Rossum Electro-Music MOB OF EMUS User manual

MOB OF EMUS
Polyfunctional Harmonic Sextet
What is this thing?
Mob of Emus is a flexible music and sound
design tool that gives you six channels of
oscillators, noise sources, cyclical and 1-shot
modulators (including LFOs, envelopes, and
various other shapes), sample and holds,
slow random modulators, triggers, rhythm
patterns, and quantization (of both internal
and external signals) in pretty much any
combination (well, any combination of six
channels, anyway).
In addition to being able to independently
program the function of each individual
channel, Mob of Emus’ Hex mode provides
a macro control layer that allows you to
control all of its channels simultaneously
(while, in most cases, maintaining the
relationships of each channel’s independent
programming).
What’s more, Mob of Emus’ “harmonic”
control structure makes it extremely easy
to combine its oscillators into rich additive
timbres, to combine its LFOs into stacked
harmonic low frequency modulation waves,
and to create modulation sources and
triggers with intricate polyrhythmic patterns.
With an external trigger input, six CV inputs
that can operate in six dierent control
modes, six independent outputs, and an
assignable mix output, Mob of Emus can
operate as the heart of an almost unlimited
variety of patches.
And while Mob of Emus’ interface is, by
necessity, rather dense (given all it does),
its eight real-time controls have been
designed to give you immediate hands-on
access to a channel’s (or all six channels’)
key parameters, inviting (and rewarding)
exploration and improvisation.
Finally, Mob of Emus provides 12 preset
locations to save your favorite creations.
Installation
While all Rossum Electro-Music modules
are protected against reverse polarity,
care should still be taken to connect the
power cable correctly.
Plug the 16-pin connector into the
header on the rear of the module such
that the red stripe on the cable (the -12V
side) is on the same end of the header as
the “Red Stripe (-12V)” text on the PCB.
Mob of Emus requires a maximum of
130mA of +12V and 25mA of -12V.
We have included both M3 and M2.5 (for
vector rails) mounting screws. Use what
fits your system. If rack rash is of concern
to you, use the included nylon washers
when mounting Mob of Emus in your
case.
Make some noise!
The quickest way to hear some of what
Mob of Emus can do is to check out
the Presets that come pre-loaded from
the factory. Refer to the Factory Presets
chapter in the manual for descriptions of
what they’re intended to do. Play around
with them.
Then read the manual. Seriously. You’ll be
glad you did.
Thanks for purchasing Mob of Emus. This
guide will get you to the point of creating
some interesting patches, as well as giving
you an overview of what Mob of Emus is
about. But since it does a lot more than may
be obvious from just looking at the panel,
to get the most out of it, you really need to
check out the full owners manual at:
www.rossum-electro.com/support/
documentation

Functional Overview
>MULTI In Hex Mode, control all
channels. Target parameters are as
labeled on the panel.
>FREQ Independently control the
frequency of all six channels.
>TRIG Independently trigger the
individual channels.
>GAIN Independently control the
output amplitude of individual
channels.
>WAVE Independently control the
wave shape of individual channels.
>QUANT Quantize external signals
patched to the CV inputs.
Real-Time Controls
The real-time controls function in a
primary mode (labeled in black) and in
one or two Option modes (Iabeled in
blue). Functions labeled in orange are
active in Hex Mode only.
In individual channel mode:
FREQ/FINE/SEMI Sets a channel’s
frequency over a range of +/- 2 octaves.
Option 1: Fine tune.
Option 2: Constrain to semitones.
OCTAVE/2X Sets a channel’s octave over
a range of +/- 5 octaves.
Option 1: Doubles range to +/- 10 octaves.
WAVE/ENV/PAT Selects a channel’s
waveshape.
Option 1: Selects from a second bank of
shapes, including envelopes.
Option 2: Selects from a third bank of
shapes, including rhythm patterns.
PHASE/SYNC/1S Sets a channel’s phase
oset, from 0–360 degrees.
Option 1: Enables hard sync, with
channel 1 as master.
Option 2: Sets a channel to 1-shot mode.
HARM#/SERIES Sets a frequency
multiplier of 1 to 16.
Option 1: Sets a frequency multiplier of
17 to 32.
