Oberkorn User Manual
Contents
1. 18 WIV OCC HOW EE E EO TOTEM 18 How an analogue sequencer works esses eene nnn nnns 19 some ote nue I 21 Other mad things tO try cccccccseeecccceeeceeeeeeeeeesaeeeceeseeeeceeseeseeeeseeeeeeesseeeeeessaeeeeesaaeeeees 21 27 ABOUT THIS MANUAL AND ABOUT ANALOGUE GEAR Analogue Solutions Oberkorn User Manual 10000000000000000 10000000000000000 10000000000000000 1 2 3 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 WHAT IS AN ANALOGUE SEQUENCER My definition of an analogue sequencer since others may slightly disagree is a device that will sequentially output a series of varying voltages CVs and gate conditions over time Sequencers and when use this word will always be referring to analogue ones unless state otherwise will typically be 8 16 steps The Oberkorn has 16 steps To be a true analogue sequencer the output voltage must be unquantised otherwise it s digital Digital means discrete steps Oberkorn s CV outputs can be swept smoothly from zero to full output level At each step you can change the voltage at the output socket and set whether a trigger gate pulse is sent out Each step therefore has a potentiometer to change the voltage and a switch to change gate status As the clock runs the sequencer sequentially through each step usually from one to 16 the state of the pot s and switches is output at2. Connect a MIDI keyboard to Oberkorn and the MIDI channels up correctly Next using four patch leads connect the four binary outputs b0 1 2 8 in the midi box on the front panel to the four binary input scokets b0 1 2 8 in the sequencer control box Now starting with note C press this MIDI key then the next 15 You should see the step number of the sequencer change as you go up You can see from this that you can control via MIDI notes which step Oberkorn is on Analogue Solutions MIDI To Trigger Converter Oberkorn User Manual MAKE OBERKORN STEP IN ANY ORDER You could therefore use a MIDI sequencer to write any combination of these 16 notes to make Oberkorn step in any order you wish and in any direction Forward backwards pendulum even steps only first eight steps only etc Any way you wish Note using this method will note create normal gate outputs I ll explain more later But you can create normal gates using the MIDI Trig unit sockets T1 5 CHANGING THE MIDI RECEIVE CHANNEL To change the MIDI channel first connect a MIDI keyboard to Oberkorn oet the transmit channel on the keyboard to the channel you want to use Press and hold the MIDI Program button PROG Whilst holding this down press a key on your MIDI keyboard Release the PROG button Oberkorn will set to receive on the same channel as the keyboard The channel number is stored in non volatile memory Default is usually chan
3. have some basic knowledge of logic circuits If you can understand these extra features you will get so much more out of it will try my best to explain in a little detail how an analogue sequencer works inside and with that knowledge you might better understand how some of the extra Oberkorn features Work Do not worry if the results are not exactly what you expect This is old style modular synth technology and half the beauty is the quirky surprising results that you can obtain often by accident How Oberkorn Works More Detail Analogue Solutions Oberkorn User Manual Very Basic Block Diagram Of An Analogue Sequencer clock in Abit id 16 sequencial outputs T O D i ic lt 2 z gt gt gt HOW AN ANALOGUE SEQUENCER WORKS The counter counts clock inputs coming in from the clock in jack or from the internal clock The counter counts from 0 15 and repeats and puts this out as a 4 bit binary code google binary code and any other terms you are not sure about This code is basically a way of representing numbers from 0 to 15 using 4 wires This code is fed into the multiplexer decoder which will refer to as the Mux to save on typing The mux takes the 4 bit code and depending on its value will turn on one of the 16 outputs So as the code goes up from 0 15 and repeats each mux output will turn on then off one after the
