Dreadbox TYPHON User manual

USER’S MANUAL

Table of Contents
1. Introduction
1.1 Key Features....................................................................................................................................................3
1.2 In the Box.........................................................................................................................................................3
1.3 Block diagram .................................................................................................................................................4
1.4 Quick start guide.............................................................................................................................................5
2. Connections
Powering considerations......................................................................................................................................6
3. Direct Analog Engine controls (left side)...............................................................................................7
4. Screen general manual ........................................................................................................ 8
5. Presets
5.1 Save a preset...................................................................................................................................................8
5.2 Load a preset ..................................................................................................................................................8
6. Modulators
6.1 General ............................................................................................................................................................9
6.2 LFO...................................................................................................................................................................9
6.3 Envelope Generator ......................................................................................................................................10
6.4 Random Voltage ...........................................................................................................................................10
6.5 Step Sequencer.............................................................................................................................................10
7. The Sinevibes Effects
7.1 FX1: Distortion and Bit crush .......................................................................................................................11
7.2 FX2: Enhancers (Chorus, Ensemble, Flanger).............................................................................................11
7.3 FX3: Reections (Delay, Ping pong, Reverb) ...............................................................................................12
8. Other settings .................................................................................................................... 12
9. Note Sequencer
9.1 Controls .........................................................................................................................................................13
9.2 Edit a sequence.............................................................................................................................................13
9.3 Advanced note sequencer tactics ...............................................................................................................14
10. Menu
10.1 Modulator Sync...........................................................................................................................................14
10.2 Mod Wheel ..................................................................................................................................................15
10.3 Velocity........................................................................................................................................................15
10.4 Aftertouch ...................................................................................................................................................15
10.5 Key Track.....................................................................................................................................................15
10.6 CC2 ..............................................................................................................................................................15
10.7 Pitch Wheel .................................................................................................................................................15
10.8 Midi Channel ...............................................................................................................................................15
10.9 List of CC’s ..................................................................................................................................................16
10.10 Calibration and hardware check..............................................................................................................16
11. Midi Implementation ........................................................................................................ 16
12. Specifications and Connections ..................................................................................... 17

Introduction
I never read manuals.
So, rst of all, let me just say that if you get bored reading manuals, feel free to skip to page 5 on the quick
start guide.
Now if you do keep reading,
- you’re probably just waiting for the synth to arrive, or
- you like to read (though this should really not be your rst choice), or
- you just need to nd out more about a certain feature
(but I guess you just went to the “Table of Contents” and already skipped all this mumbo jumbo), or
- you thought that the author of this manual (who is Yiannis) is a super cool guy and you want to check out
what this Typhon stuff is all about (very unlikely).
In any case, thank you for reading this manual.
And in the case that you purchased Typhon, double thanks.
1.1 Key features
- 2 analog VCO’s
- An analog 24db/octave resonating Low pass lter
- Analog VCA’s
- 2 x Envelope generators dedicated to the lter and the amp respectively
- 3 x Modulators that can be either a LFO, envelope, random or step sequencer
- 32 bit @ 96kHz Stereo DSP effects coded by Sinevibes including:
- 5 Different distortions
- A bit crusher
- 3 x Enhancer effects (chorus, ensemble, anger)
- 2 different delay types
- A reverb
- 32 note sequencer
- 256 presets
- Extended Midi implementation (via DIN5 or USB)
- External audio input can turn this box into the ultimate effects unit
- Manage and exchange presets with the freely provided software (download from our website)
- Powered via USB, you can get 30 hours of continuous play with a 20.000 mAh power bank
- All aluminium enclosure - product made in Greece / EU
1.2 In the Box
You will nd a Typhon synthesizer and a USB cable. Please note that a USB mains adapter or power supply is
not included, as nowadays we all usually have few lying around the house. Almost any USB adapter will work
with the Typhon, but there are some power considerations, so please check the “Connections” section of the
manual before plugging in your Typhon.
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1.3 Block Diagram
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Filter ADSR amount
VCO 1 and VCO 2 setup
Sequencer play/stop or when in the menu “BACK”
Save your current sound
Load a preset sound
Master volume
Amp ADSR time scale
Access filter and amp ADSR
Tune VCO 2
Filter ADSR time scale
Active preset
Current tempo. To change it, access the
sequencer and turn the encoder
Active page
Sliders 1 to 5 are used to control
parameters on the screen
Button used to control screen features
or to shift between diferent options
for each page.
Screen Button
Function
These are corresponding on sliders 1 to 5
Parameter that slider governs
Parameter value
Change page (on main) or selected values
and scroll through menus.
Push down to access the MENU.
Push down also works as an ENTER.
Filter resonance
FIlter Cut off
Sequencer mode
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2. Connections
Powering considerations
Even though the Typhon is an analog synthesizer, it can be powered with a simple USB cable. Giving the unit
some extra mobility, you can just use a power bank and play anywhere (with a 20.000 mAh power bank you
could power and play the unit for up to 60 hours).
Most homes nowadays have at least a dozen or so USB cables and power adapters lying around (from smart-
phones, computers, printers, and other devices), so we didn’t think there was a point including one with the
Typhon and adding to the environmental waste.
