Audiothingies MicroMonsta 2 User manual

MicroMonsta 2
User manual
2.1

Table of contents
Table of contents............................................................................................................................. 2
Introduction..................................................................................................................................... 4
Overview...............................................................................................................................................................4
New in firmware v2.0............................................................................................................................................5
Front panel.............................................................................................................................................................6
Rear anel..............................................................................................................................................................7
ower considerations.............................................................................................................................................7
Using MicroMonsta 2.....................................................................................................................8
Currently edited program.......................................................................................................................................8
Navigating pages...................................................................................................................................................8
Editing parameters.................................................................................................................................................8
Encoders................................................................................................................................................................................................. 8
Knobs..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8
Modes............................................................................................................................................. 9
Monotimbral..........................................................................................................................................................9
Bitimbral................................................................................................................................................................9
Combi....................................................................................................................................................................9
resets........................................................................................................................................... 10
Load a preset........................................................................................................................................................10
Save a preset........................................................................................................................................................10
Load a combi (combi mode only)........................................................................................................................11
Save a combi (combi mode only).........................................................................................................................11
Quick Load..........................................................................................................................................................12
In Monotimbral or Bitimbral mode...................................................................................................................................................... 12
In Combi mode..................................................................................................................................................................................... 12
Synthesis overview.......................................................................................................................13
Editing a sound.............................................................................................................................14
Quick edit............................................................................................................................................................14
OSC | Oscillators.................................................................................................................................................14
Available oscillators algorithms...........................................................................................................................................................15
FM-able algorithms (exclusive to OSC 1)............................................................................................................................................15
Wavetables (exclusive to OSC2 and OSC3).........................................................................................................................................15
Main waveforms graphical representation............................................................................................................................................16
MIXER................................................................................................................................................................16
FILTER................................................................................................................................................................17
Filter types........................................................................................................................................................................................... 17
DRIVE.................................................................................................................................................................18
ENV | Envelope...................................................................................................................................................18
LFO | Low frequency oscillator...........................................................................................................................19
Bipolar LFO waveforms....................................................................................................................................................................... 19
Unipolar LFO waveforms.....................................................................................................................................................................20
LFO modes...........................................................................................................................................................................................21
MATRIX | Modulation matrix + Operators (lag + mult)......................................................................................22
Modulation matrix................................................................................................................................................................................ 22
Lag operator......................................................................................................................................................................................... 22
Audiothingies MicroMonsta 2 user manual v2.1 2

Mult operator........................................................................................................................................................................................23
Modulation sources.............................................................................................................................................................................. 24
Modulation destinations.......................................................................................................................................................................24
AR | Arpeggiator................................................................................................................................................25
Arp pattern........................................................................................................................................................................................... 25
FX | Effects..........................................................................................................................................................26
IFX parameters.....................................................................................................................................................................................26
Delay parameters.................................................................................................................................................................................. 26
Reverb parameters................................................................................................................................................................................ 26
VOICE | Voice parameters...................................................................................................................................27
ROGRAM | rogram parameters.......................................................................................................................29
COMBI | Combi parameters................................................................................................................................30
SYSTEM | System parameters......................................................................................................31
Configuration pages............................................................................................................................................................................. 31
MIDI settings....................................................................................................................................................................................... 31
FQM pots global assignments..............................................................................................................................................................32
Quick edit menu encoder assignments..................................................................................................................................................32
UTILITY....................................................................................................................................... 33
Dump currently edited program...........................................................................................................................33
Dump several programs.......................................................................................................................................33
Receive several programs....................................................................................................................................33
MIDI............................................................................................................................................. 34
Control Change support.......................................................................................................................................34
NR N support......................................................................................................................................................35
Microtuning.........................................................................................................................................................35
Bulk Tuning Dump format...................................................................................................................................................................35
Limitations........................................................................................................................................................................................... 35
M E.....................................................................................................................................................................36
Factory reset.................................................................................................................................. 37
Specifications................................................................................................................................ 37
Audio................................................................................................................................................................................................... 37
MIDI.................................................................................................................................................................................................... 37
ower................................................................................................................................................................................................... 37
General................................................................................................................................................................................................. 37
Audiothingies MicroMonsta 2 user manual v2.1 3

