AVP Synthesizer MBS-100 User manual

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AVP Synthesizers
Monophonic Bass Synthesizer MBS-100
User Manual

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MBS-100 - is a monophonic bass synthesizer inspired by synthesizers produced in
the soviet era times while having the flexibility, MIDI control and compact
package of the 21st century. It has 19 knobs, 3 switches and 4 buttons with which
you can control the parameters of the sound and MIDI.
Specification
Method of synthesis –hybrid analog-digital synthesis;
Voltage-controlled digital oscillators (VCDO) - two, each with four
waveforms: saw, square, pulse 1 (25% rate), pulse 2 (10% rate).
Note: Pulse 1 and 2 are similar to PMW but are fixed similar to «Aelita»,
«Polivoks»synthesizers for e.g.
Octave ranges - 3 octaves for OSC1 and 5 octaves for OSC2.
Voltage Controlled Filter (VCF) - one fully analog 12 db/oct low pass filter
with cutoff and resonance parameters;
Envelope Generators (ADSR) –two;
Voltage Controlled Amplifier (VCA) –one, fully analog distortion effect
selection switch;
Low frequency oscillator (LFO) - one with two waveform options (square
and triangle) to control the VCF.
MIDI interface - MIDI In, MIDI Thru (16 channels + Omni);
Audio output - one mix output (mono 6.3 mm jack);
Controls - 19 knobs, 3 switches, 4 buttons and 11 LED indicators;
Case: durable steel case with wooden cheeks;
Weight: 1 kg;
Dimensions: L30 x W16 x H8 (cm);
External power supply –220v adapter 9 VAC (included).

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Controls
Front panel
Rear panel
①OSC Oscillator control section.
OSC1 LEVEL, OSC2 LEVEL - volume parameter control of each oscillator;
OSC1 TUNE, OSC2 TUNE - pitch tuning of each oscillator control;
SYNC button - synchronization on/off between oscillators;
OSC1, OSC2 button - waveform selection for each oscillator - saw, square,
pulse 1 and pulse 2;
OCT button - octave selection for OSC2;
MIDI button - channel selection (16ch and OMNI);
VELO button - velocity for VCF on/off;
ENTER button –apply changes to selected parameters;
LED indicators: display the modes which are selected by the x4 buttons;
②VCF Voltage-Controlled Filter section (reacts to MIDI too).
CUTOFF - cutoff parameter control;

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RESO - resonance parameter control;
ADSR LEVEL - VCF envelope level control;
LFO LEVEL - modulation level control of low frequency oscillator;
ATTACK - envelope level control, DECAY - envelope level control, SUSTAIN -
envelope level control, RELEASE - envelope level control;
③LFO Low-Frequency Oscillator section.
RATE - frequency rate control;
WAVE - waveform selection switch (triangle and square);
④VCA Voltage Controlled Amplifier.
Envelope level controls for ATTACK, DECAY, SUSTAIN and RELEASE;
DISTORTION - level control for the distortion effect;
On/Off switch for the distortion effect;
⑤VOLUME - volume control level;
⑥POWER –On/Off switch;
⑦9 VAC –220v power adapter jack *;
⑧OUTPUT - audio output jack;
⑨MIDI –MIDI INPUT and MIDI THRU connection ports.
* MBS-100 adapter operates on 220v, if used on 110v - a power converter from 220v to 110v is
required. If you are using it in 110v area, only use the unit with a 220-110v power converter.
Without it, the unit will be damaged and will stop functioning.
Connecting MBS-100
Power (9V adapter): Connect the included power adapter to the POWER jack of
MBS-100.
Audio output (6.3mm jack): In order to connect to a mixer or other audio
Interface/equipment, please insert a mono jack 6.3 mm in the OUTPUT of MBS-
100.

