ALM Busy MFX Pedal

MUSICAL FEATURES

MFX Pedal is a multi-effect Eurorack module."MFX" It is a pedal effect device with all the same functions as , and supports guitar and synth input. This pedal includes 18 effects programs, plus MIDI control, knobs, expression pedal control, tap tempo, an optional analog gain stage, and true relay (or DSP)-based bypass functionality. I am.

MFX is inspired by our favorite classic hardware effects processors and incorporates DSP effects techniques from the early days of digital effects in the 70s to the present day. Shape sounds with distortion and dynamics engines, or manipulate time, space, and pitch with multiple rich reverb and delay engines. Modulate with flexible panners, frequency shifters, and ensemble effects, or split up sounds with our unique granular and glitch engines.

MFX Pedal's user interface has a familiar design that makes it quick and easy to operate. Each program contains a large number of directly editable parameters and can be freely assigned to knobs, MIDI, and expression controls. Each program includes factory presets, and you can also save and recall user presets. All states are retained even when the power is turned off.

MFX pedals bring the character and personality of ALM effects to your guitar rig, DAW-less setup, mixer effects send, or synth collection.

• Contains 18 different effect programs and includes many controllable parameters.
•  Effect parameters can be freely assigned to panel knobs, expression inputs, or MIDI controls
• Supports guitar, line level, and professional level inputs
• Built-in optional analog gain stage (+10dB) for low level signals
• True relay or buffered DSP bypass with footswitch control and LED indicators
• Stereo I/O path using all Neutrik jacks
• Clip level display LED
• Tap tempo and trigger with footswitch
• Din MIDI input for MIDI beat clock synchronization and MIDI CC control
• Settings are retained between power on/off
• Factory and user presets can be saved for each effect
• Quick and easy “drag and drop” firmware updates via computer using USB-C
• Sturdy, lightweight black anodized aluminum housing

Programs

• Digi-PCM Echo: Inspired by early rack-type digital delays, it has additional features such as synchronization to an external clock, five different delay modes, audio quality settings, and a wide range of time settings. In Ext Feedback mode, you can configure an external feedback path by using only the left input and output, using the right output as a send and the input as a return.
• Tape-Tech Echo: An analog tape-style delay with a built-in pitch shifter.Inspired by vintage tape echo equipment, it reproduces a dark analog sound.The combination of some unique parameters such as tape aging and wow and flutter and the built-in pitch shifter provides an interesting sound using tape technology.
• Crumbular Echo: Granular type multi-tap delay.With a wide set of parameters, it produces a wide variety of sounds, from broken glitches to dirty grain reverb wave-like sounds.
• Ursa Minor Echoverb: A multi-tap delay with a complex and wide range.Configurable as reverb or echo, it contains 8 different programs that change the time structure of 20 delay taps.From sky-like long reverbs to complex resonant com filtering, it offers a unique approach to reverb and delay.
• Pocket PL8 Reverb: Based on an early digital reverb algorithm featuring a fine metallic sound, it recreates the magic of a giant aluminum plate.This program allows you to gate the reverb tail by entering a trigger on the Clk input to create dynamic and rhythmic effects.
• Almicon Reverb: A program based on the high-end studio-style reverb algorithms of the 80's.From bright and small rooms to vast man-made spaces, it provides a fresh, sophisticated and classical reverb sound.
• Quaidra Reverb: A 90's style reverb with a simple set of musical parameters.We specialize in unusually wide and elegant spaces, and create rich spaces from all sounds.
• Yetti Reverb: A reverb based on a feedback delay network fused with a 4 octave pitch shifter.Create a range of crystalline spatial effects and otherworldly shimmering reverbs, from subtle to extreme.
• Slinky Reverb: This is a reverb based on spring reverb modeling.
• TY-50 Compressor: A flexible stereo compressor with a wide range of attack / release times.It can also be used as a clean mix bass compressor, adding strength to the sound and smoothing transients.Compression can be shaped from any patched source material, from very slight settings to extremely intense ones.The bypass function described above is useful for comparing the original sound with the compressed sound (Back button + encoder click).
• TH-30 Distortion: From analog-style saturation to intense digital wave foldingTyso DaikoA program with a collection of 6 different distortions, including Digital Wave Folders.The built-in Tilt filter enhances the high / low frequency components of distortion.
• 2051 Bit Currupter: A real-time audio buffer that reproduces the malfunction of digital audio equipment. Various low-fidelity effects and glitch effects are created by adjusting the bit depth and sampling frequency of the Dry signal, the maximum number of repeats and generation rate for each glitch, the random rate of the number of repeats, and the loop / reverse playback of the buffer.
• Modulating Panner: A mono or stereo auto pan that is syncable to the clock, with an additional scan mode that crossfades between the two left and right input signals.Introduces a variety of effects, from gentle stereo effects to clock-synchronized rhythmic panning.
• Ring + Freq Modulator: A pair of classic modulation effects consisting of ring modulation and frequency shifters for another world of dissonance.The Ring Mod and Freq Shifter, which operate in full stereo, offer greater flexibility than traditional analog circuitry.
• Ensembles Ensemble: A diverse collection of choruses and ensemble effects based on the circuits of the 70's and 80's. With a variety of modes inspired by the onboard chorus mounted on synthesizers such as the Juno-60 and Solina, the built-in digital pitch shifter goes beyond traditional chorus circuitry.
• Multi Phaser: A rich phase-shifting effect, suitable for creating slow, subtle timbral changes, vortex-like movements, or thick, polyphonic sounds.By controlling the number and shape of notch filters and the speed of modulation, you can easily create classic phasing and flanging effects. 
• Squoval Rezonator: A dual-mode (8-band mono or 4-band true stereo) resonator made from a collection of linked bandpass filters.
• Utilities: A basic utility program that allows you to check the oscilloscope, tuner, and current firmware versions.You can also set the Wet/Dry Mix here to set the MFX output to 100% Wet.

