CONTENTS

Introduction
Unpacking SPIN
Quick Start
Front Panel Layout Diagram
Rear Panel Layout Diagram
Set-Up
Using SPIN
Preset List
MIDI Features
Specifications
Warranty 

Introduction

SPIN's rotating speaker effect is a double rotor type simulation. There is an 800 Hz frequency crossover which routes the input signal's high-frequency components to a three delay rotor simulation and the low-frequency components to an identical three delay rotor simulation. The two stereo sets of rotor signals are recombined and sent to the audio outputs. Spin's three delays per rotor makes for a "fat" and realistic simulated rotating speaker sound. Front panel controlled overdrive provides highly authentic tube-like distortion which is important for this type of sound.

Spin has a low-level high-impedance guitar input. The rotating speaker effect is not only a favorite of organists, but also guitarists and studio producers.

Spin is easy to use. 15 presets run the gamut of rotating speaker effects. Virtually every usable rotating speaker setup is represented. Some of the presets included are the "Memphis" sound in which the lower drum's slow motor is unplugged, various mike placements, and various speed compliments.

Foot-switch inputs are provided for both Brake and Fast / Slow rotor control. Another useful feature is the ability of using MIDI aftertouch to toggle the rotors' speeds. MIDI continuous controllers can be used to tweak rotor speeds and accelerations.

Unpacking SPIN

1. SPIN unit
2. AC adaptor
3. user's manual
4. MIDI implementation chart
5. warranty card
6. 4 - rubber feet
7.  #8 screw and washer for rack shelf mounting

Quick Start

Below is a list of some of the most important features of SPIN including a HTML reference(s) for more information on the particular item.
 

You want to know how to...

Add SPIN to your system

Control the rotor speed from a foot-switch

Control the rotor speed via MIDI

"Tweak" the rotor fast speed and acceleration using a Continuous MIDI Controller

Use MIDI volume control

Front Panel

• GUITAR - Low-level, high-impedance input designed for use with magnetic and other high-impedance pickups.
• PK - peak LED indicator. green - no audio input, yellow - proper level audio input, red - clipping.
• BYPASS - disables SPIN's effect by routing signal inputs to outputs.
• VOLUME - Rotary input gain control. Turn clockwise to increase level. Output gain (volume) can be controlled via MIDI control number 7.
• OVERDRIVE - Rotary overdrive control. Turn clockwise to increase overdrive (distortion effect) level .
• ROTOR BAL (BALANCE) - Controls the volume ratio of the horn (upper rotor) simulation to the drum (lower rotor) simulation.
• S/F (SLOW/FAST) - Pressing this button causes the rotors to accelerate to their fast speeds or decelerate to their slow speeds. LED lit is fast.
• BRAKE - Pressing this button causes the rotors to decelerate to a stopped position or releases them to accelerate to the fast or slow speed. LED lit is brake on.
• AFTER TOUCH - SPIN will respond to MIDI polyphonic key pressure and MIDI channel pressure when this push-button is in the "in" position.
• MIDI CH (CHANNEL) - Selector knob sets MIDI channel (0-15) and MIDI Omni Mode.
• PRESET - Rotary preset selector. Selects preset rotary speaker effects (1-15). The position marked P allows SPIN to accept program changes 0-14 from a MIDI controller or sequencer which corresponds to presets 1-15.

Rear Panel

SPIN's rear panel diagram is shown below. A description of each component follows:

• POWER SWITCH - push-on / push-off switch
• POWER JACK - The AC wall adapter connects to SPIN via this jack.
• FT/SW INPUT - tip/ring/sleeve type 1/4" connector for attaching momentary foot-switches for toggling the Slow/Fast and Brake functions. Tip and sleeve is the connection for the Slow/Fast function while ring and sleeve is the connection for the Brake function.
• MIDI THRU - 5-pin DIN MIDI thru output. This MIDI output may be used to send a "carbon copy" of the MIDI IN data to other modules.
• MIDI IN - 5-pin DIN MIDI input. This MIDI input accepts MIDI data from a MIDI controller (i.e. keyboard or computer).
• CH1 OUTPUT - Channel 1 audio output
• CH2/OUTPUT - Channel 2 audio output. This output is a tip / ring / sleeve type 1/4" connector which also provides a stereo output.
• CH1 INPUT - Channel 1 line level audio input. Internally mixed to mono with the CH2 INPUT.
• CH2 INPUT - Channel 2 line level audio input. Internally mixed to mono with the CH1 INPUT.

