Mordax DATA User manual

User Guide
SYS V. 01.00.00
BOOT V. 01.00.00
Updated: 161229

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MORDAX : DATA
User Guide
SYS V. 01.00.00
BOOT V. 01.00.00
Updated: 161229
DATA Overview ................................................................ 3
Power............................................................................... 5
microSD Card .................................................................. 5
Firmware .......................................................................... 6
Calibration ....................................................................... 8
Saving & Loading System State ..................................... 9
Program : Oscilloscope................................................. 10
Program : Spectrum Analyzer & Spectrograph............ 17
Program : Tuner ............................................................. 18
Program : Wave Output................................................. 19
Program : Clock Output ................................................ 20
Program : Voltage Monitor ............................................ 22
Change Logs ................................................................. 23
Contents
Also, be sure to go and subscribe to the Mordax YouTube channel for Video Tutorials:
https://www.youtube.com/c/mordaxnet

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MORDAX : DATA
User Guide
SYS V. 01.00.00
BOOT V. 01.00.00
Updated: 161229
Soft Buttons, top row:
Referred to in this guide, left
to right, as 2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4 Menu Button: Pressing
this at any time will return
you to the main menu.
Push Encoder Knob: Turn
the encoder to scroll through
parameters and change values.
Pushing the encoder often selects
and deselects items. In some
functions, pushing the encoder
while turning allows for coarse/ne
changing of values.
Output Jacks: All outputs can produce +10V
to -5V Audio, CV, Trigger, or Gate signals.
Depending on the program running, all, none,
or a subset of the outputs may be utilized.
Similarly, the effective voltage ranges are
program dependent (see program-specic
instructions).
Buffered Through Jacks:
Regardless of the program
running, a signal present at an
Input Jack is buffered and sent
back out of its corresponding
Through Jack for use elsewhere
in your patch.
Input Jacks: All inputs can
accept +/-10V signals, though
depending on the program
running, the expected voltage
range and hardware signal path
may vary. Similarly, all, none,
or a subset of the inputs may
be utilized per program (see
program-specic instructions).
Soft Buttons, bottom row:
Referred to in this guide, left
to right, as 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 1-4
DATA Overview
Typically you wouldn’t need to reset the DATA during operation, but it’s good to know you can do
so easily without interrupting power to the rest of your Eurorack system. You can reset the DATA
system at any time by simultaneously pressing the buttons 1-1, 1-4, 2-1, and 2-4 (the four corner
soft-buttons). This produces the same affect as power cycling the DATA by turning your Eurorack
system on and off, but effects only the DATA.
Front Panel Reset

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MORDAX : DATA
User Guide
SYS V. 01.00.00
BOOT V. 01.00.00
Updated: 161229
When the DATA starts up you are brought to the Main Menu. Use the
encoder knob to scroll through the menu; when you have highlighted the
program you wish to use, push in on the encoder to launch the program.
You can also access the system’s Settings page from the Main Menu by
pushing soft-button 1-4, located under the screen text ‘SETTINGS’.
The function of the DATA’s buttons and encoder, as well as the DATA’s
input and output jacks, are specic to each program, and are covered in
each program’s section of this manual. Generally though, the user input
controls have the following common behaviors throughout the system:
1. In Wave Output, push soft-button 2-3,
corisponding to the CV item at the top of the
display, to engage the CV pop-up menu.
3. Push the encoder to act on this parameter.
Turn the encoder so the parameter is NONE.
Push the encoder again and scroll to move to a
different parameter.
4. When you’re done with the CV
assignments, hit soft-button 2-3 again to
leave the pop-up menu.
2. Turn the encoder to select WAVE1 CV source
for DVCA, as indicated by the hollow green box.
Currently CV INPUT 2 is the active source.
Getting Around the DATA System
Navigation Example: Change WAVE1 CV DVCA Assignment
• Boxes with text along the display top and bottom correspond to
the soft-buttons along that edge. These boxes can allow the ability
to select pages in a program (e.g., Settings), activate a pop-up
menu (e.g., Scope cursor sub-menu), or engage a control (e.g., Volt
Monitor CV control).
• The encoder is used to scroll available items in a list or menu.
Often in pop-up menus pushing the encoder will select that item,
then turning the encoder will act on that variable. Pushing the
encoder again will return it to scrolling the list.

