OTO Machines BAM User manual

2
01
BAM USER MANUAL
Safety warnings and recommendations
Do not eat BAM. Before using BAM, make sure to read
all the instructions below, and this User Manual. BAM
has some openings on its enclosure and 4 adhesive feet
for cooling purpose. To ensure sufcient cooling, do not
obstruct the openings and/or remove the adhesive feet.
BAM should be connected to the included AC adapter
or a power supply of the type described in this manual.
Do not place things on the top of the AC adapter which
could prevent normal cooling. If your BAM is unused
for a long period of time, disconnect the AC adapter
from the outlet. BAM, in combination with an external
amplication system or headphones, may generate a
high sound level, which could potentially damage your
ears. Do not operate BAM for a long period of time at
a high volume level. It’s safer to keep reasonable levels
and start with low volume. Do not expose BAM and its
AC adapter to rain, moisture, dust, sand or dirt. Do not
pour liquids into BAM. Never use or store BAM near
water, for example sea, swimming pool, bathtub, kitchen
or bathroom sink. BAM should be located away from
high temperatures (> 35 degrees C), for example direct
sunlight in an enclosed vehicle, radiators, heat registers,
stoves or other heat sources. Only clean BAM with a
soft, dry cloth. Do not apply any liquids or alcohol. Do
not apply excessive vibration forces to BAM, do not
drop it and always transport it in its original packaging
or in shock absorbing material. Never climb on top of,
nor place heavy objects on BAM. Some parts of BAM
are fragile (such as the housing and some electronic
components), so dropping it might damage your BAM.
Repair work resulting from dropped BAM is not covered
by the normal warranty of the product. Do not leave
small children alone with BAM, and do not let them use
BAM unless they are capable of following all the rules
for the safe operation of BAM. Do not open (or modify
in any way) BAM or its AC adapter. There are no user-
serviceable parts inside. Refer all servicing to qualied
personnel only. If you think your BAM needs repair, you
can send us an e-mail at: [email protected].
Warranty
BAM is sold with one year full warranty. This warranty
covers all malfunctions that may occur from normal
use, and does not cover damage due to abuse,
faulty connections or operation under other than
specied conditions. Warranty is void when serial
number is unreadable, when the device is repaired by
unauthorized persons, opened, or tampered with in
any way, or if the product was not sold to the end-user
through an authorized dealer or the OTO Machines
website. This warranty is limited to replacement or repair
of the product. The unit can only be returned for repair
after agreement from OTO Machines. Customer covers
shipping costs of faulty BAM to OTO Machines and
OTO Machines covers shipping costs back to customer.
Disposal
The trash can symbol indicates that your product must
be disposed of properly according to local laws and
regulations.
Warning on epilepsy
A very small percentage of individuals may experience
epileptic seizures or blackouts when exposed to certain
light patterns or ashing lights. If you have an epileptic
condition or have had seizures of any kind, consult your
physician before using BAM.

