Table of Contents FOREWORD by Cyril Lance ........................................ 4 THE BASICS How to Use this Manual .......................................... 5 Setup and Connections ........................................... 6 Overview and Features ........................................... 7 Signal Flow ....................................................................... 9 Basic Operation ............................................................ 10 THE COMPONENTS A. Oscillator/LFO Panel......
Foreword Every instrument has a story… The Taurus 3 story starts for me at the 2006 NAMM show just months after Bob Moog’s passing, when we were secretly showing Little Phatty prototypes to a select few. This was my first NAMM show and I was a newcomer to the world of electronic musical instruments. The first day, I stood leaning against the wall across from our booth, watching a blank poster with a picture of Bob quickly fill up with adoring messages and tributes to someone who had touched so many lives.
T3 User’s Manual - The Basics How to Use this Manual The Setup and Connections section below explains how to unpack, setup and connect the Taurus 3, and provides a quick start to get you up and running with your new instrument. Please read this section first! The Components section offers detailed explanations of the components that create and modify sound.
Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The Basics Set up Make sure you have an adequate place to set up your Taurus 3. You may want to place the instrument on a table or other study surface so that you can easily familiarize yourself with its operation. Keep in mind that the Taurus 3 is a substantial instrument, and the surface you place it on should be capable of supporting 45 lb. Use caution when lifting the Taurus 3 out of the carton and be sure to use proper lifting techniques.
T3 User’s Manual - The Basics Overview and Features The Taurus 3 (‘T3’) is a monophonic analog bass synthesizer that is an updated version of the classic Taurus 1 synthesizer. The T3 features 2 ultra-stable oscillators, a genuine Moog 24dB/Octave low pass filter, two envelope generators and a Low Frequency Oscillator (LFO).
Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The Basics Front Panel (con’t): 6. The Control Footwheel - A performance control for the real-time adjustment of parameter values. The accompanying LED bargraph indictor displays the approximate parameter value. 7. Four ‘Quick Access’ footswitches to select four Presets in a given bank. 8. Footswitches for Bank selection, for Transpose, Glide, and Decay ON/OFF, and for Octave UP/DOWN.
T3 User’s Manual - The Basics Signal Flow The diagram below shows the flow of the audio, modulation and control voltage signals in the Taurus 3. Heavy lines are used to indicate audio signals, which flow from left to right. Lighter lines indicate the control voltages (CV’s), which flow from the top and bottom. Dotted lines indicate the modulation routings. As shown in the block diagram above, the source signals for the T3 are created by two voltage-controlled oscillators (labeled ‘A’ and ‘B’).
Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The Basics Basic Operation The T3 has two operating modes: Master and Preset. • Master mode allows you to access and change global parameters and other utility options. A complete list of the Master mode functions and parameters is shown on page 30. • Preset mode allows you to access the presets and manipulate the sound from the front panel controls. Preset mode is the main operating mode for editing and playing the T3. Information on Preset mode is found on page 28.
Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The Components The Components Let’s take a closer look at the features and functions of the components that make up the Taurus 3, starting with the Oscillator/LFO section. Then we’ll cover the Filter/Arpeggiator section, Control Footwheel, the Footswitch section, the Pedalboard, the Volume Footwheel, the Input/Output Side Panel, and the User Interface section. A.
Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The Components GLIDE: Selects the Glide parameter, which sets glide rate between notes. The glide rate can vary from virtually instantaneous to a very long glide (approximately 5 seconds per octave) when set to the maximum value. The GLIDE footswitch, located below the control panel, turns the Glide effect ON/OFF. OCTAVE (LO, MED, HI): Selects the Octave parameter, which adjusts the octave setting of both oscillators.
Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The Components A.2. LFO Modulation effects in the Taurus 3 are provided by a wide-range LFO that allows you to select from four waveforms, adjust modulation amounts to two destinations (Pitch and Filter), and set the LFO sync option. LFO Panel Controls: SQUARE, TRIANGLE, RAMP, SAW: Selects the LFO waveform. These four switches act like Radio Buttons; pressing one switch deselects any others. One of these four switches will always be illuminated whenever the LFO panel is selected.
Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The Components LFO Panel Controls (con’t): LFO SYNC (OFF, KB, MIDI) Selects the sync options for the LFO. A setting of ‘OFF’ means that the LFO is free-running. A setting of ‘KB’ will cause the LFO to be restarted from 0 degrees every time a pedal is depressed (this means 0V for the Triangle and Ramp waveforms, and the top of the Square and Sawtooth waveforms).
Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The Components B – The Filter/Arpeggiator Panel The dual-function Filter/Arpeggiator control panel provides controls to adjust Filter and Arpeggiator parameters. As with the Oscillator/LFO panel, the function of the controls in this panel depend on the status of the SELECT LEVEL button. When ‘Upper’ is selected, the control panel buttons panel allow you to select any one of the five Filter parameters.
Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The Components B.2. Arpeggiator The Arpeggiator is a note pattern generator based on the notes played on the pedalboard and stored in the note stack (the note stack is a ‘memory bank’ for the arpeggiator). For any note or series of notes that are played, the arpeggiated pattern is determined by the Order, Pattern and Octave settings, along with the Latch and other parameters in the Advanced Preset menu.
Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The Components Arpeggiator Panel Controls (con’t): ON/OFF: Sets the arpeggiator ON/OFF condition. When ON, the Arpeggiator creates patterns of notes based on the Order, Pattern, Octave and Latch parameter settings, plus any applicable Advanced Preset settings. If the TRANSPOSE/PGM footswitch is programmed to control ‘ARP ON/OFF’, that footswitch can be used to toggle the Arpeggiator function ON and OFF.
Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The Components C – The Control Footwheel The CONTROL Footwheel is a performance control used to modify the value of the Active Parameter. An illuminated slot in the wheel’s face helps to identify the position of the wheel. A 15-element LED bargraph to the left of the footwheel displays the approximate value of the Active Parameter.
Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The Components D – Footswitches The eight footswitches in the footswitch section provide controls for selecting individual Presets and Preset Banks, and for turning selected functions ON/OFF. All of the footswitches have an LED above the switch mechanism, which illuminates when the switch is in the ON state. The four PRESET footswitches select individual Presets from within a given bank of Presets.
Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The Components During the bank selection process, the LCD will display the currently selected bank and preset location: NOTE: When selecting Banks using the footwheels, the LCD becomes a non-editable display. You cannot select the Bank or Preset using the VALUE encoder in this mode. To change the bank, simply press a footpedal.
Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The Components The TRANSPOSE/PGM footswitch is a dual-function program switch. It operates either to initiate the Transpose function, or to access alternate functions for the GLIDE, DECAY and OCTAVE footswitches. Transposition: To set the transpose interval, press and release the TRANSPOSE/PGM footswitch.
Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The Components The GLIDE, DECAY and OCTAVE footswitches are used to turn their respective functions ON/OFF, and also to access performance parameters not available on the control panel. The GLIDE footswitch enables or disables the portamento effect between notes. Glide is ON when the footswitch LED is illuminated. The glide rate parameter is selected in the oscillator section. In PGM Mode, the GLIDE footswitch functions as the LFO Tap Tempo control.
Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The Components E – Pedalboard The Taurus 3 features a 13-note pedalboard (1 octave, C to C). When combined with the OCTAVE and TRANSPOSE functions, the pedalboard has a playable range of 3 octaves. The pedalboard produces MIDI velocity, and transmits MIDI Note On and Note Off messages polyphonically. PERFORMANCE TIP: Although the Taurus 3 does not send Pitch Bend messages, it will respond to them.
Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The Components F – Volume Footwheel The Taurus 3 has two independent monophonic outputs. The level of both audio outputs is adjusted by the VOLUME footwheel, although the actual output level depends on a combination of the VOLUME footwheel setting, the Master Volume parameter, and any external control voltage applied to the VOLUME jack. An illuminated slot in the wheel’s face helps to identify the position of the wheel in dim environments.
Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The Components G – Input/Output Panel The Side Panel provides all of the input and output connections. In addition to two Audio Output jacks, there are CV and Gate inputs, and connections for MIDI and power. Power Connector: This is a standard AC power inlet, Use only a power cord designed to mate with this receptacle. The Taurus 3’s built-in universal power supply is designed to work with power inputs of 90-250 Volts AC, 50/60 Hz.
Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The Components H – Interface Panel The Interface Panel is located on the far left of the instrument. The Interface Panel provides a status display and controls for all of the Taurus 3 software functions. The status display is an LCD screen located in the center of the panel above the panel controls. When the T3 is first powered on, the screen displays the message: Taurus 3 Version X.
Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The Components Selecting Presets Presets are selected using one of four methods: 1. Using the VALUE encoder 2. Pressing one of the four PRESET access footswitches 3. Pressing the BANK select footswitch followed by one of the Footpedals 4. Via MIDI Program Change commands NOTE: Panel controls and footswitches will have no effect if the ‘Local Control’ parameter is set to ‘OFF’.
Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The User Interface MIDI Program Change Commands With Local Control set to ‘ON’ or ‘OFF’, and Program Change Receive set to ‘YES’, Presets can be changed by MIDI Program Change Commands received on the current MIDI In channel. Valid program change command values are from 00 – 51, which corresponds to Presets A1 – M4. NOTE: MIDI Program Change Command values outside of the valid range (00 – 51) are ignored. Preset Mode Preset mode is the default mode when the T3 is powered on.
Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The User Interface Storing Presets To store a preset, press the STORE button. This function is used to save an edited preset, or to change the location of a stored preset. When you press STORE, the LCD will display a message similar to the one shown at left. The top line shows the location where the preset will be saved, and the name of the preset which is currently saved in that location.
Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The User Interface Master Mode Master mode accesses the global settings and Advanced Preset settings for the Taurus 3, and the options for sending and receiving data. To enter master mode, press the MASTER button. By default, the first master menu entry is Tuning Mode. When switching between the Master and Preset modes, the last used master menu entry appears. When the master menu is active, the VALUE knob is used to scroll through menu entries.
Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The User Interface A. Master Mode Menu Structure The chart below shows the structure of the Master Mode menus. With the exception of the Advanced Preset parameters, which are individually stored with each preset, all Master Mode menu parameters effect the T3 globally.
Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The User Interface B. Master Mode Menus Here are the Master Mode menu items : FINE TUNE: The Fine Tune parameter allows you to adjust the tuning of the T3. To make an adjustment, use the CURSOR button to highlight the Amount parameter value, the use the VALUE knob to adjust the tuning. The adjustment range is from -1024 to +1023, representing roughly plus and minus a third.
Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The User Interface TRIGGER MODE: Allows you to select from three trigger mode options. For monophonic instruments like the T3, trigger mode determines how the envelopes are triggered when more than one pedal is pressed on the pedalboard. A setting of ON means that the envelopes are not retriggered until the pedal(s) are released. A setting of OFF will retrigger the envelope of a new note from the current envelope level.
Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The User Interface MIDI CHANNELS IN/OUT: Allows you to select the T3 MIDI In and Out channels. The T3 can send and receive on only one channel at a time, but the send and receive channels can be set independently. To change the MIDI channel, use the CURSOR button to highlight the desired parameter, then use the VALUE knob to select the new parameter value.
Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The User Interface C. Advanced Preset menus The Advanced Preset menu provides a set of additional programming parameters for each Preset. These parameters are stored individually for each Preset. To access the Advanced Preset menus, press the CURSOR button. This will highlight the menu options shown on the second line of the display. Once highlighted, use the VALUE knob to scroll through the menus.
Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The User Interface NOTE LATCH ON /OFF: Allows you to control the action of the Envelope Gate, enabling you to sustain notes without keeping a pedal held down. When NOTE LATCH OFF is selected, the Gate goes on and the note is held as long as a pedal is held down. When the pedal is released, the Gate goes off and the note is released according to the DECAY settings. When NOTE LATCH ON is selected, once a pedal is pressed, the Gate stays open until that pedal is pressed again.
Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The User Interface ARPEGGIATOR RATE (ARP RATE): Allows you to set the Arpeggiator Rate. When the ARP CLOCK parameter is set to ‘INT’, the actual Arp Rate value is set with the VALUE encoder. When the ARP CLOCK parameter is set to ‘MIDI’, the arpeggiator rate is synchronized to the incoming MIDI clock, and the Arp Rate parameter sets the Clock Divider values according to the table below. The divider value determines how many notes the arpeggiator will play on a ‘per-measure’ basis.
Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The User Interface D. MIDI Setup Menus MIDI Setup menus are used to select the T3 MIDI options. To enable MIDI Setup menus, press the CURSOR button. This will highlight the menu options shown on the second line of the display. Once highlighted, use the VALUE knob to scroll through the menus. ALL NOTES OFF: Allows you to issue an ‘All Notes Off ’ message to the MIDI output, shutting off all active notes on the T3 and/or any attached MIDI tone modules or keyboards.
Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The User Interface MIDI SETUP (con’t) MIDI OUTPUT: Allows you to select the MIDI output connection (None, DIN, USB or both). To specify the MIDI output connection, use the CURSOR button to highlight the output selection, then use the VALUE knob to select the new output. Values: NONE, DIN, USB, DIN/USB; the default is DIN/USB MIDI MERGE USB INPUT: Allows you to select the routing of the MIDI Merge function for the USB input.
Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The User Interface MIDI SETUP (con’t) POLYPHONIC SETUP: Allows you to set up multiple Moog synths as a polyphonic synth stack. The settings are ‘POLY: OFF’ or ‘POLY: (#) of (##)’. The first number represents which note this particular T3 is assigned to play, the second number sets the total number of available voices.
Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The User Interface MIDI SETUP (con’t) VELOCITY RESOLUTION: Allows you to select the MIDI velocity output resolution of the T3. A setting of FULL provides the full output range (0-127). A setting of 1 provides a fixed velocity output value of 100. A setting of 2 provides two velocity values, a setting of 4 provides four velocity values, a setting of 8 provides eight velocity output values, etc. See the table below for the complete range of all settings.
Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The User Interface E. System Exclusive (SysEx) Menus SysEx menus are a set of commands to transmit and receive selected presets, bulk dumps and firmware dumps. To enable SysEx menus, press the CURSOR button. This will highlight the menu options shown on the lower line of the display. Once highlighted, use the VALUE knob to scroll through the menus. To activate a command, press the STORE button.
Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The User Interface SEND FIRMWARE: This option allows you to save the entire state of the T3 (including all global data and Preset data) for later recovery. To execute a bulk dump, enable the device that is to receive the SysEx data, then press STORE to initiate the data transfer. During data transfer, the LCD will display the status of the transfer process. When the operation has finished, the display will return to the SYSEX menu.
Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The User Interface F. System Utilities Menus System Utilities provide a set of useful system-level commands to set global options, restore factory defaults and calibrate the T3. To enable System Utilities menus, press the CURSOR button. This will highlight the menu options shown on the second line of the display. Once highlighted, use the VALUE knob (or press the VALUE pushswitch) to scroll through the menu. MASTER VOLUME: Allows you match the T3’s output level to the amplifier.
Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The User Interface RESTORE FACTORY: Allows you to perform a ‘Factory Restore’, which will restore the global default values and all factory presets. To execute this operation, press STORE to activate. NOTE: You should back up any presets you wish to save prior to performing this action. You will be asked to confirm this operation (Yes/No). If you are unsure, select NO and press STORE to return to the System Utilities menu without any action.
Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The User Interface CALIBRATION: Allows you to calibrate the Taurus 3. The calibration utilities allow you to perform individual calibrations on the VOLUME and CONTROL Footwheels and the Note Range. For example, the Note Calibration operation individually tunes each note exactly for each oscillator and octave setting. This tuning information is stored in the T3 EEPROM and referenced when playing a note to guarantee that the oscillators will be in tune.
Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The User Interface CALIBRATION (con’t) NOTE CALIBRATION: Allows you to perform Note calibration. This calibrates individual notes exactly for each oscillator and octave setting. Press STORE to access the Note calibration menu. The Note calibration menu will be displayed, allowing you to set the calibration range. The default note range is MIDI notes 0 - 60.
Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The User Interface CALIBRATION (con’t) VOLUME WHEEL Allows you to calibrate the VOLUME Footwheel. Press STORE to access the VOLUME Footwheel calibration menu. You will be asked if you wish to proceed. Use the VALUE knob to select YES or NO. If you are uncertain, or if you change your mind about performing this calibration, select ‘NO’ and press STORE, and you will return to the System Utilities Calibration menu.
Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The User Interface CALIBRATION (con’t) CONTROL WHEEL: Allows you to calibrate the CONTROL Footwheel. Press STORE to access the CONTROL Footwheel calibration menu. You will be asked if you wish to proceed. Use the VALUE knob to select YES or NO. If you are uncertain, or if you change your mind about performing this calibration, select ‘NO’ and press STORE, and you will return to the System Utilities Calibration menu.
Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The User Interface How the Taurus 3 handles MIDI When you adjust any one of the Taurus 3 panel controls, MIDI Continuous Controller (CC) messages are transmitted to the MIDI Output. The information contained in these MIDI messages varies according to the selected parameter. For example, when GLIDE is selected as the active parameter, rotating the VALUE encoder or adjusting the CONTROL Footwheel generates MIDI CC data corresponding to the Glide Rate parameter (CC#5).
Taurus 3 User’s Manual - The User Interface LFO Oscillator Interface Panel Footwheels SECTION CONTROL FUNCTION CC VALUE/RANGE CONTROL Adjusts the active parameter. The MIDI CC parameter transmitted by the CONTROL footwheel depends on the active parameter that is being modified.