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MORDAX : DATA
User Guide
SYS V. 01.00.00
BOOT V. 01.00.00
Updated: 161229
Power to the DATA module is provided by a standard 16 pin Eurorack power
connector, supplied with the module. A +5V source header is located on the
back of the DATA by the 16 pin power header (pictured below). This allows for
+5V to be provided directly by your Eurorack system’s power bus, or for +5V to
be produce locally inside the DATA from your system’s +12V rail. The choice of
+5V source allows for balancing your system’s power as you see t, as well as
providing an option to power the DATA if your system does not have a +5V rail
available (via a user-provided 16 pin to 10 pin cable power cable).
*Note: Using the Local +5V Option generates more heat. Regardless of power
option, always be sure your Eurorack system has sufcient case ventilation!
The DATA is equipped with a standard FAT32 formatted 4GB microSD Card, which must be inserted in the DATA’s SD card
slot at all times during operation. Currently, the SD Card’s primary functions are to transfer rmware update les to the DATA
and for the storage and recall of user system state patch memory and calibration varaibles.
To remove the SD Card for rmware update or replacement, rst turn the DATA off. The DATA’s SD Card reader slot is located in
the bottom left corner of the back PCB, as indicated by the microSD guide image. The SD Card reader is a “push-push” type
mechanism, meaning that to remove the card, simply push gently in on the card and the card will partially eject, after which the
card can be fully removed. When re-insterting the card, line it up with the microSD guide image on the PCB and push it into the
slot until you feel the “push-push” mechanism engage, after which the card should be ush with the edge of the PCB and rmly
held by the card reader.
SYSTEM +5V Option: The +5V power
is provided directly by your Eurorack
system’s +5V power rail.
LOCAL +5V Option: The +5V power is
converted from your Eurorack system’s
+12V power rail via a voltage regulator
inside the DATA module.
Typical Current Consumption
Using Option - System +5V
+12V ~ 100 mA
-12V ~ 60 mA
+5V ~ 150 mA
Using Option - Local +5V
+12V ~ 250 mA
-12V ~ 60 mA
microSD Card
Power

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MORDAX : DATA
User Guide
SYS V. 01.00.00
BOOT V. 01.00.00
Updated: 161229
The DATA’s software is comprised of two parts: the bootloader rmware and the system rmware. The bootloader is a small
program that runs every time the DATA is started; it checks for system rmware updates on the SD Card. If the there is no
system rmware le present on the card, then the bootloader will start the system normally. The system rmware is the
main software and contains all of the DATA’s functions (e.g., oscilloscope, spectral analyzer, etc.). You are able to update the
bootloader rmware from the settings menu of the main system. All this may sound confusing, but the process of updating both
the system and the bootloader rmware is really quite simple, as explained below.
To get the most of out your DATA, be sure to keep the bootloader and system rmware up-to-date! It is through this process we
provide new and improved features, as well as x bugs, for optimal DATA performace. Both the DATA’s system and bootloader
rmware update les can be found on the Mordax website as they become available (major updates will also be annouced via
the email newletter and social media channels).
Firmware
Updating the System Firmware
1. Go to www.mordax.net and download the latest DATA
system rmware le to your computer. All DATA system
rmware .bin les start with DS followed by 6 numbers,
which indicate the version number (e.g., DS010000.bin is
DATA System Version 01.00.00).
2. Turn off the DATA, remove its microSD card and put
the microSD card in your computer (or if your computer
doesn’t have a microSD card reader, use a USB based
reader, available at any electronics retailer). You’ll see the
card is named ‘MX_DATA’.
3. Take the downloaded DATA rmware .bin le and
place it in the mircoSD card’s root directory– a fancy way
of saying the place that you see when you rst open the
card on your computer (see top image).
4. Eject the card and put it back into the DATA.
5. Power on the DATA. The rmware le will be
automatically detected and loaded into the DATA’s
memory. Once the rmware update is complete, the .bin
source le will be deleted from the card.

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MORDAX : DATA
User Guide
SYS V. 01.00.00
BOOT V. 01.00.00
Updated: 161229
Updating the Bootloader Firmware
This is a similar process to updating the system rmware, except that
you will go into the DATA’s Settings program to execute the update.
1. Got to www.mordax.net and download the latest DATA bootloader
rmware le to your computer. All DATA bootloader rmware .bin
les start with DB followed by 6 numbers, which indicate the version
number (e.g., DB010000.bin is DATA Bootloader Version 01.00.00).
2. Turn off the DATA, remove its microSD card and put the microSD
card in your computer (or if your computer doesn’t have a microSD
card reader, use a USB based reader, available at any electronics
retailer). You’ll see the card is named ‘MX_DATA’.
3. Take the downloaded DATA rmware .bin le and place it in the
mircoSD card’s root directory.
4. Eject the card and put it back into the DATA.
5. Power on the DATA. From the DATA’s main menu, hit button 1-4 to
access the Settings program.
6. The Settings program opens in the ‘Memory’ page. Hit button 2-2
to navigate to the ‘Miscellaneous Systems Items’ page. Then scroll
with the rotary encoder knob to select ‘Bootloader Firmware Update’
from the submenu. With this item highlighted, push in on the encoder
to access the Bootloader Update routine.
7. The Bootloader Update program will recognize the new rmware
and display the version number on the screen. Push button 1-1 to
start the update. Heed the notice on the screen; while this update
process is rather fast, if the bootloader update is interrupted before
completing, it may brick your DATA and would have to be returned to
Mordax HQ for service.
8. Once the rmware update is complete, the .bin source le will be
deleted from the card.

