FLAME µMLFO MIDI Clock User Manual

: June 13, 2024
: FLAME

Table of Contents

Short description
Hardware / Connection
Handling
PATCH OVERVIEW
Appendix
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

µMLFO

MANUAL
Version 1.00
Manual FLAME MLFO

Short description

The “µMLFO” module provides 14 synchronizable (or free-running) LFOs with bipolar voltage output (+-5V). It can be operated via MIDI or analog clock. The tempo of the LFOs is determined by the speed of the corresponding clock and the divider settings (rate).
After receiving a MIDI Start command, the LFOs will run to MIDI clock and will then sync their rate accordingly. One of 24 patches can be selected via MIDI. The receive MIDI channel is set with the LEARN button. Up to 12 of your own patches can be loaded per SYSEX dump. These are individual settings for the 14 LFOs. This includes the waveform, rate, sync and phase (shifting the start point of the waveform).
When stopped (i.e. after receiving a MIDI stop command or after switching on), the module can be operated with 16th analog clock.

Hardware / Connection

2.1 Connection to the euro rack modular system (Doepfer bus)

The module is delivered with a connected ribbon cable for the Doepfer bus. The red lead marks -12 volt. Connecting the module please note the right polarity!
If the module is poled accidentally wrong safety diodes avoid the immediate destruction of the module but further damages cannot be excepted.
So please pay attention: Check the connection various times before switching on!
The current consumption of the module is on average 50mA, but can reach peaks up to a maximum of +80mA!
CAUTION!
Do not accidentally connect the MIDI THRU output to high CV voltages! This can possibly damage the hardware!

2.2 Modul overview

Analog 16th clock Gate/Trigger input (0/+5v)
Analog Reset Gate/Trigger input (0/+5v)
14 LFO outputs bipolar (-5v..+5v)
LEARN key
MIDI input (MIDI TRS-B standard)
MIDI THRU output (MIDI TRS-B standard)

2.3 MIDI connections
The module has two MIDI sockets (TRS-B standard mini jacks) INPUT and THRU. Connect the MIDI input to the MIDI output of your keyboard / sequencer or computer. The data received at MIDI-IN is forwarded via MIDI-THRU. A corresponding commercially available adapter (MIDI-DIN to Mini TRSB) or a 3.5mm (1/8 inch) stereo jack cable is used for the MIDI connection.

Handling

3.1 RATE – CLOCK MODI
RATE (LFO Speed)
The LFO speed results from the tempo of the external analog or MIDI clock and from the RATE dividers specified in the patch (see list of patches and SYSEX values). Values between 32nd notes and 128 bars can be set. The speed does not reach into the higher audio range!
MIDI CLOCK
Connect the module’s MIDI input to the MIDI output of a device that can send MIDI start/stop and MIDI clock commands. After starting the MIDI clock, the module needs one beat to sync to the tempo. With this second beat, all LFOs are reset (i.e. restarted with the set phase) . After that, only those LFOs that are activated in the active patch are reset. The reset time is defined globally in the patch. This can be between one and 12 bars.
When the MIDI clock is stopped, the LFOs continue to spin at the same speed, free and unsynced.
The MIDI tempo should be in the range of 40-200 bpm.
ANALOG CLOCK
Send 16th pulse trains to the analog clock input of the module (with the MIDI clock stopped).
The LFOs synchronize after one bar (16 clock pulses). With the reset input you reset the LFOs (common starting point of the set phases).
ADVICE:
Note that the clock (MIDI or analog) must have an even tempo. When the tempo changes, the module needs at least a 16th note to recognize the new tempo. The LFOs only run in sync again after the next reset.

3.2 LFO – WAVE (Waveform)
The module has 17 different waveforms (numbers 0-16). These are or can be placed on any output.
The assignments of the outputs are defined in 12 unchangeable preset patches, but another 12 patches can be loaded via SYSEX file.
The waveforms are generated digitally according to the DDS principle (Digital Direct Synthesis).
They are in tables and have a resolution of 10bit with 16bit values. They are output via 12-bit DA converters, which are smoothed with passive RC filters.

