Ploytec 34one User manual
User Manual
www.ploytec.com
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We thank you for ordering 34one and hope you are
happy with this innovative product. Please read the
following instructions attentively to know how the
device functions. 34one is a musical instrument,
which requires practice. With this instrument, you
will be able to create great sounds.
Markus Medau, Managing director, Ploytec GmbH
Getting started Plug the MIDI-Connector (cable of the 34one) into the MIDI-in jack of your instru-
ment (synthesizer, keyboard, computer).
As soon as you tap the foot switch, 34one is
activated and awaits another tap for 2
seconds. During this time, the LED flashes
yellow. Right after the second "tap", 34one
starts transmitting a so called "MIDI Clock"
signal. This information synchronizes your
synthesizer, sequencer or computer soft-
ware to the tempo. The 34one calculates the
tempo with the time between the two taps
on the pedal and bases the calculation on a
quarter note. Example: was there 1 second
between the two taps, this would equal
60bpm: 60 beats per minute. Half a second means 120dpm, 2 seconds 30bpm….
only been tapped once... In case the foot pedal has only been tapped once, the LED will blink red after the 2
seconds waiting time is past. A battery test will follow and the 34one is turned off
automatically. The device can be started again at any time.
Turning off To turn 34one off, press the foot pedal down for at least one second. While the
34one is turning off, a battery test will take place: when the LED shines green the
battery is OK, when the LED is red, this means that the battery is loosing its charge.
When you release the foot pedal the battery test is complete and 34one is turned
off and ready to be started again.
battery test Usually, there will be a few hours of operating time left after the red light first
appears during the battery test. A standard 9V block battery (type: Alkaline) should
give you a running time from over 50 hours. When turned off, 34one does not use
any energy.
turned off automatically In case 34one is not touched for more than 2 hours and 30 minutes, it will be turned
off automatically. This feature prevents the battery from discharging after for-
getting to turn off 34one.
Turning on and
starting
Tap the pedal on the "3" and the "4" (4/4 time). 34one now transmits a continuous
MIDI Clock signal and on the following "1" a "MIDI Start" command is also transmit-
MIDI Clock is a so called real-
time message, which is sent 24
times per quarter note. (MIDI
Time Code has to do with time
information and has nothing to
do with MIDI Clock).
The instructions of your key-
board or sequencer will explain
the use of MIDI Clock for syn-
chronization with your device.
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ted. This will start a connected sequencer. Accordingly, the 34one will transmit a
"MIDI Stop" when you turn it off.
arpeggiator An arpeggiator ignores such commands and will start the first time you use the key-
board-keys. In this case, you do not necessarily have to wait for the "1".
shining LEDs... The LED assumes a 4/4 time and signals the "1" with red, and the "2" "3" and"4" with
green lights. However, the 34one may also be used for any other times (e.g. 3/4).
Tap-on function While 34one is running you can keep tapping at any time. This tapping influences
the tempo and phase. The 34one calculates the tempo with the average values of
the last four time measurements.
For four new measure-
ments you will have to
tap five times: e.g. "1" -
measurement - "2" -
measurement - "3" -
measurement - "4" -
measurement - "1"'
After each time 34one is turned on, all four measuring values are initialized on the
first time measurement. New values will only be accepted when they are at least
half of the actual tempo. Therefore, for larger tempo changes you should change
the tempo in small steps.
Each tap has an influence on the phase and shifts the rhythm in the direction of
the next quarter note. (To the next "2" or "4" in the "24one mode", see below.)
exact tempo The most exact tempo is not useful, when the music is completely out of time. This is
why the 34one uses a sophisticated algorithm, which will slightly increase or decrease
the tempo in short time, to get constantly closer to the time you are tapping.
Keep in mind that 34one
is an instrument and
exact tapping has to be
learned in the same way
as time-correct playing
of other instruments.
To keep the influence of inaccurate taps small, the average values are constantly cal-
culated. This means that with an increasing amount of taps the influence on the
phase is larger. When you stop tapping, the phase shift ceases. However, single taps
still have a certain influence.
24one Mode High exactness in taps for higher tempi are offered by the 24one mode, which can
be activated via a small switch at the back of the device. In this mode only half
notes are tapped, which means that in the beginning you tap on the "2" and the
"4" (instead "3" and "4"), and on the "1" it starts as usual.
straight time For the tap on (see before) you can only tap the "2" and "4" during the time. Tapping
"1" and "3" creates a huge chaotic phase shifting, since the 34one will try to get to
the next "2" or "4". The "24" mode is, therefore, only useful for straight time (2/4,
4/4, 6/8….).
note: The switch on the back side of 34one is normally in the 3-4-one mode (default). You
have to turn it in the other direction, to use the 2-4-one mode.
Technical Data MIDI implementation:
•Control Change Channel 1, Controller 90, Value 127 for turning on1
•MIDI Clock from second tap on the foot switch
•MIDI Start on the first "1" (after 24 clocks)
•MIDI Stop when turning off
•Control Change Channel 1, Controller 90, Value 0 when turning off1
1 enables turning on and off of an arpeggiator
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Performance data:
•Tempo range: 30 - 300 bpm
•CPU: Atmel® RISC Microcontroller, Calculation exactness: 24bit internal
•Battery operating time: > 50 hours with Alkaline 9V Blocks
Battery change To change the battery you have to unfasten
the two screws on the back and carefully
open the 34one.
Exchange the discharged battery with a
new 9V Alkaline block battery. Be careful
with the polarity of the battery clip.
Be careful not to get cables stuck when clo-
sing the device again, especially the knob
must not be covered with the cables. The
LED of the upper device part shows to the
back, where the lower part has the 24one
switch and the gap for the cable. (You might
want to ask a technical skilled friend for
assistance.)
You should only use brand-name batteries and dispose of old batteries accordingly.
Impressum Imprint 1, English version, February 2004
All rights reserved. Without the written permission of the manufacturer, this brochure may not
be reproduced in any way, whether in full or in part, nor may it be copied or adapted by use of
any electronic, mechanical or chemical processes.
It is possible that the brochure may include printing errors or omissions. However, the details in
this brochure are regularly checked and any necessary corrections are included in the next edi-
tion. We are unable to accept any responsibility for technical or printing errors or for the con-
sequences of any such errors. Copyright and trademark protected.
34one is a registered design (Munich, Germany)
In the event of scientific or technical advances, we reserve the right to make changes to the
product without giving prior notice.
contact: Ploytec GmbH - Fahrnauerstr. 64 - 79650 Schopfheim - Germany
Offer Further music equipment:
34one linked to the sus-
tain and assign pedal. All
three pedals can be
easily put together.
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