02
PRESENTATION
Congratulations and thank you for purchasing BAM!
BAM is a stereo reverb processor inspired by the late
70s/early 80s digital reverberator units. These units are
sought after by sound engineers, producers and musicians
for their grainy, warm and musical reverberations.
Here at OTO, we are passionated by the technology of the
digital reverberators, especially the old models !
We have carefully listened to all digital reverberators built
from 1976 to 1986, studied their architecture and read all
the available papers (from 1961 to nowadays) on digital
reverb design. It seemed obvious to us that the musicality
of the early digital reverb processors was partly due to the
algorithms (the way the processor synthesized a natural
reverberation), but also to their hardware limitations.
The audio signal was severely high-cut ltered (10 kHz
was standard at that time) because of the limited sample
clock. Some units used 12 bit gain stepping converters to
achieve a 15 bit resolution and others used the rst 16
bit converters. Then the samples were digitally processed
through a 16 to 20 bit xed-point CPU with limited
memory. The algorithms had to be simple but efcient
to create the most musical and versatile reverberation
from these limitations. And the hardware itself added
grain and warmness to the sound. The technology used
in BAM is very close to the one used in these early digital
reverberator units : 16 bit converters, 20 bit xed-point
processing, analog ltering and even an input transformer
transient simulator. Some of the 7 reverb algorithms are
inuenced by the early structures, and some are brand
new. BAM is a very musical and unique reverb processor.
It combines the sound quality of a vintage reverb processor
with the playability of a desktop effect in a compact format
with MIDI control and 36 user presets.
FEATURES
•7 algorithms: Room, Hall, Plate, Ambient, Chorus,
Non-Linear and Primitive
•Input Gain up to +15 dB with analog clipping
•Pre Delay up to 500 ms (with the PRE DELAY pot)
or 1500 ms (with the TAP switch)
•Continuous control of the reverb Size parameter
for ne tuning
•Low-cut lter: 20 Hz, 80 Hz,150 Hz, 250 Hz, 450 Hz
•High-cut lter: 1.8 kHz, 4.5 kHz, 7 kHz, 9 kHz, 15 kHz
•Chorus parameter can add modulation to the
reverberator signal
•Tap Tempo assignable to Pre Delay or Reverb Time
•Freeze switch
•36 user presets
•MIDI input: BAM responds to CCs and Pgm Change
•3 bypass modes: Relay, Spillover and Aux
•Nice and simple user interface via 16 white LEDs
•Rugged steel enclosure
•Neutrik® jack connectors
•Power supply included
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Presentation - Features
Front panel - Rear panel
Setup examples
Parameters
Type
In Gain
Filters
Chorus
Active mode - Tap Tempo destination
Display mode - Local mode
Freeze mode
Presets - Recall - Save
Factory Presets
Memory protect
MIDI
MIDI CC list
Specications - Reset
Shortcuts summary
Page 03
Page 04
Page 06
Page 07
Page 08
Page 09
Page 10
Page 11
Page 12
Page 13
Page 14
Page 15
Page 16
Page 17
Page 17
Page 20
Page 21
Page 22
03

data
size
active
tap
15 vdc midi in out r out l in r in l/mono
in gain lters freeze
preset
type chorus
reverb time
pre delay
damping
mix
01 - SIZE. Sets the size of the space. Allows you to tune the reverb to your sound
02 - PRE DELAY. Sets a delay time (from 0 to 500ms) before the reverb occurs
03 - MIX. Mix between the dry and wet sound
04 - DATA. Sets the selected parameter (cf p.7)
05 - REVERB TIME. Sets the decay of the reverb
06 - DAMPING. Sets the amount of high frequency loss in the reverb tail
07 - ACTIVE. Turns the effect on or off (when it’s off, the reverb is bypassed)
08 - LEDS. Display the parameters, presets, midi settings and other infos
09 - PRESET. Save and Recall presets
10 - TAP. Tap tempo
11 - FUNCTION KEYS. Give access to the parameters (cf p.8 to 11)
12 - FREEZE. Reads the current reverb memory in loop
13 - POWER SUPPLY INPUT. 15 Volts DC 0,5 Amps, center positive
14 - MIDI IN. Midi input
15 - OUT R. Right output. Unbalanced 1/4” jack
16 - OUT L. Left output. Unbalanced 1/4” jack
17 - IN R. Right input. Unbalanced 1/4” jack
18 - IN L/MONO. Left or mono input. Unbalanced 1/4” jack
08
12
06
03
09
04
01
07
10
14 17
05
02
11
13 16
15 18
FRONT PANEL & REAR PANEL
04 05

PARAMETERS
BAM has 4 function keys:
Type, In Gain, Filters and Chorus
These function keys give you access to parameters.
Each press on the corresponding function key will
cycle through each available parameter. The selected
parameter will ash and can then be modied with the
DATA pot.
To exit parameter selection press the function key until
the LEDs go off.
SETUPEXAMPLES
1. Instrument Function Key Overview
1. Type. Type gives you access to 7 different
reverb algorithms.
2. In Gain. In Gain sets the input gain of the reverb.
3. Filters. This function key has 2 parameters:
Low-cut lter and High-cut lter. Low-cut lter is
displayed on the upper line, High-cut on the lower line.
4. Chorus. Chorus adds modulation to the reverberator
signal.
in gain lterstype chorus
2. Auxiliary
data
NOTE: turn the MIX pot to its maximum
position (right) or set BAM in «Aux mode»(cf. page 12)
Outputs Outputs
Inputs
Inputs
Aux ReturnAux send
Stereo Line Inputs
Main Outputs
Outputs
Bam Synthesizer
MixerMonitor Speakers
Main Outputs
Mixer
Monitor Speakers Bam
06 07

