User Manual

MAGNETO - Four Head dTape Echo & Looper
®
pg 16
Self-Oscillation
Self-oscillation can create an infinite variety of
inspiring sonic textures and can allow you to play
Magneto like a musical instrument. To use self-
oscillation, turn the SPEED/PITCH knob fully
counter-clockwise, turn REPEATS up to 100%, and
tap a very short delay.
No input signal is necessary for Magneto to self-
oscillate. However, the tonality of the sound can be
impacted in interesting ways if an input signal is
present.
While Magneto is in self-oscillation, try adjusting the
SPEED/PITCH knob, as well as the tape mechanics
knobs (LOW CUT, TAPE AGE, CRINKLE, WOW &
FLUTTER). The oscillating sound will evolve and
change, moving through different pitches and
tonalities as the knobs are adjusted.
To lock in the pitch of the oscillating tone, press the
INFINITE transport control button. Although the
sound will still be affected by adjustments to the tape
mechanics knobs while INFINITE is engaged, the
pitch will remain locked. That is, the pitch will stop
evolving, but can be controlled with the SPEED/PITCH
knob and/or the SPEED CV input. Note that you have
the option to use PITCH QUANTIZE mode whether or
not INFINITE is engaged.
SPEED CV Input and Self-Oscillation
The SPEED CV input is calibrated for 1V/octave over
a range of -3V to +3V. When voltage is supplied to
the SPEED CV input, the SPEED/PITCH knob still
influences the the resultant speed/pitch, and the
incoming CV is added to the knob position. Zero volts
at the SPEED CV input will not cause the speed/pitch
to deviate from the knob position value. The SPEED/
PITCH knob’s effective voltage is 0V at minimum, and
+3V at maximum. The SPEED CV input adds to this
effective voltage, being limited at the top end to +3V
(fastest speed/highest pitch), and limited to -3V at
the bottom end. By using the SPEED CV input, you
can achieve a six octave range, allowing you to go
three octaves lower than would be possible using the
SPEED/PITCH knob alone without any incoming CV.
Stereo Panning and Self-Oscillation
With the PAN switch set to CENTER (and no custom
panning set), your self-oscillating tone will remain in
the center of the stereo image. However, if the PAN
switch is set to LRLR or LRRL, the self-oscillating
tone will be stereoized in a manner that depends
in part on the volume levels of each playback head.
This can be great for creating a wide stereo sound.
However, one should be aware that, for instance, with
PAN set to LRLR and PLAYBACK LEVEL knobs for
heads 2 and 4 set to minimum, the self-oscillating
tone would primarily be heard on the left side of the
stereo image.
TIP: Let Chaos Reign! Using self-oscillation
is an interactive experience where Magneto
takes on a life of its own, and a kind of
feedback loop is created between Magneto
and you. Rather than aiming to dial in a
specific sound, try just setting the process in
motion and experimenting. You are likely to
discover unexpected textures and tonalities
that will lead you into inspiring new sonic
territory.
TIP: When engaging INFINITE with very short
delay times, the rapid fading between
the endpoints of the delay buffer can add an
additional harmonic element to the captured
oscillation.