Ploytec PL2 User manual

User Manual
From Firmware Update V2.0
Ploytec GmbH – (PL2) Synthesizer - English Manual - Version 2.0, last revised: August 2014
PILSQUARED
MIDI powered, duophonicSynth
squarewavesynthesis
digital &analog filter

2 Disclaimer (PL2) Synthesizer - English Manual
Contents 3
(PL2) Synthesizer - English Manual
Disclaimer
The information in this document is subject to change without notice and shall not be deemed as a warranty by the seller. No warranties, ex-
pressed or implied, are made with regard to the quality, suitability or accuracy of this document. The manufacturer reserves the right to change
the contents of this document and/or the associated products at any time without the provision of prior notice to specic persons or organiza-
tions. The manufacturer shall not be held liable for damages of any kind arising from the use, or the inability to use this product or its documen-
tation, even if the possibility of such damage is known. The information in this document is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved. No part of this
manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or for any purpose without the expressed written permission of the copyright holders. Prod-
uct and brand names contained in this document are used for identication purposes only. All registered trademarks, product designations or
brand names used in this document are the registered property of their respective owners.
©Ploytec GmbH, 2014. All rights reserved (01.08.2014).
Contents
Please only connect analogue audio connections when switched o, in order to protect the speaker membranes
and your hearing against sudden sound level peaks. Connecting the device to the USB port of your computer may
also cause a noise—please turn down the volume of your playback system accordingly.
Safety Instructions
Introduction 4
Important Notes about Power Supply 4
At a Glance -
New Features with Firmware V2.0 5
Overview of Technology 6
Connectivity 7
Signal Routing 8
Play Modes 9
Envelope 10
Oscillators 11
Filter 14
LFO 15
Modulation 15
Modulation Wheel Bitpattern 16
Output 18
Program Memory 18
Factory Sounds 18
Appendix 19
Declaration of Conformity 19
Technical Data 19
Editor 20
MIDI Implementation Chart 22
23

4 Introduction (PL2) Synthesizer - English Manual
Ata Glance- NewFeatureswith FirmwareV2.0 5
(PL2) Synthesizer - English Manual
Introduction
We are pleased that you have chosen a Ploytec (Pi Lambda squared 2 or simply PL2) synthesizer system for your musical
endeavors and would like to congratulate you on your decision. We’re convinced this innovative development will prove ex-
tremely useful to you in the coming years and, above all, provide you with a great deal of entertainment.
We hope you nd this manual both informative and entertaining to read, and hope you nd lots of pleasure in the Ploytec PL2
synthesizer system.
… Your Ploytec-Team!
The PL2 can generally be powered from the MIDI port without the need for a power adapter. You should ensure,
however, that the external MIDI device connected to this port can provide the required current. If this isn’t the case
you can use a common 5 Volt DC (100mA min.) USB power adapter (e.g. as commonly used for mobile phones)
and connect to the PL2 USB Micro-B port. Of course a standard PC or HUB USB port can provide the needed power
as well.
Power supply adapter and USB cables are not part of the scope of delivery.
Important Notes about Power Supply
At a Glance - New Features with Firmware V2.0
Now you can choose the MIDI channel and even the Omni mode (receive on all 16 channels) is available.•
The range of notes can be limited by min. or max. values.•
The startup program can be pre-selected within the editor software.•
If the parameter [Digital Filter Cuto ] is set to zero the key velocity will automatically control the lter cuto.•
The LFO modulation eects the lter with higher speed if the parameter [Note Priority] is set• On. Especially for higher
played notes the new LFO speed results in an interesting sound impression.
Fine-Tuning is possible now. This is done by moving and holding the pitchbend wheel and simultaneously switching the•
program (using the MIDI program change message) to set the new main pitch. Simply move the pitchbend wheel to the
min. or max. position to reset the pitch to its standard value.
MIDI Active Sensing is supported..•
MIDI Polyphonic Aftertouch is supported. If your master keyboard or host application sends aftertouch information for•
each note these will eect the volume (starting from the volume which is set by the velocity).