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MORDAX : DATA
User Guide
SYS V. 01.00.00
BOOT V. 01.00.00
Updated: 161229
Like all measurement equipment, the voltage accuracy of the DATA’s inputs and outputs are reliant on many factors, such as
the system’s calibration scheme, the initial accuracy of the performed calibration, and changes in the physical environment
(e.i., temperature). To best mediate environmental effects, it is recommended to perform calibrations after the DATA has been
powered on for a period of 30 minutes or longer. The DATA’s votlage calibration is composed of two interlinked routines, Manual
Calibration and Automatic Calibration. Let’s take a look at each of these.
Manual Calibration is used to calibrate the DATA’s digital-to-analog converters (DACs); these are the DATA’s voltage outputs.
Unlike the Automatic Calibration covered next, Manual Calibration is not intended to be performed often, as it requires the use
of a Digital Multimeter (DMM) or other voltage measurement device with sub-millivolt precision. At the factory, each DATA is put
through a “burn-in” period, where the unit is powered for ~1 hour, after which manual calibration is performed using a 5.5 digit
DMM, in addition to other tests. Despite calibration at the factory, the Manual Calibration routine may need to be performed on
your DATA from time to time. As long as you have access to a reliable DMM or similar device, the process is simple:
Automatic Calibration is used to calibrate the DATA’s analog to digital converters (ADCs); these are the DATA’s voltage input
sensors. Automatic Calibration relies on the DATA’s internal signal routing matrix to send known voltage levels into the ADCs
and record their values. This process should be done whenever using the DATA in a new environment, after the unit has warmed
up, prefferably for > 30 minutes.
To perform Automatic Calibration, enter the Settings program, navigate to the ‘Miscellaneous Systems Items’ page, then scroll
with the rotary encoder knob to select ‘Auto Calibration Routine’ from the submenu and follow the on-screen instructions.
Calibration
Manual Calibration
Automatic Calibration
1. Power on the DATA for at least 30 minutes. From the DATA’s main
menu, hit button 1-4 to access the Settings program.
2. The Settings program opens in the ‘Memory’ page. Hit button
2-2 to navigate to the ‘Miscellaneous Systems Items’ page (top box
MISC), then scroll with the rotary encoder knob to select ‘Manual
Calibration Routine’ from the submenu. With this item highlighted,
push in on the encoder to access the Manual Calibration Routine.
This takes you to the entry screen for the routine; press START to
begin.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions, rst measuring the OUT1 jack
for a range of voltages, then the OUT2, OUT3, and OUT4 jacks.
4. Once Manual Calibration is complete, the calibration information
is stored in the DATA’s onboard non-volatile memory. Neither Manual
Calibration information nor Automatic Calibration information are
stored on the microSD Card, so if your card is ever replaced for
any reason, you won’t need to perform a Manual Calibration again
(unless you want to).
5. Immediately after the Manual Calibration nishes, the DATA will
start the Automatic Calibration routine to calibrate the DATA’s analog
to digital converters (ADCs), applying the new Manual Calibration
values.

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MORDAX : DATA
User Guide
SYS V. 01.00.00
BOOT V. 01.00.00
Updated: 161229
Basic patch memory is available for saving and loading the DATA’s system-wide settings. There are 8 memory slots used to take
a “snap-shot” of the DATA as it is currently congured. The Oscilloscope program’s channel positions and time value, the Wave
Output program’s waveform type and frequency, and the Clock Output program’s BPM can all be saved for later recall. This is
useful for recalling specic congurations for performances or moving between different test and measurement routines.
To save or load a system state:
1. From the DATA’s main menu, hit button 1-4 to access the Settings
program.
2. The Settings program opens in the ‘Memory’ page. Scroll with the
rotary encoder knob to select one of the eight available memory slots
to save or load.
3. To save the current system state to the highligted slot, press
button 1-1, under the display text ‘SAVE’. Saving to the memory
slot will automatically overwrite any previously saved state in that
slot. The display will show a message indicating that the save was
successful.
4. To load a saved state from the highlighted slot, press button
1-2, under the display text ‘LOAD’. This will change all values in all
programs to those set at the time the system was originally saved.
5. To copy a saved state from one slot to another, simply load the
saved state from its memory slot, scroll to highlight the slot you want
to copy to, then save it there.
Saving & Loading System State