So, you’re thinking, “Can I use any USB power supply?”
Yes, but there are some things you need to consider. Not having a dedicated power adapter means that de-
pending on the USB power supply quality or your connection, could result in a dirty synth or noise oor. You
can easily avoid those situations though, by following these simple rules:
- When powering the Typhon from a computer, if you use a DAW to process the unit’s audio, a ground loop
can be created, causing a noticeable hum. In that case, you should power the Typhon from a different power
supply, and not from the same computer that you’re running the DAW on.
- Using a very long USB cable can also cause line noise. For cleaner sounding performance it’s also better to
use a USB cable that has a ferrite bead installed.
- Make sure your USB power adapter is rated for at least 500mA
- Poor quality USB power adapters should be avoided.
- And as mentioned above, when using a power bank, make sure it’s a good quality one. You can also power
a keyboard controller with the same power bank.
INSTRUMENT
MIDI CONTROLER
MIDI INSTRUMENT
Headphones output Computer (midi IN/OUT , power supply
and resources management)
External Audio In
Out to speakers
Control Typhon via midi device
Send Typhon’s MIDI to other devices
Power supply via USB
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3.Direct analog engine controls (left side)
Typhon’s left side is dedicated to a set of 8 controls for quick and easy sound sculpting.
Wave: This controls the waveform, amplitude, and routing of the two oscillators. With just a single knob, you
can get the most interesting and useful combinations that these oscillators can offer. While rotating the knob,
the selected waves fade into the adjacent wave and oscillator settings, instead of just switching abruptly.
Tune 2: Controls the tuning of the second oscillator
Cut off: Controls the lter’s initial cut off frequency
Reson: Controls the amount of lter feedback (Q or resonance)
EG level: Sets how much the lter ADSR envelope modulates the lter’s Cutoff
Filter Time: Scales the initial lter ADSR envelope settings from 10 times as slow, up to 6 times as fast.
Amp Time: Scales the initial amp ADSR envelope settings from 10 times as slow, up to 6 times as fast.
Volume: Sets the master level. Important to note, that this is a global setting and the only control that cannot
be stored in a preset.
Filter EG and Amp EG button: Lets you enter the ADSR edit mode. Select the lter or the amp ADSR by press-
ing the “shift” button. Use the sliders to edit the envelope. By pressing it again, will exit the ADSR edit mode.
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1
fm
VCO1 is in a saw wave and
VCO2 is also in a saw wave
VCO1 is off, and VCO2
is in a triangle wave
VCO1 is off, and VCO2
is in a saw wave
VCO1 is in a square wave and
VCO2 in a saw wave
VCO1 is in a square wave and
VCO2 in a triangle wave
VCO1 is in a square wave, and VCO2 is off. To the left
and right of this wave you have a variable pulse width
VCO1 is in a square wave and VCO2
triangle wave is modulating it
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4. Screen general manual
Typhon, is built to be portable, compact sized and affordable, but offering substantial features and build qual-
ity. What we came up with, was a small, 128x64 OLED screen, controlled with a few buttons, a rotary encoder,
and 5 sliders.
The general idea, is that each digital feature has a dedicated page. For example, there are 3 modulators, so
there is a page for each of them (M1, M2, M3). Each of the 5 sliders is represented with a vertical line on the
screen, where the top of this vertical line shows the function of the slider and the bottom of the line shows
the current value for the slider.
While on the main page, rotating the encoder, will make a
swap between the pages, but while in a menu, where you
have lists, it will scroll the list. For a better view over that, you
can also check the image located on the quick start guide.
To press enter, just push the encoder down. On the main
page, this will access the menu. The back button, in the
sound editing pages (modulators, effects, sequencer and
envelopes) is used as the sequencer play/stop action. But
when in a list or in a menu, where back is needed, this will
not control the sequencer’s play/stop but it will act as a “go back” action.
5. Presets
The Typhon has a 256 patch storage locations, divided into 4 banks for easy access. On start-up, Typhon will
load Bank A , preset 1.
Upon loading a preset, you can start editing and sculpting its sound. Note that your changes will not be stored
unless you “SAVE” the patch.
You can also backup, rename, rearrange, exchange and download presets online with the DREADBOX
SOFTWARE, provided for free on our web-page at www.dreadbox-fx.com/downloads
5.1 Loading presets:
- Press “LOAD”.
- Turn the encoder to choose a Bank from A to D and select it by pressing “LOAD” or pushing down the encoder
- Turn the encoder to choose a preset from 1 to 64 and select it by pressing “LOAD” or pushing down the encoder
- You will be asked “ARE YOU SURE?” Choose by rotating the encoder and push it down, or you can just directly
load your choice and ignore the question by pressing “LOAD”.
5.2 Saving presets:
- Press “SAVE”.
- Choose a Bank from A to D and select it by pressing “SAVE” or pushing down the encoder
- Choose a preset to replace from 1 to 64 and select it by pressing “SAVE” or pushing down the encoder
- A name editing eld will appear. You can have up to 7 letters as a name for your preset. Available characters
are: “A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 / - + % * . ? _ and the SPACE.