Shorter program switch-over times are realized.•
A new Second Mode expands with three new waveforms and with the Bassdrum Mode. By using the MIDI-controller #3•
(new) you can switch between the Normal and the Second Mode.
Four new preset programs are located on the program positions 4 and 22 to 24.•
4 5

6 Overview of Technology (PL2) Synthesizer - English Manual
Connectivity 7
(PL2) Synthesizer - English Manual
ConnectivityOverview of Technology
Despite its small housing the PL2 is a complete duophonic mono synthesizer. The PL2 generates an enormous variety of sounds
with the help of two square wave (pulse) oscillators which can be interconnected in variable and innovative ways - these are
fun to experiment with. Not only the classic waveforms such as saw-, sine- or pulse-waves will be simulated, rather newly and
interesting sounds - from warm to destructive - are also generated.
The PL2 receives its data via a selectable MIDI channel and all setting parameters can be edited by MIDI controller commandos.
Up to 32 of your own self-programmed sounds can be stored in the user memory area. In addition, further 32 factory sounds are
located within a xed memory area which provides ideal starting material to experiment with.
Generally, the PL2 follows the principle of subtractive synthesis in which the waveform (generated by the oscillators) rst runs
through a wide range adjustable digital lter stage (low- high- and band-pass) to edit the frequency spectrum and/or amplify
the resonance area if desired. After the digital lter an additional analog low-pass lter follows which particularly ensures the
necessary warmth especially for destructive- and digital-like sounds.
Wait, there’s more: a dedicated analog saturation stage at the output provides dynamic compression and therefore a respect-
able bass punch is created.
Of course the PL2 includes several additional options in terms of sound and playing manipulation like LFO modulation, PWM,
ADSR envelope and various play modes. Another interesting detail: LFO- and envelope-speed synchronise automatically to an
external applied MIDI clock - whereby the PL2 perfectly adjust to your song tempo.
For convenient and extended operation a software editor is available for Mac and PC. In addition, future PL2 synthesizer exten-
sions or new features can be integrated by updating the rmware.
MIDI jack.1. With the MIDI input jack it is possible to connect external
MIDI peripheral (e.g. keyboards, PC MIDI interfaces, etc.) Usually the PL2
will be powered through this jack also.
Audio output jack.2. The output jack is designed to be connected to un-
balanced RCA (cinch) lines. If possible only use high quality RCA audio
cables.
Micro-B USB jack.3. In most cases the PL2 synthesizer will be powered
through the MIDI jack and no external power supply will be required.
You can connect a separate power supply (not included) or USB PC/HUB
port to this jack, if necessary. Also refer to ”Important Notes about Po-Important Notes about Po-
wer Supply“ .
1
23
7
6

8 Signal Routing (PL2) Synthesizer - English Manual
Play Modes 9
(PL2) Synthesizer - English Manual
Signal Routing
Instruction Status Byte Data Byte Meaning
Mono On 126 0-127 Only oscillator 1 is active.
Dual On 127 0 Both oscillators (having equal phase positions) are active as soon as two
notes are played at the same time. If more than two notes are played
MIDI controller #89 sets the priority.
Dual/Detune 26 or 77 On: 0-63
O: 64-127
Both oscillators have unequal phase positions.
[O] will switch back to the mono mode.
Dual/Octave 27 or 78 On: 0-63
O: 64-127
Both oscillators have equal phase positions. Oscillator 2 is pitched one
octave lower than oscillator 1.
[O] will switch back to the mono mode.
Note Priority 89 On: 0-63
O: 64-127
In dual modes the values up to 63 leading to play the both highest
notes. The values above 63 leading to play the both lowest notes and
one octave lower. Note: controller #89 switches [Aftertouch] also.
Aftertouch 89 On: 32-127
O: 0-32
With values from 32 the aftertouch information will control the digital
lter cuto. Note: controller #89 switches [Note Priority] also.
Breath Control 2 0-127 Like for [Aftertouch] breath control controls the lter cuto. Note that
[Breath Control] and [Aftertouch] will overwrite each other.
