Modal SKULPTsynthesiser Polyphonic Virtual Analogue Synthesiser User Manual OS Version - 1.
Important Safety Information WARNING – AS WITH ALL ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS, care and general precautions must be observed in order to operate this equipment safely. If you are unsure how to operate this apparatus in a safe manner, please seek appropriate advice on its safe use.
Index 00. Introduction 6 01. Getting Started Basic Functions UI Combinations 8 9 10 02. Connections 12 03. Synthesis Engine Oscillators Filter Envelopes LFOs Keyboard FX Modulation Modulation Slots Arpeggiator Sequencer 14 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 24 25 26 04. MIDI MIDI Implementation Chart 28 32 05. Update 36 06.
00 Introduction Modal SKULPT synthesiser is a portable 4-voice 32 oscillator virtual analogue synthesiser. It features morphable waveforms, state variable filter, a comprehensive modulation matrix, 8 modulation sources, including two audio rate LFOs, a fully featured arpeggiator and a realtime sequencer.
01 Getting Started Basic Functions Powering on SKULPT synthesiser can be powered either through the micro USB socket, or by 6 x AA batteries installed in the underside battery compartment. To use USB power, simply connect the supplied Micro USB cable to a power source, and slide the power switch to the left-hand “USB” position. To use batteries install 6xAA the battery compartment on the underside of the unit, and slide the power switch to the right-hand “BAT” position.
UI Combinations UI Combinations SKULPT synthesiser is a comprehensive and fully featured synthesiser despite it’s small size.
02 Connections SKULPT synthesiser has seven external connections: USB, Line out, Headphones out Clock Sync In, Clock Sync Out, MIDI In and MIDI Out. Line Out USB Line level dual mono output on 3.5mm Stereo jack. This output can be connected to any line level input for monitoring and recording. The line output is higher quality than the headphone output, so always use it when recording or performing. Micro USB Connection for power, MIDI input and MIDI output.
03 Synthesis engine 14 15
Oscillators Filter SKULPT synthesiser features 2 unique morphable waveform oscillators identified by Wave 1 and Wave 2 labels. It has a total of 32 oscillators inside, that’s 4 voices with 8 oscillators per voice. SKULPT synthesiser uses a Modal designed state variable 2-pole resonant filter (capable of morphing from low pass, through band pass, to high pass). • Wave 1: This encoder allows you to sweep continuously thru the waveforms from Sine Triangle - Saw - Square - PWM.
Envelopes LFOs SKULPT synthesiser provides 3 separate 4-stage Envelope Generators (i.e. envelopes), one for the filter (FILT-EG), one for the amplifier (AMP-EG) and one for modulations (MOD-EG). With negative amounts only the attack, decay and sustain levels are inverted, the release phase will still tend to 0.
Keyboard FX SKULPT synthesiser has some very flexible voicing and MIDI options SKULPT synthesiser features two built in effects, a waveshaping distortion and a delay. • • Distortion: When holding the SHIFT key this encoder allows us to control the Distortion amount. The distortion is a waveshaping overdrive and as such is incapable of bitcrushing effects. • Delay: When holding the SHIFT key this encoder allows us to control the Delay amount within this patch.
Modulation Modulation SKULPT synthsiser has a comprehensive Modulation Matrix with 8 Slots, 8 Modulation Sources and 37 Modulation destinations. These Mod slots can be used to assign any combination of modulation sources to destinations, meaning that 1 modulation source can be assigned to 8 different destinations, or 8 modulation sources can be assigned to a single destination, or any other combination thereof. You cannot make the same assignment twice, each mod slot must be unique.
Modulation Slots Arpeggiator On SKULPT synthesiser each modulation source has it’s own dedicated assign button on the front panel. Assign buttons can be latched so you don’t have to hold them while assigning modulation destinations or accessing shift functions! Slots can also be easily muted or cleared by enetering the MOD SLOTS mode.
Sequencer SKULPT synthesiser has a realtime sequencer that can record up to 256 notes at midi clock resolution with 4 notes of polyphony. Overdub is automatic - simply keep adding notes when the sequencer is recording. The sequencer also allows animation of 4 parameters as part of the sequence - simply move the parameter you wish to automate when the sequencer is recording. Overdub is automatic - moving a parameter that is already animated (when recording) will overdub the recorded animation.
