User Manual
Contents
1. Ia Tg 15 lo gt 1 3 5 7 9 11 Frequency 11 Frequency 8 Initial Start up Connect the MIDI IN socket on the Neptune II to your MIDI controller master keyboard sequencer etc via a MIDI cable If further MIDI units are used after the Neptune Il connect the MIDI Thru socket to the MIDI IN Socket of the next device using another MIDI cable Connect the audio output to the audio input of your sound mixer amplifier or similar equipment Connect the power adapter PSU Switch on the Neptune II The LEARN indicator should light briefly The power ON indicator and the SLIDE indicator will light up Set the potentiometers to one of the Neptune II sounds below If you now play on your MIDI keyboard and have selected the correct MIDI channel and reference note see MIDI Functions it should be possible to hear something If this is not the case please refer to Troubleshooting For the first power up the Neptune ll is set to MIDI channel 1 8 1 Using the external audio input In order for the external signal to be audible set the wave switch for OSC2 to EXT and the volume control for OSC2 on maximum The Neptune II must simultaneously receive a note on command to enable it to trigger the envelope and drive the VCA This means that a MIDI In connection is required even if the Neptune is only being used as a filter 8 2 Technical data of the CV and GATE In Output The Control Voltage CV has a slope of 1 V Octave The gate socket us2. X X 2 Ref Note Range 12 72 TE T Modulation LFO Cutoff Frequency Pitchbend Range MIDI Clock LFO Sync Sustain Portamento All Notes Off 1 12 memorized 1 12 Prog Change True System Exclusive System Song Pos Common Song Sel Tune system Clock LFO MIDI Sync F8h Heal Time Commands Local On Off X X X X X x All Notes Off Active Sense Reset Mode 1 Omni On Poly Mode 2 Omni On Mono o Yes Mode 3 Omni Off Poly Mode 4 Omni Off Mono x No Page 11 14 Technical Data Neptune Ill OSC1 range OSC2 range OSC3 LFO range Tune range OSC1 OSC3 Slide time range Cutoff frequency range Resonance range Noise generator spectrum Attack Decay and Release time range Sustain level range Nominal output level Nominal input level Gate output level Gate input level Trigger type CV type CV output voltage CV input voltage MIDI to CV converter octaves Power supply Power consumption Case style Mechanical Dimensions Weight 23 Hz 1 3 kHz used theoretical 0 1 Hz 7 kHz 11 Hz 5 3 kHz used theoretical 0 1 Hz 7 kHz 0 14 Hz 1 35 kHz used theoretical 0 1 Hz 7 kHz 5 Halftones 0 05ms 0 4sek for 95 38Hz 20kHz 0 self resonance 0 100kHz 0 8ms 6 5sek for 9596 0 100 700mV 700mV 5V 2 15V Voltage trigger 1 Volt Oct 0 5V 0 7V 5 15VAC 500mA via PSU Adapter
3. NEPTUNE ANALOG SYNTHESIZER Owner s Manual ull py fo Spectro Audio Contents MEN eee T 2 1100000001 CALE ensis NTT M Dou EE 2 SEMI 2 4 Performance and Signals of Neptune nnne nnns 3 5 Operating and safety InsW elloriS tetur esed atit esu 4 SMEME CIIM 4 T Operationalvand func onal deseripllolis ebenso sean ic qd iba tuse beta tactique asume ire SE 5 JL TheNeptunelkSignal FOW coto thru ess CUu e das aea o Ou tet au 6 ke _Subtractive Synthesis de t bianco ue e da tae uh uu 7 ex cz T Umm 7 B Usingithe extemal Audio INPUT 7 8 2 Technical data of the CV and GATE ln Output 2 eee 7 G Toue NCOI FAO Aos ai nisin Coli iS hiaialanist eigenen 8 10 WS WRUNG IONS fess 8 TOT Normal operaio Tode item emo ba ta dai en t netus 8 10 2 Learn mode T T T 9 10 2 1 Note On Command key is pressed sseeeessesssssssseeeeee nennen nennen nennen nnns 9 10 2 2 Program Change Command
4. 6 2W 2 U 19 Rack mount 483 x 88 x 108mm WxHxD 2 28 kg with shipping box manual and PSU 15 Neptune ll Sounds Page 14 left Three Oscillator Sound Page 14 right Two Osc with LFO on Filter Page 15 left Two Osc with High Pass Filter Page 15 right Bass Drum with Filter Self resonance Page 16 empty Pages we recommend making copies and using those Page 12 888818 81818 18181 18188 1681 100 888818 1818 180181 18118 YSAZISAHLNAS DSOINNY OIPNY NEC ILdoN s986jel 1011811100 D ades is gt 1IeJJ53d5 10081181 o N P Y Q3 3 17 DIO n 888818 81618 18188 18818 10681 100 888818 ulegsns 18088 18118 YIZISIHINAS 7 d C OIPDNY E SNC IL AN 8881 8018 81880 mid 18 1eJJ33d5 SS Sa SEE lt 8108009881 10081081 RET Dro O Page 13 888818 37215380 114 S 901VNY SON JL CDM 888818 BEEZ SAHIN ASS Olav NY E IN LGN 18518 101181110 D 84818 81818 18180 08818 10681 dow 888818 8181 8018 818101 um a Dd 81818 18181 08818 10681 dow 888818 1818 18088 8181 8011 818800 MIN gaueuosal n 4 FH ud 18118 10081081 OIDf 7 1eJJ33d5 r emu CO OIDf 7 1eJ4J33d5 Recette Ea Page 14 ap pg A Pn 8888181 1818 68818 111181100 C 84818 RES 818800 m