Introduction
Overview
MicroMonsta 2 is a dual polyphonic synthesizer featuring :
•2 x 6 voices of polyphony
•3 oscillators, 1 multimode filter, 3 envelopes, 3 LFOs, 10 modulation slots and 2 operators per
voice (lag and mult)
•12 « analog » oscillator types + 4 FM-able oscillators for OSC1
•12 « analog » oscillator types + 8 multisampled wavetables for OSC2 and OSC3 (FM source)
•8 filter types with FM
•er voice and per oscillator detuning options for analog character
•Deep modulation matrix
•Delay + reverb
MicroMonsta 2 can be used in 3 different ways :
•Monotimbral : As a 12-voice polyphonic synthesizer
•Bitimbral : As 2 different 6-voice polyphonic synthesizer (on 2 different MIDI channels)
•In combi mode, where you can stack, split or mult the 2 programs
You get 300 programs slots + 100 combi slots to save your sound creations.
The 100 combi slots also save their 2 sound programs in separate program slots (so you get 300 + 2 x 100
= 500 program slots in total).
Audiothingies MicroMonsta 2 user manual v2.1 4

New in firmware v2.1
•Deeper FM
•Filter character
•1 additional mult operator
•Chorus and EQ per program
•Delay tempo sync
•Arp pattern (16 steps)
•M E mode
•And lots of other small things that will be covered in this manual
Audiothingies MicroMonsta 2 user manual v2.1 5

Front panel
You get :
•2x16 characters LCD screen, white on black
•3 assignable pots for live edits
•1 volume pot
•4 edit encoders
•9 pushbuttons with their associated LEDs
•2 No/Yes pushbuttons
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Rear Panel
On the rear panel :
•USB B port for power and USB MIDI
•3.5mm stereo jack MIDI input (MIDI A Standard)
•3.5mm stereo output (line out / headphones out)
Power considerations
MicroMonsta 2 is powered via its USB B port. Several options are thus available :
•It can be powered with any USB power supply capable of outputting 500mA @ 5V DC (any
modern USB power supply should meet these specifications, and you probably have half a dozen
of those in your drawers)
•It can be powered via a USB port on a computer
A drawback of this method is that a ground loop can be created which can cause hum in the audio
output. To avoid such a ground loop :
◦Use a USB isolator between the computer and MicroMonsta 2
◦Use a stereo line level DI with ground lift switch between MicroMonsta 2 and the mixer
•It can be powered with a USB power bank for extra mobile use
Audiothingies MicroMonsta 2 user manual v2.1 7

Using icro onsta 2
Currently edited program
MicroMonsta 2 can play up to 2 sounds at the same time – loaded into rograms A and B.
Only 1 rogram can be edited at a time, and it can be selected by pressing its corresponding A or B button
(B button will be disabled in monotimbral mode).
Currently edited program always has its LED lit as an all time indication.
Navigating pages
Synthesis parameters are mapped across different sections accessed by pressing a button on the front
panel.
When a section has several pages, you access them by successively pressing the same button several
times. When you are on the last page, it returns to the first one.
For example, pressing OSC several times will make you travel the following pages: OSC1 > OSC2 >
OSC3 > OSC1 > OSC2 etc.
Some sections (the ones labelled in orange) are accessed by long-pressing the corresponding button. For
example long-pressing OSC will take you to the Mixer page.
Some pages can have sub-pages accessed by turning encoder 1 (all the orange labelled sections for
example)
All this may seem complicated while reading, it is however quite fluent once you have the gear in front of
you.
Editing parameters
Encoders
The LCD screen provides up to 4 parameters to edit at the same time.
Use encoders 1-4 to change their corresponding parameter value.
Knobs
The 3 knobs F, Q and M are factory mapped to (respectively) filter frequency, resonance and mod knob
(accessible in the mod matrix).
They can be remapped either globally or per preset to any synthesis parameter.
Audiothingies MicroMonsta 2 user manual v2.1 8

odes
MicroMonsta 2 can be globally set to 3 different modes that can be changed anytime in SYSTEM menu.
They affect the number of available sounds MicroMonsta 2 can play at the same time and the way it
responds to incoming MIDI signals
onotimbral
In monotimbral mode, you can play 1 sound at the same time, with 12-voice polyphony.
Sending a MIDI bank change / program change on MicroMonsta 2 MIDI channel will change the
currently selected program.
Bitimbral
In bitimbral mode, you can play 2 sounds at the same time on 2 different MIDI channels, each sound
having 6 voices polyphony.
rogram A is accessed on main MIDI channel (the one set in SYSTEM menu), while rogram B is
accessed on main MIDI channel + 1.
By sending a MIDI bank change / program change on one of those 2 MIDI channels, you can change the
preset loaded in rogram A or B.
This mode is ideal when used with an external sequencer.
Combi
In combi mode, you can combine up to 2 different programs in 4 different ways
•only A : same as monotimbral mode
•stack AB : 2 sounds played at the same time on the same MIDI channel
•split AB : 2 sounds at the same time on the same MIDI channel, but the keyboard is split
•mult AB : 2 sounds at the same time on 2 different MIDI channels (same as bitimbral mode)
By sending a MIDI program change in combi mode, you load an entire combi containing the combi
parameters AND both programs A and B.
In combi mode, it is not possible to change rogram A or B independantly by sending a program change
message.
Audiothingies MicroMonsta 2 user manual v2.1 9