Taurus 3 User’s Manual - Appendices SECTION CONTROL Footswitches Arpeggiator Filter AMOUNT FUNCTION Adjusts the amount of the filter envelope VALUE/RANGE MSB 27 LSB 59 0 – 127 ATTACK Adjusts the filter envelope attack time MSB 23 LSB 55 0 – 127 DECAY Adjusts the volume envelope decay time MSB 24 LSB 56 0 – 127 CUTOFF (SEE NOTE 1) Adjusts the filter cutoff frequency MSB 19 LSB 51 0 – 127 RESONANCE Adjusts the filter resonance MSB 21 LSB 53 0 – 127 ORDER Selects the Arpeggiator Ord
Taurus 3 User’s Manual - Appendices Appendix A - Arpeggiator Examples The Arpeggiator takes the currently played note or group of notes and generates a note sequence based on the Arpeggiator ORDER, PATTERN and OCTAVE settings. Here are some examples of sequences generated by the Arpeggiator for specific settings: Example 1. Notestack = C1, E1 & G1 ORDER = UP PATTERN = LOOP OCTAVE = 2 Arpeggiator plays: C1 C2 C3 E1 E2 E3 G1 G2 G3 C1 C2 C3... Example 2.
Taurus 3 User’s Manual - Appendices Appendix B - MIDI Implementation Chart MIDI Implementation Chart Moog Music Taurus 3 Analog Bass Synthesizer FUNCTION Date: 12/28/09 Version 1.0 TRANSMITTED RECOGNIZED Default Changed 1 1-16, OFF 1 1-16, OFF Default Messages Altered 3 X X 4 X X 0 - 60 0 - 60 O X X X After touch X X Pitch Bend X O Pitch Bend is received but not transmitted. PB RANGE IS Programmable from 0 to +/12 semitones.
Taurus 3 User’s Manual - Appendices Appendix C - Service and Support Information Moog Limited Warranty Moog Music warrants its produces to be free of defects in materials or workmanship and conforming to specifications at the time of shipment for a period of one year from the date of purchase. During the warranty period, any defective products will be repaired or replaced, at Moog Music’s option, on a return-to-factory basis. This warranty covers defects that Moog Music determines are no fault of the user.
Taurus 3 User’s Manual - Appendices Appendix E - Specifications Type: Programmable monophonic analog bass synthesizer w/52 presets Synth Engine: Oscillator Section: Oscillators A & B: Octave: 32’, 16’, 8’ Wave: Sawtooth Oscillator B Frequency Offset: -1 octave to +1 octave Glide Rate: 0 to 0.5 sec Level: Osc A/B Mix (100/0 to 0/100%) Volume Envelope: Attack Time: 5 to 560 msec Decay Time: 50 msec to 2.
Taurus 3 User’s Manual - Appendices Appendix F - MIDI Program Change Commands The Taurus 3 uses a Bank/Location numbering system to select presets. If you are using a MIDI Controller, sequencer or DAW to remotely control the Taurus 3, these devices will transmit standard MIDI Program Change commands (0 - 127) to select T3 presets. The table below shows the relationship between MIDI Program Change commands and T3 Presets.
Taurus 3 User’s Manual - Glossary Glossary Here are a few key terms that cover the basics of sound generation as used in the Taurus 3 synthesizer. Amplitude – The strength of a sound’s vibration measured in Decibels (dB). Amplitude corresponds to the musical term Loudness. Continuous Controller (CC) – A type of MIDI message used to transmit control commands. These commands are digital control signals for parameters such as volume, vibrato and panning.
Taurus 3 User’s Manual - Glossary EEPROM – EEPROM stands for ‘Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory’. This is a type of digital memory used to store information, even after the power is turned off. In the Taurus 3, the EEPROM is used to store global settings and presets, and operating system parameters such as tuning information. Filter – A circuit that removes some frequencies and allows other frequencies to pass through the circuit.
Taurus 3 User’s Manual - Glossary Mixer – A circuit for combining multiple sound sources or signals. The Taurus 3 uses a simple mixer to mix the ‘A’ & ‘B’ oscillators. Modulation – Modulation is the use of a control voltage to shape a tone. Modulation has a source, a destination, and an amount. This could be as simple as the filter cutoff of a VCF (a modulation destination) being changed by the front panel cutoff control (the source), or as complex as mixing multiple CVs together to modulate filter cutoff.
Taurus 3 User’s Manual - Glossary Taurus 3 – A monophonic analog bass synthesizer that is an updated re-creation of the original Taurus bass synthesizer. Timbre – Pronounced ‘tamber’, it refers to the quality of a sound by its overtones. An unprocessed sawtooth wave has a bright timbre, while a triangle wave has a mellow timbre. Tremolo – Technically a form of low frequency amplitude modulation, tremolo is a smooth audible pulsing of volume.
Notes Taurus 3 User’s Manual © Moog Music 2010, all rights reserved Text and illustrations by Greg Kist, Cyril Lance, Steve Dunnington, and Amos Gaynes