Set-Up

Refer to the diagram above for setting up SPIN.

To use your SPIN module, please follow these easy steps:

Connecting to the audio inputs

To connect a pick-up type musical instrument to SPIN (i.e. guitar) a convenient low-level high-impedance input is provided on the front panel. This jack accepts a 1/4" tip/sleeve type plug.

Connect line-level inputs (i.e. mixer or keyboard) to the rear panel audio input connectors. These inputs are mixed to mono internally and are provided as a convenience for when only a stereo input signal is available.

Adjust the input gain so that PK (peak) LED indicator is yellow during the loudest passages of play. A green indication is for levels which are too low and a red indication is for levels which are too high. This adjustment procedure is used for both the GUITAR and line-level inputs.

Connect audio outputs to amplifier/mixer

SPIN provides two stereo audio outputs. These outputs contain a stereo image which represents a 4 microphone simulation (2 microphones spaced about 100 degrees apart pointed at the upper rotor and a similar setup for the lower rotor).

Both CH1 and CH2 outputs should be connected for stereo operation to suitable audio system (i.e. digital piano audio inputs, stereo mixer / sound system line level inputs). If mono audio operation is desired, connect the instrument amplifier (mixer etc.) to CH1.

The CH2 output is a stereo (tip/ring/sleeve) type 1/4" connector. The ring connection is for channel 1's output. You may use this connection in lieu of connecting to the CH1 output.

MIDI IN Input

To use the MIDI control features of SPIN, the MIDI output of a controller or sequencer must be connected to SPIN's MIDI IN. This allows the MIDI controller to change SPIN's presets, change rotor speeds, and tweak rotor parameters. See MIDI Features section.

MIDI THRU Output

Useful in connecting more than one MIDI module in a daisy chain configuration. Use this output for sending a "carbon copy" of the MIDI data appearing at the MIDI IN connector to other MIDI devices.

PEDAL

A momentary foot pedal (such as a sustain pedal) may be connected to this input to toggle the rotating speaker effect between a slow or fast state. The front panel S/F LED indicator will toggle on or off when the foot-switch is operated. If control of the brake function is also required, a stereo plug may be used for this input, the ring and sleeve connections control the brake function while the tip and sleeve connections control the S/F function.

AC Adaptor

SPIN requires an external AC adaptor. Make sure that you first connect the small barrel connector on the rear panel of SPIN before connecting the AC adaptor to the wall outlet.

Select the Basic MIDI Channel

Set the basic MIDI channel on the MIDI channel selector located on the front panel of SPIN. The basic MIDI channel should be the same as the channel that your MIDI controller uses to transmit MIDI program and control change information to SPIN. If MIDI Omni Mode is selected, SPIN will respond to all MIDI channels.

Using SPIN

Volume - Adjust the VOLUME (input gain) so that PK (peak) LED indicator is yellow during the loudest played passages. A green indication is for levels which are too low and a red indication is for levels which are too high. This adjustment procedure is used for both the GUITAR and line-level (rear panel) inputs.

Bypass - To disable the rotating speaker effect produced by SPIN, press the BYPASS button so that it is in the "in" position. The VOLUME control will still control the signal gain but no rotating speaker effect will be heard. When SPIN is in bypass mode, a monophonic output signal is produced. This is because the stereo inputs are permanently mixed to a monophonic signal as required by SPIN's rotating speaker effect. The BYPASS control is useful for hearing the difference between the effect produced by SPIN and the "straight" sound.

Overdrive - Overdrive may be used to simulate the sound of an amplifier driven into clipping. It realistically simulates the organ sound used by many "R & B" and rock bands or the sound of an overdriven guitar amplifier.

To adjust the amount of overdrive, gradually turn the Overdrive knob clockwise and listen to the changes in the applied sound. Notice how the amount of overdrive increases as you turn the knob. Adjust to taste.