- To change a character, rotate the encoder; to move to the next character, push the encoder; to go back, just
press “BACK”.
- When you are done press “SAVE”
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6. Modulators
6.1 General
There are 3 available modulators, M1, M2, M3, that can be used on the Typhon. These 3 modulators can work
at the same time and have multiple destinations for each modulator with different modulation amounts.
Each modulator can be set to one of the following 4 modulation sources:
LFO | Envelope | Random generator | Step sequencer
Even though each modulator (M1, M2, or M3) can have multiple destinations, each modulator can only have
one modulation source. So for example, M1 can have an LFO that modulates CV, Filter Cutoff, and Amp, but
M1 can only have ONE of the 4 modulation sources operating at a time.
Each of the modulation sources has 3 dedicated controls to shape its motion. These are always the rst 3 slid-
ers. The last 2 sliders always control the destination (target of the modulator) and the level (amount of modula-
tion). Those settings are preserved no matter which of the 4 modulation sources is selected for the modulator.
For example: You set a LFO, with DEST being CV, set at LVL being +10. If you switch the modulation source to
an envelope, DEST CV will still have a value of +10.
Note that for CV-related destinations (DEST values of CV, CV1, or CV2), LVL values run from 0 to 0.9 and then
1 to 24, with the values representing semitones, but with all the other possible destination values (DEST), LVL
values are scaled +/100.
Available modulator destinations (DEST) :
CV Pitch of both VCO
CV1 Pitch of VCO 1
CV2 Pitch of VCO 2
WAVE Waveform of oscillators (as shown on the WAVE knob)
CUT Filter cut off frequency
RESON Filter resonance amount
EGL Level of lter envelope
VCA AMP level
FX1 When is set to distortion, this will affect both GAIN and MIX . When on BIT CRUSH,
it will target the “BIT” parameter
FFM Filter FM amount
FX2 FX2 MIX amount
DLAY This is for the FX3. It will target the delay time or the reverb size
FX3 FX3 MIX amount
6.2 LFO
The LFO or low frequency oscillator modulation source, is the simplest and the most common form of mod-
ulation that can be found in analog synthesis. A set of values are produced based on the selected waveform,
and when that waveform ends, it just starts again. Your controls are:
RATE:The rate at which the cycle of the selected waveform is completed, or simply, the speed of the modulation.
WAVE:The LFO waveform . You can choose between Triangle, Square, 25% Pulse, Trapezoid, and Chaos Saw.
In each cycle, the Chaos Saw randomly generates Saw waves at a different amplitude or level.
FADE: Dynamic control over the LVL of the LFO. When set to positive values, a fade in will occur. With negative values,
the LFO fades out, until it reaches 0 LVL. A value of -100 means a one shot LFO. For no fade, just set this value to 0.
DEST: Modulation destination or target
LVL: Modulation level for the selected destination. You can have negative values. This lets you change the wave-
form by 180 degrees. For example the Saw is falling with positive (+) values, but rising with negative () values.
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6.3 Envelope
With the envelope modulation source, a set of values are produced based on a user-dened envelope. Unlike
the LFO (which repeats), the envelope only executes once (single shot) when triggered. It’s also a common
feature found in analog synthesis, mostly used for amplitude and lter expression.
Your controls are:
A: Attack, sets the rate the values rise for the rst step of the envelope.
D/R: Decay / release, determines the rate the values fall for both the decay and release steps of the envelope.
S: Sustain, sets the level at which the values hold or stay when a key is pressed.
DEST:Modulation destination or target
LVL:Modulation level for the selected destination. You can have negative values. This allows you to
shape the envelope in the opposite direction.
6.4 Random
The random modulation source, is exactly what the title describes: A random value generator, or as frequently
(but not correctly) described a sample and hold.
Your controls are:
RATE: Speed at which the different values are randomly produced. When the LFO is synced to the unit
BPM, this will also be governed by BPM divisions
LAG: Time at which different values slide
PROB: Chances that a new value will be produced
DEST: Modulation destination or target
LVL: Modulation level for the selected destination. You can have negative values. This allows you to
have the random moving into inverted values.
6.5 Step sequencer
Like the note sequencer, the step sequencer is synchronized to the Typhon’s BPM setting, but the two should
not be confused as both provide different functions. While the note sequencer acts like a controller playing
notes, the step sequencer is just another way to modulate parameters like the Filter Cutoff or the waveforms
of the Oscillators.
The step sequencer always runs at the BPM rate, and it will also take advance of the note sequencer param-
eter “DIVISIONS” ( for more info about this go to the “Note sequencer” section). The step sequencer continu-
ously runs in the background, but restarts with every new note trigger, or every time you press the play button
(when play is already engaged, it must rst be stopped before it can take action again).
Your controls are:
#: Number of active steps
Step: Chosen step to edit
->LVL: Selected step value
DEST: Modulation destination or target
LVL: Modulation level for the selected destination. You can also have negative values. This lets the
step sequencer modulation subtract from the destination’s values.
Create a step sequencer pattern:
Let’s make a simple pattern that modulates the lter cut off.
1. Push down the encoder and from the menu choose option 1. INITIAL PRESET
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