Bastl Instruments Softpop II Communicator Quick Start

Oscillator Basics

The Softpop SP2 oscillator defaults to a PULSE wave. Patching TRI into FILTER IN changes the waveform. To switch waveforms at the TRI output, hold SLIDE + MIDI and press GATE buttons 1-8. Hold SLIDE and move the FINE TUNE fader to alter the shape of each waveform. Available waveforms include Fractal Triangle, Animated Fractal Triangle, 2xFractal Triangle, Super Triangle, Triangle To Noise, Exp Saw Detune, and Super Saw.

Controls:

• OSC TRANSPOSE: Controls the pitch of the oscillator.
• PWM: Pulse Width Modulation.
• PULSE FILTER IN: Patching TRI into this input changes the waveform.
• FEEDBACK: Controls feedback amount.
• FINE TUNE: Adjusts tuning.

Filter Basics

The filter shapes the sound's timbre by cutting frequencies at the CUTOFF frequency. The HP/BP/LP switch selects the filter type: Highpass (HP), Bandpass (BP), or Lowpass (LP).

• CUTOFF: Sets the cutoff frequency.
• CUTOFF MOD: Modulates the cutoff frequency, typically by the envelope.
• RESONANCE: Emphasizes frequencies around the cutoff, can cause self-oscillation.
• POP: Increases cross-modulation between the oscillator and filter for a harsher sound.

Envelope Basics

The envelope shapes the sound's character over time.

• RATE: Controls the speed of the envelope (attack/decay).
• SHAPE: Adjusts the proportion between attack and decay.
• CYCLE: Makes the envelope oscillate like an LFO.
• TRIG: Triggers the envelope once.
• DRONE/ENV Switch: Selects between constant sound (DRONE) or volume controlled by the envelope (ENV).

Sequencer Basics

The sequencer is the digital brain of the Softpop II.

• PLAY: Starts and stops the sequencer.
• TEMPO: Controls the tempo. Tap tempo by pressing TEMPO multiple times. Hold TEMPO and press PLAY or TRIG to adjust tempo in small steps. Hold TEMPO and press GATES to select a tempo divider.
• PATTERN: Selects and chains patterns.
• GATE Buttons (1-8): Trigger the envelope or select steps/scales.
• SCALE: Selects and chains scales.
• SLIDE: Activates/deactivates slide between steps.

Button Combinations

Basics:

• GATE: Press any gate button.
• GATES: Press multiple gate buttons sequentially while holding a context button.

Sequencer Recording:

• PATTERN + SLIDE + PITCH FADER: Record pitch sequence.
• PATTERN + SLIDE + TRIG: Record gate sequence.

Waveform Selection & Shaping:

• SLIDE + MIDI + GATE: Select waveform.
• SLIDE + FINE TUNE: Alter waveform shape.

Scale Management:

• SCALE + SLIDE: Save bank.
• SCALE + PATTERN + GATE: Load bank.
• SCALE + GATE: Select a scale.
• SCALE + GATES: Chain scales.
• SCALE + A/▼: Select a semitone.
• SCALE + TEMPO: Toggle semitone mode (indicated by PLAY LED and GATE 1).
• SCALE + TEMPO + A/▼: Transpose whole scale by one semitone.
• SCALE + MIDI: Copy MIDI defined scale to currently edited scale.

MIDI Control:

• MIDI >5s: MIDI learn.
• MIDI + GATE: Set MIDI channel to 1-8.
• MIDI + Selected GATE: Set MIDI channel to 8+1 to 8.
• MIDI + PLAY: Activate/deactivate MIDI clock.
• MIDI + SCALE: Activate/deactivate MIDI scale mode.
• MIDI + PATTERN: Activate/deactivate CV Out generating Velocity CV.
• MIDI + TRIG: Activate automatic envelope triggering from MIDI Notes.

Sequencer Control:

• PATTERN + GATE: Select a pattern.
• PATTERN + GATES: Chain patterns.
• PATTERN + A/▼: Shift a whole pattern by 1 step.
• PATTERN + TEMPO: Copy currently selected pattern to the next selected pattern.
• PATTERN + MIDI: Activate triggered pitch mode (pitch updates only on active gates).
• SLIDE + GATE: Activate/deactivate slide on a step.
• SLIDE + ▲/▼: Set slide rate (1=no slide).
• PLAY (short): Start and stop sequencer.
• PLAY + GATE: Select playmode.
• PLAY + GATES: Chain playmodes.
• TEMPO + TEMPO: Tap tempo.
• TEMPO + A/▼: Increase/decrease tempo.
• TEMPO + />/ls: Gradually increase/decrease tempo.
• TEMPO + GATE: Select divider/multiplier.
• TEMPO + A+: Learn tempo from looping envelope.
• TRIG: Trigger envelope.
• TRIG + GATE: Activate temporary FX (hold several to combine).
• TRIG + PLAY + GATES: Record loop of temporary FX.
• TRIG + PLAY: Erase loop of temporary FX.
• TRIG + SLIDE: Set ENV G to GATE/TRIGGER.
• TRIG + PATTERN: Set SLIDE G to GATE/TRIGGER.

Direct Step Editing:

• GATE + A/▼: Edit step pitch.
• GATE + PITCH FADER: Edit step pitch.
• GATE + TEMPO: Preview step pitch.

Firmware Update

Hold MIDI at startup and play a WAV file into the Reset input.

Boot/Power Up Settings

• Hold SCALE at power up: Shorten the range of the PITCH fader.
• Hold SLIDE at power up: Make FINE-TUNE fader control waveshape by default (normally hidden under SLIDE+FINE-TUNE).
• Hold PATTERN at power up: Toggle CV Pitch tracking mode for CV out.
• Hold SCALE + SLIDE at power up: Calibration and test mode.
• Hold PLAY + TEMPO + TRIG at power up: Factory reset.

Getting Started Example

1. Connect USB power and flip the POWER switch UP.
2. Set controls as indicated in the diagram. Start playing with PITCH and CUTOFF.
3. Bring PITCH MOD and CUTOFF MOD faders UP to modulate them. Adjust the envelope RATE and SHAPE to change the modulation.
4. Explore RESONANCE and POP faders and the filter mode switch (HP/BP/LP).
5. Set the envelope CYCLE switch to the lower position (off).
6. Press the PLAY button to start the sequencer. Adjust tempo by tapping TEMPO or using TEMPO + PLAY/TRIG. Hold TEMPO and press GATES to select a tempo divider. Ensure MIDI Clock is off (MIDI + PLAY).
7. Press GATE buttons to trigger the envelope. Flip the DRONE/ENV switch or adjust CUTOFF MOD to hear the envelope effect.
8. To record a melody: Hold PATTERN + SLIDE, move the PITCH FADER to record your melody (keep PITCH MOD down initially), then release PATTERN + SLIDE.
9. Bring up PITCH MOD for randomized pitch variations.
10. Hold SCALE and press GATE to select a scale. Chain scales by pressing multiple GATES.
11. Hold PATTERN and press GATE to select and create a new pattern. Chain patterns by holding PATTERN and pressing multiple GATES.
12. Hold SLIDE + SCALE to save your music.
13. Edit step pitch by holding a GATE and pressing UP/DOWN or moving the PITCH FADER. Preview step pitch by holding GATE and pressing TEMPO.

Explore the unit and discover its capabilities!