04 MIDI MIDI SKULPT synthesiser is a fully USB-MIDI class-compliant, meaning you can plug it into your computer, no drivers required, and gain access to a huge array of extra features. Simply plug in SKULPT synthesiser to a USB port and it will show up as a MIDI input and output device in any software that supports external MIDI devices. On Mac OSX, SKULPT synthesiser will show up in ‘Midi Studio’, found in Applications > Utilities > Audio MIDI Setup.
MIDI MIDI MIDI Channel Program Change On SKULPT synthesiser the MIDI channel can be set from the front panel, or with the MODALapp. Sending a program change to SKULPT synthesiser will load the relevant preset. Sync Power on holding PRESET and the current midi channel will flash on one of the touch pads 1 - 16. Select a new MIDI channel using the buttons 1 - 16. Once selected release preset and Sculpt will return to it’s regular operation mode.
MIDI CC Implemention Chart Function CC Values Function CC Values Seq Load 0 0 - 63 Osc2 Fine Detune 31 -/+ 1 Semitone Modulation Wheel 1 “ FEG Amount 32 63 (0) +/- 63 Glide 5 0 - 2.
MIDI CC Implemention Chart MIDI CC Implemention Chart Function CC Values Function CC Values LFO1 Mode 56 0-41 Retrig / 42-83 Free / 84-127 Single Mod Slot 1 Depth 88 63 (0) +/- 63 LFO2 Mode 57 0-41 Retrig / 42-83 Free / 84-127 Single Mod Slot 2 Depth 89 63 (0) +/- 63 Arp Status 58 0 - 63 = OFF / 64 - 127 = ON Mod Slot 3 Depth 90 63 (0) +/- 63 Arp Octave 59 0 - 31 1Oct / 32-63 2Oct / 64-95 3Oct / 96-127 4Octaves Mod Slot 4 Depth 91 63 (0) +/- 63 Arp Direction 60 0-20 = Forwa
05 Update Update SKULPT synthesiser’s firmware can be updated remotely. This means that you will be able to update your Skulpt to the latest version each time an update is released. MODALapp will provide the most user-friendly way to update firmware, however it is also possible to update the firmware using MIDI sysex messages, meaning you won’t need the app.
06 MODALapp MODALapp MODALapp adds visual feedback for SKULPT synthesiser (and CRAFT units) and access to a handful of extra settings outlined above. All parameters are accessible from a single interface split into 4 tabs.
Getting Started Editor Page Connecting devices MODALapp can be attached to an iPad using a Camera Connection kit, or an Android device using a USB OTG (On-the-go) adapter. NOTE: If you wish to use more than one USB device with your tablet, phone or computer, or in some cases your mobile device may not be powerful enough to power SKULPT synthesiser please connect SKULPT synthesiser and any other devices through a powered USB hub. Install and open MODALapp.
Controller Page Sequencer Page This page provides a MIDI controller for playing your SKULPT synthesiser with 16 assignable macro controls. Here you can access the complete sequencer and animation options as well as the global arpeggiator and sequencer options from the previous page. You can select the number of octaves of playable on screen keyboard has using the 3, 2 or 1 buttons. You have an animator grid that you can click and drag across to draw.
Preset Management Page Settings Page This page allows you to backup, curate and restore your saved presets for both patches and sequencer. Here you can find out your firmware version and update your firmware, you can select the MIDI channel, Toggle omni on / off, configure Din MIDI In / Out Filter settings. Configure MIDI routing, toggle the Metronome on / off and view the current clock source.
A Appendix Troubleshooting My SKULPT doesn’t turn on? When you provide power to the SKULPT synthesiser and power on using the power switch, you should see LEDs light up. If this isn’t the case, please check the following: • Check that the switch is selecting the correct power sourece, USB or BAT (6xAA batteries) If powering by USB: • Unplug and plug the USB cable back in. • Try using a different USB cable.
Troubleshooting My SKULPT doesn’t respond to MIDI Please check that you have SKULPT synthesiser set to the same MIDI channel that you are sending MIDI to. Also please check the current MIDI filters in the MODALapp if using a DIN connection. The touch pads don’t seem to work properly or the sound keeps re-triggering? The touch pads work though ‘capacitive sensing’, detecting the presence of your touch in a similar way to your smartphone screen.