HOW TO USE

Basic operation method

Effects within the MFX pedal are selected using the encoder. Once an effects program is active, you can select various parameters for that program and set their values ​​via encoders or assign them to knobs, MIDI CC, or expression pedal inputs. Programs contain common functions and unique parameters specific to each function. Factory and user presets can be loaded and saved for each program.

When powered on, the MFX pedal will display the active effects program after a short startup animation. Browse other available programs by turning the program knob and click the program knob to activate it. When the program is activated, the last edited parameter screen is displayed. Turn the Program knob to cycle through the parameters, click the knob to highlight the selected parameter, and turn it to set the value from the available values ​​(and assignments - see next paragraph). Click again to exit. To return to program selection, press the back button.

Audio signals can be patched to the top input (mono source) or both top and bottom inputs (stereo source). The audio signal is processed by the selected effects program and sent to the stereo audio output. Use mono TRS cables for input and output.

MFX pedals are designed to work with both line-level (synth) and instrument-level (guitar) signals. To account for source level variations, a 10dB switchable analog gain stage is accessible from the Utility program.

The bypass LED lights green when the pedal is active and turns red if the audio signal is too high (~5Vpp with gain disabled) causing clipping at the input. In this case, be careful to reduce the signal volume to the pedal.

A/B knob, MIDI CC, and expression control assignments

External control of effect parameters can be assigned to one of the following: A/B manual control knob, MIDI CC 1-4, or expression input.

On the parameter screen you want to assign, scrolling left past the minimum value for the parameter selects the source that controls that parameter. Also, when a parameter is highlighted, holding the back button and turning the program knob will immediately jump to the source assignment section. To quickly assign hands-on controls from the A or B knobs, hold the back button and turn the A or B knobs.

Any number of parameters can be assigned to the same source for macro control. Additionally, each assignment includes a digital attenuator to scale the incoming modulation, and an offset setting. To adjust this, with the assignment selected, press and hold the Program encoder for at least 1 second. (Press the back button to exit.) Once the source is assigned, a small bar graph will appear showing the modulation level after the attenuator and offset.

The expression input can accept a standard passive TRS expression pedal or a unipolar 0-3 volt CV source (voltages outside this range will not damage the pedal but will be ignored). External control of program or preset selection is currently not supported.

MIDI continuous control (CC) messages 1-4 are supported. You should be able to assign these from your DAW or MIDI controller. The MIDI channel of your MIDI controller must match the channel of your MFX. Please set the MIDI channel using the Utility program.

Common Program Parameters and Features

Some parameters are common to all programs and are as follows.

Mix

All effect programs feature a mix control to set the dry/wet balance between input source and effect. At 0%, only the input signal flows to the output. As Mix increases, processed signal is introduced, and when it reaches 100%, the output no longer contains Dry signal. When using MFX in the send/return path of a mixer, set this parameter to 100% Wet to achieve the desired result. The Mix parameter can be disabled by setting Wet/Dry Mix to No in the Utilities program and will always be 100% wet.This is useful when using MFX with send/return.

Presets

After the mix parameters is a screen labeled Preset, which allows each effect's parameters to be initialized, loaded, and saved to the available user slots. Each effect includes a collection of factory presets. The last used settings for each effect are retained even if you change the effect program or cycle the power. To return to your favorite settings after adjusting parameters, simply save the preset.

There are a total of 32 numbered user preset storage slots, which are shared between all effects programs. Selecting “+ADD USER PRESET” will save the current engine settings to the next available preset slot. Saved user presets can be recalled, overwritten, or deleted from the pop-up menu that appears when you click the selected user preset.

If a user preset exists, a new top-level PRESET LOADER menu option will appear. Selecting this will list all saved user presets for quick switching (intended for use in live performances). Holding the back button on a selected preset will activate that preset and allow you to jump to the associated FX engine for further editing.

I / O Indicators

At the bottom left of the screen you will see a pair of two dots showing the I / O configuration of the currently loaded program / parameter settings.A single dot represents the audio signal that is input or the signal that is output.Some effects are completely stereo, but some produce stereo or mono output from mono inputs, and certain effect programs change the input / output configuration depending on the Mode setting. in some cases.There are four types of input / output configurations as shown in the image below.

Bypassing

You can bypass the MFX pedal's audio processing at any time by pressing the bypass footswitch. This mutes the effect and routes the dry input source directly to the output. When bypassed, the indicator LED turns off and "Bypass" appears in the lower left corner of the effect screen (covering the I/O indicator).

Bypass type can be selected from true bypass via relay or digital bypass within the Utility program