I
NTRODUCTION
“Make things as simple as possible.
But not simpler.”
Albert Einstein
Dear new KOMA user,
Thanks a lot for purchasing our new brainchild: the KOMA RH301 Rhythm Workstation / Utility Tool!
The RH-301 is our solution to a problem many musicians are struggling with: analog and digital equipment
that needs to run side by side, in sync, but at the same time still needs to be controllable, which is not
always an easy task! There are many standards out there: MIDI, DIN Sync, analog clocks and control voltages
in the form of LFOs and envelopes. They all basically represent different approaches to produce
synchronicity; some of them are nearly as old as synthesizers themselves, some are more recent. Some are
intended to let devices run at the same speed, some at creating repeated or single events within a certain
timeframe that's in sync with other gear. That they don't always work together the way you want them to is
a time consuming and annoying reality for many musicians. This is why we decided to build a Rhythm
Workstation / Utility Tool that helps electronic musicians get the most out of their equipment by properly
syncing a large amount of devices in many different ways, without losing a 'hands-on' feeling and creativity!
The heart of the RH301 is the master clock, of which the tempo can be set by turning the Tempo knob, by
tapping a tempo on the tap button, by syncing it to MIDI, DIN Sync or an external analog clock signal. The
generated clock signal can be passed on via two clock outputs, two division outputs or via the MIDI Output
and DIN Sync Output. An incoming MIDI signal can also be passed along via the MIDI Thru and MIDI Out
sockets.
And that's not all: besides having a master clock section, the RH301 is also fitted with a LFO which can be
synced to the master clock, a division of the master clock, or run freely from 0,25 Hz to 260 Hz in five
different waveforms: sine, triangle, square, S&H and noisine. This means the pedal can also be used as an lo-fi
oscillator, when you turn the LFO up into the audible range. The LFO has two separate outputs on the
patch bay: LFO out and LFO inverted out. Some of the features of the LFO can also be modulated via
control voltage, the pedal boasts CV inputs for LFO SPEED, LFO RESET and LFO SYMMETRY.
The third main feature of the RH301 is an Envelope Generator which can easily be synced to the master
clock, a division of the master clock or run in loop mode. Besides the normal controls for ATTACK, DECAY,
SUSTAIN and RELEASE the pedal comes with a RANGE knob to change the time range of the envelope
created. The envelope generator comes with a normal envelope output, but also an inverted envelope
output and can be triggered by an external gate / trigger via the external gate Input.
To improve playability and to stimulate your creative process, the RH301 also has a built-in infra red motion
controller, which can be used to control the CV inputs of the RH301, other KOMA products or any device
that accepts CV inputs in general, since it has it's own dedicated SENSOR Output on the patch bay of the
pedal.
No matter what your setup is, digital or analog, if you use a modular synthesizer, DAW, drum computer,
synthesizer or KOMA’s own BD101 and FT201 effect pedals, the RH301 is an effective tool to make sure
they all walk in line, while you have your hands free to create beautiful tunes. Have fun!
All the best from Berlin,
The KOMA Elektronik Team
KOMA Elektronik RH301 – Rhythm Workstation / Utility Tool
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