GAMECHANGER AUDIO Plasma Voice Synthesizer Module User Manual

GAMECHANGER AUDIO Plasma Voice Synthesizer Module

Product Information

• Specifications
  • Product Name: PLASMA Voice
  • Synthesis Method: Electrical current between two electrodes in a xenon-filled gas tube
  • Signal Conversion: Electromagnetic rectifier circuit
  • Sound Output: Diverse range of electrifying tones
  • Control Interface: LED Rows, Encoder, Sliders, CV Inputs
  • Banks & Sounds: 7 Banks with 49 transformable sounds
  • Version: 1.1, February 2024

Product Usage Instructions

• LED Rows & Encoder
  • Use the LED rows and encoder to select banks, sounds, octave, and CV input attenuation.
• Alt Button
  • Hold the Alt button for alternative functions of the encoder and sliders.
• Pitch Slider
  • Adjust pitch control with the slider. Center indent produces note C. Adjustable in settings.
• Drive & EQ Knobs
  • Use soft-clipping and tilt the EQ section between the Tube and Filter. Drive knob at max CCW for unity gain.
• CV Attenuverters
  • Each attenuverter corresponds to the CV input below the slider. Centre for complete attenuation, Max CW for no attenuation, Max CCW for inverted.
• Filter Slider
  • Control filter cutoff frequency and envelope with the slider. The centre indent fully opens the filter.
• Time Slider
  • Adjust the envelope shape time-stretched by the time slider. Optimal time based on selected sound.
• Mod, Harm & Flux Sliders
  • Control complex modulation paths of the tube driver with these sliders.

FAQs

• Q: How do I switch between low-pass and high-pass filter modes?
  • A: See SETTINGS to switch between low pass and high pass filter modes.
• Q: What is the pitch range of the 1V/OCT pitch CV input?
  • A: +/- 10V pitch range for the 1V/OCT pitch CV input.
• Q: What is the trigger voltage level for the main trigger/gate input?
  • A: Main trigger/gate input requires a rising edge detection with a minimum of 2V voltage level.

INTRODUCTION

• The PLASMA Voice is a unique synthesizer module that creates sound by sending an electrical current between two electrodes in a xenon-filled gas tube.
• The high-voltage discharges are converted into analog audio signals using a specially designed electromagnetic rectifier circuit. The resulting output is a diverse range of electrifying tones that perfectly capture the character and intensity of the vibrant blue electrical arc.
• The PLASMA Voice utilizes a multitude of complex digital algorithms to modulate various discharge parameters of the plasma tube and the high-voltage current transformer. These algorithms are organized as 49 transformable SOUNDS across 7 stylistic BANKS, each offering a distinct character and a unique set of electrical sound properties that can be further shaped and modulated with 6 performance sliders & CV inputs.
• The module’s true power lies in its ability to profoundly modify each SOUND beyond recognition – shifting across 7 octaves will deeply alter the character of each SOUND, not merely its pitch, and adjusting the analog EQ & DRIVE section will make a radical change in the final output.
• There is a variety of powerful accent modes that allow you to elevate a simple sequence into a dynamic performance with just a basic trigger generator. Furthermore, the module’s oscillator and looping trigger modes let you transform each SOUND into a powerful high-voltage engine with a fully controllable analog VCA & VCF.

OVERVIEW

SETTINGS

• Press TRIGGER and CLUTCH at the same time to enter the SETTINGS mode (indicated by blinking ALT button and LED rows).

To exit press ALT.

• Use the ENCODER to navigate the SETTINGS menu as indicated by the LED rows. Push the ENCODER to switch rows and turn the ENCODER to select values 1-7. The top row indicates the selected parameter and the bottom row indicates the parameter value.

TRIGGER INPUT MODES

There are 5 different main TRIG buttons and input functionality options. 2 of them have different responses to trigger and gate signals.

ACCENT MODES

There are 7 different ACCENT input functionality modes. Each of them has different parameters mapped to the ALT SLIDER functions and almost all of them have different responses to trigger and gate signals.

