The evens IN jack is normalized to the signal on the odds IN jack. When just the odds IN jack is patched, it feeds all six
channels. When both jacks are patched, the odds jack feeds channels 1, 3, and 5, while the evens jack feeds channels 2, 4,
and 6.
The odds OUT jack is normalized to the signal on the evens OUT jack. When just the evens OUT jack is patched, all six
channels are heard. When both jacks are patched, channels 1, 3, and 5 feed the evens OUT jack, and channels 2, 4, and 6
feed the odds OUT jack.
Frequency
Each channel is a band-pass filter with a center frequency. The frequency is controlled by several things:
•
Note on the scale, shown by the light ring and controlled by Rotation and Spread
•
Scale and bank selection
•
Freq Nudge knob
•
Freq jack (1V/octave)
Each of these elements is discussed in detailed below.
Notes, scales, and the light ring
The light ring displays what frequency (or note in the current scale) each
channel is assigned to. Notice there are 20 spots on the light ring. Each
spot represents a particular frequency, or note. The entire ring of 20 notes is
called a scale. A mark at the top center (12:00) indicates the first note,
which is typically the lowest pitch. The frequencies typically increase as you
rotate clockwise. (We say “typically” because you can create a custom scale
that places any frequencies in any order)
The diagram on the left is an example scale that ranges from a low A note
to an E note about ten and a half octaves higher. Channel 1 is set to 55Hz,
channel is set to 82.5Hz, channel 3 is set to 110Hz, etc.
This happens to be the default scale when the SMR is first run. The SMR
has many other scales representing a variety of musical types, both modern
and historical, common and esoteric, and custom. See the next page for
how to change the current scale and bank.
One feature of the SMR is that the six filters always are assigned to unique
channels. That is, two channels cannot occupy the same spot on the light ring. This is an intentional feature because richer
sounds result from mixing together filters of different frequencies. However, if you want two channels to be at the same
frequency (for instance with a stereo input where you want the same filtering to happen to both left and right) you can rotate
them to adjacent spots on the light ring and turn Freq Nudge all the way up for the lower channel. Alternatively, you can
program a custom scale with duplicate frequencies.
Freq Nudge knobs
There are two Freq Nudge knobs, one for the odd channels, and one for the even channels. A switch selects whether the
Freq Nudge knob controls all the odd (even) channels or just channel 1 (6). Freq Nudge's default position is at 0%, this
means the frequency is not nudged and the notes in the current scale will be unaffected. Thus if you wish to keep the
channels in tune with the scale as it was programmed, keep the Freq Nudge knobs all the way down. As you turn Freq Nudge
up, the frequency will bend towards the next note in the scale. At 100%, the frequency will be the same as the next spot on
the light ring. Thus, you can dial in any frequency between two notes on the scale.
Note: There is a hidden 21
st
note in each
scale, so nudging a channel at note 20 will bend it up towards note 21, not down to note 1.
Locking a channel also locks the Freq Nudge setting. So you can nudge a channel up to an exact frequency and then lock it,
continuing to use Freq Nudge to nudge other channels without effecting the locked channel.
Freq jacks
There are two Freq jacks for controlling the frequency of the channels. Each one is tuned to 1V/octave.
Note: in Firmware version 1 (shipped prior to October 3, 2015), the response is 1.5V/octave. Firmware version 2 and
later is 1V/octave.
Like Freq Nudge, a switch selects whether the jack controls all odd (or even) channels or just one channel (1 or 6).
The jacks have a 10 octave range, so a voltage range of 0V to +10V is accepted. Since negative voltage on this jack does
nothing, the Freq jack only makes the pitch go up, it will not lower the pitch. Thus, the note and scale setting for each channel
defines the lowest pitch.
In most cases, you should be able to passively mult a 1V/octave signal into both Freq jacks (it depends on the module
supplying the 1V/octave signal).
In order to increase stability, the Freq input rolls off high-frequencies. Some classic FM sounds can be achieved by inputting
low audio rate signals into the Freq jack, but as the frequency increases the effect decreases.
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