Chorus
Non-LinearAmbientHall
TYPE
Type. Sets the algorithm of the reverb.
Plate PrimitiveRoom
+8 dB
0 dB
+10 dB
+2 dB +4 dB +6 dB
+12 dB +14 dB
Type In Gain
+9 dB
+1 dB
+11 dB
+3 dB +5 dB +7 dB
+13 dB +15 dB
IN GAIN
In Gain. Sets the analog input gain of the reverb from 0
dB to +15 dB. Due to the built-in diode clipper, increasing
gain can add a nice character to the reverb signal.
08 09

FILTERS
Filters. Low-cut & High-cut lters are located at the
reverb input. It can change the character of your sound
from airy to darker.
CHORUS
Chorus. Adds modulation to the reverb signal.
The ‘Off’ position won’t introduce any pitch shifting but it
can lead to more metallic character. The ‘Light’ position
is the standard setting for natural reverb.
10 11
450 Hz
250 Hz80 Hz
150 Hz
20 Hz
4.5 kHz 9 kHz
High-cut Filter
Low-cut Filter
1.8 kHz 7 kHz 15 kHz
StrongLight
Mid
Off
Chorus

TAP TEMPO DESTINATION
The TAP tempo switch can be assigned to the
Pre-Delay time or the Reverb time.
To change the TAP Tempo mode, press and hold the TAP
switch for at least 2 seconds. The TAP switch and one of
the following LEDs will ash to indicate the current TAP
Tempo destination:
Led 1. Tap tempo is assigned to the Pre-Delay time.
Led 2. Tap tempo is assigned to the Reverb time.
You can change this destination with the DATA
pot. To exit the TAP Tempo settings, wait for 10
seconds or press the TAP switch.
DISPLAY MODE
When no parameter is selected, you can
choose what the screen will display.
To change the DISPLAY mode, press and hold
the TYPE function key for at least 2 seconds.
The TYPE function key and one of the following LEDs will
ash to indicate the current Display mode:
Led 1. Off mode. The screen will display nothing.
Led 2. VU-meter mode. The 16 LEDs act as a VU meter
and display the reverb input level (the upper line for the
left input, the lower line for the right input).
Led 3. Preset mode.The 16 LEDs show the current preset
and bank number (cf. page 15).
You can change the Display mode with the DATA pot.
To exit the Display mode settings, wait for 10 seconds or
press the TYPE function key.
ACTIVE MODE
The ACTIVE switch has three Bypass modes:
Relay, Spillover and Aux.
To change the Bypass mode, press and hold the ACTIVE
switch for at least 2 seconds. The ACTIVE switch
and one of the following LEDs will ash to indicate the
current Bypass mode:
Led 1. Relay. When the ACTIVE switch is off, inputs
are directly connected to the outputs via a relay, and
the electronics are completely bypassed. The tail of the
reverb is muted when the ACTIVE switch is off.
Led 2. Spillover. This is an electronic bypass, the tail of
the reverb is not muted when the ACTIVE switch is off.
Led 3. Aux. The MIX pot sets the level of reverb and the
ACTIVE switch mutes the reverb input when it’s off.
You can change the bypass mode with the DATA pot.
To exit the ACTIVE settings, wait for 10 seconds or press
the ACTIVE switch.
NOTE: When BAM is switched off, inputs
are directly connected to the outputs via the relay.
active typetap in gain
LOCAL MODE (MIX)
Each Preset contains its own Mix value. Sometimes it can
be useful to load a preset while keeping the current Mix
settings.
To change the Local mode, press and hold the IN GAIN
function key for at least 2 seconds.
The IN GAIN function key and one of the following LED
will ash to indicate the current Local mode:
Led 1. Preset mode. The Mix value is loaded
from the preset.
Led 2. Local mode. The Mix value from the loaded
preset is ignored and the current Mix value is used.
You can change the Local mode with the DATA pot.
To exit the Local mode settings, wait for 10 seconds or
press the IN GAIN function key.
12 13

