Microfreak/UG/19 Appendix B Vocoder/08 Global Settings

• 19.8. Global Vocoder settings

  • Use Utility > Mic Settings to match the microphone input to your voice or an external modulator. The menu controls Mic Gain, Noise Gate, and Mic Detection.
  • Auto Gain is the default and suits average use with the Vocoder Edition microphone. A lavalier microphone or external audio source may need manual gain.
  • Microfreak/UG/19 Appendix B Vocoder/08 Global Settings/01 Mic Levels

    • 19.8.1. Setting microphone levels

      • When a vocoder preset is selected, the OLED VU animation shows the microphone input level: Low, Mid, or Skull. Aim for Mid; Skull indicates a level that can distort the vocoder output.
  • Microfreak/UG/19 Appendix B Vocoder/08 Global Settings/02 Gain

    • 19.8.2. What is gain?

      • Microphone signals are usually quiet, around -30 dB to -70 dB, and need amplification. The MicroFreak preamp can reduce or amplify the signal with a gain setting from -12 dB to +59 dB. Negative settings reduce the input; positive settings amplify it.
  • Microfreak/UG/19 Appendix B Vocoder/08 Global Settings/03 Set Gain

    • 19.8.3. How do you set gain?

      • The useful gain depends on how loudly you sing or speak and your distance from the microphone.
      • Set the MicroFreak master volume to about 50%, then use a non-vocoder preset to establish an average listening level.
      • Select the Vocoder Oscillator. Open Utility > Mic Settings > Mic Gain with the Preset encoder. Mic Gain defaults to Auto; turn the encoder left to choose a manual level.
      • Hold a key and speak or sing while adjusting gain until the vocoder is loud enough without distortion. For chords, enable Paraphonic mode and check the level again. Leave headroom if your voice changes volume widely.
      • Microfreak/UG/19 Appendix B Vocoder/08 Global Settings/03 Set Gain/01 Noise Gate

        • 19.8.3.1. Noise Gate

          • When the microphone signal is amplified, background sounds are amplified too. The Noise Gate ignores sounds below its threshold while allowing a louder voice through.
          • Off disables the gate. The default threshold is -70 dB; the detailed setting description gives a range of -30 dB to -98 dB.
      • Microfreak/UG/19 Appendix B Vocoder/08 Global Settings/03 Set Gain/02 Mic Detection

        • 19.8.3.2. Mic detection

          • On is the default. The MicroFreak checks for a microphone whenever a vocoder preset is loaded or the Vocoder Oscillator is selected.
          • If no microphone is detected, the display warns “warning! mic needed”. The mic input is disabled until the next preset loads, and the vocoder filterbank is bypassed, leaving the raw Vocoder Oscillator sound.

          • Note/Info Save a preset as a vocoder-type preset before editing it to keep active microphone-level monitoring.
            

      • Microfreak/UG/19 Appendix B Vocoder/08 Global Settings/03 Set Gain/03 External Sources

        • 19.8.3.3. Connecting external sources

          • An external audio source can modulate the vocoder, including a guitar, drum machine, phone, tablet, or Eurorack mixer. Match its output level to the MicroFreak input: these sources are usually much louder than a microphone.
          • Approximate output levels: microphones -60 to -40 dBU; guitar -20 dBU; phones and tablets -7.78 dBU; Eurorack +13 dBU.
          • Use a headphone/microphone splitter that connects the source to the mic contact of the MicroFreak’s 3.5 mm TRRS jack.
          • Headphone/Microphone Splitter
            • 

          • Note/Info The input uses CTIA/AHJ wiring: tip = left audio, ring 1 = right audio, ring 2 = ground, sleeve = microphone.
            

          • CTIA/AHJ connector
            • 

          • Note/Warning Do not connect a Eurorack module directly to the splitter. Its signal can overload or damage the MicroFreak. Use a mixer headphone or line-level output instead.
            

          • Connect the device

            • Turn off the MicroFreak and gently remove the gooseneck microphone.
            • Turn the external device’s output level all the way down to avoid clipping.
            • Plug the splitter into the MicroFreak headphone jack and the device signal into the splitter’s mic branch.
            • Turn on the MicroFreak.
            • Set Utility > Mic Settings > Mic Detection to Off and Mic Gain initially to -12 dB.
            • Select a vocoder preset, hold a key, and slowly raise Mic Gain. If there is no sound, slowly raise the source device’s output level.
  • Microfreak/UG/19 Appendix B Vocoder/08 Global Settings/04 MIDI Control Center

    • 19.8.4. MIDI Control Center

      • The MIDI Control Center for macOS and Windows can move presets between the MicroFreak and a computer and change MicroFreak settings.
      • Microfreak/UG/19 Appendix B Vocoder/08 Global Settings/04 MIDI Control Center/01 Settings

        • 19.8.4.1. MIDI Control Center settings

          • The global Vocoder settings here match those in the MicroFreak Utility menu.
          • MIDI Control Center Vocoder settings
            • 
          • The software is available from Arturia.