4. other creating a sequencial output which you can visually see as the LEDs run from 1 16 each mux output turning on sequencially This output can then be trimmed using the CV controls on the front panel goes through an amplifier mixed with another CV from the transpose input and then goes through a slew circuit portamento glide The sequencial output also goes through special circuits to create gate outputs which will explain separately Analogue Solutions How Oberkorn Works In More Detail E Oberkorn User Manual 1300s GSHOLIMS AJ X ONILLVO HOLIMS O1V931 ONINOILISOd q Ino X 440 O1v931 31v9 e NO OLV 937 ONILLAS 4315 01 13S3H d3LS 3ONVAGV INO AD 9 9 V S3X3 Idl L 1n1N YsAaLNNOd 9 FA Ro d31S OL 13S3H L FA XR dais 01 13SJY HOLIMS dOLS NNY NI 9079 1X3 AO 42019 oneuieuog uJjox1eqo How Oberkorn Works In More Detail Analogue Solutions Oberkorn User Manual SOME PATCH EXAMPLES No hard and fast rules Just do what works and what Is fun OTHER MAD THINGS TO TRY Patch a pitch CV output A B or C into clock CV input Patch a gate output into either bO b1 b2 or b3 setting inputs SYNC ING TWO OBERKORNS Take clock Out of first Oberkorn to clock In of second Oberkorn Second Oberkorn run stop switch should be set to EXT SYNC ING T
5. the sockets THAT S ALL VERY WELL AND TECHNICAL BUT WHAT WOULD USE IT FOR Traditionally back in the 70 s when they where first developed you would be writing all your electronic music with them Melodies bass lines etc But these days you have MIDI sequencers and software that can deal with all that But sequencers still provide a different experience when creating music Don t think about writing melodies with a sequencer It s more organic than that think the best way to use a sequencer in your set up is to hook it up to a synth that has CV Gate sockets like our Telemark which is perfect for the job Ideally sync up some sort of drum machine too we can supply drum modules and other devices here Start the sequencer Then your tune will evolve Tweak the sequencer controls and switches and those of your synth Change the drum pattern After some time you will just suddenly hit on a perfect Analogue Solutions ABOUT THIS MANUAL AND ABOUT ANALOGUE GEAR Oberkorn User Manual groove You will have achieved this in a way that you could never do with a software sequencer If you have never tried it search for our YouTube videos for proof have met people who have never used an analogue sequencer Though they have heard of them they have never realized what they could do for them But then after a short demonstration they realize what they have been missing all these years and are instantly hooked A
6. BOUT THIS MANUAL AND ABOUT ANALOGUE GEAR This manual is not a tutorial on CVs Synths Sequencers Modulars etc will try and explain a little about the terms used and the technology in general If you want to know EVERYTHING then there are plenty of good forums out there and tutorial web sites So if there is anything in here you don t understand either look it up or just don t worry Like any new subject you will learn other time and pick up information along the way SPECIFICATION CV channels Channels A and B have a portamento function labeled Glide All three channels have transpose inputs and output level attenuators CV range is approx 0 5v Gate channels 2 Gate voltage approx 10v Buttons Reset to step one Reset to step 16 otep Switches Run Stop 4 ABOUT THIS MANUAL AND ABOUT ANALOGUE GEAR Analogue Solutions Oberkorn User Manual Gate Leg CVS AND GATES WHAT ARE THEY This is not a complete beginner s guide to analogue synthesizers but here is a very brief explanation A CV control voltage is a varying voltage that can be used to control a parameter of an analogue synth Which parameter really depends on the synth Most synths have at least a pitch CV input usually just called CV and a filter cut off CV input These think are the two most important But a good modular will provide CV inputs to control most parameters Gate sometimes called trigger is typically used to trigger an e
7. Oberkorn User Manual 16 Step Analogue sequencer Analogue Solutions Oberkorn User Manual CONTENTS What is an analogue sequencer 3 That s all very well and technical but what would use it 3 ABOUT THIS MANUAL AND ABOUT ANALOGUE GEAR 4 widsedeoqpo 4 CVs and Gates What are They 5 SUUM MC PH 5 n 5 6 OO 40 t 7 EXPLANATION OF BACH GONTHOBL 7 S Eehumitc 7 cale T XE c 10 JUI IP SOM ERE TO 11 eie E 13 Make Obe rkorri step in any Seb i 14 Changing the MIDI Receive 14 a ate eed eee 14 ME CA 15 ci ugc 17 How Oberkorn Works In More Detail