MULTICV INPUT ASSIGN

The MULTICV input can be assigned to any of the SLIDERS as an additional summed CV input or to SOUND / BANK selection. In case of SOUND/BANK selection incoming CV scans through SOUNDS spanning all BANKS. SOUND selection is quantized to the major scale – each white key corresponds to one SOUND, 1V input corresponds to 1 BANK. ALT + FLUX / MULTICV SLIDER is used as an attenuverter for MULTICV.

MIDI INPUT CHANNEL SELECT

Selectable MIDI channel for receiving notes, velocity, pitch & mod wheels, PC, CC and SysEx. Regardless of the selected MIDI CHANNEL, the module accepts General Percussion Key Map on Channel 10.

CENTER NOTE TUNE

Selectable note for 0V PITCH CV input and TUNE slider in centre indent position. Primarily used for aligning with the base pitch of the chosen CV sequencer/controller. Note: 12 values instead of the usual 7.

MASTER OCTAVE OFFSET

Selectable octave offset summed with the regular OCTAVE setting, PITCH SLIDER and PITCH CV.

FILTER MODE SELECT

Selectable master FILTER mode and FILTER SLIDER behaviour. This parameter overrides the FILTER type built in each SOUND.

MIDI

PLASMA Voice is fully MIDI controllable. See SETTINGS for channel selection. Use the included 3.5mm DIN5 adapter.

MIDI NOTES

MIDI CC MAP

CC messages were received on the selected CH 1 – 7 and CH 10. The listed CC messages are MSB. LSB messages are

MIDI PC MAP

PC Messages are received on the selected CH 1 – 7 and CH 10

WARNING

• NEVER operate the PLASMA VOICE near water or on outdoor stages in rainy conditions. DO NOT play your PLASMA VOICE in the shower!
• The XENON Tube contained within the PLASMA VOICE will run an estimated 10,000 hours – In case of a broken tube or a faulty unit, please contact your PLASMA VOICE dealer or info@gamechangeraudio.com. For all other inquiries, please reach out to Gamechanger Audio.
• Gamechanger Audio will not be liable for any injury, material damage, or any other loss, caused by the incorrect operation of PLASMA VOICE, or breach of the warnings and instructions laid out in this manual.

WARRANTY & RETURNS

• You have a 30-day return period when you may return the product and receive a full refund. You will only be responsible for return shipping charges.
• Each PLASMA Voice manufactured by Gamechanger Audio is warranted to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for one year from the date of shipping or longer if required by the relevant legislation. This warranty shall not apply to any unit which in the opinion of the manufacturer has been used improperly or has been mechanically or otherwise damaged by accident, misuse or negligence or has been altered or repaired in such a way to impair performance, nor shall it apply to cosmetic defects (considered normal wear and tear).
• Other parts, such as knobs, rubbers, and cable connectors, are non replaceable. The manufacturer reserves the right to make changes in the design or construction of this equipment without obligation to install similar changes in equipment already sold.

FOR THE US

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a class B digital device, under part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used by these instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver.
• connect equipment to an outlet or a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
• consult the dealer or an experienced radio / TV technician for help

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC rules.

Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

1. this device may not cause harmful interference, and
2. this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

Unauthorized changes or modifications to the system can void the user’s Authority to operate this equipment. This equipment requires shielded interface cables to meet the FCC Class B limit.

FOR EUROPE:

• This product complies with the requirements of Electromagnetic
• Compatibility Directive 2014 / 30 / EU.

FOR CANADA:

• NOTICE: This class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations.

MANUFACTURER ADDRESS:

• GAMECHANGER AUDIO
• TOMSONA STREET 33A-32
• RIGA, LV-1013
• LATVIA
• INFO@GAMECHANGERAUDIO.COM.
• WWW.GAMECHANGERAUDIO.COM.
• +1 202 407 9741

References

• Innovative musical tools | Gamechanger Audio

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