Alesis ModFX Bitrman manual

Re fe rence Manual[...]

This pa ge intentionally left blank 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100 % Copyright 2002, Alesis. All rights reserved Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited. Specifications subject to change without notice. All trademarks are the property of their respective holders. 7-51-0112-A 8/2002[...]

Table of Contents 1 Introduction .................................................................... 3 Welcome! .........................................................................................................3 About the Bitrman ......................................................................... 4 Important features of you r Bit rman[...]

Table Of Contents 2 Bypass ...............................................................................................................33 Using the Foot Switch ...................................................................................33 Sample Settings .............................................................3 5 Troubleshooting ....[...]

Introduction 3 Welcome! Thank you for making the Alesis Bit rman a part of y ou r studio. Since 1984, we've been designing and building creative tools for the audio community. We belie ve in ou r products, because we've heard the results that creative people like you ha ve achie ved with them. One of Alesis' goals is to make high-qua[...]

Introduction 4 About the Bitrman Your new Bit rman is a member of the Alesis ModFX family of performance effects boxes. This particular ModFX unit combines a compressor, a distortion effect, a dual phasor, plus one of six different “Bit rness” effects. The “Bit rness” effects are a comb filter, a decimator, a bit reducer, a frequency modula[...]

Introduction 5 Bit rman Ke y Featu res • Fou r simultaneous digital effects in one bo x, each with its own separate control: compression, distortion, dual phasor, and “Bitrness” • Six different “Bit rness” modes provide unique tone-bending effects: comb filter, decimator, bit reducer, FM (frequency modulation), ring modulation, and freq[...]

Introduction 6 How to Use This Manual A little technical kno wledge will help you get the most out of y ou r gear...it’s really pretty simple. This manual is divided into the following sections describing the various functions and applications for the Bit rman. While it's a good idea to read through the entire manual once carefully, those ha[...]

Safety Instructions/Notices 7 Important Safety Instructions (English) Sa fe ty sy mbols used in this p roduct This symbol alerts the user that there are important operating and maintenance inst ructions in the literatu re accompanying this unit. This symbol warns the user of uninsulated voltag e within the unit that can cause dangerous elect ric sh[...]

Important Safety Instructions 8 11. Use only attachments or accessories specified by the manufactu rer. 12. Use only with a cart, stand, bracket, or table designed for use with professional audio or music equipment. In any installation, make su re that inju ry or dama ge will not result from cables pulling on the apparatus and its mounting. If a ca[...]

Important Safety Instructions 9 CE Declaration Of Conformity See ou r website at: http://www.alesis.com FCC Compliance Statement This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This de vice may not cause harmful interference and (2) this device must accept any interference received, incl[...]

Important Safety Instructions 10 Instructions de Sécurité Importantes (French) Sy mboles utilisés dans ce p roduit Ce symbole alèrte l’utilisateu r qu’il existe des instructions de fonctionnement et de maintenance dans la documentation jointe a vec ce produit. Ce symbole avertit l’utilisateur de la présence d’une tension non isolée à[...]

Important Safety Instructions 11 11. N’utilisez que des accessoires spécifiés par le const ructeur. 12. N’utilisez qu’a vec un stand, ou table conçus pou r l’utilisation d’audio professionnel ou instruments de musique. Dans toute installation, veillez de ne rien endommager à cause de câbles qui tirent su r des appareils et leu r supp[...]

Important Safety Instructions 12 Lesen Sie bitte die folgende Sicherheitshinweise (German) Sicherheit Sy mbole verwendet in diesem Produkt Dieses Symbol alarmiert den Benutzer, daß es wichtige Funktionieren und Wartung Anweisungen in der Literatu r gibt, die diese Maßeinheit be gleitet. Dieses Symbol warnt den Benutzer der nicht isolierten Spannu[...]

Important Safety Instructions 13 11. Benutzen Sie nu r das vom Hersteller empfohlene Zubehör. 12. Verwenden Sie ausschließlich Wagen, Ständer, oder Tische, die speziell für professionelle Audio- und Musikinst rumente geeignet sind. Achten Sie immer darauf, daß die jeweiligen Geräte sicher installiert sind, um Schäden und Verletzungen zu verm[...]

Important Safety Instructions 14 This pa ge intentionally left blank.[...]

1 Quick Start Guide 15 If y ou can’t w ait to get sta rted The Alesis Bit rman is a unique product, but its basic hookup and operation is similar to other effects units in most respects. If y ou're experienced with signal processors, this chapter is a "shorthand" guide for those who want to start using the Bit rman right away. If y[...]

1 Quick Start Guide 16 A quick overview of the controls CON F I GU RE swit c h This ch o os es th e or d er o f t he fou r i n ter na l e ffe c ts, a s s ho wn b y t h e LED s n ex t to th e s w it c h. S ee pa ge 3 2. CO MP RESS ( 1) is a s ing l e - k n o b co m pr es s or /lim ite r. Tur n le ft fo r les s c o m pr es s io n, to the righ t for a[...]