Rotor Bal (balance) - SPIN's rotating speaker effect is a double rotor type simulation. There is an 800 Hz frequency crossover which routes the input signal's high-frequency components to a three delay rotor simulation and the low-frequency components to an identical three delay rotor simulation. The two stereo sets of rotor signals are recombined and sent to the audio outputs. The balance between the amount of signal going to the upper rotor (high-frequencies) and the amount of signal going to the lower rotor (low-frequencies) can be controlled by the ROTOR BAL knob. Turning the Rotor Bal knob clockwise increases upper rotor output level and decreases lower rotor output level.

S/F push-button - The rotating speaker effect is simulated by having a horn rotor and drum rotor speed up or slow down at different rates. Rotor speed can be set to either slow or fast by pressing the front panel button, using a foot-switch, using MIDI Aftertouch, or by MIDI control number 68.

The rotating speaker effect's rotors' speeds are indicated by the state of the S/F LED. When the LED is lit, the rotors speed up with independent accelerations to the fast rate. When the LED is turned off, the rotors slow down with independent decelerations to the slow rate. Select between the two rotor speeds by pressing the S/F push-button.

BRAKE push-button - Allows the rotating speaker effect's rotors' to slow down to a complete stop. The BRAKE LED lit indicates that the simulation is in brake mode. Brake mode takes precedence over any other rotation mode (fast or slow). When brake mode is turned-off (LED off), the simulation's rotors speed up to either the slow or fast speeds depending on the state of the S/F LED.

AFTERTOUCH push-button - SPIN's S/F (slow/fast) function can also be controlled by MIDI aftertouch (both polyphonic key pressure and channel pressure). When the AFTERTOUCH push-button is in the "in" position, applying pressure to a MIDI keyboard which supports aftertouch will toggle the S/F (slow/fast) function. This allows control over the S/F (slow/fast) function without having to press a button or step on a foot-switch.

Presets - SPIN comes with 15 preset rotating speaker setups. These presets control various parameters of the rotating speaker effect like: rotor acceleration, slow speed, fast speed, microphone placement, and EQ. Any of these preset setups can be accessed instantly via MIDI by placing the preset selector on the P position and sending the desired program change from your MIDI controller. The P position tells SPIN that all program changes will now be set by your MIDI controller. See the next page for a list of SPIN's presets.

Here is a list of all 15 SPIN presets and their descriptions:

 

Preset #	Description
1	Model 122 MP - 2 rotors / middle pulleys / mic. close
2	Model 122 SP - 2 rotors / small pulleys / mic. close
3	Model 122 LP - 2 rotors / large pulleys / mic. close
4	Foam Drum - 2 rotors / middle pulleys / mic. close
5	Model 120 - foam drum only / mic. close
6	Steppenwolf - drum only / loose belts / mic. close
7	Memphis - drum slow motor unplugged / mic. close
8	Joey - both slow motors unplugged / mic. close
9	Model 122 Wide - 2 rotors / middle pulleys / wide stereo
10	Model 122 Mono - 2 rotors / middle pulleys / mono comprs
11	Guitar Phaser - medium rate / very close mic.
12	Guitar Phaser - fast rate / very close mic.
13	Guitar Phaser - fast rate / mono compressed
14	Watery Guitar - fast rate / close mic.
15	EQ'd Watery Guitar - fast rate / med. slow rate / close mic.

Notice that the last five presets are optimized for guitar work.

Several parameters can be modified by MIDI continuous controller messages. They are: rotor fast speed, rotor slow speed, rotor acceleration, and microphone placement for both the upper and lower rotors. See the following MIDI Features section for more information.

MIDI Features

Note the MIDI control numbers are fixed, therefore to control the functions mentioned in the table you will need a programmable MIDI controller. The various buttons, wheels, sliders, or pedals of your MIDI controller must be assigned to the control number corresponding to the function you wish to control.Because of the wide variety of MIDI controllers (keyboards, computers, or sequencers) available on the market today, you will have to determine which MIDI controller is appropriate for this particular application. For example, you may elect to use the MOD wheel on your MIDI keyboard to control the S/F (slow/fast) rate or you may wish to use the MOD wheel on your MIDI keyboard to adjust the fast speed of the upper rotor.