Sustain Hold 64 On: 64-127
O: 0-63
Hold function. If [On] is selected note-o commands are no longer
processed. A played note holds a xed level - which is set by controller
#21 ([Sustain] of ADSR envelope) - until new notes occurs. This depends
on the particular mono-/ dual-mode.
Play Modes
All values use decimal notation
8
Modulation
Wheel
#1
#31* :
BP Refer to bitpattern table
*(8)
*(9)
*(5)
*(10)
*(6)
*(11)
*(7)
PWM2
PWM1
ADSR Release
OSC Volume
Filter Resonance (Digital)
on/off
Filter Cutoff (Analog)
Filter Cutoff (Digital)
#31*BP
#31*BP
#31*BP
#31*BP
#31*BP
#31*BP
#31*BP
Modulation
Amount
Mono on
Dual on
Dual/Detune
Dual/Octave
Note-Priority
#126
#127
#26
#27
#89
Playmode
MIDI Input
PWM2
#23
PWM1
#25
Waveform
#24
PWM 1&2
#10
DecayAttack Sustain Release
#19#17 #21 #16
AD
S
R
OSC 2
OSC 1
#30
Key-Off
Attack
on/off
#83
DC Offset
Wave
on/off
#89
Aftertouch
Modulation
on/off
#65
Portamento
on/off
#64
Sustain
Hold
on/off
Portamento
Time
#5
Breath
Contrl.
#2
Note on/off
Velocity
(Velocity if 0)
Ch's Aftertouch
Key's Aftertouch
*(5)
*(1)
*(12)
*(12)
*(2)
*(2)
*(10)*(11)
OSC Vol.
#20
Flt Cutoff
Digital
#18
Volume
Volume
#28
Filter Type
Digital
#29
Filter Link
ADSR
on/off
*(3)+(9)+(12)
*(4)+(6)+(12)
DC Offset
Filter
#22
Flt Reson.
Digital
#15
Flt Cutoff
Analog
#14
Out Vol.
#7
Audio-Output
DA-
Conversion
*(7)
*(8)
Saturation
Stage
MIDI Clock
Sync
MIDI-Clock
Sync
PWM
Pitch
Filter
Amp
on/off
#85
#86
#87
#88
Modulation
*(1)
*(2)
*(3)
*(4)
LFO
MIDI-Clock
Sync
9

10 Play Modes & Envelope (PL2) Synthesizer - English Manual Oscillators 11
(PL2) Synthesizer - English Manual
Instruction Status Byte Data Byte Meaning
Key-O Attack 30 or 81 On: 64-127
O: 0-63
If [On] is set note o commands will generate ADSR envelope re-trig-
gering. Interesting for bassy and percussive sounds.
Portamento 65 On: 64-127
O: 0-63
Glide. A new played note will slide from the previous to the new target
pitch.
Portamento Time 5 0-127 If [Portamento] is selected this parameter controls the speed at which
an oscillator moves to a new pitch.
All Sound O 120 0 Silence all notes currently sounding.
All Notes O 123 0 Turns o all voices. A note-o message will address each note to stop
hanging sounds if necessary.
Second Mode 3 On: 01
O: 00
The Second Mode expands the PL2 with three additional waveforms
and a special Bassdrum Mode.
All values use decimal notation
Envelope
Instruction Status Byte Data Byte Meaning
ADSR Attack 17 or 73 0-127 Rise time of the ADSR envelope generator.
ADSR Decay 19 or 91 0-127 Decay time of the ADSR envelope generator.
ADSR Sustain 21 or 93 0-127 Hold level of the ADSR envelope generator.
ADSR Release 16 or 72 0-127 Release time of the ADSR envelope generator.
All values use decimal notation
The envelope speed will synchronise automatically to an externally applied MIDI clock.
Oscillators
Instruction Status Byte Daten Byte Meaning
PWM 1 25 or 76 0-127 Pulse width modulation 1, will be overwritten by [PWM 1&2].
PWM 2 23 or 95 0-127 Pulse width modulation 2, will be overwritten by [PWM 1&2].
