Behringer CRAVE Quick Start Guide - Page 15

28 CRAVE CRAVE Getting started (EN) Step 3: Getting started OVERVIEW This 'getting started' guide will help you set up the CRAVE analog synthesizer and briefly introduce its capabilities. CONNECTION To connect the CRAVE to your system, please consult the connection guide earlier in this document. SOFTWARE SETUP The CRAVE is a USB Class Compliant MIDI device, and so no driver installation is required. The CRAVE does not require any additional drivers to work with Windows and MacOS. HARDWARE SETUP Make all the connections in your system. Use the rear panel MIDI switches to set the CRAVE to a unique MIDI channel in your system. Connect an external MIDI keyboard directly to the CRAVE MIDI IN 5-pin DIN type input. Apply power to the CRAVE using the supplied power adapter only. Ensure your sound system is turned down. Turn on the CRAVE rear panel power switch. FILTER (VCF) SECTION Play with the cutoff frequency, and resonance controls, and listen to their effects on the sound. The classic 24 dB/octave high pass and low pass filters allow a great deal of control over the sounds created by CRAVE. The high-pass filter reduces the level of signals that are below the cutoff frequency. It effectively reduces the level of the fundamental, and lower order harmonics. The low-pass filter reduces the level of signals that are above the cutoff frequency. It reduces the levels of the higher-order harmonics. The resonance control gives an enhancement to the signals at the crossover frequency. The amount of VCF modulation can be varied with the VCF MOD control, and also the polarity can be reversed. For example, if modulation increases the cutoff frequency, then negative polarity will decrease it. The VCF modulation source can either be the envelope or the LFO. All these features, in addition to using the patch bay, allows for a great deal of flexibility in sound creation. WARM UP TIME We recommend leaving 15 minutes or more time for the CRAVE to warm up before recording or live performance. (Longer if it has been brought in from the cold.) This will allow the precision analog circuits time to reach their normal operating temperature and tuned performance. OSCILLATOR VCO SECTION The CRAVE has one main voltage controlled oscillator (VCO). The VCO waveform can be selected from pulse or reversesawtooth. When pulse is selected, the pulse width can be varied from narrow, squarewave (center) to wide pulse. Listen to the changes in sound that the waveforms and the change in pulsewidth make. The frequency can be adjusted up or down one octave, and allow fine tuning to other instruments. The VCO may be modulated either in pulse width, or in frequency. The source of the modulation can either be the envelope as detailed below, or the low frequency oscillator (LFO). The VCO can also be modulated using the OSC MOD input in the patch bay. The amount or depth of VCO modulation can be adjusted using the OSC MOD control. Use the MIX control to adjust the mix between the internal VCO (fully left)and the internal noise generator (fully right). If an external input signal is present at the EXT AUDIO input, then this will take the place of the noise in the mix. MODULATION SECTION The low frequency oscillator can be used to modulate the VCO and the VCF. The LFO frequency can be varied, and the waveform selected from square or triangular. An LED indicates the LFO rate. ENVELOPE GENERATOR SECTION The envelope generator can be used to modulate the cutoff frequency in the VCF section, and the voltage controlled amplifier (VCA). Envelope also can be used to modulate the VCO frequency and pulse width. The controls for attack time, sustain level and decay time, allow you to adjust the envelope shape through a wide range. PATCH BAY SECTION This section allows you the versatility to create many different sounds, with an endless variety of options and configurations. The VC MIX control is like having a separate mini-mixer or variable voltage source. It operates independently from the main signal path. It allows you to adjust a mix between the patchbay MIX 1 input and MIX 2 input, with possible modulation control from the VC MIX CV input. The patchbay VC MIX output can then be used to connect to other inputs in the patch bay. If there are no MIX 1 or MIX 2 inputs connected, then the VC MIX output will vary from 0V (fully left) to +5 V (fully right). Experiment with this by connecting the VC MIX output to an input, and varying the VC MIX control. Caution: Do not overload the 3.5 mm inputs. They can only accept the correct level of voltages as shown in the specification tables. The 3.5 mm outputs should only be connected to inputs capable of receiving the output voltages. Failure to follow these instructions may damage the CRAVE or external units. SEQUENCER SECTION The sequencer is described in further detail in this document. It also features an arpeggiator, and a 13-key keyboard. OUTPUT (VCA) SECTION Use the main volume control to adjust the sound level in your headphones or speaker system. Keep the level down low when first putting on headphones. Keep the CRAVE power turned off when making any connections. Turn on the CRAVE before turning on any power amplifiers, and turn it off last. This will help prevent any turn on or turn off "pops or thumps" in your speakers. The output can be modulated using the envelope, or it can be on continuously, playing and holding the last note played, until the next note occurs. FIRMWARE UPDATE Please check our website behringer.com regularly for any updates to the firmware of your CRAVE synthesizer. The firmware file can be downloaded and stored on your computer, and then used to update the CRAVE. It comes with detailed instructions on the update procedure. Quick Start Guide 29