dSPACE XODULAR User manual

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XODULAR!
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pure data modular !
synthesizer system!
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user’s guide!
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INTRODUCTION: ABOUT THE XODULAR PURE DATA MODULAR
SYNTHESIZER SYSTEM!4!
USER INTERFACE AND SIGNAL FLOW!5!
USER INTERFACE:!5!
SIGNAL FLOW:!6!
OSCILLATORS!7!
VOLTAGE CONTROLLED OSCILLATOR - VCO-SINE:!7!
VOLTAGE CONTROLLED OSCILLATOR - VCO-VOWEL:!8!
VOLTAGE CONTROLLED OSCILLATOR - COMPLEX-OSCILLATOR:!9!
VOLTAGE CONTROLLED OSCILLATOR - VCO-3WAVES:!10!
VOLTAGE CONTROLLED OSCILLATOR - VCO-DRUM:!12!
MODULATION!14!
LOW FREQUENCY OSCILLATOR - LFO:!14!
ENVELOPE GENERATOR - ENV-AD:!15!
DUAL RANDOM CV GENERATOR - 2XRANDOM:!16!
DUAL SAMPLE & HOLD - DUAL-S&H:!17!
CLOCKS, LOGIC & UTILITIES!18!
VOLTAGE CONTROLLED CLOCK - CLOCK:!18!
CLOCK DIVIDER - CLK-DIVIDER:!19!
DUAL PROBABILITY LOGIC - PROBABILITY:!20!
FOUR TO ONE SEQUENTIAL SWITCH - 4->1-SWITCH:!21!
ONE TO FOUR SEQUENTIAL SWITCH - 1->4-SWITCH:!22!
MODAL QUANTIZER - QUANTIZER:!23!
SEQUENCERS!24!
VOLTAGE CONTROLLED SEQUENCER WITH 5 STEPS - 5 STEPS:!24!
16 STEP TRIGGER SEQUENCER - 16-TRIGS:!26!
MIXERS & VCAs!27!
DUAL VCA/MIXER - VCA/MIXER:!27!
3 CHANNEL MIXER - MIXER/ATT:!28!
3 CHANNEL POLARIZER/MIXER/ATTENUVERTER - POLAR-3:!29!
4 CHANNEL OUTPUT MIXER - MIX-OUT:!30!
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EXAMPLE PATCHES!32!
PATCH 1: MAKING A SOUND!32!
PATCH 2: ADDING AN ENVELOPE!33!
PATCH 3: ADDING RHYTHMIC COMPLEXITY AND MODULATION!34
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INTRODUCTION: ABOUT THE XODULAR PURE DATA
MODULAR SYNTHESIZER SYSTEM!
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The XODULAR is a virtual modular synthesizer environment in Pure Data. (To run it you
need an installed copy of Pure Data-Extended). The XODULAR consists of twenty
modules that users can copy/paste in any combination to create their own modular
system. If familiar with Pure Data, one can expand on modules or build own additions.
However, there is no need to be familiar to use the XODULAR. Acquiring some basic
understanding of the user interface and signal flow should be enough to get patching. (See
page 5 in the XODULAR manual)!
This system came about over the course of a year. It is very much flavoured by my
creative decisions and patching-style. It has a lot of foundational modular building blocks
because I like patching complexity from simple tools. I really hope some other people can
get some enjoyment out of this system and I do feel it is open ended enough to light up
people's creativity.!
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Yours Sincerely / Johan!
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USER INTERFACE AND SIGNAL FLOW!
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USER INTERFACE:!
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First of all: Download a copy of Pure Data Extended at www.puredata.info and install on
your hard drive!
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Open the XODULAR.pd file in Pure Data-Extended!
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Choose Audio Settings in pure data. Sound out from the XODULAR is hardwired from the
MIX-OUT module to channel 1 and 2 on the user’s sound card.!
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Understand the difference between EDIT MODE and PERFORMANCE MODE in Pure
Data. To make patch connections, one has to be in EDIT mode and to use the control
interface one has to be in PERFORMANCE MODE (Cmd+E toggles between the two
modes)!
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All INPUTS are at the top of the module and all the OUTPUTS are at the bottom. Infinite
amount of patch connections can be drawn from the same output so there is no need for
multiples in the system. !