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MORDAX : DATA
User Guide
SYS V. 01.00.00
BOOT V. 01.00.00
Updated: 161229
An oscilloscope is to an electrical engineer as a telescope is to an astronomer; it allows the investigator to see, with thier own
eyes, a representation of what they are studying. And as a eurorack user, you’re going to become an electrical engineer on
some level, like it or not! (Why? Because, you’re powering and wiring together different circuits [modules] to build a complex
system [your rack] for signal generation, and so EE concepts like voltage, resistance, PCBs, oscillloscopes, etc. will seep into
your vocabulary eventually).
The primary function of an oscilloscope, the DATA’s or any other, is to display a 2D graph of voltage amplitude over time,
with amplitude on the Y-axis and time on the X-axis. With this simple display a multitude of information can be extracted
and questions answered – from getting a basic understanding of a module’s behavior (what shape is my envelope really?), to
exploring interesting topics like frequency modulation and phase cancellation.
Scopes can be deceptively simple though, especially digital storage oscilloscopes (DSOs); in fact, when I got my rst DSO and
started messing around with it, I thought it was broken! In reality, the scope was ne; I just needed to take some time to properly
learn how the DSO works. Just like positioning and focusing a telescope, you have to adjust the settings of an oscilloscope to
get the clear and accurate image you’re after.
We’ll be covering the operation of the DATA’s scope in the following pages, and we’ll visit a few specic oscilloscope “gotchas”
like triggering and aliasing. If you’re brand new to using scopes, I highly recommend checking out the excellent primer guide
from Tektronix “XYZs of Oscilloscopes” (Google it) as well as watching some YouTube videos (AdaFruit and EEVBlog have some
good ones) on general scope concepts. And of course, don’t forget to check out the Mordax YouTube channel for video tutorials
on the DATA’s scope and other programs!
Program : Oscilloscope
Channel buttons: Shows channel
input jack number and the channel’s
current verticle resolution - volts per
division, the Y-axis. Push to access
the channel’s pop-up menu.
Cursor button: Shows
current cursor scale
channel reference. Push
to access the cursor pop-
up menu.
Trigger button: Shows current trigger
mode - automatic or normal. Push to
access the trigger pop-up menu.
Time Scale button: Shows the scope’s current
horizontal resolution - microseconds, milliseconds,
or seconds per division, the X-axis. Push the
button and turn the encoder to change the time
scale.
RUN/STOP button: Push to switch
between RUN and STOP.
Trigger Line: Indicates the
trigger level for the associated
trigger source channel (for use
in trigger mode “NORM”).
Oscilloscope - Display Overview

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MORDAX : DATA
User Guide
SYS V. 01.00.00
BOOT V. 01.00.00
Updated: 161229
Triggering
Triggering is one of the most important concepts to understand when using an oscilloscope. The trigger controls the
oscilloscope’s “horizontal sweep”; in other words, it controls the display window of the incoming signal. The trigger can be used
to synchronize the oscilloscope’s display with an incoming repeating signal (e.g., an oscillator’s waveform), allowing for clear
viewing and measurement.
The DATA’s oscilloscope currently has two trigger modes available: AUTO (automatic trigger) and NORM (normal trigger). The
AUTO mode continuously samples the incoming signal and triggers at a xed rate, based on the currently selected time scale.
The NORM mode continuously samples the incoming signal, but will only generate a trigger event when the signal crosses the
trigger level. In NORM mode, if the signal does not cross the trigger level, the screen will not change.
When to use trigger mode NORM - Viewing repeating, high frequency signals, such as audio-rate waveforms (typical oscillator
output). The oscilloscope time scale would be set at 10ms or less.
When to use trigger mode AUTO - Viewing slower signals like slower envelopes, low frequency oscillators (LFOS). Also
useful for viewing non-repeating higher frequency signals, like your main audio outputs (mix of many oscillators and FX). The
oscilloscope time scale would typically be set at 10ms or more.
*Always use trigger mode AUTO when your time scale is set to large values (e.g., 100’s of miliseconds or seconds)
Trigger Example - AUTO vs NORM
The images 1, 2, and 3 show an audio-
rate sinewave coming in on channel 1,
with the TRIG mode set to AUTO and a
TIME scale of 1ms. Note the distortion of
the sinewave in each image, this is due to
the triggering of the waveform being out
of sync with the AUTO mode trigger rate.
Pressing button 2-2 displays the TRIG
pop-up menu (image 3). Switching the
mode to NORM syncronizes the display
with the waveform, producing a trigger
event every time the waveform crosses
the trigger level (currently set at 3.14V).
Now that the oscilloscope is triggering off
of channel 1 the distortion is gone (image
4). You can even change the frequency
of the incoming sinewave and its relative
position will remain centered on the
screen.
1 2
43
*Note that if the incoming signal changes so that it never reaches the trigger level (3.14V in this case), the displayed
waveform will not update. For this reason, it’s advisable to start viewing a signal of unknown amplitude or shape in
AUTO mode, adjust parameters such as the trigger level and time scale, and then switch to NORM mode.