8. WO OBERKORNS WITH DIFFERENT RELATIVE SPEEDS Or you could use one of the b0 b3 setting input output sockets as a sync signal for the second Oberkorn This way the second Oberkorn will run at half speed or quarter speed etc Analogue Solutions Some Patch Examples a Oberkorn User Manual ANALOGUE SOLUTIONS 9000000000000000 Q gt epe ed EY in 2 0000000000000000 EO out to Filter in ij0000000000000000 b hes _ 0000000000000000 9 GATE X out to Gate Trig in Oberkorn playing a typcial analogue synth with CV Gate inputs Notes Using glide to slew CV changes on the filter cut off sounds really cool and you rarely hear people do this CV Aout to VCO1 CV in CV B out to VCO2 CV in gt CV C out to Cut off CV in 10000000000000000 10000000000000000 ij0000000000000000 i0000000000000000 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Oberkorn playing typcial 2 VCO 2 EG analogue synth such as the semi modular Telemark x GATE X out to EG1 Trig in GATE Y out to EG2 Trig in 10000000000000000 l0000000000000000 ij0000000000000000 1 2 3 E 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 C To change pattern length Use gate channel Y orXY to set Patch gate output to reset input Some Patch Examples Analogue Solutions
9. ate switches in a row ones next to each other Analogue Solutions SEQUENCE CONTROL Ime Oberkorn User Manual GATING X Y This one s hard to explain in writing will give a very basic explanation here but more detail later If you don t understand this then don t worry Try reading the more detailed explanation If that fails watch the YouTube demo s or must play around Basically to get gate outputs Oberkorn needs two signals The clock signal and the condition of the gate switch If the gate switch is ON and the clock signal is HIGH on then you will get a gate signal out If either the gate switch is OFF or the clock signal is LOW off then there will be no gate signal out Both must be high on If you know what AND is in Boolean algebra then it s the same thing By feeding a clock or gate signal into the GATING inputs use an LFO square wave clock Gate from a MIDI to CV converter or a trig from the Oberkorn MIDI Trig converter you can provide your own signal in place of the clock signal to decide how gates are made Confusing so just play around HOW OBERKORN WORKS IN MORE DETAIL INTRODUCTION The analogue sequencer is quick and easy to use Plug it in and off you go That is the attraction for many people But what have done with the Oberkorn is the hack the signals inside to allow for greater control and creativity The downside is that using the hacked features is less intuitive unless you
10. ep that the sequencer was on when it was stopped but the next step This is normal behavior of all true analogue sequencers do to the way these type of sequencers are designed using logic chips With all other sequencers of this type have encountered it means that if you first reset the sequencer to step one then the first step that always plays initially when you press start is always step two So to overcome this you would have to press STEP up to 15 time to manually put the sequencer to step 16 so that when you press start it starts on step one EN SEQUENCE CONTROL Analogue Solutions Oberkorn User Manual Oberkorn overcomes this by having a reset to 16 button This way Oberkorn correctly starts on step one Note When manually stopping and starting the sequencer using the toggle switch switch note may cause the sequencer to skip a couple of steps This will not happen when you use a MIDI note to sync Oberkorn when patching a T MIDI to Trigger socket to the clock Input socket 1 Step Usually used when the sequencer is stopped Pressing this will advance the sequencer by one position You would normally use this to audition each step individually for example to trim each CV setting GATING The Last control box is a little hard to explain GATE LEG legato When this switch is set to gate then each gate signal is discrete individual 16ths When set to LEG the gates are added together When two or more g
