Tags: Utility module

Notes: The MFX is a compact 6HP Eurorack stereo digital audio multi effects processor.

It offers 14 different full featured effects programs plus a number of metering utilities.
Inspired by ALM's favourite classic hardware effects processors, the MFX incorporates DSP technologies from the dawn of digital effects in the 70s to the present day. This combines with ALM character and uniqueness to form a highly useful, fun and practical Eurorack effects module.

Reshape sounds with the distortion and dynamics engines. Bend time, space and pitch with multiple feature rich reverb and delay engines. Modulate signals with the flexible panner, frequency shifter, and range of ensemble effects. Fracture sounds with the one of a kind granular and glitch engines. Check signals and tune oscillators with various utilities.

The MFX user interface is designed to be familiar, quick and easy to use. Each program contains a wide range of controllable parameters both directly editable or freely assigned to CV or clocked control. Additionally, each program includes factory presets as well as the ability to store and recall user presets. All states are preserved across power cycles.

Effect Program List

Digi-PCM Echo
Feature rich digital delay taking inspiration from early prime time rack delay units with added modern features.

Tape-Tech Echo
Tape style delay with a digital pitch shifter bolted on.

Crumbular Echo
More experimental granular style echo.

Ursa Minor Echoverb
Emulation of the classic Ursa Major 'Space station' providing more delays and reverb type effects.

Pocket PL8 Reverb
Emulation of very early digital style reverbs with a dense metallic sound.

Almicon Reverb
Emulation of 80s studio style reverb great for bright rooms and vast synthetic spaces.

Quaidra Reverb
Emulation of a popular 90s rack reverb. Excels at creating airy, atmospheric reverbs.

TY-50 Compressor
Flexible modern compressor great for adding punch, smoothing transients or as a clean mix bus compressor.

Transient Shaper
Fast acting dynamics processor for reshaping the attack and release envelope of any sound.

TH-30 Distortion
A versatile distortion program with distortion types ranging from analog style saturation to intense digital wavefolding.

2051 Bit Corrupter
Real-time audio buffer designed to imitate malfunctioning digital audio equipment.

Modulating Panner
Clock-syncable mono or stereo auto-pan with an additional scan mode that cross fades between 2 input signals. Use for VCA, Panner, crossfader, tremolo type effects.

Ring + Freq Modulator
Pair of classic modulation effects in stereo, tailored towards otherworldly and dissonant sounds.

Ensembles Ensemble
Simulation of classic chorus and ensemble effects. An added digital pitch shifter takes the effect beyond traditional chorus circuits.

Utilities
Simple oscilloscope and VCO tuner.

Technical Specifications

Supply: +12V 50mA Max / -12v 15mA
Size: 6 HP
Depth: 32mm
16 Bit / 44.1Khz Stereo processing

Notes: Arkan

Dual Voltage Polarizer

You may have heard this before: "You can never have enough VCAs". A voltage polarizer (also known as a bipolar VCA or a 4-quadrant multiplier) is often viewed as the VCA better suited for CV. As it can be used as a unipolar VCA and it allows you to invert a signal when it is modulated with a negative voltage. Resulting in interesting movements in your modulations.

What sets Arkan apart from other voltage polarizers is the curvature control, a feature usually only seen in unipolar VCAs. By taking a different approach to the classic voltage polarizer circuitry, Malstrom have devised a unique solution that provides a new way to shape your audio and CV. The non-linearity of the polarizer also makes Arkan really good at reaching silence when presented with a 0V CV signal.

At audio rate, Arkan acts as a ring-modulator with four controls to change timbres.

Boosting adds odd harmonics (symmetrical distortion), while offsetting adds even harmonics (asymmetrical distortion). The modulation curve changes ring modulation sharpness, and modulation strength determines the carrier dominance.

Two identical channels with carefully selected features will make Arkan your go-to modulation control hub. Arkan is especially useful for common utility duties such as mixing, scaling, inverting and offsetting. As well as CV modulation, feedback patching, and waveshaping. All this makes Arkan a very versatile tool that will certainly have a place in your patch!

Features (per channel)

- Input attenuation with inverter switch gives you more precision and range, with voltage inversion and quick silencing.
- Bias input with attenuverter control to offset your input signal or mix/invert another signal.
- CV input with curvature control allows you to shape the polarizer and improve its 0V attenuation.
- CV modulation control to fade in the modulator, allowing you to determine the amount of modulation.
- Voltage gain and polarity led indicators showing you exactly what is happening under the radar.
- Output normalled internally and externally (to other Arkans) to easily mix signals.

Additional features

Optional signal boost (x4 / +12dB) via switch on the PCB to increase voltages when needed.
5V or 10V voltage reference selection for bias voltage and CV input range to adjust Arkan to your system.

Dimensions
- 8HP.
- 28mm, Skiff-friendly.

Power consumption
- 90mA @ +12V.
- 85mA @ -12V.

I/O specs

- All inputs DC coupled.
- All inputs handle audio signals.
- All inputs have 100k input impedance. - All inputs have +-10V Input range.
- CV range +-5V or +-10V.
- Bias Voltage range +-5V or +-10V.
- Boost gain x1 or x4.
- All inputs are overvoltage protected.
- Keyed power header.
- Reverse power protection.

Notes: The Flexshaper is a highly versatile module when it comes to modify evolving voltages in other directions and levels.

Five settings allow you to fold/expand/clip/compress/invert partially or completely any CV or audio signal.

The module can act as an envelope-shaping tool, frequency multiplier, waveshaper, clipper, distortion, limiter, curve changer, and more.

Five CV inputs offer limitless control over the placement of the voltage points for dynamic signal sculpting.

Birth of the product

The idea of the Flexshaper comes from a feature in the Oberheimr Matrix synthesizers called Tracking Generator.

This signal processor was part of the modulation matrix and meant to be virtually inserted between modulation sources and destinations in order to change the shape of the controlling signal.

The Flexshaper applies the same concept using the same 5 shaping points. However, it goes beyond Oberheim's implementation on two main aspects:

It goes fast enough to process signals at full audio rate
The 5 points are dynamically adjustable (CV) in real-time
Besides, the Flexshaper can process adequately bipolar and unipolar Eurorack signals, even changing them one another.

Dimensions
6 HP
21 mm deep

Current Draw
6 mA +12V
7 mA -12V
32 mA 5V