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In EDIT mode, highlight any module and copy (Cmd-C) it and paste (Cmd-V) to duplicate
it.!
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Shift+click allows you to fine tune the settings of a knob/slider with higher resolution.!
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For a deeper understanding of Pure Data please refer to the Floss Manuals ( http://
en.flossmanuals.net/pure-data/ ) or the helpful Pure Data Community on Facebook.!
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SIGNAL FLOW:!
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There are three types of signals in the XODULAR system: audio, cv and trigger/gate/pulse/
clock. General rule in the XODULAR is that all connections are possible. Or, at least, just
like in any hardware modular system - all connections might not work but there’s no harm
in trying. Most audio modules can go into sub-audio and the LFO goes into audio-rate so
there’s no fixed way to use any module. Triggers are normally used to trigger or sync
modules but can be used for modulation or audio too. !
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Pure Data will stop producing sound if a DSP feedback loop is detected. So feedback
patches that works like a charm with hardware is trickier in this environment. !
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SAVING PATCHES:!
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The system automatically saves and recalls the position of the knobs, sliders and toggles
when you save the patch. This way, you can save a patch like any file on your computer.!
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BE CAREFUL: There should be no unpleasant audio surprises or sudden raises in
volume, BUT modular is modular and dsp is dsp so be careful. If making an ‘esoteric’
connection, remove headphone or set master volume low just to be safe and not hurt your
ears. !
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For an in-depth explanation of each module continue reading the manual or skip to the
page for a specific module. See the EXAMPLE PATCHES part of the manual for some
inspiration.!
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OSCILLATORS!
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VOLTAGE CONTROLLED OSCILLATOR - VCO-SINE:!
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The VCO-SINE is a sine wave oscillator with an integrated cosine
wavefolder. The range is from 0.2Hz - 2093Hz and can be used for
audio, low frequency modulation and audio rate modulation. !
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CONTROLS:!
PITCH - controls the pitch of the VCO-SINE. The PITCH knob becomes an offset control
when the parameter is being modulated.!
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FOLD - controls the amount of wave folding !
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FM - attenuator to control the amount of incoming signal from the FM input.!
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INPUTS: !
PITCH - inlet for controlling the pitch of the VCO. The PITCH knob becomes an offset
control when the parameter is being modulated.!
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FOLD - inlet for modulating the fold amount of the wavefolder. The FOLD knob becomes
an offset control when the parameter is being modulated.!
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FM - Inlet for external Frequency Modulation. The amount of the incoming signal can be
attenuated with the FM knob.!
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OUTPUTS:!
FOLD - Outlets the folded sinewave. The wave will be completely quiet if the FOLD knob is
set fully CCW.!
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SINE - Outlets a pure sine wave not affected at all by the wavefolder circuit.!
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VOLTAGE CONTROLLED OSCILLATOR - VCO-VOWEL:!
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The VCO-VOWEL is a sawtooth oscillator that runs through a series
of bandpass filters that are set at values that resembles the vowels
of human speech. The range is from 0.2Hz - 2093Hz and can be
used for audio, low frequency modulation and audio rate modulation. !
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CONTROLS:!
PITCH - controls the pitch of the VCO-VOWEL. The PITCH knob becomes an offset
control when the parameter is being modulated.!
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FORMANTS - scans through the bandpass filters and morphs smoothly between different
vowel-sounds!
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FM - attenuator to control the amount of incoming signal from the FM input.!
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INPUTS: !
PITCH - inlet for controlling the pitch of the VCO. The PITCH knob becomes an offset
control when parameter is being modulated.!
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FORMANTS - inlet for modulating and scanning through the bandpass filter formants. The
FORMANTS knob becomes an offset control when the parameter is being modulated.!
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FM - Inlet for external Frequency Modulation. The amount of the incoming signal can be
attenuated with the FM knob.!
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OUTPUTS:!
OUT - VCO-VOWEL output!
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VOLTAGE CONTROLLED OSCILLATOR - COMPLEX-
OSCILLATOR:!
