Messages

1

preenfm2 and preenfm3 / Question about the UI on the oscillator ADSR pages

« on: March 23, 2022, 04:20:22 AM »

Hello!

I have a question regarding the UI and possibly making a modification in my firmware.

I would like to rearrange the  "osc(n) env a" and "osc(n) env b" pages in the menu so that Attack, Decay, Sustain, and Release are all on the page "env a" and the respective "lv" parameters are on "env b". Ideally, it would be consistent across all oscillators so that all "env a" and "env b" look like I've described.

If possible, I can attempt to do it on my own, but may come across additional questions. Where in the source code can I find these parameters in order to switch them around?

Thank you!

2

preenfm2 and preenfm3 / Question about encoders

« on: November 08, 2021, 11:40:15 PM »

Hello everyone,

The encoders that came with my unit are a little stiff. I've been informed elsewhere on the internet that most encoders can be swapped out for other encoders. Assuming that this means as long as they're the same type (linear, quadrature), and of course, if they come with a push switch.

If this is true, I'm looking for recommendations for encoders. Ideally they would be the smooth-turning type as I'm a big fan of Elektron's encoders though I've heard that those are 'endless potentiometers'. Otherwise I own a single switch-encoder from the store Microcenter which turns with a very light touch, though they're about $4 apiece so any cheaper suggestions is invited.

Any suggestions or education is appreciated. Thank you!

3

preenfm2 and preenfm3 / Found a cool trick for using PFM2 as a drum synth (with limitations!)

« on: March 15, 2021, 11:39:21 PM »

Really cool to see how quickly the PFM2 can switch/load patches. Currently using this for percussive sounds to get the most out of the four timbres on the Preen while using an external sequencer. For instance, if you have a MIDI track open in Ableton, and you automate the program change to alternate between 'kick' and 'snare' (or any synth sound you want) on the same track it works very well, even at 300 bpm!

Two very crucial tradeoffs to consider if you're using this method tho:

1. Your voices will be cut short on every channel, even if you're only changing the patch on one of the channels. If you're planning on doing this, make sure that any sound you want will only last the length of the shortest point between patch changes. Best to stay clear of pads.
2. Make sure that your sounds are all dialed in before you start doing this. Any unsaved changes will be lost when it switches programs, and DO NOT TRY TO SAVE A PATCH WHILE THE SEQUENCE IS PLAYING. Not sure what happened exactly, but the patch saved in two separate locations in the same bank when I tried. Losing a patch is a small price to pay for the reward of experimentation though, so this method is still highly recommended.

Figured I'd share this in case anyone hadn't tried it before. Loving this little guy more every day

4

preenfm2 and preenfm3 / Re: Pfm2 : unison discussion

« on: March 14, 2021, 09:04:23 PM »

Wanted to add that I went to see if there were any special circumstances that caused this to happen for me, and couldn't find any. It still makes 0 voices on the PFM2 when pressing the "push" button, regardless of how many are set in the VST. Also want to mention that this is never a problem for me, as adding voices after pressing "push" either in VST or on the physical instrument works just fine.

Always thought that it was a way to ensure that you weren't exceeding the number of voices the hardware can handle.

5

preenfm2 and preenfm3 / Re: Pfm2 : unison discussion

« on: March 12, 2021, 02:07:28 AM »

This often happens with me too. I'm using 2.20, haven't installed the Unison firmware.

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preenfm2 and preenfm3 / Resources for FM sound design?

« on: March 11, 2021, 06:47:07 PM »

Starting to become more familiar with designing sounds on the PFM2, and often finding combinations of envelopes, modulations, etc. which work in great ways.

I'm looking for something like a cheat sheet, in video form, or even a whole book, any sort of media about FM sound design. It would be nice to know what to expect from certain arrangements of envelopes/mods and carriers, in order to build off of those sounds.

Since PFM2 is an FM synth where most others are PM, does this make the timbres *completely* different, or is it subtle? It's been mentioned here that above 3 operators, FM differs from PM, but how drastically? The reason I ask is to know if it's useless to use resources that talk about PM with regards to the PFM2.

Any resources, suggestions, links, etc. would be greatly appreciated!