5. Re triggerfunctionison 8 X AftertouchtoModulationison J O 9 Filter Velocity mode is off 10 FilterVelociymodeison 12 _ j Lastnoteprority b O Note The modes can be switched on simultaneously 10 3 Re trigger When the re trigger function is switched on the envelope will be re initiated even under Legato playing If a key 15 pressed whilst another key 15 already pressed this is called Legato 10 4 Filter Dynamic Operation Dynamic operation signifies that the cut off frequency filter dynamic operation is dependent on the velocity value of the note The velocity value is actually multiplied with the controller value Filter dynamic operation On Cut off frequency Controller 2 Velocity Value Filter dynamic operation Off Cut off frequency Controller 2 Page 9 10 5 Filter Velocity mode If the Filter Velocity mode is On and the velocity value is less than 64 the original velocity value will be used If the value received is bigger than 64 the velocity value will be set at the maximum of 127 This effect will only be audible if the filter dynamic operation is on 10 6 Aftertouch to Cutoff In the Aftertouch to Cutoff mode the incoming Aftertouch Values are added to the current Cutoff Value 10 7 Aftertouch to Modulation In the Aftertouch to Modulation mode the incoming Aftertouch Values are added to the current Modulation Value 11 Possible manual changes With the N
6. icc i SNE NL 9 TOSS RAJIB T 9 10 4 ennecveneemacdus ecg o Ee E Pao et eb o tob 20220152 9 10 5 Fiter veloci IMO CG UL ms 10 nain s 10 10 7 _ 151080081101006012 0 i A TR 10 11 Possible manual CHANG CS nis ei 10 12 NOTES z sR A E 10 AZ esto SU scu dus civic cae ie ak 10 13 MIDI sete a Let TA CAST L D 11 14 Technical Data Neptune tos etre ero LAE A see Seda 12 15 WE D oo 12 Page 1 1 Introduction Thank you very much for buying the Neptune Il Analogue Synthesizer The Neptune ll is a purely analog synthesizer with MIDI and CV control It offers special features and is simple to use because it has a button or switch for each parameter The audio input enables processing of external signals In order to use the Neptune Il professionally we recommend that the following chapters are read carefully We wish you much
7. pleasure and many successful productions using the Neptune Il This manual has been produced with the greatest care Spectral Audio is nevertheless unable to accept any responsibility for errors or omissions Reproduction is permitted only with the consent of the manufacturer 2 Environment care The Neptune is made as environmentally friendly as possible This was a very important consideration in the design process Specifically this means that the pads for the electronic components are as small as possible to save paste and solder the bottom casing is recyclable normal metal sheet the front panel and the lid are recyclable normal aluminum itis easy to disassemble the package materials are recyclable 3 Neptune Il With the Neptune Il the original Neptune has been improved and carries several internal and general improvements The Neptune benefits from these changes significantly improved quality smooth potentiometers tactile soft touch knobs A high efficiency 5mm LEDs 2 2mm travel push switches for better visual feedback key follow switch volume potentiometer and power on switch have been added free run switch to have Oscillator 3 free of tracking the keyboard improved true noise generator with a spectrum now up to 100kHz several possibilities for additional operations via manual internal changes The Neptune II shares these design features with the original Neptune pure DC Design mea
8. 1 Lg D 270 saapi 1818 18181 18818 11681 dow 8888181 81818 18118 111181100 86818 8181 8018 818800 r 4 732 ee uan r OI Df YN 1IeJJ33d5 Page 15