11. et T1 to Oberkorn clock input IN to use T1 as a clock source The run stop switch must then be set to EXT external clock Now what you do to clock Oberkorn is to program a string of MIDI notes E because you are using the trigger T1 Each time E is played Oberkorn will advance one step Normally you would program a string of 16 notes when your MIDI sequencer is playing in 4 4 time But here s the beauty of this system and Oberkorn You do not have to stick to convention and only string 16ths By programming any pattern of Es you can do the following Swing Shuffle Groove By retarding the timing of even numbered 16 notes In fact any groove pattern can be written Muting Oberkorn By muting the control track on your MIDI sequencer no more E triggers are sent by the Oberkorn s MIDI Trig unit This way you can stop and start Oberkorn mid MIDI sequencer This is something you can t do when synching via MIDI Sync alone using the CK socket BINARY OUTPUTS Sockets b0 1 2 3 provide a binary output from 16 MIDI notes As each of 16 MIDI keys are pressed numbered from 1 to 16 well O to 15 actually this is converted to four bit binary and sent out of the binary sockets The 16 keys start from C just below middle C then the next 16 keys The binary sockets are a little confusing but I ll do my best to explain The best way is to start with an example Stop the sequencer Press Reset to 1 so the sequencer is on step 1
12. he Oberkorn to MIDI sequencers but it is the least flexible Use the trigger sockets 1 2 3 4 T5 Note 5 the rear panel Oberkorn offers five MIDI to Trigger converters These convert certain MIDI note on offs into analogue gate pulses These can then be used to clock Oberkorn or trigger other analogue devices such as our drum modules sequencers EGs Trigger MIDI Note T1 E T2 F T3 F T4 G T5 G As write this forget the exact MIDI note number It s just above Middle C Normally you would use these five triggers to trigger other analogue modules you may own like envelopes You can also use them to clock analogue sequencers including Oberkorn MIDI Sync The CK socket can be used for MIDI sync If your MIDI sequencer is transmitting MIDI Sync then the CK socket will output 16ppqn pulses These can be used to clock the Oberkorn To do this you must patch the CK socket to IN clock input Put the run stop switch to EXT Reset Oberkorn to step 16 Connect your MIDI source Sequencer etc OUT to Oberkorn s MIDI In When you hit play on your MIDI sequencer Oberkorn should run MIDI To Trigger Converter Analogue Solutions Oberkorn User Manual Due to the limitations of the MIDI specification of SYNC messages it is the least effective method and least flexible method of sync The best way to sync Oberkorn to a MIDI sequencer is to use one of the Trig sockets e g patch sock
13. lies to the pitch control of oscillators For controlling parameters such as filter cut off V Oct or Hz V does not apply These standards only apply to pitch control Parameters such as cut off just want a varying linear voltage Once again there is no standard but typical ranges are 0 5 0 12v and sometimes bipolar like 12 to 12V The range Oberkorn puts out is usually fine for most synths GATES The Oberkorn puts out a positive gate signal Gate off is OV Gate on is 10V Oberkorn s gate signal is strong enough to trigger just about all analogue synths envelopes and strong enough to clock most other analogue sequencers There is a complication isn t there always Old Moog and Korg synths typically used a type of Gate called S Trig Though won t go into full details let s just say that it is a sort of inverted gate signal Not inverted in polarity but in state oo normally a gate might be Ov for off and say 5v for on EN Output Type Analogue Solutions Oberkorn User Manual With S Trig it is swapped So say 5v for off and Ov for on Though in practice S trig is implemented in a few different ways by different synths have not tested Oberkorn with many S Trig synths since it was designed for the standard more common positive gate synths and because S trig synths are typically rarer to find But have had reports back that it works fine with Korg MS synths but inverted as you would expect So t
14. nel one SEQUENCE CONTROL In the front panel box labeled sequence control you will find the controls and sockets that control the sequencer s stepping running TEMPO control This control sets the speed of the internal clock 9NIM20O 12 lt arme IN Socket uw SEQUENCE CONTROL Analogue Solutions Oberkorn User Manual If you want to sync Oberkorn from an external clock source use this socket You can use one of Oberkorn s MIDI Trig outputs here to allow you to clock from a MIDI note You might want to use the clock output from another analogue sequencer here or even the Square wave output from an LFO Oberkorn as a VCO Note you can clock Oberkorn using the square wave from a VCO This was Oberkorn will step at audio frequencies Take a CV output into your audio mixer watch the signal levels then use the 16 CV controls to adjust the shape of the waveform OUT Socket Which ever clock source is selected using the Run Stop switch is thru ed to the out socket If the Run Stop switch is left then the internal clock signal is sent out If the Run Stop switch is right then the external clock signal is sent out If the switch is in the centre off then no signal is sent out Daisy Chain Synchronization Use this socket to daisy chain and sync other analogue sequencer s to Oberkorn CV Socket The internal clock speed can be changed via an external CV Rub Stop will have to be se