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MORDAX : DATA
User Guide
SYS V. 01.00.00
BOOT V. 01.00.00
Updated: 161229
Trigger Level & Edge
When triggering from a singal in NORM mode, the trigger event occurs when the incoming signal crosses the trigger threshold,
or LEVEL (orange dotted line). When a trigger occurs the signal display is centered at the trigger point - the intersection of
the orange trigger line, the grey center grid Y-axis, and the incoming signal.
Images 1 and 2 to the right show the
trigger LEVEL changed from 3.14V to
-1.98V. This results in the trigger point
moving down; in image 1 the trigger is
towards the top of the saw wave, while in
image 2 it’s towards the bottom, and the
wave appears to have shifted to the right.
The Trigger EDGE parameter selects
whether a trigger event occurs when the
signal crosses the LEVEL from below, low
to high (RISE), or from above, high to low
(FALL).
Images 3 and 4 to the right show the
trigger EDGE changing from RISE to FALL.
With RISE, the signal display is centered
around the left slope of the saw wave,
while with FALL the signal is centered at
the right edge of the saw wave. Similar to
changing the LEVEL previously, the wave
appears to have shifted, this time to the
left.
1
3
2
4
Pro-tip: if your oscillator’s waveform is complex and contains non-repeating elements (e.g., wavefolding modulation or
scanning wavetables with lots of jagged edges), it might cross the trigger LEVEL many times per cycle, causing the display to
center the wave at different places, seeming to shift the wave left and right as it modulates. Try setting the trigger source to
another channel that’s monitoring a squarewave oscillator set to the same frequency as your complex waveform (or use the
SYNC output of your complex oscillator if it has one). This will keep a stable sync window for viewing your complex oscillator’s
waveform, even while it’s changing shape.

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MORDAX : DATA
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Time - Horizontal Scale (X-axis)
The TIME parameter (top of the screen, accessed via button
2-4) shows the scope’s current horizontal resolution in
microseconds, milliseconds, or seconds per division. On the
grid there are 12 divisions on the X-axis (the grid is 12 boxes
wide). For example, if the TIME parameter is set to 1MS
(one millisecond), then the scope is showing a total of 12
milliseconds of signal across the display.
The TIME parameter ranges from 50uS (50 microseconds)
to 5.0S (ve seconds), allowing for a minimum total display
of 600 microseconds and a maximum total display of 60
seconds.
Let’s look at an example of viewing a LFO waveform. The incoming LFO signal is a sawtooth wave with a frequency of 0.1Hz,
which is equal to a period of 10 seconds (1Hz frequency = 1 second period); it’s a fairly slow LFO. But let’s say we didn’t
know the LFO’s frequency or period; we can use the scope’s horizontal scale to measure it (or alternately, the scope’s cursor,
covered in the following pages).
The TIME parameter is set to 5.0S (ve seconds), so each vertical grey line is equal to 5 seconds of time. You can see on the
scope’s grid that the waveform crosses two of the vertical grey lines before repeating, so from this we can tell that the LFO’s
period is 10 seconds.
Also, there are 6 full cylces of the saw wave across the scope’s display. With 10 seconds per cycle this demonstrates that
there are 60 seconds of time displayed when the TIME parameter is set to 5.0S.

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MORDAX : DATA
User Guide
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BOOT V. 01.00.00
Updated: 161229
In any digital sampling system, such as a digital oscilloscope, aliasing
distortion of the sampled signal can occur. In the image right there are two
sine waves signals shown in yellow, each with the same number of X-axis
divisions. In this graphic the X-axis divisions are sample points; both
sine waves are being sampled at the same rate, though they are different
frequencies. The circles show where the incoming sinewave signal is
sampled; if you draw a line connecting the points of the top sine wave
they would meet up and trace the actual sine wave input signal. However
on the bottom, higher frequency signal, connecting the sample points
draws a sine wave but doesn’t match the input signal. The distorted
signal produced is an example of aliasing distortion; the incoming signal
is too fast to be properly sampled at the current sample rate.
Below is an example of this aliasing distortion on the DATA’s scope display. The saw wave signal’s frequency is a little less than
350Hz (F4 note); with TIME: 1MS the signal is displayed appropriately, but as the TIME value is increased, there is more time
between samples and similarly each pixel on the screen spans more time. At TIME 2MS and 5MS the signal is still reasonably
displayed, while the bottom three images show TIME 20MS, 100MS, and 500MS, neither of which are appropriate for displaying
this frequency of signal. As the time per division is increased to larger and larger values, this relatively high frequency signal
experiences aliasing distortion resulting in interesting, but incorrect representations.
To avoid aliasing distortion, rst start with a smaller TIME value and increase it until the signal is displayed to your liking,
rather than starting with a large TIME value and decreasing it.
Image source: www.eldingdsp.com/alias
Aliasing - Sampling Distortion