2 Connections 17 Unpacking and Inspection Your Bit rman was packed carefully at the factory. The shipping carton was designed to protect the unit du ring shipping. Please retain this container in the highly unlikely e vent that you need to retu rn the Bit rman for servicing. The shipping carton should contain the following items: • Bit rman with [...]

2 Connections 18 Connecting audio The Bitrman will work in many different applications, whether you are connecting an inst rument directly into it, or routing signals to it from a mixing console. But since the Bit rman is a stereo effect unit, it’s important to know whether the source will be stereo or mono. Mono In, Mono o r Stereo Ou t If you?[...]

Connections 2 19 Connecting to the Channel Inserts o f a mixing console: Most recording consoles ha ve a jack near the mic and line inputs labeled "Insert". This is typically a TRS jack with the send and retu rn on the same jack. To use the Bit rman as a channel insert, y ou will need an insert cable (not included). This cable splits the [...]

2 Connections 20 Connecting to the Main Ou tputs o f a mixing console: In addition to channel inserts, most mixing consoles have main insert jacks near the main outputs. You can use insert cables to connect the Bitrman to the main L/R bus the same way you connect it to a pair of channels. Simply connect one insert cable to the left main insert of t[...]

Connections 2 21 Connecting to the inse rts on an instrument amplifie r : The insert send on a guitar or bass amp is usually labeled "effects send and retu rn" or "insert send and return". This allows you to preamplify your instrument before processing it and sending it to the power amp. Most guitar amps are single channel, so c[...]

2 Connections 22 Connecting to equipment with XLR inpu ts and outputs: If you are connecting the Bitrman to a product with XLR balanced inputs and outputs, y ou will need to convert this signal to a 1/4” unbalanced connector. Make su re that Pin 2 of the XLR connector is connected to the Tip of the 1/4” adapter or cable. Watch out for high leve[...]

Connections 2 23 Using the ModLink The Bitrman can be connected to other effect boxes in the ModFX family via the ModLink. The ModLink is a cable-free connection between two ModFX units that t ransfers digital audio and word clock. The 9-pin male connector on the left side of the unit is the ModLink IN port. The 9-pin female connector on the right [...]

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3 Using the Bitrman 25 This section will e xplain how the effects work, and explains the functions of the Bit rman’s cont rols in greater detail. About multieffects Think of the Bit rman as being fou r different effect bo xes in one. If you hooked up separate “stomp bo xes” with cables, you’d find that the same fou r bo xes will produce rad[...]

3 Using the Bitrman 26 About the effects What is Compression? Compression makes things sound louder and more sustained. It reduces the difference between loud sounds and soft sounds. When it “hears” a soft sound, it increases the gain. When it “hears” a loud peak, it instantly lo wers the gain. It’s an automatic volume cont rol, with a co[...]

Using the Bitrman 3 27 Bit rness Ef fects Because of the unique digital signal processing used inside the Bit rman, Alesis engineers were able to include a family of effects that take effects processing to a whole new le vel. These effects process the input in unique, striking ways that have to be heard to be understood. So, we put them under the c[...]

3 Using the Bitrman 28 What is Bit Reduction? The BIT REDUCER is an e xt reme combination of limiting and distortion that’s not for wimps. By intentionally reducing the digital resolution (or word length) of the signal, distortion and noise increase, and dynamic range decreases. At high settings of the [BITRNESS] knob, as the input signal fades, [...]

Using the Bitrman 3 29 What is Ring Modulation? Ring Modulation was first used in modular synthesizers. Ring modulation happens when two signals are multiplied by each other, creating sum and difference frequencies that aren’t in the original sou rce. The resulting sound is sort of like an elect ronic tubular bell, noise, or metal bars being hit,[...]

3 Using the Bitrman 30 Description of Controls Comp ress [1] Tu rn the [COMPRESS] cont rol clockwise for more compression. At high settings, you’ll get a lot of sustain, but less dynamic range. When the control’s all the way up, you’ll find that soft and loud inputs both come out at almost the same loudness. Depending on the input signal, y o[...]

Using the Bitrman 3 31 BIT RNESS select switch The up/do wn rocker switch above the [BITRNESS] knob on the right side of the unit selects the type of Bitrness effect. The LEDs ne xt to the switch light up to indicate the cu r rent mode. There are six kinds of Bitrness effects available, explained pre viously. CONFIGURE switch As e xplained on pa ge[...]

3 Using the Bitrman 32 About the six configu rations When the top CONFIGURE LED is lit, the effects are in the same order they’re in on the top panel, from left to right. This compresses the signal before distorting it. The second configuration (B 3 2 1) puts the effects in reverse order, with the compressor last in the chain. This typically give[...]

Using the Bitrman 3 33 By pass This button sends the signal directly from the input to the output without any effect. Press [BYPASS] to check the sound of the source without any effect from the Bitrman. When the red BYPASS LED is lit, all effects are off. Bypass can also be activated by the foot switch. Since the Bitrman is a digital effect, signal[...]