Here’s a top-level overview of what Mob of Emus
is all about. Suce it to say that we can only hit
the highlights here. You’ll discover a lot more
magic in the full manual.
TAP/TRIG BUTTON Repeatedly tap to set
frequency. OPTION + TAP triggers all six channels
simultaneously.
TAP/TRIG JACK Mirrors the function of the
associated button or acts to trigger all six
channels.
HEX BUTTON Toggle Hex Mode (LED indicates
state). See back page for additional functions.
CV Inputs
Operate in one of six modes.
Select the mode by double-clicking and holding
OPTION and then clicking the desired preset
button.

VARIATION/WARP Osets the probability
that all channels will ratchet or drop a step.
Option 1: Warps each channel’s frequency
in the style of a frequency shifter. Just to
the right of center provides chorus-style
detuning. At full CCW, all channels swarm to
the frequency of channel 1.
QUANT/RND/DC Selects the scale
for the Mix output quantizer. Set fully
counterclockwise for no quantization.
Option 1: Adds random frequency variation
to all channel’s outputs.
Option 2: Add a DC oset (+/- 12 semitones)
to the Mix output.
Mixed Mode
When Hex mode is enabled and one or
more channels are selected, all parameter
edits will aect the selected channels, not
the Hex layer. However, Mob of Emus will
continue to apply the Hex layer osets and
modifications, allowing you to make edits
to the individual channels while hearing the
Hex Mode osets.
Channel Selectors and LEDs
The channel selector buttons are used to
select channels for editing, to manually
trigger individual channels, and to solo or
mute individual channels (see the back page
for details). The LEDs indicate the channels
selected for editing as well as displaying
triggers. When OPTION is held or latched,
the LEDs act as a graphical output level
viewer.
When editing HARM/SERIES, HARM#,
OCTAVE, QUANT, SEMI, or DC, the LEDs
(along with the Preset LEDs and the HEX
LED) will display the current pot value as a
temporary LED meter. Check the manual
for details.
Outputs
Six individual channel outputs and a
summed Mix output.
Preset/CV Mode Selectors
Load or save one of 12 presets. Double-click
and hold OPTION and click to select the CV
Input Mode.
H.GAIN/MIX Sets channel level in dB, from
-infinity to 0.
Option 1: Mix output control. Turn clockwise
from noon to sum a channel into the MIX
output. Turn counterclockwise from noon to
remove a channel from the MIX output.
VARIATION/WARP Sets the probability
that a channel will ratchet or drop a
step. Turn clockwise from noon to
increase the probability of a ratchet. Turn
counterclockwise from noon to increase the
probability of a dropped step.
QUANT/RND/DC Selects the scale that a
channel’s output will be quantized to.
Option 1: Add random frequency variation to
a channel’s output.
Option 2: Add a DC oset (+/- 12 semitones)
to a channel’s output.
In Hex Mode:
Unless noted, Options 1 and 2 are the same
as individual mode.
FREQ/FINE/SEMI Osets all channels’
frequencies.
OCTAVE/2X Osets all channels’ octaves.
WAVE/ENV/PAT Selects all channels’
waveshapes. Set 0 to enable the individual
channels’ waveshapes.
PHASE/SYNC/1S Osets all channels’
phase settings.
Option 1: Enables hard sync for channels
2–6, with channel 1 as master.
Option 2: Sets all channels to 1-shot mode.
HARM#/SERIES Sets the number of
channels playing (from 1 to 6).
Option 1: Selects a preset harmonic series,
setting the frequency multipliers of all 6
oscillators simultaneously.
H.GAIN/MIX Sets “Harmonic Gain.” Turning
counterclockwise from max progressively
attenuates the higher numbered channels
until, at full counterclockwise, only channel
1 is audible.
Option 1: Mix attenuation control.
>MULTI In Hex Mode, control all
channels. Target parameters are as
labeled on the panel.
>FREQ Independently control the
frequency of all six channels.
>TRIG Independently trigger the
individual channels.
>GAIN Independently control the
output amplitude of individual
channels.
>WAVE Independently control the
wave shape of individual channels.
>QUANT Quantize external signals
patched to the CV inputs.
Real-Time Controls
The real-time controls function in a
primary mode (labeled in black) and in
one or two Option modes (Iabeled in
blue). Functions labeled in orange are
active in Hex Mode only.