0. Sine
Classic sine waveform. This waveform can be used to create floating or evenly rising and falling effects.

Triangle
Classic triangle waveform. With the help of this waveform, you can create floating effects or effects that rise and fall evenly and linearly.
Square (square puls)
Square waveform with 50% duty cycle.
Down-lin (Down 1 – falling sawtooth)
Linear falling sawtooth.
Down-exp (Down 2 – decay waveform)
Exponentially fast decay wave (slowing down).
UP-Lin (rising sawtooth)
Linear increasing waveform.
UP-Log (rising waveform)
Logarithmic fast rising waveform (slowing down).
SH1 (Sample & Hold 1 – sequence)
16 step square sequence.
SH2 (Sample & Hold 2 – sequence)
16 step square sequence.
SH3 (Sample & Hold 3 – sequence)
16 step square sequence.
SH4 (Sample & Hold 4 – sequence)
16 step square sequence.
ECHO1 (pulse echo)
Linearly decreasing 8 step pulse sequence.
ECHO2 (Pulse Echo)
Linearly decreasing 16 step pulse sequence.
Jump1 (bouncing ball)
Pulse sequence (getting faster)
Jump2 (bouncing ball)
Pulse sequence (slowing down)
Jump3 (bouncing ball – PingPong)
Pulse sequence (faster and slower again)
RANDOM (Random sequence of 1024 values)
Determined noise waveform (digital noise).
Note: The waveform contains 1024 specified random values that repeat on each iteration.

3.3 LFO – PHASE (Phase shift)
The starting point of the waveform can be set in 22.5° increments. This allows, for example, offbeat waveforms to be realized at the same rate (180° shift).
In the 12 preset patches you will find some preset phase shifts (see list).
You can change the phases of the LFOs in the 12 user patches via SYSEX (see appendix SYSEX).

ADVICE:
The LFOs are set back to the set phase during a reset. If the LFO Sync is switched on, the LFO is automatically reset to the clock according to the rate. Free-running LFOs are only reset at MIDI start and when changing a patch.
The phase change only becomes effective after a successful reset. A rate change in sync occurs at the next 16th note and the LFO is re-synced at the next (set) beat.
3.4 SYNC and RESET
After starting the MIDI clock, the module needs one beat to sync to the tempo of the clock. At the start and at the second bar, all LFOs are reset (i.e. restarted with the set phase) . After that, those LFOs that are activated in the active patch are automatically reset. The reset time is defined globally in the patch. This can be between one and 12 bars. The analog RESET input is ineffective for SYNC with MIDI clock.
With an analog clock, all 14 LFOs can be reset using the RESET input. Then, as with MIDI Clock, it is automatically reset (with the appropriate settings of the patch). The RESET input behaves like START with MIDI Clock: After another bar it is automatically reset and then automatically at the point in time that is specified in the patch (between 1 and 12 bars).
3.5 PATCH SELECT – LEARN FUNCTION
The module has 24 patches with LFO settings. The first 12 patches are included preset patches (see lists below). There are 12 user patches on another 12 patches, which can be overwritten via SYSEX dump (see SYSEX below).
The SYSEX file of type “GLOBAL SETUP” can be used to determine which patch is loaded when the module is switched on (as well as the MIDI receive channel for changing the patch).
The default is MIDI channel 1 and preset patch 1.
To change the patch, send MIDI notes on the set receive channel. The patches are over 2 octaves starting at note number 36 (see graphic).
On the Flame website in the download area you will find some ready-made SYSEX files for USER presets and GLOBAL SETUPs.

LEARN (MIDI channel and PATCH Load number)
With the LEARN function you can specify the MIDI receive channel and the PATCH, which is automatically loaded when switching on:
To do this, press the LEARN button until it flashes. Then send any note from your connected MIDI keyboard on the desired MIDI channel. The new MIDI channel is automatically saved permanently.
If the received MIDI note is in the range from 36 to 59, the PATCH assigned to the note (see graphic above) is loaded. In addition, this number is saved and now this PATCH is automatically loaded when switching on.
The LEARN mode is automatically terminated after receiving the note (button LED off).
ADVICE:
If you only want to change the MIDI channel with LEARN, then select a note outside the PATCH note range.
INIT: Factory reset
To reset to the default, press and hold the LEARN button while powering on the module until it is lit. Release the button. Now the original 12 user patches are restored and starting with MIDI channel 1 and preset patch 1 is set. The init procedure takes about 45 seconds.

PATCH OVERVIEW

4.1 LIST OF PRESET PATCHES 1-4

4.2 LIST OF PRESET PATCHES 5-8

4.3 LIST OF PRESET PATCHES 9-12

4.4 SYSEX Data format
The module can be reprogrammed using MIDI SYSEX files. For example, use a program like MIDI-OX, which can be used to create and transfer sysex files.
The module understands two different types of SYSEX files:
With the first type “GLOBAL SETUP DATA” only 2 global parameters are transmitted: the receive MIDI channel and the number of the patch, which is automatically loaded at power-up.
This data can also be changed with the LEARN function (see chapter LEARN).
With the second type “USER PATCH DATA” all settings of the LFOs are changed for one patch at a time (User Patches 13-24). There are 12 memory locations (patches 13-24) into which you can load your own setups of the LFO parameters.
The following values can be changed for each LFO per patch: Wave (waveform), rate (clock divider), phase (reset offset), reset on/off. In addition, there is a value that determines the reset time (in whole bars) for all LFOs (except those LFOs that have reset set to OFF).
ADVICE:
If the LFO data is not within the permitted value range, the transfer of the SYSEX file is aborted and an error message appears (flashing twice).
If the SYSEX file was transferred successfully, the LEARN LED only flashes once.
Examples of SYSEX files for the LFO Module can be downloaded from the download area on
www.flame-instruments.com

