Файл: Morpheus_Operation_Manual.pdf

CONTENTS

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CONTENTS

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INTRODUCTION & BASIC SETUP

INTRODUCTION

MORPHEUS Z-PLANE SYNTHESIZER

Morpheus is a completely new type of music synthesizer which represents a major landmark in the evolution of electronic sound synthesis.

Many electronic instruments involve the technology of sampling, where sounds are digitally recorded and played back at different pitches. Sampling has the advantage of highly accurate and realistic sound. One disadvantage of sampling is that once the sounds are recorded, it is difficult to change them in any significant way.

Morpheus introduces the Z-Plane filter, which has the ability to smoothly change its function over time. This ultra-powerful device can accurately simulate the resonance of musical instruments, the human voice or create entirely new timbres. The Z-Plane filter is composed of up to eight complex filters for unprecedented control over subtle aspects of the sound.

Morpheus contains eight megabytes (internally expandable to 16 megabytes) of the highest quality 16 bit samples as the basis for its sounds. These sounds can be combined or spliced, modulated and then shaped through one of 197 Z-Plane filters. Sampled sounds can now be re-shaped and expressively controlled.

The 16 bit sound samples are arranged into 256 preset locations, 128 of which are user-programmable. 128 user-programmable Hyperpresets allow ultra-flexible keyboard mapping of presets. The optional memory card lets you create an expandable library of your favorite presets and hyperpresets.

Morpheus features two studio-quality effects processors with 28 different effects to choose from. Hyperpresets allow you to have up to 32 different sounds on the keyboard at one time in any desired arrangement. Sounds can be placed side by side or layered with velocity control. The ability to respond multi-timbrally to all 16 MIDI channels makes Morpheus ideally suited for multitrack sequencing and composing using a MIDI sequencer.

Other features include 3 stereo outputs for individually processing sounds (also configurable as 6 polyphonic submixes with fully programmable panning), integral sends and returns to allow the addition of external effects units without the need for a separate mixer, user definable alternate tuning, and of course, an extensive MIDI implementation.

GETTING STARTED

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CONNECTION INSTRUCTIONS

SETUP #1 BASIC SETUP

▼ The headphone output monitors the main outputs only. The submix outputs do NOT feed into the headphone output.

• • • If Morpheus does not seem to be responding correctly, make sure that both Morpheus and your MIDI controller are set to th same MIDI channel.

MIDI In

Morpheus is controlled by MIDI messages received at the MIDI In connector. Connect the MIDI In of the Morpheus to the MIDI Out connector of a MIDI controller such as a MIDI keyboard, MIDI wind controller or MIDI guitar controller.

Audio Outputs

Morpheus is a high quality, stereo audio device. In order to reproduce its wide dynamic range and frequency response, use a high quality amplification and speaker system such as a keyboard amplifier or home stereo system. A stereo setup is highly desirable because of the added realism of stereophonic sound. Headphones can be used if an amplifier and speaker system is not available. Plug stereo headphones into the headphone jack located on the left side of the front panel. The Right Main output jack serves as a mono output when the Left Main plug is not plugged in.

CONNECTION INSTRUCTIONS

SETUP #2 STUDIO SETUP

MIDI In

In this setup, Morpheus is controlled by MIDI messages received at the MIDI In connector which have been routed by a MIDI switcher. The MIDI switcher allows any MIDI controller such as a MIDI keyboard, MIDI wind controller or a computer to be easily connected.

MIDI Out

The MIDI Out jack is normally used to transmit MIDI System

Exclusive data to a computer or other device.

Audio Outputs

Morpheus has three sets of programmable stereo outputs; Main, Sub 1, and Sub 2. Specific Morpheus presets (or MIDI channels) can be routed to one of these stereo pairs in order to be further processed or mixed separately.

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CONNECTION INSTRUCTIONS

SETUP #3 PERFORMANCE SETUP

MIDI In

Morpheus is controlled by MIDI messages received at the MIDI In connector. Connect the MIDI In of Morpheus to the MIDI Out connector of a MIDI controller such as a MIDI keyboard, MIDI wind controller or MIDI guitar controller.

MIDI Thru

The MIDI Thru jack is used to connect additional MIDI devices onto the MIDI chain. MIDI Thru transmits an exact copy of the messages received at the MIDI In jack.

Audio Outputs

Each of the Sub 1 and Sub 2 output jacks on the Morpheus are stereo jacks. The tip of each jack (accessed when a standard phone plug is inserted) is the left or right output of that group. The Sub 1 outputs

CONNECTIONS

bypass the internal effects section. The Sub 2 outputs are fed from the effects section. If a stereo plug is inserted, the Ring of the stereo plug serves as a signal Return which sums into the Main outputs.

Therefore, the Sub 1 and Sub 2 jacks can serve as effect sends and returns in order to further process selected instruments and then return them to the main mix.

The diagram shows the Sub 1 and Sub 2 jacks being used as send/ returns in order to further process selected Morpheus presets without using the effects bus on the mixing board. In a pinch, the effect returns could also be used to sum additional instruments into the main outputs.

Morpheus Output Section

The Sub 1 and Sub 2 jacks can be used as effect returns to the Main Outputs.

POWER UP!

The power switch is located on the right side of the front panel. Morpheus and its MIDI controller may be turned on in any order. When power is applied, the liquid crystal display will light, indicating that Morpheus is operating. You may have noticed that there is no 110/220 Volt power selector switch on Morpheus.

Morpheus automatically switches itself for 110 or 220 Volt operation.

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BACKGROUND

ABOUT SAMPLING

Morpheus utilizes digital recording of acoustic sounds for the basis of each Instrument. This is similar to a tape recorder except that inside the Morpheus, the sounds are permanently recorded on digital memory chips.

Sound and instrument waveforms are first sampled into the Emulator III, our top of the line, 16 bit stereo digital sampler. After the sounds and waveforms have been truncated, looped and processed, they are permanently encoded into the Morpheus ROM (Read Only Memory) chips.

Conceptually, the sampling process is very simple, as shown in the Basic Sampling System diagram. As a sound wave strikes the diaphragm of a microphone, a corresponding voltage is generated. To sample the sound, the voltage level is repeatedly measured over time and the corresponding data values are stored in memory. To play the sound back, the numbers are read back out of memory, modified by the Z-plane filter, converted back into voltages, then amplified and fed to a speaker which converts the voltage back into sound waves. Of course, playing back 32 channels at different pitches tends to complicate matters, but this is basically how it works.