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MORDAX : DATA
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Voltage - Vertical Scale (Y-axis)
Also available in the channel pop-up menus is the parameter COUPL, which selects AC (alternating current) or DC (direct current)
coupling on the channel’s input. AC coupling places a 0.47uF capacitor in series with the channel input, which blocks DC signals,
only allowing AC signals to pass. For example, if you have AC coupling selected and you put a constant 5V CV signal into the
input, it will show 0V on the scope, as that 5V DC has been blocked. Similarly, the at components of a sqaure wave will appear
distored when AC coupling is selected, as these are periods of DC (see images above). This distortion becomes more pronounced
the lower the sqaurewave frequency becomes (longer periods of DC). Typically, you will want to view signals as COUPL: DC.
Fun fact: The squarewaves you hear coming out of a speaker are generally distorted as shown in the AC coupled image, as the
signal lines to speakers most always have these series DC blocking caps.
1
3
2
4
Coupling - AC / DC
Each channel’s SCALE parameter shows the volts-per-division of the vertical scale. On
the grid there are 8 divisions on the Y-axis (the grid is 8 boxes tall). The vertical scale’s
resolution can be controlled independently for each channel, accessed via the channel’s
pop-up menu at the bottom of the display.
For example, in image 1 right, the SCALE parameter for channel 1 is set to 5.0V per
division. That means each square on the grid is now 5.0V tall, and with 8 vertical divisions
on the grid, the entire display is showing a range of 40V. You can see that the incoming
saw wave is 2 boxes high, so 2 X 5.0V gives 10V; at a glance you now know the waveform
spans 10V peak-to-peak.
Also in the rst image, note that the position of channel 1 (parameter POS) is set to 0.00V;
this means the center of the grid is displaying 0.00V. The saw wave spans one box above
the center grid line, and it spans one box below; we now know the saw wave’s actual
voltage amplitude, +5V to -5V peak-to-peak
If we set the position to 5.00V (image 2) the saw wave is moved up, offset by vertical
division (one box) at this scale.
Changing the SCALE parameter has the effect of zooming in or out on the signal. Images 3
and 4 show the same +/-5V saw wave, but the vertical scale is changed, making the signal
larger on the display. Recall that at SCALE:5.0V the display can show a full 40V (8 vertical
divisions, 8 x 5 = 40). Similarly, at a scale setting of 2.0V the screen can display 16V from
top to bottom, and at a scale of 1.0V it displays a range of 8V.
In image 4 you can see that our 10V peak-to-peak saw wave is clipped at it’s top and
bottom, because it spans a voltage range wider than what can be shown at SCALE:1.0V
(8V full display range).

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MORDAX : DATA
User Guide
SYS V. 01.00.00
BOOT V. 01.00.00
Updated: 161229
Cursor
As we saw in the sections on the DATA scope’s horizontal (X-axis) and vertical (Y-axis) scales, the scope’s grid can be used to
take quick measurements of an incoming signal’s voltage as well as its period and frequency. The scope’s cursors allow for more
precise measurements, in addition to creating custom visual windows or thresholds.
The cursor pop-up menu is accessed via the top left button (2-1), labeled CUR, with the current Y-axis scale reference shown.
The Y-axis scale can reference any of the four input channel’s scales; there’s no need to readjust the cursor if a channel’s voltage
scale or position is changed, as the cursor’s scale and relative position change along with it on the y. Similarly, the cursor’s
X-axis scale is automatically updated to reference the display’s current TIME setting.
There are two cursors available per axis, with cursors AY and AX displayed as a solid white lines and cursors BY and BX
displayed as dotted white lines. Difference (delta) between each axes’ cursors are shown under each set of controls, calculating
the span in voltage or span in time between their A and B cursors.
The DISPLAY parameter of the cursor pop-up menu turns on and off the cursor display. This allows you to continue viewing
the cursor’s position and delta values while the pop-up menu is not engaged. Only the active cursors are present in the display
window, saving display space when only one cursor axis is being used.

