NTHSynth NTH Music Synthesizer User manual

The NTH Music Synthesizer
manual revision: 1.26.2012d

Thank you.
Congratulations on purchasing the Nth Music Synthesizer.
We hope that the NTH will put a smile on your face for years to come.
2

3

Contents
4
Introduction
Top Panel
Sequencer
Modulation
Filter
Signal Flow
Midi
Programming
Features & Specifications
Credits
5
6
7
9
14
15
16
18
19
20

Introduction
We designed the NTH so that a user manual would be unnecessary.
The NTH is so simple to use that a novice can quickly craft a variety
of timbres. For the synth veteran, the NTH is a fun tool without
layered menus and obscured features. Every synthesis parameter
can be altered by simple manipulation of a knob, button, or slider.
If you are interested in the specifics of NTH operation, read on. We
are excited to share.
5

6
1 Power Toggle
2 Power indicator LED
3 Tempo Knob
4 Steps Knob
5 Step Indicator LEDs
6 Pitch Sliders
7 Step Toggles
8 Filter (Cutoff/Resonance Knobs)
9 Volume Knob
10 Filter Bypass Toggle
11 Modulation Toggles
12 Modulation Knob
Top Panel

Sequencer
7
Power up the NTH.
The sequencer
begins running.
Change the pitch
of each step with
the sliders.

8
Adjust speed
and direction
of playback.
Toggle each step on or off.
Select the number
of steps in the
sequence.

Modulation
Select any of the modulation parameters (Wave, Env, Detune, Gliss)
by pressing the corresponding toggle. Adjust the sound by turning
the Modulation Knob.
Each modulation parameter is described in the pages that follow.
9

Waveforms
10
Select one of 16
oscillator waveforms.

Amplitude Envelopes
11
Select one of 16 amplitude
envelopes. When the
sequencer runs in reverse,
the envelopes are reversed.

Detune
12
Raise the pitch of the
secondary oscillator
chromatically, relative to the
primary oscillator: unison at
full counter-clockwise, one
octave at full clockwise.

Glissandi / Scales
13
Select one of 16 patterns.
These patterns change the
oscillator pitch relative to the
slider position. When the
sequencer runs in reverse, the
patterns are reversed.

Filter
Adjust the NTH's sound with the analog low-pass filter based on the
Sallen-Key design.
The Cutoff Knob controls the cutoff frequency of the filter. The
Resonance Knob boosts the output around the cutoff frequency.
The NTH's filter is very aggressive. High resonance levels can result
in distorted, raw, and noisy sounds. For a sweeter tone, roll the
resonance knob counter-clockwise.
Bypass the NTH's filter by flipping the Filter Toggle to the "0"
position.
14

NTH Signal Flow
15

MIDI
The NTH features standard MIDI in and out. It can be used in
conjunction with external gear including keyboards, drum machines,
samplers, and synthesizers. It can also interface with digital audio
workstations on your computer.
At power-up, the NTH operates under control of its internal tempo
clock and integrated step sequencer.
When a MIDI note is received, the integrated sequencer is disabled
and the NTH enters monosynth mode, allowing you to play the NTH
with an external controller. The internal tempo clock is still used
to generate amplitude envelopes and gliss/scalar patterns.
When MIDI sync is received, the internal tempo clock is disabled and
the NTH's integrated sequencer is controlled by the external MIDI
sync.
When both MIDI notes and MIDI sync are received, the NTH operates
in monosynth mode with amplitude envelopes and gliss/scalar
patterns controlled by the external MIDI clock.
16

MIDI Implementation Chart
17
Parameter Function CC Range
Wave Selects from 16 oscillator waveforms 1 0 - 15
Env Selects from 16 amplitude envelopes 2 0 - 15
Detune Detune secondary oscillator 3 0 - 11
Gliss Selects from 16 glissando / scalar patterns 4 0 - 15
Steps Selects sequence length 5 1 - 8
Tempo Rate/direction of sequencer 6 ~ 30 - 230 BPM
Gate Selects looped or 1-shot amp envelope 7 0 - 1
Note Trigger MIDI notes F0 - G#5 - 17 - 80
Sync Start / Stop / Continue / Clock - -

Programming
The microcontroller programming port is a 6-pin header that adheres
to the Microchip In Circuit Serial Programming specification. For
details, see the datasheet of the NTH microcontroller (PIC16F1937).
We recommend the Microchip PICkit2 USB programmer and software.
18

!"#$%&"'()(*+",-.-,#$-/0'
12#,3#45"(/+"0('/%&,"(6"'-70
8(95",$&/0-,(+&/$/$:+-07(#&"#
8 ;66-$-/0#5(<;=(,>#00"5(&"'"&?"6(./&(<@A(%'"
8 B@=CD!(E-,&/,/0$&/55"&(F-$>(@0(=-&,%-$(*"&-#5(B&/7&#EE-07(G@=*BH
((((((+/&$(./&(.-&EF#&"(<@A()(%+7&#6"'
1I84-$(6-7-$#5(/',-55#$/&
8(CD(/',-55#$/&(F#?"./&E'
8(CD(#E+5-$%6"("0?"5/+"'
8 <%#5(+-$,>(F-$>(#6J%'$#45"(6"$%0"
8 CD(75-''#06/(K(',#5#&(+#$$"&0'
1;0#5/7(5/F8+#''(.-5$"&(F-$>(&"'/0#0,"(G4#'"6(/0(*#55"08L":(6"'-70H
1@0$"7&#$"6(I8'$"+('"M%"0,"&N
8(I(+-$,>('5-6"&'(F-$>($/775"(4%$$/0'
8 O"E+/(,/0$&/5(30/4(F-$>(&"?"&'"
8 *"M%"0,"(,/0$&/5(30/4
1*$#06#&6(P@<@(-0(#06(P@<@(/%$(+/&$'
1QRSEE(5-0"K>"#6+>/0"(/%$+%$(F-$>(?/5%E"(,/0$&/5
1T#'"&,%$(#06("$,>"6(#,&:5-,("0,5/'%&"
1U5%"(-06-,#$/&(T9<'
1B/F"&"6(4:(VW(4#$$"&:
8(B/F"&(,/0'%E+$-/0N(XRVY(GCXXE;(Z(VW<=H
1<-E"0'-/0'N(CXR[D\(](DRCC\(]([RC[S\
1Y"-7>$(G9],5%6-07(U#$$"&:HN([CRDS(/^R
19

Credits
NTH created by John Staskevich & Kevin Holland
nthsynth.com
highlyliquid.com
sineqube.com
Photography by Amy Glass
amyglass.dphoto.com
20