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MIDI Input: Connect the MIDI OUT port of the sequencer or MIDI keyboard (or
other MIDI transmitting device) to the MBS-100 MIDI IN port.
MIDI THRU: this port is used in order to sequence other units along with MBS-
100.
Overview of controls
MBS-100 structure consists of classical analog subtractive synthesizer module
sections: OSC,VCF,VCA,LFO and ADSR.
OSC Section
The TUNE controls allow you to adjust the pitch of MBS-100 to other instruments,
as well as for the classical detuning of the oscillators. Adjustment can be made in
the range of ±2 semitones.
You can adjust the volume levels of the oscillators with the LEVEL controls.
The SYNC button enables the synchronization of the two oscillators, wherein the
TUNE knobs will be turned off and the synth will automatically adjust by the
tempered scale.
Buttons OSC1 and OSC2 enable to choose one of the four waveforms: saw,
square, pulse 1 and pulse 2. When the waveforms "saw" or "square" are selected,
the LED indicators with the corresponding symbols are lit constantly.
When waveforms "pulse 1" or "pulse 2" are selected, the same LED indicators will
be flashing.
OCT button selects the octave of the second oscillator. When it is set at «0» - the
second oscillator is tuned in unison with the first oscillator, when it is set to «-»
there is a shift by an octave down, "+" shift by an octave up.
MIDI button selects the channel of the MBS-100 (see below).
VELO button enables/disables the Velocity function that controls the filter
(CUTOFF) (see below).
ENTER button enables MBS-100 to switch to the operating mode from the setup
mode.
VCF Section
CUTOFF and RESO controls are used to shape the filter frequency and resonance,
respectively.
ATTACK, DECAY, SUSTAIN and RELEASE controls are used to adjust the filter
envelope, ADSR LEVEL allows to set the amount of envelope level applied to the
filter.

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LFO LEVEL control allows to set the amount of modulation applied to the filter via
the low-frequency oscillator (LFO).
LFO Section
RATE control allows to adjust the frequency of the LFO while the WAVE switch -
selection of two available waveforms (square or triangle).
VCA Section
ATTACK, DECAY, SUSTAIN and RELEASE controls allows to shape the envelope of
VCA, while the DISTORTION switch and control allows to adjust the depth of the
distortion effect.
VOLUME control allows to adjust the volume level of MBS-100.
Powering on MBS-100
In order to start working with MBS-100 the POWER switch should be turned
to On position.
MIDI channel selection
In order to set one of 16 MIDI channels on MBS-100 use the button MIDI located
in the OSC section.
In order to set the channel hold down the MIDI button while turning the POWER
on. Then by pressing on the same MIDI button you can select the needed channel
in accordance with the table below. Each subsequent pressing of the MIDI button
will turn on a specific combination of LEDs 1, 2, 3, 4 which corresponds to a
specific MIDI channel.
MIDI
CH
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
OMNI
LED
№
2
3
2,3
1
1,2
1,3
1,2,3
4
2,4
3,4
2,3,4
1,4
1,2,4
1,3,4
1,2,3,4
NO
1,2,3,4
After choosing the required MIDI channel, press ENTER button which will save the
MIDI setting.

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Enabling VELOCITY control
This setting only allows for the cutoff control of MBS-100.
In order to turn on the velocity control, hold down the VELO button and turn on
the power on the unit. Then, press the same button to set the LED to show "-".
Press the ENTER button, the MBS-100 will now allow for velocity control.
To turn off the velocity control, hold down the VELO button and turn on the
power. Then press the same button to set the LED to "0". Then press the ENTER
button, the MBS-100 will turn off the velocity control.
MIDI Implementation
MBS-100 reacts to the following MIDI messages:
NOTE on/off from 24 to 60 (3 octaves);
VELOCITY –allows for VCF control;
PITCH BEND (±3 semitones);
MODULATION (CC#1) –allows for VCF control.
Warranty
The standard warranty on MBS-100 synthesizer is for one year from the date
of purchase.
1. The warranty does not apply in the following cases:
- Expiration of the guarantee (after one year from the date of purchase); After-
guarantee servicing is possible with additional charges;
- There is any mechanical damage to the inside and/or outside of the unit;
- There are signs of opening or self-repair;
- A malfunction caused by self-updating software, or installing additional
options/mods;
- A malfunction caused by damage of the product by other objects and liquids, as
well as results of fog, rain and snow.
2. The guarantee does not apply to:
- Adapter;
- Controls if their failure was caused by normal wear or contamination during use.
The shipping costs both ways are at the expense of the Buyer.

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