Alesis ModFX Metavox Specifications

Reference Manual

Important Safety Instructions811. Use only attachments or accessories specified by themanufacturer.12. Use only with a cart, stand, bracket, or table

Important Safety Instructions9CE Declaration Of ConformitySee our website at:http://www.alesis.comFCC Compliance StatementThis device complies with Pa

Important Safety Instructions10Instructions de Sécurité Importantes (French)Symboles utilisés dans ce produitCe symbole alèrte l’utilisateur qu’il exi

Important Safety Instructions1111. N’utilisez que des accessoires spécifiés par le constructeur.12. N’utilisez qu’avec un stand, ou table conçus pour

Important Safety Instructions12Lesen Sie bitte die folgende Sicherheitshinweise (German)Sicherheit Symbole verwendet in diesemProduktDieses Symbol ala

Important Safety Instructions1311. Benutzen Sie nur das vom Hersteller empfohlene Zubehör.12. Verwenden Sie ausschließlich Wagen, Ständer, oder Tische

Important Safety Instructions14This page intentionally left blank.

1 Quick Start Guide 15If you can’t wait to get startedThe Alesis Metavox is a unique product, and is inherently differentfrom other effects units. If

1Quick Start Guide16A quick overview of the controlsSYN TH ESI S IN PUTThis se lec ts th e in ter na lo sc illa tor wa ve o r e xter n alinp

2 Connections17Unpacking and InspectionYour Metavox was packed carefully at the factory. The shippingcarton was designed to protect the unit during

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2Connections18Connecting audioThe Metavox will work in many different applications, whetheryou are connecting an instrument directly into it, or conne

Connections219Typical vocoding setupIf you’re connecting an instrument directly to the Metavox, hook itup this way:1. Connect a 1/4" phone cord t

2Connections20Connecting to the Channel Inserts of amixing console:Most recording consoles have a jack near the mic and line inputslabeled "Inser

Connections221Connecting to the Group Sends or AuxSend/Return of a mixing console:The Metavox is designed more for in-line processing than thesend/rec

2Connections22Connecting to the inserts on an instrumentamplifier:Use this method only if you occasionally use the Metavox toprovide synthesizer soun

Connections223Connecting to equipment with XLR inputsand outputs:If you are connecting the Metavox to a product with XLRbalanced inputs and outputs, y

2Connections24Using the ModLinkThe Metavox can be connected to other effect boxes in theModFX family via the ModLink. The ModLink is a cable-freecon

3 Using the Metavox25This section explains the technology of synthesis and vocodingand describes the functions of the Metavox’s controls in greaterde

3Using the Metavox26The result is a unique signal processing path that puts one soundunder the control of another. The creative and commercialpossibi

Using the Metavox327What is Tempo Sync?In the Metavox, Tempo Sync affects only the frequencymodulation (e.g., vibrato) of the internal waveform oscil

Table of Contents1Introduction...3Welcome! ...

3Using the Metavox28Description of ControlsSynthesis Input SwitchThe up/down rocker switch beside the Synthesis Input label onthe left side of the uni

Using the Metavox329NoiseThis mode selects a white noise generator as the sound to bevocoded by the input. Since white noise has all frequencies ato

3Using the Metavox30Modulation switchThe up/down rocker switch under the MODULATION label onthe right side of the Metavox selects the waveform that wi

Using the Metavox331UncertaintyThis mode generates a continually varying waveform for theoscillator’s modulation; it’s similar to Sample and Hold but

3Using the Metavox32DepthThe [DEPTH] knob controls how much pitch modulation(vibrato) of the above LFO waves and patterns will be applied tothe intern

Using the Metavox333Reset ModPress this button to reset the modulation as follows:• In TRIANGLE and SAMPLE/HOLD modes, press [RESETMOD] to start the

3Using the Metavox34BypassThis button sends the signal directly from the input to the outputwithout any effect. Press [BYPASS] to check the sound of

4 Sample Settings35While there’s nothing like discovering new sounds for yourself, wethought it would be a good idea to provide some sample settingso

4Sample Settings36Battle StarA d ee pe r s or t o f ou ter -s p ac ev oice ; try a d ju sting PHREEQ to ge t the p r ec is e e ffec t

Sample Settings437VocomotionThis se tting ha s a r hy th m toit, whic h yo u m us t s et u s in gthe TAP TEMPO b utto n s. I fy ou

Table Of Contents2Sample Settings...35Blank Settings Templates...

4Sample Settings38Blank Settings Templates

5 Troubleshooting39Troubleshooting IndexIf you experience problems while operating your Metavox, pleaseuse the following table to locate possible cau

5Troubleshooting40Symptoms Cause SolutionBuz z or h um fro mout putsAud io cab les are crossing apower cable or a poweradapter.Make sure that t heMet

Troubleshooting541Avoiding ground loop noiseIn today’s studio, where it seems every piece of equipment has itsown computer chip inside, there are many

5Troubleshooting424. Keep all cables as short as possible, especially inunbalanced circuits.If the basic experiments don’t uncover the source of the

Troubleshooting543Care and MaintenanceCleaningDisconnect the AC cord, then use a damp cloth to clean theMetavox’s metal and plastic surfaces. For heav

5Troubleshooting44Obtaining repair serviceBefore contacting Alesis, check over all your connections, andmake sure you’ve read the manual.Customers in

Specifications45Audio InputInput Connectors: 2 unbalanced 1/4” jacksMaximum Input Level: +10 dBVNominal Level: -10 dBV (adjustable, left input)-20 dBV

6Specifications46This page intentionally left blank.

Index47amplifier, 22Aux Send/Return, 21BYPASS, 16, 34with foot switch, 34cables, 23Cleaning, 43CONTROLLER, 25DEPTH, 16, 32digital converters, 34, 45D

Introduction3Welcome!Thank you for making the Alesis Metavox a part of your studio.Since 1984, we've been designing and building creative tools

Warranty / Contact Alesis48Alesis Limited WarrantyALESIS CORPORATION ("ALESIS") warrants this product to be free of defectsin material and w

Warranty/Contact Information49Alesis Contact InformationAlesis Studio ElectronicsLos Angeles, CA USAE-mail: [email protected]: http://www.ale

Introduction4About the MetavoxYour new Metavox is a member of the Alesis ModFX family ofperformance effects boxes. The Metavox is a vocoder with a b

Introduction5Metavox Key Features• One-oscillator vocoder with four built-in waveforms (saw,rectified saw, square, and noise) in a compact box• Can

Introduction6How to Use This ManualA little technical knowledge will help you get the most out of yourgear...it’s really pretty simple. This manual i

Safety Instructions/Notices7Important Safety Instructions (English)Safety symbols used in this productThis symbol alerts the user that there are impor