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The Complex-Oscillator is a dual oscillator with
internal Frequency Modulation and Amplitude
Modulation routings. The range is from 0.2Hz -
2093Hz and can be used for audio, low frequency
modulation and audio rate modulation.!
OSC1 is a sinewave with an integrated cosine
wavefolder. It has dedicated knobs for pitch
(OSC1), wavefolding(FOLD) and Frequency
Modulation from OSC2(FMI). !
OSC2 is a sawtooth generator that can produce
three sawtooth waves slightly detuned from each
other. It has dedicated knobs for controlling
pitch(OSC2), the amount of detune between the
waveforms(WIDTH) and the Amplitude Modulation
!!!!! from OSC1(AMI). !
INPUTS: !
OSC1 - inlet for controlling the pitch of Oscillator 1. The OSC1 knob becomes an offset
control when the the parameter is being modulated.!
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FOLD - inlet for modulating the fold amount of Oscillator 1's wavefolder. The FOLD knob
becomes an offset control when the parameter is being modulated.!
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FMI - inlet for modulating the amount of Frequency Modulation being sent from OSC2.
The FMI knob becomes an offset control when the parameter is being modulated.!
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OSC2 - inlet for controlling the pitch of Oscillator 2. The OSC2 knob becomes an offset
control when the the parameter is being modulated.!
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WIDTH - inlet for modulating the amount of detuning on Oscillator 2. The WIDTH knob
becomes an offset control when the parameter is being modulated.!
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AMI - inlet for modulating the amount of Amplitude Modulation being sent from OSC1. The
AMI knob becomes an offset control when the parameter is being modulated.!
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OUTPUTS:!
OSC1-OUT - Oscillator 1 output!
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OSC2-OUT - Oscillator 2 output!
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SUM-OUT - Oscillator 1 and Oscillator 2 mixed together!
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VOLTAGE CONTROLLED OSCILLATOR - VCO-3WAVES:!
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The VCO-3WAVES is an oscillator that produces a
trianglewave, a pulsewave and a sawtooth wave. The
waves have separate outputs as well as a mixed output.
The range is from 0.2Hz - 2093Hz and can be used for
audio, low frequency modulation and audio rate
modulation. It has a dedicated knob for controlling the pitch
of all three waveforms (PITCH). Additionally, each wave
has a dedicated knob to affect its shape and timbre in some
way. !
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CONTROLS:!
PITCH - controls the pitch of the VCO-3WAVES. The PITCH knob becomes an offset
control when the parameter is being modulated.!
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WRAP - controls the amount of wavefolding/wrapping on the triangle wave. The WRAP
knob becomes an offset control when the parameter is being modulated.!
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PWM - controls the pulse width of the pulse wave. The PWM knob becomes an offset
control when the parameter is being modulated.!
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WIDTH - controls the amount of detuning of the sawtooth wave. The WIDTH knob
becomes an offset control when the parameter is being modulated.!
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FM - attenuator to control the amount of incoming signal from the FM input.!
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INPUTS: !
PITCH - inlet for controlling the pitch of the VCO. The PITCH knob becomes an offset
control when the parameter is being modulated.!
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WRAP - inlet for modulating the fold amount on the triangle wave. The WRAP knob
becomes an offset control when the parameter is being modulated.!
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PWM - inlet for modulating the pulse width of the pulse wave. The PWM knob becomes
an offset control when the parameter is being modulated. !
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WIDTH - inlet for modulating the detune amount of the sawtooth wave. The WIDTH knob
becomes an offset control when the parameter is being modulated.!
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FM - Inlet for external Frequency Modulation. The amount of the incoming signal can be
attenuated with the FM knob.!
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OUTPUTS:!
TRI - Triangle wave outlet!
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PULSE - Pulse wave outlet. (this output also functions as a trigger/clock output)!
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SAW - Sawtooth wave outlet!
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SUM - Triangle, Pulse and Saw mixed together!
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VOLTAGE CONTROLLED OSCILLATOR - VCO-DRUM:!
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The VCO-DRUM is an oscillator module for producing
percussive sounds. (VCO-DRUM can also be used
successfully as a bass or melodic synthvoice or as a
modulation source) It outputs a square- and sinewave
simultaneously. The module has an integrated envelope
and vca. Thus, unlike the other oscillators of the system, it
doesn't produce sound constanly. It requires a trigger/gate
signal sent to the TRIG input to open the envelope and
produce sound. !