9. Decay Release pq D E 2 3 Sustain p Time Note On Note Off Key pressed Gate On p Time 7 1 The Neptune ll Signal Flow MIDI Thru A MIDI In 7 CV In Out A V MIDI to CV Converter Portamento Gate CV Cutoff Mod Noise Generator VCF Cutoff Resonance Cutoff Oct Modulation Ext VCO Page 6 ENV Mod Highpass Lowpass command comes i e when the key is Gate In Out A N Volume Envelope Attack Sustain Decay Release Filter Envelope Attack Sustain Decay Release Distorter 9 Distotion Fuzzer p Audio Signal LFO Subosz Waves er elli e 9 Random e VCO2 Noise Control Signal 7 2 Subtractive Synthesis Theory The VCOs produce very harmonic rectangular and sawtooth signals Rectangle Sawtooth ei eis edd 1 13151719111 Frequency 3 5 7 Noise contains an endless number of frequencies The frequency spectrum is subsequently limited by the filter IC 9 11 Frequency 3 5 7911 Frequency Lowpassfilter Highpassfilter Cutofffrequency Cutofffrequency roan 1 3 3 3 11 Frequency lL p Frequency The setting of the resonance control is an important factor as it amplifies the frequencies around the cut off frequency Lowpassfilter with Highpassfilter with high Resonance high Resonance
10. OSCS LFO modulation is multiplied with the current pot setting make sure Controller 1 is not set to zero 10 MIDI Functions 10 1 Normal operating mode In the normal operating mode the following MIDI commands are processed Note On Off In the range of the reference note and up to a maximum of 5 octaves above it Pitch Bend Control of the pitch Controller 2 34 Control of the cut off frequency the current potentiometer setting is added Controller 1 33 LFO modulation multiplied with the current potentiometer setting Controller 16 The Pitchbend range Controller 17 MIDI Timing Clock LFO Sync 1 Full Note 2 Half Note 4 1 4 Note 8 1 8 Note 16 1 16 Note 32 1 32 Note Controller 64 Controls the hold function Sustain On data value 127 Off data value 0 Controller 65 Switches the Slide function on off On data value 127 Off data value 0 These commands are only received on a MIDI channel which has been defined in the Learn mode In the normal operating mode the LEARN indicator shows the gate function Page 8 10 2 Learn mode The Learn mode is accessed by pressing the LEARN switch It is possible to return to normal mode by pressing it once again The LEARN LED with flash when in Learn Mode In this mode the MIDI parameters such as reference note and MIDI channel are set When in Learn mode the following MIDI commands are significant After receiving one of these MIDI commands the LEARN indicator stops flashin
11. ed as an output sends a signal of 5V If you use this as an input input signals up to 15V may be applied Page The Neptune II is also usable via MIDI if the CV Gate switch on the rear side is on Out The gate signal from the MIDI converter and the external signal are mixed internally 9 Trouble shooting FAQ 1 Does the power ON indicator light No Equipment is not switched on or PSU is not plugged in Power supply connection is faulty Yes Continue point 2 Does the LEARN indicator light up when you play your MIDI keyboard No The MIDI channel does not correspond with the MIDI keyboard Set the MIDI channel and reference note as described in MIDI Functions MIDI connection is faulty not correct Yes The connection to the sound mixer is not correct Volume OSC 1 2 and RING MOD or SUSTAIN of the volume envelope or VOLUME is zero Sound mixer is not set correctly can hear a sound but there is no pitch tone height variation The CV In Out switch on the rear side is set to In but there is no external voltage on the CV socket Set the switch to Out if you want to use MIDI or connect the socket to a CV Output of another synthesizer converter The LEDs do work but there is no sound or very distorted sound You have probably connected a DC power adapter and not an AC Make sure you use an AC adapter providing 15V AC with the capability to deliver 600mA The OSC3 LFO does not work Because the