15. nvelope generator which controls the synth s volume filter cut off and other parameters Gate can be used to turn digital switches on and off or to clock other analogue sequencers The beauty of analogue synths and modulars is that there are no rules So you can use the CV and Gates how you want If your synth has a voltage control input socket then you can use it That s not to say any patch will sound good Some won t sound good or even work at all So in those cases you ll need to try something else That s the nature of modular synths Note Though you will hear terms like CV Gate V Oct Hz V Trigger S Trig and they will have their own general characteristics there is no true analogue standard V Oct and Hz V is about the nearest and they usually work as designed but there are always occasional incompatibilities or exceptions Gates and triggers can be of different voltages and pulse widths There is no account of input and output impedances frequency ranges etc Some gate outputs might be say 5v or 10v Some synth may require a gate voltage higher than the controlling device is giving So though with modulars and analogues synths you should be able to cross patch with no problems sometimes things you might try may just not work This sort of situation may happen too when you connect a sequencer to a particular synth or try clocking two devices together Sometimes it won t work Generally this is rare and whatever you hook
16. o trigger the synth you must set a gate switch to off rather than on BASIC HOOK UP To control a typical analogue synth the most basic and common way to set up is as follows Oberkorn Output Synth Input Pitch VOLTAGE OUT A CV pitch Key CV Gate GATE OUT X Gate Trig V Trig Cutoff VOLTAGE OUT B VCF Note different synths will label their inputs differently That s a basic set up If you are new to analogue synths you may just want to stick with that for starters just to get used to using the set up But more advanced users really should do a little more than the above I ll give more advanced examples later EXPLANATION OF EACH CONTROL The outputs from the CV and Gate channels are found in the box labeled outputs on the front panel CV CHANNELS Analogue Solutions Basic Hook Up I Oberkorn User Manual Oberkorn has three CV channels A B and C They are just about identical except that C does not have glide Each channel is completely independent form the others though they will be clocked together and be of the same sequence length So will just explain one channel A and from there you will know what the others are doing CV Controls Each channel has 16 CV controls When a step is active the voltage set by the control is output at its socket LED When a step is active its LED will be on A LEVEL Control This is used to set the overall level of the CV signal output at the
17. position there will be a gate signal from the Y GATE OUT socket when this step is played Position 3 In this position there will be gate signals from both GATE OUT sockets when this step is played Position 4 OFF In this position there will be no gate signalS from either of the GATE OUT sockets when this step is played 1 ALVS 4 GATE OUT X Socket The gate signal for channel X is output at this socket d EXPLANATION OF EACH CONTROL Analogue Solutions Oberkorn User Manual GATE OUT Y Socket The gate signal for channel Y is output at this socket MIDI TO TRIGGER CONVERTER e e Oberkorn has a completely independent MIDI to Trigger converter MIDI Trig It is NOT MIDI to CV converter It is used to enable you to sync Oberkorn to MIDI It has three sections Binary control Triggers Clock which will be explained later The MIDI Trig section is in the box labeled midi on the front panel On the rear panel are a MIDI In and MIDI Thru sockets MIDI In Connect your MIDI keyboard or MIDI sequencer here to control the MIDI Trig MIDI Thru Analogue Solutions MIDI To Trigger Converter Er 7 Oberkorn User Manual This is just a copy of the MIDI coming into the In socket Use it to daisy chain up other MIDI gear CK clock If Oberkorn is receiving MIDI Sync signals then the CK socket will output clock pulses This is one way to sync up t