Presets
Load a preset
To load a preset into rogram A or B, double Tap A or B button
A:StarDust LOAD
[lead] P065
•Use encoder 4 to select a preset to load into program slot
ress Yes to confirm, or press No to return to the previously edited sound.
Save a preset
To Save rogram A or B into a preset slot, hold A or B button
[S]tarDust SAVE
BybyePgm P054
1. Selects a character to edit
2. Edit character
3. Generate a random name
4. Selects the destination preset slot
ress Yes to confirm, No to cancel the save operation
Audiothingies MicroMonsta 2 user manual v2.1 10

Load a combi (combi mode only)
A combi contains the combi parameters and the 2 program parameters.
To load a combi, double Tap Yes (A+B) Button
A:MadBo LOAD
B:OffLuck C11
•Use encoder 4 to select a combi to load
ress Yes to confirm, No to load the previously edited Combi
Save a combi (combi mode only)
Hold A or B button (it doesn’t matter) : you first enter the naming screen :
A:[B]igBrute NAM
B:MuchBug A/B
1. Selects a character to edit
2. Edit character
3. Generate a random name
4. Selects rogram A or B
ress Yes to enter the Save Combi menu, it displays the combi target destination, as well as the name of
both programs to be overwritten :
A:OldName SAVE
B:BigGamer C22
•Use encoder 4 to select the destination
ress Yes to confirm, No to cancel the save operation
Audiothingies MicroMonsta 2 user manual v2.1 11

Quick Load
When you are in Quick Edit screen :
In onotimbral or Bitimbral mode
Hold No to quickly Load reset N-1
Hold Yes to quickly Load reset N+1
The preset will be loaded into the active rogram slot
In Combi mode
Hold No to quickly Load Combi N-1
Hold Yes to quickly Load Combi N+1
Audiothingies MicroMonsta 2 user manual v2.1 12

Synthesis overview
Here is a very basic overview of the synthesis engine of MicroMonsta 2.
Not shown : all the LFOs, ENV3, the modulation matrix and all the other stuff that can really render this
drawing really really complex.
As you can see, the base stuff is pretty standard substractive synthesis.
Audiothingies MicroMonsta 2 user manual v2.1 13

Editing a sound
Quick edit
Quick edit menu is accessed by pressing A or B (if available).
This is the menu you are landing when powering your MicroMonsta 2.
P101 INIT
a1 r1 dly rev
Here you see the program name and number, and you have direct access to 4 shortcuts to 4 different
synthesis parameters.
By default, these are set to ENV attack time, ENV1 release time, delay level and reverb level.
These assignments can be changed either at program level (see ROGRAM parameters section) or
globally in SYSTEM menu (see SYSTEM parameters section).
OSC | Oscillators
MicroMonsta 2 features 3 independant oscillators per voice, they all have the same parameter set, but
they cannot access the same algorithms :
OSC1 shp coa fin
Saw 52 +0 -5
1. Oscillator algorithm
2. shp : oscillator shape
3. coa : coarse tuning
4. fin : fine tuning
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Available oscillators algorithms
•Sine : clean sine waveform (no shape parameter)
•SinF : fully rectified sine waveform (no shape parameter)
•SinH : half rectified sine waveform (no shape parameter)
•Tr s : Triangle to ulse waveform
•TrSw : Triangle to Saw waveform
•TrSq : Triangle to Square waveform
•Saw : Sawtooth waveform
•Sup1 : Supersaw 1 (3 x sawtooths)
•Sup2 : Supersaw 2 – alternate version
•SwHs : Hardsync’d sawtooth
•Squr : Square to ulse waveform
•SqHs : Hardsync’d square
F -able algorithms (exclusive to OSC 1)
•FmSi : Sine waveform
•FmTr : Triangle waveform
•FmSw : Sawtooth waveform
•FmSq : Square waveform
For all these waveforms, the shape (shp) parameter controls the amount of FM from OSC3.
Wavetables (exclusive to OSC2 and OSC3)
8 wavetables, each containing 64 slices, are available to OSC2 and OSC3, they are labelled Wt01 to
Wt08.
For all these wavetables, the shape (shp) parameter controls the position of the virtual scanning head
within the wavetable (in other words, it controls the slice playing).
Audiothingies MicroMonsta 2 user manual v2.1 15