PWM 1&2 10 0-127 Pulse width modulation 1&2, controls in absolute and not in relative
terms.
OSC Volume
(Pre Filter Volume)
20 or 92 0-127 Oscillator maximal level. The velocity and the envelope generator
(ADSR) modulate the volume to a maximum level set here.
DC Oset Wave 83 On: 64-127
O: 0-63
Bitshifter. The waveform will be shifted upwards by a xed level set
here. As soon the upper limit is reached the truncated part will be
inserted at the lower limit again. Thereby distorted and destructive
sounds can be generated.
All values use decimal notation
10 11

12 Oscillators (PL2) Synthesizer - English Manual
Oscillators 13
(PL2) Synthesizer - English Manual
(PL2) Synthesizer - English Manual 13 Oscillators (PL2) Synthesizer - English Manual(PL2) Synthesizer - English Manual
Instruction Status Byte Data Byte Meaning
Waveform 24 or 75 1: 0-31
2: 32-63
3: 64-95
4: 96-127
1: Oscillation period 1 and 2 have the same pitch.
2: The pitch of oscillation period 2 is one octave higher than period 1.
3 and 4: Complex square wave forms - [PWM 1] adjusts the lower half
wave, [PWM 2] adjusts the upper half wave.
Waveform 1
Waveform 2
Waveform 3
A
B
PWM 1
D = 50% - 100%
Waveform 4
PWM 1
PWM 2 D = 75% - 100%
D = 75% - 100%
B = A + 1 Oktave
A + B
PWM 1
PWM 2 D = 75% - 100%
D = 75% - 100% PWM 1
PWM 2 D = 75% - 100%
D = 75% - 100%
All values use decimal notation
PWM 2
Resulting waveform consists of two oscillation periods. The pitch of pe-
riod 2 is the 19th interval of period 1.
[PWM 1] adjusts period 1 and [PWM 2] adjusts period 2.
Resulting waveform consists of two oscillation periods. The pitch of pe-
riod 2 is the 24th interval of period 1.
[PWM 1] adjusts period 1 and [PWM 2] adjusts period 2.
Resulting waveform consists of two oscillation periods.
[PWM 1] adjusts period 1, [PWM 2] adjusts period 2 and
eects its pitch. [PWM2] thus generates an interesting
pitch-sound eect.
The lower part of the keyboard (to MIDI note F3) plays the
bassdrum sound. Notes above (from F#3) generate a noise
sound. The played pitch eects the bassdrum sound but
doesn’t eect the noise.
Bassdrum Mode controller allocation:
[PWM1]: Bassdrum Timbre
[PWM2]: Bassdrum Kick Attack
[PWM1&2]: Bassdrum Timbre & Kick-Attack
[DC Oset Wave]: Bassdrum Release Sound
[Portamento Time]: Bassdrum Release Time
The digital lter, the ADSR envelope and [OSC Volume] only
control the noise. [Out Volume] and [DC Oset Filter] control
the kick and the noise. Some controllers are not used in
Bassdrum Mode.
Waveform
Undevizesime
Waveform
Quartvizesime
Waveform
Clubvizesime
Bassdrum
Mode
Instruction Status Byte Data Byte Meaning
Waveform
Second Mode
24 or 75 1: 0-31
2: 32-63
3: 64-95
4: 96-127
1: Bassdrum Mode
2: Undevizesime
3: Quartvizesime
4: Clubvizesime.
All values use decimal notation
Osc. Period 1 Osc. Period 2
D = 50% - 100%
PWM 1 PWM 2
D = 50% - 100%
PWM 1 PWM 2
PWM 1 PWM 2
Each repetitive waveform consists of two separate oscillation peri-
ods. [PWM1] adjusts the rst and [PWM2] adjusts the second pulse.
[PWM1] and [PWM2] modify the complete waveform (consisting of
two oscillation periods) using a special combination algorithm.