FREEZE MODE
The FREEZE switch can be set to operate in either Latch
or Momentary mode. To change the Freeze mode,
press and hold the FREEZE and the CHORUS switches
simultaneously for at least 2 seconds.
The FREEZE switch and one of the following LEDs will
ash to indicate the current Freeze mode:
Led 1. Latch. Freeze is on when you press the FREEZE
switch. Freeze turns off when you press the FREEZE
switch again.
Led 2. Momentary. Freeze is only on when you depress
the FREEZE switch.
You can now change the Freeze mode with the DATA pot.
To exit the Freeze mode settings, wait for 10 seconds or
press the FREEZE switch.
PRESETS
BAM has 36 presets; 6 banks of 6 presets each.
The upper line of LEDs (1 to 6) indicates the bank.
The lower line of LEDs (9 to 14) indicates the preset.
Recall a Preset
Press the PRESET switch. The PRESET switch lights up
and one of the upper line LEDs blinks. Press one of the 6
switches (from TAP to FREEZE) to select a bank. Then one
of the lower line LEDs blinks. Press one of the 6 switches
(from TAP to FREEZE) to select a preset.
Your preset is loaded.
Save a preset
Press the PRESET switch for 2 seconds. The PRESET
switch ashes to indicate you are in Save mode.
One of the upper line LEDs blinks. Press one of
the 6 switches (from TAP to FREEZE) to select a bank.
Then one of the lower line LEDs blinks. Press one
of the 6 switches (from TAP to FREEZE) to select a preset.
All the parameters and pot positions are now saved
in the selected preset.
Use these 6 switches
to select the bank
and the preset
14 15
tap in gaintype
These 6 LEDs indicate
the bank number These 6 LEDs indicate the preset number
lters freezechorus
1 2 3 4 5 6
chorus freeze

EXIT WITHOUT LOADING
OR SAVING A PRESET
If you press the PRESET switch before selecting the bank
or the preset, the preset won’t be loaded or saved.
You can also wait 10 seconds.
POTENTIOMETERS POSITION
Once you recall a preset, the physical position of
a pot may not be the same as in the preset. To prevent
a sudden jump of volume when you turn a pot, the
preset value will reach the pot value with a smooth fade.
MEMORY PROTECT
You can prevent overwriting your presets with the
Memory Protect function. Press the PRESET and the
FREEZE switches and hold them for at least 2 seconds.
The PRESET and the FREEZE switches, and one of the
following LEDs will ash to indicate the current Memory
Protect mode:
Led 1. OFF. The memory is not protected.
Led 2. ON. The memory is protected and you cannot
save presets. If you attempt to save a preset, LEDs 1 to 6
and 9 to 14 will ash briey to indicate that memory is
protected.
You can now change the memory protect
mode with the DATA pot.
To exit the Memory Protect settings, wait for 10 seconds
or press the FREEZE or the PRESET switch.
MIDI
The MIDI settings menu gives you access to the following
functions:
•MIDI Channel selection
•MIDI Filters
•Program Change map
To access the MIDI menu, press the ACTIVE switch while
pressing the PRESET switch.
The TAP, TYPE and IN GAIN switches ash. Press any of
these switches to access to the corresponding sub-menu.
1. CHANNEL
One of the 16 LEDs will ash and display which channel
is selected. You can select a MIDI channel by turning the
DATA pot.
FACTORY PRESETS
The rst 2 banks are lled with 12 factory presets.
These 12 factory presets are listed on table 1.
Table 1: Factory Presets list
1.1
Le Salon de Musique
2.1
Daily Spacial
1.2
Tired Room
2.2
Solaris
1.3
Cold Wave
2.3
Stoned Reections
1.4
SmHall
2.4
Kssshhh
1.5
Hall Right
2.5
The Intruder
1.6
The Rite of Plate
2.6
Endangered Spaces
16 17
tap in gaintype
Channel PGM map
Midi Filters