GLOBAL SETUP DATA
SYX file changing global parameters:
– the MIDI receive channel for selecting a patch: value range 0-15
– Number of the patch, which is automatically loaded when switching on: value range 0-23
USER PATCH DATA
SYX file with the values of a USER patch with the data of the 14 LFOs:
– 1 byte patch number (storage location 1-12 of the sysex file = patch number 13-24)
– 1 byte global reset value of the patch (in bars 1-12, 0=off)
– 70 bytes of data from the 14 LFOs, each with values for phase, rate, wave, reset on/off

DESCRIPTION OF USER DATA:
Successively, 72 bytes in this order result in the user patch data:
1 byte with the patch number (where the file is loaded)
1 byte (value range = 0..11) corresponds to patch numbers 13-24 (user patches)
1 byte with the reset value of the patch (whether and when it is automatically reset)
1 byte (value range = 0..12 bars) 0=OFF, 1-12 in bars consecutively 14 x 5 bytes per LFO (total 70 bytes):
1 byte for phase shift in 22.5° steps (value range = 0..15)
Example1: 0 = LFO has no phase shift (0x22.5° = 0°)
Example2: 8 = LFO has a phase shift of 8×22.5° = 180°
2 bytes for the rate (speed) (value range 32nd .. 128 clocks)
1st byte = number of bars (0..127), 2nd byte = ticks (0..96)
Lowest value = 0 bars + 3 ticks >=>32nd, Highest value = 127 bars + 96 ticks>=> 128 bars
Example 1: Byte 1=1, byte 2=24, gives a rate of one bar+24ticks= 1bar+1/4th note
Example 2: byte 1=0, byte 2=12, gives a rate of zero bars+12ticks= 1/8th note
Example3: byte 1=4, byte 2=0, gives a rate of 4 ticks+0 ticks= 4 ticks
1 byte for the wave number (value range = 0..16)
Example1: 0 = SINE
Example2: 13 = Jump1
1 byte with reset on/off (value range = 0..1)
Example1: 1 = LFO reset follows the RESET PATCH value (see above).
Example2: 0 = LFO is not reset (runs freely).

Appendix

4.1. Technical details

Connections:
Ribbon cable adapter for Doepfer bus +/-12Volt
Inputs: 2x Clock/Gate,Reset (0/+5..10V), 3,5mm mono jacks
1x MIDI (TRS-B Standard) 3,5mm stereo jack
Outputs: 1x MIDI (TRS-B Standard) 3,5mm stereo jack
14x LFO CV outputs (bipolar+-5V), 3,5mm mono jacks
Control elements:
1 push button with LED (LEARN key)
16 LED’s
Current consumption: max. +70..80mA / – 50 mA
Size: Euro rack format 3U / 6HP 30×128,5×40 mm

4.2 Warrenty
Beginning from the date of purchase a 2-year warranty is guaranteed for this device in case of any manufacturing errors or other functional deficiencies during runtime.The warranty does not apply in case of:
– damage caused by misuse
– mechanical damage arising from careless treatment (dropping, vigorous shaking, mishandling, etc)
– damage caused by liquids penetrating the device
– heat damage caused by overexposure to sunlight or heating
– electric damage caused by improper connecting
(wrong power supply/ jacks/ MIDI connections/ voltage problems).
If you have any complaints please contact your dealer or send an e-mail to:
service@flame-instruments.de

4.3 Terms of production
conformity: CE, RoHS, UL
4.4 Disposal
The device is produced with RoHS-conformity (subject to the regulations of the European Union) and is free of hazardous substances (like mercury, plumb, cadmium and hexavalent chrome).
But electronical scrap is hazardous waste. Please don’t add this to consumer waste. For an environment friendly disposal of waste please contact your distributor or specialist dealer.
4.3 Support
Updated and additional informations, updates, downloads and more see:
www.flame-instruments.de
4.4 Acknowledgment
For help and assistance big thanks to: Alex4 and Schneiders Büro Berlin, Shawn Cleary (Analogue haven, Los Angeles), Thomas Wagner, Robert Junge, Anne- Kathrin Metzler, Lena Bünger, Alex Wolter and Felix Bergleiter.