ain waveforms graphical representation
sin sinF sinH Tr s shp 0 Tr s shp 64 Tr s shp 120
TrSw shp 0 TrSw shp 64 TrSw shp 127 TrSq shp 0 TrSq shp 64 TrSq shp 127
Saw shp 0 Saw shp 64 Saw shp 127 Sup1 / Sup2 SwHs SqHs
Sqr shp 0 Sqr shp 64 Sqr shp 120
IXER
The traditional source mixer menu, allowing to balance each oscillator and the white noise source level.
The output of the mixer is sent to the filter.
MIX1 m 2 m 3 nze
84 65 0 25
1. Oscillator 1 volume
2. Oscillator 2 volume
3. Oscillator 3 volume
4. White noise volume
Audiothingies MicroMonsta 2 user manual v2.1 16

FILTER
MicroMonsta 2 has 1 multimode filter per voice, its parameters are spread on 2 different pages :
FLTR cut res env
LP2 100 32 +12
1. Filter type
2. Filter cutoff frequency
3. Filter resonance
4. Filter enveloppe 2 amount
FLTR kbd fm3
mean 34 15
1. Filter character (soft, mild, hard, mean)
Affects resonance. Original MicroMonsta had only soft mode. Default for MicroMonsta 2 : mean
2. N/A
3. Keyboard tracking (0 - 100)
4. Filter FM amount (from OSC3)
Filter types
8 filter types are available :
•L 1, L 2, L 3, L 4 : 1, 2, 3, 4-pole lowpass filter
•H 2 : 2-pole hipass filter
•B 2 : 2-pole bandpass filter
•Not : Notch filter
•ha : haser filter
The lowpass filters do not lose bass frequencies when the resonance is increased (full resonance
compensation .
Audiothingies MicroMonsta 2 user manual v2.1 17

DRIVE
The drive parameter is applied at the voice level, and is very useful to add dirt to the sound.
The mix parameter is applied post-fx (think of it as a master volume for the selected program). It is
particularily useful to balance the output level of the program. Be carefull as setting it too high can
produce unwanted distortion on the output.
DRV drv mi
32 +3
1. N/A
2. N/A
3. drv : Drive level
4. mix : rogram output level
ENV | Envelope
3 envelopes are available per voice, ENV1 directly controls the VCA, ENV2 controls the filter frequency
and ENV3 is free.
All 3 envelopes are assignabled in the modulation matrix.
ADSR3 ENV3
42 64 32 32
They all have the same parameters :
1. Envelope attack time (1ms – 30s)
2. Envelope decay time (1ms – 30s)
3. Envelope sustain level
4. Envelope release time (1ms – 30s)
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LFO | Low frequency oscillator
3 LFOs are available per voice.
They can be assigned in the modulation matrix.
LFO1 wav spd mod
sin 48 vce
They all have the same parameter set :
1. N/A
2. wav : LFO waveform
3. spd : LFO speed
LFO can be synchronized to the tempo by setting its speed above 127 (different synchorized
values are available
If you need a speed that is not reachable with the parameter, use the matrix to offset LFO speed
4. mod : LFO mode (see below)
Bipolar LFO waveforms
They start from 0, go up first, then down, oscillating between -0.5 and 0.5 and return to 0 at the end of
their cycle.
They are best used to modulate a parameter around its current value.
Their polarity can be reversed in the matrix by setting a negative modulation amount.
sin tri saw squ
Not shown :
•s&h : sample & hold, a new value is calculated at each cycle
•rnd : like s&h, but continuously random waveform
Audiothingies MicroMonsta 2 user manual v2.1 19

Unipolar LFO waveforms
These oscillate between 0 and 1
atkA atkB atkC
dcyA dcyB dcyC
ad_A ad_B ad_C
sqr_ _sqr
Not shown :
•s&h : sample & hold, a new value is calculated at each cycle, between 0 and 1
•rnd : like s&h, but continuously random waveform
Audiothingies MicroMonsta 2 user manual v2.1 20