12. eptune ll it is possible for the user to change several operational functions The steps for these changes are written in the Service manual for the Neptune II However these steps should only be executed by skilled persons Soldering work and additional parts may be needed The following changes are described having pulse width modulation PWM for the rectangular wave on OSC1 OSC3 OSC3 LFO sync with OSC1 or OSC2 even faster envelopes increase the tuning range for OSC1 0SC3 general in outputs of Oscillators Envelopes Filter power supply and further 12 Notes 12 1 Service via Internet Our homepage offers downloading of the latest system software EPROM downloading of various mixermaps for your sequencer software downloading of the service manual including all manual changes downloading of this manual pdf and doc high res pictures Spectral Audio Stockeristrasse 1 CH 6344 Meierskappel Switzerland Email spectralaudio swissonline ch http www spectralaudio ch Copyright 2003 at Spectral Audio All rights reserved Page 10 13 MIDI Implementation Chart Date 7 12 02 Model Spectral Audio Neptune II Version 1 10 Recognized Remaks memorized X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Transmitted Basic Channel 1 16 Default Channel Default Mode Messages Altered Note Number True Voice Velocity Note On Note Off After Key s Touch Ch s 1 MSB 33 LSB 1
13. g and the Neptune ll goes into the normal operating mode If several parameters are to be changed then the Learn mode is to be selected several times The parameters set are not lost when the unit is switched off The Initial Values Channel 1 Ref Note 36 and below Factory settings can be restored if the LEARN Button is pressed while Power On 10 2 1 Note On Command key is pressed The MIDI channel of the incoming note on command is accepted as the new MIDI receive channel MIDI channel setting The pitch MIDI note number is accepted as the reference note for the lowest possible tone transport function If you work with a sequencer program this means that you should select the channel that you want to control the Neptune ll on press the LEARN switch and activate the lowest key on the master keyboard The absolute pitch is dependent on the setting of the tuning potentiometers 10 2 2 Program Change Command With this command the link up of the controller data and the use of the velocity information can be determined on the Neptune II Furthermore the re trigger function can be switched on off and the note priority can be determined The following program change commands are carried out in the normal operating mode but they will get lost if you switch off The changes will however be saved if the Neptune II is in the Learn mode when receiving these commands 2 j Fiterdynamicoperaionison 4 AftertouchtoCutoffison 6 The
14. it which provides two different types of distortion Fuzz distortion or clipping distortion both known from olden day guitar effects units Before the signal leaves the Neptune ll it arrives at the VCA Voltage Controlled Amplifier The input signal is here multiplied by the control signal formed by the Amp Envelope and the VOLUME potentiometer The OSC3 LFO is particularly well designed in the Neptune ll The oscillator is either freely controllable or fixed to the MIDI to CV converter The desired mode may be chosen using the FREERUN switch Note When using the OSC3 LFO in LFO mode the description at the OCTAVE switch does not apply It is however possible to adjust a coarse frequency Using its signal the pitch from OSC1 and OSC2 and also the Cut off frequency of the filter can be modulated If the MIXER switch is on the OSC3 LFO output is directly audible In this case the MODULATION pot controls the volume level The rotary switch allows 5 different signal forms to be selected Additionally the OSC2 can be used as a modulation source The MIDI SYNC switch allows the LFO to be synchronized to MIDI Clock Page 5 The Envelope Generator determines the chronological sequence of the volume after receiving a note on command The MIDI to CV converter then issues a gate signal 5V starting the sequence of the envelope generator The gate signal remains active at 5V until the note off released A Attack
