythm will begin to play once the last rhythm reaches the end of its cycle. (To make the newly selected rhythm begin playing immediately, press any key from all downward.). 15 2 First Session Each rhythm's sounds, relative sound levels, left/right panning, rhythmic patterns, time signature, duration, quantization, and name can be edited. (We'll leave the editing for a later chapter.) Explore the Setups Press [setups] to explore this mode ­ the most sophisticated mode of the Micron. Setups combine the following elements: Multiple Programs. Multiple Patterns. Multiple Rhythms. Splits (like placing a rhythm on the left side of the keyboard, a bass program in the middle, and a lead program up top). Latch on/off settings. Semitone transpositions. Level and left/right panning. Effects settings. Controller assignments. Once you've mastered setups, you've mastered the Micron! In this first session though, simply press the [setups] button, twirl the control knob a few times, and listen to the various presets. Be sure to play throughout the keyboard range to experience the various splits, layers, and rhythm triggers. These presets will give you a good sense for some of the different possibilities you can create on your own. 16 2 Record Some Phrases You don't have to be in Patterns mode to create a pattern. At any time, the Micron can capture your playing and use it as a pattern. Press [programs] to enter Programs mode. Hold down the [phrase] button and start playing a riff. As soon as you hit the first note, the [phrase] button will start flashing, indicating that it is recording what you play. You can release the [phrase] button any time after you've played that first note. When you are done playing the phrase, press the [phrase] button again. The button will light, indicating that the Micron is ready to play your phrase back. Press any key, and you'll hear your phrase loop to the tempo. You can press the [phrase] button to turn phrase playback on or off. To record a different phrase, just hold down the button and start playing. In Setups mode, it gets a little more complicated, since each part can have its own phrase. But the basic idea is the same -- hold down the [phrase] button and start playing. Whatever part or parts you play on will get their own phrases. To record a phrase and clear all of the other phrases, hold down [phrase] and start recording when the button is unlit. To add the phrase to the existing phrases, start recording when the button is already lit. A phrase is stored as a pattern named "* Phrase", which appears near the beginning of the patterns list. If you record a phrase that you really like and want to keep, simply find the "* Phrase" pattern and give it a new name. You will see how to do that in later chapters. First Session 17 2 First Session Connect External Instruments You can connect external audio sources ­ other synthesizers, mixers, guitars, etc. ­ using the ¼-inch (audio in) jacks on the back of the Micron. The jacks accept either balanced or unbalanced cables. Your external audio can be blended in with the Micron's internal sound-producing oscillators. The resulting combination is then sent through the Micron's filters and effects. Use both jacks for stereo input. Use the (left) jack for mono-only sources (in which case the input will be sent to both the left and right channels). A special group of programs ­ including vocoder programs ­ exists just for use with the external inputs. These programs begin with "*" and are accessible at the beginning of the sfx Program category. See page 65 to learn about the Micron's filter parameters. Whew! We've covered a lot of material. Hopefully now you feel comfortable navigating around the Micron. Future chapters will cover editing, MIDI, and other more advanced features. But if you want to throw this manual on the fire now and simply enjoy playing your Micron, no one will blame you. You've got the basics well at hand. 18