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CONTROLS:!
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PITCH - controls the pitch of the VCO-DRUM. The PITCH knob becomes an offset control
when the parameter is being modulated.!
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P.CV - attenuator to control the amount of incoming PITCH modulation!
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DECAY - controls the decay of the integrated AD-envelope. The DECAY knob becomes an
offset control when the parameter is being modulated.!
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D.CV - attenuator to control the amount of incoming DECAY modulation.!
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FM - attenuator to control the amount of incoming signal from the FM input.!
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A-DECAY - controls the decay of the accent-envelope if being triggered by a gate signal at
the ACC input.!
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ACCENT - attenuator to control the amount/loudness of the accent-envelope!
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ENVMOD - controls the amount of modulation from the main envelope to the PITCH. !
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NOISE-FM - Controls two functions simultaneously. Fully CCW there is no effect present.
Turn the knob CW and control the volume of a white noise. The knob is also controlling the
pitch of a sine wave oscillator that is modulating the frequency of the main oscillator
(PITCH)!
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INPUTS:!
TRIG - input for trigger gate/signal to trigger the VCO-DRUM!
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PITCH - input for modulating the pitch of the VCO-DRUM. The PITCH knob becomes an
offset control when the parameter is being modulated.!
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DECAY - input for modulating the decay of the main envelope. The DECAY knob becomes
an offset control when the parameter is being modulated.!
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ACC - input for trigger/gate signal to trigger the accent envelope!
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FM - input for external FM !
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OUTPUTS:!
OUT - VCO-DRUM output!
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MODULATION!
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LOW FREQUENCY OSCILLATOR - LFO:!
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The LFO is a low frequency oscillator triangle wave. The range is
from 0.031Hz - 48.99Hz and can be used for audio, low frequency
modulation and audio rate modulation. !
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CONTROLS:!
FREQ - controls the frequency of the LFO. The FREQ knob
becomes an offset control when the parameter is being modulated.!
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CV1 - attenuator for the amount of modulation being sent to the LFO
FREQ from the CV1 input!
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CV2 - attenuator for the amount of modulation being sent to the LFO
FREQ from the CV2 input!
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INPUTS:!
CV1- inlet for controlling the frequency of the LFO. The FREQ knob becomes an offset
control when the parameter is being modulated.!
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CV2 - inlet for controlling the frequency of the LFO. The FREQ knob becomes an offset
control when the parameter is being modulated.!
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SYNC- trigger/gate input for syncing the lo cycle to external clocks.!
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OUTPUTS:!
OUT - LFO output!
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CP.OUT - LFO comparator out. (trigger/gate signal at the start of each lo cycle)!
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ENVELOPE GENERATOR - ENV-AD:!
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The ENV-AD module is an envelope generator with two stages.
ATTACK and DECAY. Both parameters are under voltage control.
The envelope can cycle (re-trigger itself to perform LFO-type duties)
In CYCLE mode the ATTACK and DECAY settings set the rise and
fall times for the ramps. At very short settings the envelope will
produce oscillator-like sounds.!
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CONTROLS:!
ATTACK - controls the time in ms for the attack stage. Range is from 1ms-2541ms. The
ATTACK knob becomes an offset control when the parameter is being modulated.!
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DECAY - controls the time in ms for the decay stage. Range is from 1ms-10 000ms. The
DECAY knob becomes an offset control when the parameter is being modulated.!
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CYCLE - toggle for switching between normal mode or cycling mode!
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INPUTS:!
TRIG - trigger/gate input for triggering the envelope!
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ATTACK - input for modulating the ATTACK time. The ATTACK knob becomes an offset
control when the parameter is being modulated.!
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DECAY - input for modulating the DECAY time. The DECAY knob becomes an offset
control when the parameter is being modulated.!
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OUTPUTS:!
OUT- ENV-AD output!
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EOC - trigger/gate output at the end of each cycle (only works in CYCLE mode )!
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DUAL RANDOM CV GENERATOR - 2XRANDOM:!