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MORDAX : DATA
User Guide
SYS V. 01.00.00
BOOT V. 01.00.00
Updated: 161229
Program : Spectrum Analyzer & Spectrograph
One of the most interesting things about sounds (and periodic signals in general) is that they can be described as the sum of
an innte set of sine waves at various frequencies and amplitudes. This collection of sine waves that make up a signal is the
signal’s frequency spectrum, and the individual sine waves in the spectrum are its harmonics (also called partials).
For example, a square wave can be created by starting
with a sine wave of a given frequency (the fundamental or
rst harmonic), then adding subsequent sine waves at odd
multiples of the fundamental frequency and decreasing
amplitudes (odd harmonics). The green waveform right
shows the additive synthesis of a fundamental and three
additional odd harmonics (blue sine waves). It’s not a
perfect square wave, but it’s starting to take shape. If you
continued adding subsequent odd harmonics in this fashion
the combined wave to become increasingly more square, as
seen with the magenta wave, which is the result of 50 sine
waves combined.
The DATA’s spectral programs allow you to view these
frequency components, taking a time domain signal and
displaying it in frequency domain, showing it’s harmonic
content (the various sinewaves that make up the signal).
This is accomplished by Fourier analysis, specically fast
Fourier transform (FFT). Both the DATA’s Spectrum Analyzer
and Spectrograph display the incoming signal’s frequency
spectrum, with the Spectrum Analyzer showing the output
of one FFT analysis at a time, and the Spectrograph
showing multiple FFT’s. The Spectrum Analyzer provides
the frequency components of a signal as a bar graph, with
each bar representing a small frequency range (also called a
bin); the higher the bar, and the lighter it’s color, the greater
the magnitude of the frequency band in the signal. The
Spectrograph shows the same information as the Spectrum
Analyzer, but only displays magnitude as a a function of
color.
RUN/STOP button: Push to switch
between RUN and STOP of the display.
Peak Bin: The tallest bar in the bar graph is the
frequency bin with the greatest magnitude. This is
the signal’s rst harmonic (fundimental frequency).
Channel buttons:
The currently active input channel is highlighted. Push the
soft buttons below each channel number to change inputs.
Window Type: Shows
the current windowing
function (lter) applied to
the incoming signal. Push
button 2-1 and scroll
with the encoder to apply
different window types.

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MORDAX : DATA
User Guide
SYS V. 01.00.00
BOOT V. 01.00.00
Updated: 161229
Program : Tuner
Channel buttons: The currently
active input channel is highlighted.
Push the soft buttons below each
channel number to change inputs.
Measured Frequency: The
fundamental frequency of the
incoming signal.
Note Dif: Difference in Hz
between the incoming measured
frequency and its nearest note
frequency.
Nearest Note: The nearest note
name and frequency compared to
the incoming signal’s measured
frequency.
Next Note: The nearest note
in the chromatic scale to the
incoming signal’s measured
frequency.
Normalize: Push button 2-1
to turn ON/OFF normalization
processing of the input signal.
Used when the incoming signal
is signicantly less than 10V
peak-to-peak (e.g., +/-5V typical
oscillator signal).
The DATA’s Tuner program measures an incoming signal’s frequency and automatically displays the nearest note in the
chromatic scale, as well as calculates the difference in hertz from the nearest note. Any of the four input channels can be
selected for measurement, allowing for quick tuning of multiple signals (e.g., tuning four oscillators to make a chord).
Typical accuracy: +/- 0.01 Hz
Frequency range: 27.50 Hz - 4,068 Hz (spans notes A0 to B7)
Tuner - Display Overview
Normalization - Small Signals
Eurorack audio oscillators generally produce a 10V peak-to-peak (+/-5V) signal. If the input signal is signicantly less than this
(e.g., less than 6V peak-to-peak), engage the Tuner’s normalization function (button 2-1, top left) to maintain analysis of the
lesser signal. Note that normalization can effect measurement accuracy and is not recommended for use on signals > 2,200 Hz.
For measurement of high frequency, low amplitude signals, disengage the normalization function and boost the target signal
prior to input via an external gain amplier, buffered adder, or similar.