18. socket It s an attenuator A GLIDE Control EXPLANATION OF EACH CONTROL Analogue Solutions Oberkorn User Manual 3iQdl19 This is a portamento control glide slew It will smooth out the changes in voltage as each step is played Just try it and see If you appear to get no CV change at the output you may have too much glide set r VOLTAGE OUT A 0 LNO 0 0 0 The CV for channel A comes out of this socket TRANSPOSE IN A Socket 3SOdSNV L The transpose input socket allows you to take a CV from an external device say an LFO module CV keyboard EG and mix it with the internal CV generated with the CV controls For example Put an LFO wave in there and you will add vibrato to the pitch or wah wah to filter tremolo to VCA Use a CV keyboard to transpose the pitch of the sequencer note transpose inputs are not calibrate beyond 196 so scaling may be an issue Analogue Solutions EXPLANATION OF EACH CONTROL 327731 Oberkorn User Manual GATE CHANNELS There are two Gate channels X and Y Each channel is completely independent form the others though they will be clocked together and be of the same sequence length Gate Switch rotary switch Y X OFF The 16 gate switches each have four positions Position 1 X In this position there will be a gate signal from the X GATE OUT socket when this step is played Position 2 Y In this
19. t left INT so the internal clock is used as a sync source Make sure the TEMPO control is set below maximum Plug an external CV into the CV socket for example output from an envelope or LFO The clock speed will change according to the input voltage Weird Why not try using one of Oberkorn s own CV outputs to change its own clock speed have not tried this Could be interesting SETTING The function of the controls in the setting box on the front panel are explained here Analogue Solutions SEQUENCE CONTROL EN Oberkorn User Manual o m LED The LED will light up to show the activity of the clock source selected with the Run Stop Switch Run Stop Toggle Switch The three way toggle switch selects clock source Left INT Internal clock is selected Speed controlled with the TEMPO control Centre In the position the sequencer will not run stop Right EXT Selects the clock signal present at the IN socket as clock source gt 1 Reset to Step One Pressing this will reset the sequencer to step one Normally you would stop the sequencer first gt 16 Reset to Step 16 Pressing this will reset the sequencer to the last 16 Why would you want to do this Well actually reset to step one as found on just about all other sequencers is just about useless and I ll explain why If the sequencer is stopped then started then the first step to play is not in fact the current initial st
20. up will usually work There is usually a work around if there are problems or you simply just have to try something else Oberkorn seems to work fine with most gear and have not heard back many problems OUTPUT TYPE CVS Analogue Solutions CVs and Gates What are They lS Oberkorn User Manual There are two main standards and use this term loosely for pitch CV V Oct means Volts Per Octave This means that a VCO s pitch will go up one octave for each volt added to the CV input OV say would be C so 1V would be C one octave higher This is typically used by old synths Roland Moog ARP SCI new synths just about everyone Analogue Solutions Analogue Systems Doepfer etc Hz V means Hertz Per Volt This means that to go up one octave you must double the voltage So say C is 3V then to go up one octave the CV must be 6V This was typically used by the old Korg synths like the MS series though if remember rightly the monopoly was an exception Hz V is not so flexible as V Oct The problems arise when trying to mix Hz V signals to change pitch Oberkorn outputs a varying voltage on the CV outputs am often asked whether its output is V Oct or Hz V This question does not really make any sense as such Oberkorn simple puts out the voltage that you set on the control But for pitch control it will feel better using V Oct synths which the majority of synths use Hz V and V Oct only app
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