Resulting waveform combined
by A and B. The pitch of B is one
octave higher than A. [PWM 1]
adjusts A and [PWM 2] adjusts B. Osc. Period 1 Osc. Period 2
Osc. Period 1 Osc. Period 2
12 13
PWM 2

14 Filter (PL2) Synthesizer - English Manual
LFO & Modulation 15
(PL2) Synthesizer - English Manual
Instruction Status Byte Data Byte Meaning
PWM 85 On: 64-127
O: 0-63
Controls the parameter [PWM 1&2].
Pitch 86 On: 64-127
O: 0-63
Controls the main pitch.
Filter 87 On: 64-127
O: 0-63
Controls the parameter [Filter Cuto Digital].
Amp 88 On: 64-127
O: 0-63
Controls the parameter [OSC Volume].
The integrated low frequency oscillator (LFO) can eect up to ve destination parameters. The LFO speed will synchronise
automatically to an externally applied MIDI clock.
LFO
Instruction Status Byte Data Byte Meaning
Modulation Wheel
Mode
31 or 82 0-127
Bitpattern
Up to seven destination parameters can be eected by the modulation
wheel: [ADRS Release], [OSC Volume], [Filter Resonance], [Filter Cuto
Analog, [PWM 1] and [PWM 2] can be assigned in form of an bitpattern
to any possible combination. The desired combination can be taken
from the “Bitpattern“ table chart.
Modulation
All values use decimal notation
All values use decimal notation
Filter
Instruction Status Byte Daten Byte Meaning
Filter Cuto 18 or 74 0-127 Adjusts the digital lter cuto frequency.
Filter Resonance 15 or 71 0-127 Amplies the digital lter resonance area.
DC Oset
(Post Filter)
22 or 94 0-127 Bitshifter. The waveform after the digital lter can be shifted upwards
by a level set here. As soon the upper limit is reached the truncated part
will be inserted at the lower limit again. Thereby experimental sounding
tones can be generated here once more.
Filter Type 28 or 79 LP: 0-63
BP: 64-95
HP: 96-127
LP = low pass lter
BP = band pass lter
HP = high pass lter
Filter Cuto
(Analog)
14 or 70 0-127 After the digital lter and DA conversion, an additional analog low-pass
lter follows. The analog lter cuto frequency is adjusted here.
Note : this parameter isn‘t useful for dynamic control because disturb-
ing noises can occur while playing notes and changing this parameter
at the same time.
Filter Link ADSR 29 or 80 On: 64-127
O: 0-63
The amplier envelope can control the digital lter cuto frequency if
linked. [On] will activate the link.
All values use decimal notation
1514

(PL2) Synthesizer - English Manual
16 Modulation Wheel Bitpattern
Daten-
Byte
ADSR
Release
OSC
Volume
Filter
Reson.
(Digital)
Filter
Cuto
(Analog)
Filter
Cuto
(Digital)
PWM 2 PWM 1
00
01 P
02 P
03 P P
04 P
05 P P
06 P P
07 P P P
08 P
09 P P
10 P P
11 P P P
12 P P
13 P P P
14 P P P
15 P P P P
16 P
17 P P
18 P P
19 P P P
20 P P
21 P P P
22 P P P
23 P P P P
24 P P
25 P P P
26 P P P
27 P P P P
28 P P P
29 P P P P
30 P P P P
31 P P P P P
Daten-
Byte
ADSR
Release
OSC
Volume
Filter
Reson.
(Digital)
Filter
Cuto
(Analog)
Filter
Cuto
(Digital)
PWM 2 PWM 1
32 P
33 P P
34 P P
35 P P P
36 P P
37 P P P
38 P P P
39 P P P P
40 P P
41 P P P
42 PPP
43 P P P P
44 P P P
45 P P P P
46 P P P P
47 P P P P P
48 P P
49 P P P
50 P P P
51 P P P P
52 P P P
53 P P P P
54 P P P P
55 P P P P P
56 P P P
57 P P P P
58 P P P P
59 P P P P P
60 P P P P
61 P P P P P
62 P P P P P
63 P P P P P P
Modulation Wheel Bitpattern
(PL2) Synthesizer - English Manual
Daten-
Byte
ADSR
Release
OSC
Volume
Filter
Reson.