Examples:

1. Controlling the S/F (slow/fast) speed via a MOD wheel:

Program the MIDI keyboard's MOD wheel to send data for MIDI control number 68 instead of control number 1. Since the MOD wheel is a continuous controller, it will output a control value of 0 through 127 depending on what position it is set to. To select the FAST rate simply flip the MOD wheel all the way up (on most keyboards up means away from you) or all the way down (towards you) for the SLOW rate. The rotating speaker simulation will begin changing speed after the MOD wheel crosses the midway point (when the control value switches between 63 and 64).

2. Using a continuous controller to adjust the rotor's fast speed:

Determine which controller you'd like to use to set the upper rotor's fast speed. Let's use the MOD wheel for this example. Program the MIDI keyboard's MOD wheel to send data for MIDI control number 90 instead of control number 1. Since the MOD wheel is a continuous

controller, it will output a control value of 0 through 127 depending on what position it is set to. Set SPIN's rotor speed to fast (S/F LED on). You'll notice now that the upper rotor's speed will track the position of the MOD wheel. Rotating the MOD wheel away from you will set the rotor speed quite high, moving it closer to you will set the speed to a slow rate. This function is handy for customizing the rotating speaker effect to suit your taste. It also allows for real-time control of the rotor speeds which can be used in place of the built-in acceleration / deceleration function.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Single space half rack module - 8"x8"x1.5", 4 lbs, rack-tray mountable
• Effects - Overdrive, various rotating speaker and chorus effects
• Controls - Input Gain, Overdrive Mix, Rotor Balance, Bypass, Aftertouch, rotor speed controls (Brake, Slow, and Fast), Power on / off, MIDI Channel, Preset selector
• Foot-switch Inputs - Brake, Slow/Fast
• 15 presets - selectable via MIDI covering many popular rotating speaker setups.
• MIDI In/Thru - Controls for rotor speed and preset selection, Continuous controllers to adjust MIDI volume, rotor rates, and microphone placement
• Guitar Input - low-level high-impedance input provided on the front panel for easy access.
• Stereo audio input and outputs - line-level 1/4" connectors

HOW LONG IS THE WARRANTY AND WHO IS PROTECTED
Labor (except removal and installation charges) and parts are warranted for one year. This warranty may be enforced only by the first consumer purchaser.

WHAT IS COVERED AND WHAT IS NOT COVERED
Except as specified below, this warranty covers all defects in material or workmanship in this product. The following are not covered by the warranty:

1.  Any product which is not registered via a product registration card.
2.  Any product on which the serial number has been defaced, modified or removed.
3.  Damage, deterioration, or malfunction resulting from:
a. Accident, misuse, abuse, neglect, fire, water (or other liquids), static electricity, lightning, or other acts of nature, or failure to follow instructions supplied with the product.
b. Repair or attempted repair by anyone not authorized by Voce Inc.
c. Any shipment of the product (claims must be presented to the carrier).
d. Any cause which does not relate to a product defect.

EXCLUSION OF DAMAGES
VOCE'S LIABILITY FOR ANY DEFECTIVE PRODUCT IS LIMITED TO THE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF THE PRODUCT AT OUR OPTION. VOCE SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR:

1. DAMAGE TO OTHER PROPERTY CAUSED BY ANY DEFECTS IN THIS PRODUCT, DAMAGES BASED UPON INCONVENIENCE, LOSS OF USE OF THE PRODUCT, LOSS OF TIME, COMMERCIAL LOSS, OR,
2. ANY OTHER DAMAGES, WHETHER INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR OTHERWISE. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW LIMITATIONS ON HOW LONG AN IMPLIED WARRANTY LASTS AND/OR DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS AND EXCLUSIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

HOW YOU CAN GET WARRANTY SERVICE
To obtain warranty service on this product:

1. Take or ship the product to an authorized dealer or Voce Inc.
2. Do not ship the product to Voce Inc. without authorization obtained via a phone call or letter.
3. A dated sales receipt must be included as proof of warranty coverage.