15. ly amplifies the beats frequency difference Note When the SYNC switch is switched on no beats are developed and the ring modulator therefore has no effect The SLIDE control determines the glide time from one note to another and is valid for all OSCs It is possible to switch the slide function on or off by using MIDI controller 65 Afterwards the signal flows through the Voltage Controlled Filter VCF within which certain frequency ranges are suppressed The lowpass filter allows low frequencies to pass and suppresses the high ones the highpass filter lets high frequencies pass and suppresses the low ones The frequency from which the signals are suppressed is called the limit or cut off frequency In the Neptune ll this is formed by various sources 1 CUTOFF frequency control 2 ENV MOD control the influence of the envelope curve on the cut off frequency 3 OSC3 LFO when the Cut off target push switch is on 4 KEYFOLLOW The KEYFOLLOW may be set to no KEYFOLLOW 5096 or 10096 It causes the cut off frequency to increase on higher notes so that the audible frequency band always remains the same Moreover the filter can be used as an oscillator if the resonance is set to the maximum The resonance forms a feedback of the output to the input of the filter and causes an amplification of the frequencies around the cut off frequency The Filter is adjusted for exact tone scale After the filter the signal reaches the distorter circu
16. ns no capacitors in the signal flow low noise design high quality cascade filter true noise generator not digital noise MIDI regeneration incoming MIDI signal is internally regenerated to MIDI Thru not just amplified Page 2 4 Performance and Signals of Neptune Sawtooth at 250Hz Sawtooth Spectrum all three VCOs provide the same excellent signal quality Page 3 Noise Spectrum 20Hz 20kHz 5 Operating and safety instructions The instrument is intended only for the form of use described in this operating manual It is to be used in dry rooms only Do not allow any liquids to enter the instrument Should this happen the instrument requires cleaning by a specialist Use only the original PSU 15VAC 500mA Do not expose the instrument to direct sunlight Do not use the instrument in the vicinity of a heater or any other source of heat Do not expose the instrument to temperatures above 50 C degrees Celsius or below 10 C The minimum operating temperature is 10 C Handle the instrument with due care when transporting Use only the original packing when returning the instrument to our company for guarantee service software updating repair work etc Other forms of delivery will not be accepted due to the danger of damage caused in transit Please make sure you retain the packing container and inner packing materials for such purposes 6 Guarantee A one year guarantee period from the date of pu
17. rchase applies for manufacturing defects Should the instrument be interfered with or abused in any way the guarantee coverage will cease immediately Page 4 7 Operational and functional description A ZU The basic principle of the Neptune II corresponds to classic subtractive analog synthesis which incorporates interconnection between a VCO VCF VCA envelope generators and LFO To make the Neptune II suitable for MIDI an additional MIDI to CV converter is added which converts the MIDI signals into analog control voltage signals These control the VCOs the filter as well as the envelope generators It is able to create Control Voltage CV for 5 octaves However the oscillators in the Neptune are able to process up to 7 octaves The raw material for the sound is provided by the VCOs Voltage Controlled Oscillators known as OSC1 0SC8 in the form of a sawtooth or rectangular signal as well as the noise generator for effects such as wind and thunder sounds OSC2 is synchronized to OSC1 with the SYNC switch The sound becomes especially interesting when the TUNE control of OSC2 is turned or modulated by the LFO resulting in the typical Sync Sound By means of the external OSC input other sources can also serve as raw material The TUNE range is a good compromise between having a useful pitch range but still able to finely adjust the pitch The ring modulator multiplies the signals of the two OSCs This significant
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