Antares ATR1a Hardware user manual

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When editing System parameters, you progress from one edit page to the
next by pressing the PAGE button.
After you have finished making changes, press the SYSTEM button again.
Unlike Program and Song editing, you are not prompted to save the
changes, they are automatically saved for you.
Bass Mode Page
     Bass Mode
        OFF
When operating in its normal mode, the ATR-1a is reliably able to detect
pitches down to A0 (55Hz). Turning Bass Mode ON lowers the lowest
detectable frequency by about one...

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If you are working with a well-isolated solo signal (e.g., tracking in a
studio or off of a multi-track tape) you can typically set the Sensitivity
control to 10 and forget it.
If, on the other hand, your signal is noisy or not well-isolated (as might be
more common in a live performance situation), it may be necessary to
allow more signal variation (higher Sensitivity numbers). However, if you
back off too much, the ATR-1a’s ability to detect pitch may be affected.
As a rule, you should start with...

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DETUNE SETTING A=HERTZ
-20 435
-16 436
-12 437
-8 438
-4 439
0 440
+4 441
+8 442
+12 443
+16 444
+20 445
This table can be extended in either direction by adding or subtracting 4
cents per Hertz, as appropriate.
MIDI Page 1
Channel Note Sustain
 aaaa   bbb    ccc
The Channel parameter selects the channel over which the ATR-1a receives
MIDI messages. The choices include:
Individual MIDI channels 1–16If an individual channel is selected, the
ATR-1a will respond to messages received on that channel only...

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The source of the MIDI input would typically be a MIDI keyboard or
sequencer, and could consist of chords, scales, or even the exact melody
that the input should be corrected to.
If you will not be defining the ATR-1a’s target pitches via MIDI, be sure
that MIDI NOTE MODE is set to OFF. If MIDI NOTE MODE is set to ON and
no MIDI note data is present, the ATR-1a will pass through all audio
unprocessed, regardless of the settings of the Program Scale Page —
giving the impression that the ATR-1a is not...

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MIDI Page 3
These next two MIDI Control pages allow you to assign various MIDI
controllers to set selected ATR-1a parameters in real time. (Note that all
MIDI controller data must be sent on the MIDI Channel set on MIDI Page 1
in order to be recognized.)
Midi    Speed  Step
Control  aaa    bbb
Assigning a MIDI Continuous Controller to the Speed parameter allows
that controller to override the current Program or Song Speed setting.
Note that this is simply a temporary override. The Program or Song’s...

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MIDI Page 5
SysEx Device Number
       aaa
The ATR-1a supports a number of MIDI System Exclusive (SysEx) messages
using the Antares manufacturer ID. (See the SysEx Appendix for details.)
The ATR-1a SysEx device number is similar to the Device ID found in SysEx
Real Time and Non-Real Time messages. By setting each unit to a different
device number, up to sixteen ATR-1as can be independently controlled
with System Exclusive messages.
Values for the Device Number range from 0 to 15.
Owner Message Page...

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Chapter 5:
Creative Applications for the ATR-1a
The ATR-1a works on vocals so well you may think that’s all it can do.
Actually, lots of instruments can use it to great advantage. Fretless bass,
electric violin, trombone, even the theremin, all feature continuous pitch
potential, unconstrained by frets or keys. Here are some other ideas for
using your ATR-1a:
•Produce instant double tracking in one take!Record with two mics,
sending only one signal through the ATR-1a. If you’re going for a tight...

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•The ATR-1a can be used to simulate other singing styles.Many ethnic
styles feature exceptional (almost unbelievable) intonation during fast,
melismatic passages. Setting the SPEED parameter faster than normal
(less than 5), and setting the SCALE to an appropriately exotic mode
(for example, G A A# C# D D# F#) can produce exactly this result (if the
singer improvises with sufficient global panache.)
•You can also create ‘impossible’ effects (like very fast octave leaps) by
creating a SCALE of only one...

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•Use the MIDI Note function to create amazing ornamental flourishes
and trills. Connect a MIDI keyboard and turn on the MIDI Note func-
tion. Set a fast Speed and sing a sustained note while playing the
keyboard. Go crazy!
•While the ATR-1a is not really intended to be a harmonizer, you can
create some very high quality close two-part harmony by singing one
part and using the MIDI Note function to retune what you sing to the
appropriate harmony notes. 

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Appendix
Factory Programs
The ATR-1a comes from the factory pre-programmed with the basic
chromatic, major, and natural minor scales in Programs 1–13 as
listed below. You are, of course, free to overwrite these as you desire.
PROGRAM MAJOR SCALE NATURAL MINOR SCALE
1 (Chromatic)
2 C Major A Minor
3D /C
 Major B /A
 Minor
4 D Major B Minor
5E /D
 Major C Minor
6 E Major D /C
 Minor
7 F Major D Minor
8G /F
 Major E /D
 Minor
9 G Major E Minor
10 A /G
 Major F Minor
11 A Major G /F
 Minor
12 B...