- Download MODALapp and update your SKULPT<\/strong><\/a><\/li>
- Exploring the factory presets on your SKULPT<\/strong><\/a><\/li>
- Tweaking SKULPT presets<\/strong><\/a>
- Navigating the SKULPT parameters<\/strong><\/a><\/li>
- Tweaking the parameters<\/strong><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- How to save your SKULPT presets<\/a><\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nDownload the MODALapp and update your SKULPT<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Before we dive into using the SKUPLT, the first thing to do is to register with Modal and get the MODALapp and SKULPT Manual.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n- Go to the Modal Electronics main page<\/a> and click on the SUPPORT <\/strong>link in the upper right.<\/li>
- Click on the Sign In link in the upper right and then click on \u201cNew to Modal Electronics?<\/strong>\u201d \u201cSign up.\u201d<\/strong> Fill in the requested info and finally click \u201cSign Up<\/strong>.\u201d<\/li>
- Now scroll down the page and click on the words SKULPT synthesizer<\/strong>. Click on User Manual<\/strong> to get the latest version.<\/li>
- After you\u2019ve saved the User Manual, use your browser’s Back <\/em>button to go all the way back to the main page. Click on the MODALAPP<\/strong> link at the top of the page.<\/li>
- Download the MODALapp<\/a> for each of the platforms you might use: macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, VST3\/AU macOS, and VST3 Windows.<\/li>
- After installing the MODALapp, connect your SKULPT via USB and then launch the MODALapp. It will tell you if you need a firmware update and walk you through the steps needed.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
![\"modal](\"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/media\/2020\/11\/modal-electronics-rgistration-page.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nClick the image to create an account with Modal Electronics<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nReturn to top<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nExploring factory presets on your SKULPT<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019ve downloaded the MODALapp you can keep it connected to your SKULPT. Or, if you just want to try your SKULPT by itself, either install (6) AA batteries, or connect to a powered USB jack on a computer, USB hub, phone charger, or USB portable charger. Connect either the \u215b-inch LINE OUT jack to a mixer or amp, or connect headphones with an \u215b-inch plug to the HEADPHONES jack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\n- If you own a MIDI keyboard or MIDI controller with a standard 5-pin MIDI Out jack, connect it with a MIDI cable<\/a> to the MIDI In jack on the SKUPLT. The initial MIDI Channel is set to 1, but you can change it to receive any MIDI channel by powering on while holding the PRESET <\/strong>button in the upper right of SKULPT. While still holding the PRESET <\/strong>button, choose between 1 \u2013 16 on SKULPT\u2019s keyboard.
- If you don\u2019t have a MIDI controller handy you can play with the built-in keyboard and try the sequences that are included on many of the Factory presets. If you have a DAW on your computer you can also send MIDI to your SKUPLT via the USB cable.<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Choose from the first 16 Factory presets by holding the PRESET <\/strong>button while you press one of the keys from 1 \u2013 16. The volume can be adjusted from the VOLUME <\/em>knob on the far right.<\/li>
- To get to the next Bank of 16 presets, press and release the SHIFT <\/strong>button on the far left (with the orange circle around it)<\/em> and choose any number between 1 and 8. Now, after being certain that you\u2019ve turned off the SHIFT <\/strong>light, you can once again hold the PRESET <\/strong>button while choosing presets 1 \u2013 16 in the new bank.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nReturn to top<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nTweaking SKULPT presets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The single best piece of advice I can give on tweaking your SKULPT is to install and use the MODALapp<\/a> that clearly allows you to see and edit all of the parameters using your computer, tablet, or phone. BUT\u2026 if you\u2019re going to tweak everything using only your SKULPT\u2019s front panel, then here is my best advice for that: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Always <\/strong>be aware of the SHIFT button\u2019s status. Always <\/strong>know if it\u2019s On or Off. And in the same vein, be aware of parameters that have been left on in their SHIFT <\/em>variation. This tip will help you avoid turning a knob thinking you\u2019re editing one parameter, when you\u2019re actually editing the orange SHIFT <\/em>parameter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The most common parameters to experiment with include: FILTER CUTOFF<\/a> (the only large knob on the panel)<\/em> and RESONANCE<\/a> (the knob directly to the right of the CUTOFF knob)<\/em>. Another fun knob is SPREAD<\/a> (on the bottom left)<\/em>. This allows you to have up to eight oscillators going at once with increasing amounts of detuning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The next knobs to try would be the ATTACK, DECAY, SUSTAIN, and RELEASE (commonly known as <\/em>ADSR<\/em><\/a>)<\/em> knobs (aligned in a V under the FILTER <\/em>knob). Notice the three orange LEDs near the DECAY <\/em>knob. The EG <\/em>button below them lets you alternate between editing the EG <\/em>of the Filter (FILT), Amp (AMP)<\/em>, or Modulation <\/a>(MOD)<\/em>. Again, always be aware of which of the three LEDs is lit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The OCTAVE buttons (OCT+ and OCT-) are useful to put the keyboard in the range you want to play. And the ARPEGGIATOR<\/a> (ARP<\/em>) button lets you have fun even if you aren\u2019t a keyboardist. Use the TEMPO<\/em> knob (top left) to choose a desirable speed for your Arpeggiation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nTweaking the parameters<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once you\u2019re comfortable with these knobs, try the remaining knobs. And then, when you dare, press and release the SHIFT <\/strong>button (orange ring)<\/em> and explore all of the knobs and buttons except, this time, read the orange text instead of the white text.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you want to start a preset from scratch, light the SHIFT <\/strong>button, then hold the PRESET <\/strong>button and also hold Key #13<\/strong> (<\/em>INIT<\/em><\/a>)<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you\u2019re really ready to get crazy, light the SHIFT <\/strong>button, then hold the PRESET <\/strong>button and also hold Key #14<\/strong> <\/em><\/strong>(RAND)<\/em>. This will create a random preset that you may or may not like. If you don\u2019t like it at all you can simply repeat the process as many times as you like. If you mostly like the randomized preset you can tweak it until it\u2019s ready to be saved.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n - To get to the next Bank of 16 presets, press and release the SHIFT <\/strong>button on the far left (with the orange circle around it)<\/em> and choose any number between 1 and 8. Now, after being certain that you\u2019ve turned off the SHIFT <\/strong>light, you can once again hold the PRESET <\/strong>button while choosing presets 1 \u2013 16 in the new bank.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
- Click on the Sign In link in the upper right and then click on \u201cNew to Modal Electronics?<\/strong>\u201d \u201cSign up.\u201d<\/strong> Fill in the requested info and finally click \u201cSign Up<\/strong>.\u201d<\/li>
- Tweaking the parameters<\/strong><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Exploring the factory presets on your SKULPT<\/strong><\/a><\/li>