(Digital)
Filter
Cuto
(Analog)
Filter
Cuto
(Digital)
PWM 2 PWM 1
64 P
65 P P
66 P P
67 P P P
68 P P
69 P P P
70 P P P
71 P P P P
72 P P
73 PPP
74 P P P
75 P P P P
76 P P P
77 P P P P
78 P P P P
79 P P P P P
80 P P
81 P P P
82 P P P
83 P P P P
84 P P P
85 P P P P
86 P P P P
87 P P P P P
88 P P P
89 P P P P
90 P P P P
91 P P P P P
92 P P P P
93 P P P P P
94 P P P P P
95 P P P P P P
Daten-
Byte
ADSR
Release
OSC
Volume
Filter
Reson.
(Digital)
Filter
Cuto
(Analog)
Filter
Cuto
(Digital)
PWM 2 PWM 1
96 P P
97 P P P
98 P P P
99 P P P P
100 P P P
101 P P P P
102 P P P P
103 P P P P P
104 P P P
105 P P P P
106 P P P P
107 P P P P P
108 P P P P
109 P P P P P
110 P P P P P
111 P P P P P P
112 P P P
113 P P P P
114 P P P P
115 P P P P P
116 P P P P
117 P P P P P
118 P P P P P
119 P P P P P P
120 P P P P
121 P P P P P
122 P P P P P
123 P P P P P P
124 P P P P P
125 P P P P P P
126 P P P P P P
127 P P P P P P P
Modulation Wheel Bitpattern
17 Modulation Wheel Bitpattern
16 17

Appendix 19
(PL2) Synthesizer - English Manual
18 Output & Program Memory (PL2) Synthesizer - English Manual
Program Memory
The PL2 program memory includes 64 positions which can be selected by standard MIDI program change messages. The rst
32 programs include the factory sounds which are xed and cannot be overwritten. The memory space from 33 to 64 is the user
area. All parameter changes made here will be stored automatically as soon as you switch (via MIDI program change) to another
program. Upon delivery the factory sounds can be found additionally at program position 33-64 and therefore provides ideal
starting material to experiment with. The program numbers 65-128 include random sounds.
Progr. Name
1 Upright Bass
2 Analog Synth
3 Lord
4 Cempilo*
5 Analog Strings
6 Summer Bass
7 Will You
8 Berlin 61
Progr. Name
9 Main Bass
10 On Air
11 Black Roses
12 Poison
13 5th down
14 Dub Bass
15 Charles
16 Wesley
Progr. Name
17 Analog Bass
18 Signals
19 Mr. Finger
20 Dead Cat
21 Titanium
22 Neon Wobble*
23 PR-L08*
24 PR-L09*
Progr. Name
25 Geiger
26 Metropolis
27 Vettel
28 Analog Pad
29 Lukas
30 Transformator
31 Smacker
32 Electric Moskito
Factory Sounds
Instruction Status Byte Data Byte Meaning
Out Volume 7 0-127 The output includes an analog volume control which is linked com-
monly with the following saturation stage. The output signal therefore
gets rising compression by rising output level.
Output
All values use decimal notation
Appendix
Declaration of Conformity
We:
PloytecGmbH•Fahrnauerstr.64•79650Schopfheim
hereby declare that the product
Ploytec PL2 Synthesizer ,
to which this declaration refers is in compliance with the following standards or standardising documents:
•EN55022:1998+CorrigendumJuly2003+A1:2000+CorrigendumApril2003+A2:2003
•EN55024:1998+A1:2001+A2:2003
to which this declaration refers is in compliance with the following standards or standardising documents:
residential, business and commercial environments and small-company environments.
Ploytec GmbH
Fahrnauerstr. 64
79650 Schopfheim
www.ploytec.com
Current consumption: 10mA max.
Output level: 580mVRMS (nom.)
Digital “State Variable Filter“: Samplerate: 125kHz (Waveforms),
50kHz (Bassdrum Mode)
Dimensions: 46.5 x 27.5 x 52.0 [mm] (wxhxd)
Technical Data:
* new with Fir mware V2.0 - ROM only
18 19