In individual channel mode:
FREQ/FINE/SEMI Sets a channel’s
frequency over a range of +/- 2 octaves.
Option 1: Fine tune.
Option 2: Constrain to semitones.
OCTAVE/2X Sets a channel’s octave over
a range of +/- 5 octaves.
Option 1: Doubles range to +/- 10 octaves.
WAVE/ENV/PAT Selects a channel’s
waveshape.
Option 1: Selects from a second bank of
shapes, including envelopes.
Option 2: Selects from a third bank of
shapes, including rhythm patterns.
PHASE/SYNC/1S Sets a channel’s phase
oset, from 0–360 degrees.
Option 1: Enables hard sync, with
channel 1 as master.
Option 2: Sets a channel to 1-shot mode.
HARM#/SERIES Sets a frequency
multiplier of 1 to 16.
Option 1: Sets a frequency multiplier of
17 to 32.

www.rossum-electro.com
Secret Decoder Rings
For quick reference, here are guides to Mob
of Emus’ various button functions. You might
want to keep this near your system until they
become second nature to you.
HEX BUTTON
Click: Toggle Hex Mode
Double-click: Select/deselect all harmonics
Click and hold: Toggle Output Viewer
Click while an Option Mode is momentarily
selected: Latch Option Mode
Click while an Option Mode is latched:
Unlatch Option Mode
CHANNEL SELECTOR BUTTONS
Click: Select for programming. Deselect if
already selected
Double-click: Solo. Unsolo and deselect
if already soloed
Triple-click: Mute. Unmute if already muted
Click and hold: Select, and deselect
any others
Double-click and hold: Solo, and unsolo
any others
Triple-click and hold: Mute, and unmute
any others
Hold OPTION and click: Trigger the channel
TAP BUTTON
Click repeatedly: Define frequency (i.e., like
Tap Tempo)
Hold OPTION and click: Trigger all 6 channels
Hold for at least 1 second and click OPTION:
Toggle TAP/TRIG jack mode
PRESET BUTTONS
Click: Load or deselect (if selected) preset 1–6.
Double-click: Load or deselect (if selected)
preset 7–12.
Click and hold for at least 3 seconds:
Save to preset 1–6
Double-click and hold for at least 3 seconds:
Save to preset 7–12
Double-click and hold OPTION for 1 second
(LEDs will chase) and click a button:
Select CV input mode.
OPTION BUTTON (cross reference)
Click and hold: Momentarily engage Option
Mode 1
Double-Click and hold: Momentarily engage
Option Mode 2
Click and hold + HEX: Latch Option Mode 1
Double-Click and hold + HEX: Latch Option
Mode 2
Click and hold: Clear latched mode
Click while an Option Mode is latched: Cycle
through Option Modes
Click and hold + TAP: Trigger all channels
Click and hold + Channel 1–6: Trigger
individual channel
Double-Click and hold for 1 second + Preset
1–6: Set CV Input mode
Double-Click and hold: Display Output Viewer
(while held)
Hold TAP for 1 second and click: Toggle TAP/
TRIG jack mode
Software Update
In the event that there is a software update
made available via our website, you can
update Mob of Emus’ software as follows:
1Patch your audio file player into the
6/FREQ CV input.
2Hold the HEX button and the Channel 5
button as you power up your system.
The Channel 1 and Preset 1 LEDs will be
lit, and the HEX LED will be o.
3Press the OPTION button to proceed:
4Play the audio file containing the Mob of
Emus software. The Preset 1–3 LEDs will
show the input audio signal VU: P1 is too
low. P1 and P2 is better. All three is best.
Once a file sync marker is detected the
Channel 2 LED will light and the remaining
channel LEDs will light in sequence to
show load progress. If a successful load
occurs, all 6 LEDs will be lit.
5Press the OPTION button to reboot using
the new software.
If an error occurs, all Channel LEDs will go
o, the HEX LED will light, and the P4–P6
LEDs indicate the type of error. Press the
OPTION button to try again. If it still isn’t
successful, get in touch and we’ll work it out.
Utilities
Mob of Emus oers a number of utility and
diagnostic functions, as well as the ability to
save and reload presets to and from audio
files. Check out the manual for details.