3 Using the Bitrman 34 This pa ge intentionally left blank.[...]

4 Sample Settings 35 While there’s nothing like disco vering new sounds for yoursel f, here are some sample settings for the Bit rman to help get y ou started. Simply set the knobs on y ou r Bit rman so they’re at the positions shown, and press the rocker switches so each effect is in the mode sho wn by the LEDs. Feel free to modify these any w[...]

4 Sample Settings 36 B ell Worship The fr e q u e n c y s h if tin g h e r e m ak e s in ha rm o n i c be l l s ou nd s f ro m the inp u t. Twin Distortion This co m bi ne s c om pr e ss io n wi th dis t o rtio n a nd bit r ed u c t io n to ge t a n as ty d i s to r tion . M etallic FM H er e, th e fr e qu en cy m od ulation g e ne ra te s inh ar m[...]

Sample Settings 4 37 B lank F il l in y o u r ow n fa v o r ite s etting s h er e . Pho toc op y th e n e x t pa g e if yo u ne e d mo r e s p a c e . H ollowgram The c o m b filte r m ak e s it s ou nd like y o u ar e lis te n in g thr ou gh a ho llo w t u b e an d the p ha so r g i v e s it s o m e m ot i o n.[...]

4 Sample Settings 38 Blank se ttings templates[...]

5 Troubleshooting 39 Troubleshooting Index If you experience problems while operating your Bitrman, please use the following table to locate possible causes and solutions before contacting Alesis Product Support for assistance. Sy mptoms Cause Solution No a udi o output s. No input audi o (SIGNA L LED d oesn ’t fla sh). Test with a known good inp[...]

5 Troubleshooting 40 Sy mptoms Cause Solution Pro blem w ith th e sourc e Try bypass ing t he Bi t rman by connecting t he i np ut cab les to t he o u tp ut cab les and s ee i f th e prob le m rem a ins. AC hum Gro und lo op Place al l eq uip m ent in the stu d io on a co m m o n gro un d (s ee next pa ge) .[...]

Troubleshooting 5 41 Avoiding g round loop noise In today’s studio, where it seems every piece of equipment has its own computer chip inside, there are many opportunities for ground loop problems to occu r. These sho w up as hums, buzzes or sometimes radio reception and can occu r if a piece of equipment "sees" two or more different pat[...]

5 Troubleshooting 42 4. Keep all cables as short as possible, especially in unbalanced circuits. If the basic experiments don’t unco ver the sou rce of the problem, consult your dealer or technician t rained in proper studio grounding techniques. In some cases, a "star grounding" scheme must be used, with the mixer at the center of the [...]

Troubleshooting 5 43 Care and Maintenance Cleaning Disconnect the AC cord, then use a damp cloth to clean the Bit rman’s metal and plastic surfaces. For heavy dirt, use a non- abrasive household cleaner such as Formula 409™ or Fantastik™. DO NOT SPRA Y THE CLEANER DIRECT LY ONTO THE FRONT OF THE UNIT AS IT MA Y DESTROY THE LU BRIC ANTS USED I[...]

5 Troubleshooting 44 Obtaining repai r service Before contacting Alesis, check over all your connections, and make su re y ou’ve read the manual. Customers in the USA and Canada: If the problem persists, contact Alesis and request the Product Support department. Make sure y ou ha ve the unit’s serial number with y ou. Talk the problem o ver wit[...]

Specifications 45 Audio Inpu t Input Connectors: 2 unbalanced 1/4” jacks Maximum Input Le vel: +10 dBV Nominal Level: -10 dBV Input Impedance: 470k Ω Input Converter Resolution: 24-bit, 48 kHz sampling Audio Ou tput Output Connectors: 2 unbalanced 1/4” jacks Maximum Output Le vel: +9 dBV Output Impedance: 500 Ω Output Converter Resolution: [...]

6 Specifications 46 This pa ge intentionally left blank.[...]

Index 47 amplifier, 21 BIT REDUCER, 28, 30 BITRNESS, 16, 27, 30 order in configu rations, 31 quantized in BIT REDUCER, 28 switch, 16, 31 BYPASS , 16, 33 with foot switch, 33 cables, 22 COMB filter, 27, 30 COMPRESS , 16, 30 Compression, 26 configurations, 25, 32 CONFIGU RE switch , 16, 25, 31 DECIMA TOR, 27, 30 digital, 28 digital converters, 33, 45[...]

Warranty / Contact Alesis 48 Alesis Limited Wa r ranty AL E SI S C ORP OR ATI ON ( "A LES I S" ) w ar r an ts th is prod uct to b e fr ee of def ect s in material an d w or kman sh i p fo r a pe rio d of on e (1 ) yea r f or pa r ts an d for a p eri od of on e ( 1 ) year fo r labo r fr om the d ate of ori gin al ret ail pu rch ase. Thi s [...]

Warranty/Contact Information 49 Alesis Contact Information Alesis Studio Elect ronics Los Angeles, CA USA E-mail: support@alesis.com Website: http://www.alesis.com Alesis Bit rman Reference Manual Version 1.0 by Ale x Souppa & Dan Tinen Copy right 2002, Alesis Dist ribution, LLC. All rights reserved Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibite[...]