Modulator 3.0 User Manual
Contents
1. feature you would like then please request it by contacting info mtfx com The bootloader mode is entered holding the button when the device is off whist connecting to the USB port The device will take several seconds to enumerate and on some machines a reset may be requested by the operating system the first time it is connected although this is not actually necessary The bootloader application is written for Windows XP Vista 7 Download the application from MTFX Brightarcs com along with the new firmware hex file Launch the bootloader open the hex file with the utility and when the utility finds the device and confirms it is ready click program At this point the device should not be removed for risk of permanently damaging it Once the utility confirms the process is complete simply disconnect the device All Modes The modulator 3 0 can be powered over the USB or from a battery when plugged into the USB power the battery is not used When battery powered the device has an auto power off feature after 5 minutes without modulation input The device will last 1 year in standby and 4 hours in normal operation when battery powered using a CR2032 coin cell When in all modes except test mode standby the red led flashes during the output modulation and this is not shown in Figure 2 The purpose of this is to add a visual indicator that the input source is causing modulation output from the device Modulator 3 0 User Manual s2. Modulator 3 0 using the DIN5 to 3 5mm cable and set the channel number to zero 0 Unsupported MIDI signals are ignored such as different channels pitch bend Modulator 3 0 User Manual after touch and other more complex commands All note numbers are converted however not all notes can be reproduced by the Tesla coils since the MIDI note range normally exceeds their capabilities at high frequencies The note velocity values of 64 and above will result in full modulation output This allows basic keyboards which do not support variable velocity to be used without reducing arc length simple fixed velocity instruments usually have velocity values of 64 and above For variable velocity devices the values 0 64 will produce 0 100 modulation levels Very low modulation values may not result in streamer output which will make the coil sound output non linear It is recommended that some experimentation is done for each instrument to ensure the optimum sound reproduction Multiple note reproduction is possible and up to 4 notes may be played simultaneously The best results are achieved with 2 note chords 3 note major chords or chords produced with arpeggiation The main issue with the MIDI protocol is that missed messages can leave notes turned on and this becomes likely when operating in the electric field of a Tesla coil To combat this the Modulator 3 0 resets all the MIDI notes each time the button is pressed to allow the operator to quick
3. cables and operating further from the coil If the device refuses to switch back on then try removing and refitting the battery If this fails to restore proper operation then try a fresh battery If the device continues to malfunction check the connectors for dirt and ensure the cables are not faulty The optical output of the device can be checked by observing the end of the optical wire which will illuminate when modulation is being applied If the device is damaged beyond repair then contact MTFX Brightarcs to arrange a replacement Guarantee lf supplied with a tesla coil then the modulator is covered under the same warranty as the tesla coil it was purchased with If a warranty claim is made then it needs to be returned for repair or replacement under this agreement Remember to contact MTFX Brightarcs for an RMA number lf the modulator was purchased separately then it is covered by a similar warranty This covers 12 months of operation from the purchase date The warranty covers repair replacement or refund at the discretion of MTFX Brightarcs For warranty claims the device should be returned to the manufacturer after obtaining an RMA number from MTFX Brightarcs Disclaimer MTFX Brightarcs cannot be held responsible for damage caused by its products to third party devices The modulators are sold explicitly for use with the tesla coils sold by MTFX Brightarcs
4. 10 Hz tone to the coil so the operator can check for coil flashovers and arcing The operator should refer to the device manual for a full explanation of this mode and how it should be used Analogue Mode The analogue mode analyses the audio input waveform and converts it into a series of pulses to re create the sound using the streamers and arcs from the tesla coil The resulting audio will never be a good representation of the input because the resulting sound is a series of cleverly timed loud clicks However in many cases the resulting audio effect is impressive The analogue mode has 3 selectable gain options for interfacing different audio source types Low Gain Medium Gain and High Gain Low Gain is most suited to electronic sources such as headphone outputs and line out sources Medium Gain and High Gain modes are suited to higher impedance or lower signal strength sourced such as electric guitars or microphones In all cases the modulator should be located as close as possible to the audio source to avoid interference or damage For example if using an electric guitar the device should be mounted on the guitar or strap rather than on the end of the guitar cable The long optical cable supplied with the coil can then be used to connect the guitar to the coil MIDI Mode In MIDI mode the device accepts the standard set of MIDI signals through the supplied MIDI cable Connect the MIDI output of the instrument or device to the
