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

  • CTIA/AHJ connector
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  • 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.