12decode

How to setup some basic patches from scratch. The examples are designed for the Microwave II/XT, but should also work (with some minor changes) on the Microwave I.

This is a short excerpt from the book by Uwe G. Hoenig - “Microwave in der Praxis”
(ISBN 978-3-932275-26-5)

First, all parameters are reset to reasonable start values with “Init Sound V1.1”.
The Oscillators Octave is switched to -1, because we want to play bass, don't we?
Startwave should be sawtooth on both waves. A detune -7 / +7 gives a nice beat.

• Oscillators
  • Octave Parameter = -1 / -1
  • Startwave = 63 / 63
  • Detune = -7 / +7

The filter cutoff frequency is first set to zero, and then will be controlled by the Envelope Amount at full range.
A decay of approximately 65 and sustain equal 0 produces the desired sweep.

• Filter & Filter Envelope
  • Filter 1 Cutoff = 0
  • Filter 1 Cutoff Envelope Amount = +63
  • Filter 1 Sustain = 0
  • Filter 1 Decay = 65

To make the sound a bit more interesting, the following values are entered:

• Quality
  • Time Quantization = 5
• Mixer
  • Wave 1 Level = 70
  • Wave 2 Level = 70

And finally, here comes the most important parameter:

• Filter
  • Filter 1 Resonance = 80

That's it, we programmed our first patch! Although it sounds a bit dump, it is perfectly suited as a basis for some more sophisticated ones.

(Based on the Sweep-Bass patch above)

• Filter Envelope
  • Filter 1 Attack = 0

• Amplitude Envelope
  • Attack = 0

• Filter
  • Filter 1 Decay = 16
  • Filter 1 Sustain = 70
  • Filter 1 Cutoff Envelope Amount = +47

Optional:

• Octave Parameter for Osc1 / Osc2: 0 / -1
• Startwave 62 (square)

• Oscillators
  • Octave Parameter -1 / -1

• Filter
  • Filter 1 Cutoff Envelope Amount = +24

• Amplitude Envelope
  • Release = 60

• Filter Envelope
  • Release = 47
  • Filter 1 Keytrack Amount = +50%
  • Filter 1 Cutoff = 15

• Oscillators
  • Detune 0 / 0

• Mixer
  • Wave 1 Level = 100
  • Wave 2 Level = 0

Optional:

• Filter
  • Filter 1 Resonance < 110
  • Filter 1 Resonance = 127 → Keytracking +100%
  • Volume / Filter Release < 47

• Allocation Mode Monophonic

• General Settings
  • Startwave = 0
  • WaveTable = 46 (Heavy Fuzz)
  • Filter Envelope [000,030,048,008]
  • Wave 2 Link = YES
• Modifier Settings
  • Mod 1 Source = Filter Envelope
  • Mod 1 Destination = Wave 1 Position
  • Amount = +40

• (optional)
  • Try WaveTables
    • 014
    • 044
    • 045
    • 047

Two sawtooth waves slightly cross tuned, filtered and amplified with a smooth envelope – simple, boring and effective.

• Waves
  • Startwave = 63 / 63 (sawtooth)
• Oscillators
  • Detune = -6 / +6
• Volume Envelope
  • ADSR [050,060,060,040]
• Filter
  • Type = 12dB Low Pass
  • Cutoff = 60
  • Resonance = 40
  • Keytrack = +50%
• Filter Envelope
  • Cutoff Env Amount = +10 → Sweep
  • ADSR [070,070,040,060]

Optional

• Cutoff Env Amount = 0
• Env Velocity Amount = +30

Effect: Chorus

(to be continued)