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MORDAX : DATA
User Guide
SYS V. 01.00.00
BOOT V. 01.00.00
Updated: 161229
Program : Wave Output
WAVE1/2: Push to scroll and act on
available parameters for either waveform
generator (e.g., scroll frequency, type,
phase, etc.)
CV: Push to bring up the CV pop-up
menu and assign the CV source and
attenuation amount for either waveform
generator’s pitch or amplitude
CV Control: Input channels 1-4
can be assigned CV frequency or
VCA amplitude of either oscillator
Wave Out: Oscillator 1 and 2 output,
10V peak-to-peak (+/-5V)
MODE: Push to bring up the Mode
pop-up menu, choosing either
decimal frequency or note value for
setting the waveform generator’s
base frequency
AMP: The waveform’s amplitude as a percentage of 10V peak-
to-peak (e.g., 100% = 10Vpp, +/-5V). Max value is 200% and
will clip the waveform over +5V and under -5V for wave shaping.
Min values is -200%; negative amp values invert the wave
(e.g., saw to ramp). This gain stage is prior to the VCA, so that
clipping waves will maintain their shape under VCA control.
OFFSET: Percent gain or reduction in the
waveform’s center voltage value (e.g., 0% = 0V
center, 25% = 2.5V center). This can be used in
combination with the AMP control to clip and
shape the waveform.
TYPE: The initial waveform
shape, which can be SINE,
SQR, SAW, or TRI.
PHASE: The starting point of
the waveform’s cycle
FREQ/NOTE: The waveform
generator’s base frequency
(frequency before CV pitch
control) is displayed as either
decimal Hz or note name.
Final Frequency: The
waveform generator’s current
output frequency, which is a
combination of the set base
frequency and the incoming CV
pitch information (if pitch CV is
active)
CV Message: Not a control, but
a reminder message to set the
oscillator base frequency to note
C0 (16.35Hz) for normal 1V per
octave CV tracking.
The DATA’s Wave Output program provides two precision waveform generators. Each unit can act as either LFO modulation
sources or audio rate oscillators, with 1V per octave CV pitch tracking over 8 octaves. CV control over each oscillator’s
pitch and amplitude (digital VCA) can be assigned on the y to any of the 4 input jacks, with independent attenuators per
modulation destination.
Frequency - Manual Control: 0.01 Hz - 9,999.99 Hz
Frequency - CV Input: 0.01 Hz - 4,200.00 Hz
C0 to C8 / 0V to +8V is the normal functional CV input range
*Will accept CV input up to +10V, producing glitchy, weird signals up to around 15,800 Hz
Amplitude (VCA) - CV Input: 0V to +5V, linear response
Waveform Generator - Display Overview

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MORDAX : DATA
User Guide
SYS V. 01.00.00
BOOT V. 01.00.00
Updated: 161229
Program : Clock Output
Clock - Internal Master Mode - Display Overview
PARAM: Push to scroll and
act on available main screen
parameters (e.g., Master BPM,
Clock 1 & 2 div/mult, offset)
CV: Push for the CV pop-up menu and
assign the CV source and attenuation
amount for either clock’s div/mult and
offset modulation.
MODE: Push for the Mode
pop-up menu, choosing either
INTERNAL MASTER mode or
EXTERNAL SYNC mode.
BPM: Decimal quarter note
beats per minute of the
base clock generator.
DIV/MLT: Division or multiplication
of the base clock frequency to be
output. Setting to 1:1 produces
quarter notes, and x4 gives 16th
notes (PPQN 4). Final DIV/MTL
value, adding CV inuence, is shown
to the right in grey in parentheses.
OFFSET: Output clock’s shift +/- 96
ticks (one quarter note) from the
base clock. Final OFFSET value,
adding CV inuence, is shown to the
right in grey in parentheses.
FREQ & PERIOD Display: The
frequency (Hz) and period (ms) of
the base clock generator.
Beat Displays: The top track
shows clock generator base
quarter notes, with the CLOCK1
(blue) and CLOCK2 (purple) tracks
showing their relative beat output
(divided/multiplied and offset)
INPUT1 - RUN/STOP: Indicates
the function of INPUT1. Send a
gate signal to toggle RUN/STOP
of the clock generator (same as
pushing soft button 1-4).
RUN/STOP: Push soft
button 1-4 to toggle RUN/
STOP of the clock generator.
INPUT2 - RESET: Indicates the function of
INPUT2. Send a gate signal to reset the clock
generator’s measure position (applies to longer
division settings). This has the same effect as
pushing soft button 1-3 RESET.
RESET: Push soft button 1-3
to reset the clock generator’s
measure position (applies to
longer division settings).
CV Control: Input channels 3 & 4 can be
assigned control over either clock’s div/mult
or offset parameters
Clock Out: Clock 1 and 2 output, 5V
peak-to-peak (0V to +5V) trigs
The DATA’s Clock program provides two CV controlled Clock trigger outputs, which can be driven by either the highly stable,
BPM dened Internal Master clock, or can be synced to an external clock source (External Sync Mode). Each Clock output
rate is a multiple (DIV/MULT parameter) of the Internal Master or External Sync clock and can be offset in time from the source
clock up to one quarter note forward or backwards.
The DATA’s Clock outputs can be used to trigger external sound generators directly (e.g., drum voices), acting as trigger
sequencers, or they can be used as variable clock sources to drive step sequencers or other time-based modules in
your system. With the use of CV modulation over the output clock parameters, very complex rhythms are possible, from
mechanical ratcheting to African-style drumming.