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The 2XRANDOM module is a dual random cv generator. Filtered
white noise is hardwired to a sample & hold. The sample & hold
generates a random CV every time a trigger/gate is sent to the TRIG
input. Each channel has an attenuator to control the random values.
Channel 2 has an additional slew generator. Besides the two random
channels there is a CHAOS output which outputs a ringmodded
square wave derived from the two random channels.!
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CONTROLS:!
RANDOM-1 - attenuator for controlling the amount of randomness of RANDOM-1. The
RANDOM-1 knob becomes an offset control when the parameter is being modulated.!
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RANDOM-2 - attenuator for controlling the amount of randomness of RANDOM-2. The
RANDOM-2 knob becomes an offset control when the parameter is being modulated.!
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SLEW - controls the amount of slew applied to RANDOM-2!
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INPUTS: !
TRIG1 - trigger/gate input to clock/trigger RANDOM-1!
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CV1 - input for modulating RANDOM-1 amount. The RANDOM-1 knob becomes an offset
control when the parameter is being modulated.!
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TRIG2 - trigger/gate input to clock/trigger RANDOM-1!
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CV2 - input for modulating RANDOM-2 amount. The RANDOM-2 knob becomes an offset
control when the parameter is being modulated.!
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OUTPUTS:!
R1-OUT - RANDOM-1 output!
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R2-OUT - RANDOM-2 output!
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CHAOS - Two ringmodded square waves derived from RANDOM-1 and RANDOM-2!
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DUAL SAMPLE & HOLD - DUAL-S&H:!
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The DUAL-S&H module is two sample & hold circuits that can be
independently clocked/triggered. !
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INPUTS:!
IN1 - input for signal to be sampled by channel 1!
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TRIG1 - trigger/gate input to hold the value present at IN1!
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IN2 - input for signal to be sampled by channel 2!
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TRIG2 - trigger/gate input to hold the value present at IN2!
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OUTPUTS:!
OUT1 - S&H1 output!
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OUT- 2 S&H2 output!
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CLOCKS, LOGIC & UTILITIES!
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VOLTAGE CONTROLLED CLOCK - CLOCK:!
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The CLOCK module is a simple clock generator. with a start/stop toggle
and dedicated knob for clock rate. Useful predominantly as a master
clock for patches.The clock rate goes into audio rate so the module can
be used for audio and modulation duties as well.!
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CONTROLS:!
RATE - control for clock rate in ms. Range is from 1ms - 1000ms. The RATE knob
becomes an offset control when the parameter is being modulated.!
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START - toggle to start or stop the clock!
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INPUTS:!
RATE - input for modulating the clock rate. The RATE knob becomes an offset control
when the parameter is being modulated.!
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OUTPUTS:!
CLOCK-OUT - CLOCK output!
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CLOCK DIVIDER - CLK-DIVIDER:!
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The CLK-DIVIDER module is a simple clock divider. It takes an
incoming clock/trigger/gate/pulse and divides by numbers from 1-8
with dedicated outputs for each division. If the module is being
clocked at audio rate, the subdivisions can perform frequency divider
like functions.!
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INPUTS:!
CLK-IN - input for any trigger/gate/clock/pulse!
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OUTPUTS:!
The module outputs the 8 subdivisions independently from left to right (1-8)!
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DUAL PROBABILITY LOGIC - PROBABILITY:!
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The PROBABILITY module is a dual channel probability gate. It
takes a trigger/gate/clock/pulse signal and distributes it randomly to
two outlets. The probability for which output it will send to is set
manually with the PROB knob. Fully CCW will send all signals to the
left output. Settings at 12’ will produce a random but even
distribution between left or right. Fully CW only and always sends
the signal to the right output.!
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CONTROLS:!
PROB1 - manual control of the probability for the signal to appear at either P1L output or
P1R output!
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PROB2 - manual control of the probability for the signal to appear at either P2L output or
P2R output!
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INPUTS:!
CH1-TRIG - input trigger/gate/clock/pulse for PROB1!
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CH2-TRIG - input trigger/gate/clock/pulse for PROB2!
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OUTPUTS:!
P1L - Left output for PROB1!
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P1R - Right output for PROB1!
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P2L - Left output for PROB2!
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P2R - Right output for PROB2!
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