7

preenfm2 and preenfm3 / "Wooden" 3d printed side and front panels for PFM2 R6

« on: February 19, 2021, 11:03:43 PM »

Owing only to my carelessness, I broke the acrylic side panel on my PFM2, which gave an opportunity to do a little bit of customization.

The Tinkercad design below should work right off of the print bed, although it is not perfect. There are little artifacts that could be smoothed over by the experienced 3D artist if they so wish, but you need to be looking very closely to see most of them. I'm happy with how it turned out!

This is printed with wood infused PLA+, which was coarsely sanded and stained using alcohol ink markers with a finish of matte medium. Others have used proper wood stain and clear coat with just as good or better result. I just happen to have a ton of art supplies lying around.

Please note that this requires the PreenFM2 R6 with the acrylic bottom and back panel.

https://www.tinkercad.com/things/fXG2X080Rk4

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preenfm2 and preenfm3 / Re: My PreenFM2 demo

« on: February 19, 2021, 05:22:01 AM »

Once it was mentioned that there weren't many (any?) dedicated drum/percussion banks that have been made public, I set out to make one, then got distracted by modifying my enclosure.

Hoping to finish and make both of those available here soon.

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preenfm2 and preenfm3 / Re: My PreenFM2 demo

« on: February 18, 2021, 09:03:59 PM »

Would LOVE a bank of these voices!!!

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preenfm2 and preenfm3 / Re: preen FM2 headphones 3.5 mod

« on: February 18, 2021, 09:39:30 AM »

Thanks a ton, your instructions are loud and clear!

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preenfm2 and preenfm3 / Re: preen FM2 headphones 3.5 mod

« on: February 18, 2021, 09:15:44 AM »

Luckily, I have the R6.2!

By shorting the jumpers, do you mean bridging the three tiny pads labeled "1", "2", and "Aux_5v" or something else? Sorry, I'm such a newbie   

12

preenfm2 and preenfm3 / Re: preen FM2 headphones 3.5 mod

« on: February 18, 2021, 05:05:27 AM »

If I'm using the R6, would it be the same configuration? I tried to do it based off of the picture twice and failed. No sound would come out of #1, and sound would still only come out of one side on #2.

Attached is the picture of the bridge I made (second time around, much sloppier than the first time but with the same results), as well as a clearer picture of the pins I chose. Figured that it would go in the opposite direction since the pins were upside down.

13

preenfm2 and preenfm3 / Re: Using more than one NRPN per channel at the same time

« on: February 17, 2021, 10:18:44 AM »

Sorry for the late response, Xavier. I think at the time it was the envelope decay of all of the operators that I was trying to modulate separately. I worked around it by setting them as the performance parameters and it works great 

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preenfm2 and preenfm3 / Re: Using more than one NRPN per channel at the same time

« on: February 04, 2021, 09:12:28 AM »

You definitely understood my problem, thank you Xavier. Looks like the Digitakt is NRPN compatible for one parameter per channel, which is still very handy.

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preenfm2 and preenfm3 / Using more than one NRPN per channel at the same time

« on: February 04, 2021, 02:50:25 AM »

Hello. I am loving my new PFM2. Have spent a lot of time with it, and the VST is incredibly useful.

I do a lot of midi sequencing for note and CC values from an Elektron Digitakt, which allows for sending 8 cc's per MIDI track multiplied by the number of tracks assigned to the same channel.

I looked over the CC reference for the PFM2, which got me to try using NRPN parameters for the first time and realized that, the way that the Digitakt is formatted, it would appear that only one NRPN can be in use per channel at a time (or maybe one NRPN parameter per MSB? Haven't tried that yet). It's because you have to use four of the eight parameters if you want to use all MSB/LSB/coarse/fine. If I line up to NRPN parameters, using all 8 CC's on that track, both of the coarse/fine tuning only correspond to the most recently changed of either LSB, for example changing the LSB of the top row of MSB/LSB/C/F, will make both coarse and both fine knobs on that page change the same parameter.

Is there a way around this, where I can use multiple NRPNs per channel? Thanks. No big deal if that isn't the case, I'm gonna be rocking out on this thing either way!