5. Modulator 3 0 User Manual THE INGENIOUS Willd of brightarcs MT 9 power electronics FX Modulator 3 0 User Manual R1 3 04 03 2011 Modulator 3 0 User Manual Contents COpnlenle u ate 1 Device DES CEI WON cs aio u ok hate aden ended he a aa aa ae atap eea aana kaiao eiiean 2 Parts Incl sii A ev uqu eee ha een 2 PRECAUTIONS a toed au sd 2 Operating Modes eres 3 iFest Mog81 sol sl am y bum m amu aka S Run Dua aka SOP re 3 Analogue Mode sisinarieun n usu Sua us l a 3 MIDEMOd8 siestas tanta era 3 USB MIDI Modena ida 4 Bootloader Mode is uu Dau Hd Sd JE BEARS NS hehe SNe ge 5 AMOS ie RER eee ee EN EE Ne a a p 5 LEDIGOdOS atras 6 Trouble Shooting renna nn a E ns 7 Guarantee IEIET EAEE AEE SA EA ENS TE EEAO AOA TEEN 7 DISCIAIMG vat EEE AE E EE EE ET A O 7 Revisions 21 11 2010 Initial release 23 11 2010 Minor grammatical corrections 4 03 2011 Updated to reflect firmware changes Bootloader no longer needs battery to be removed USB midi LED colour changed to green and flashing Modulator 3 0 User Manual Device Description The Modulator 3 0 is a highly advanced microprocessor controlled device for creating the optical encoded patterns needed to drive MTFX Brightarcs musical DRSSTCs This document summarises the operating modes of the device to help the operator achieve the best possible coil performance Parts Included The Modulator 3 0 is supplied as
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7. ly recover from a stuck note The MIDI interface is under continual development and improvements will be published on www mtfx com USB MIDI Mode Please read section MIDI interface first this section extends the MIDI section to include the USB specific instructions and description The USB MIDI mode adds USB 2 0 connectivity to the Modulator 3 0 to make it easily integrated into computerised systems The Modulator 3 0 will enumerate itself when connected to a PC automatically and use the generic MIDI1 0 specification on MAC devices it may not prompt the user that it has done this tested on MAC OS X10 Windows XP Vista 7 Once the device connects it will become available as a MIDI output for MIDI applications The device will only respond to note commands on channel 0 and will ignore commands it cannot interpret The MIDI input from the device is presently unimplemented but may be used in future firmware versions Modulator 3 0 User Manual Bootloader Mode The Modulator 3 0 has a USB bootloader program which allows the firmware to be upgraded without returning the device to MTFX Brightarcs The modulator algorithms are under continual development and improvement this option allows the operator to have access to the most recent design improvements as well as additional features as they become available The bootloader application and any available firmware improvements can be downloaded at www mtfx com If you have an idea for a new
8. shown in Figure 1 The optical cable supplied with the Tesla coil should be connected to the optical output The modulation source connects to the modulator input using one of the cables provided The device is powered by a standard CR2032 lithium battery located in a battery clip inside the enclosure Remove the enclosure top to access and change this battery BUTTON AND LED INPUT AT CONNECTOR OPTICAL ENCLOSURE a ER TOP gt 3 5mm AUDIO CABLE 3 5mm USB CABLE 3 5mm MIDI CABLE Gs Figure 1 Diagram of the Modulator 2 1 parts Precautions The modulator has sensitive inputs that can be damaged by static The audio input is also subject to interference from the tesla coil Use the short cables provided with the device to minimise the interference and risk of damage Adapters are available to convert the 3 5mm lead into various connector types such as those used by electric guitars and microphones Using longer cables than those supplied could result in damage or undesirable operation Modulator 3 0 User Manual Operating Modes The modulator has several modes of operation Test mode Analogue mode MIDI mode USB MIDI mode and Bootloader mode These are summarised in the following sections Refer to the LED Codes section and Figure 2 for a full explanation of how to identify and switch between the different modes Test Mode This mode is used to check that the coil is properly set up and ready for modulation It applies a
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