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Support / FAQs

ALM 017: Pamela’s NEW Workout

Pam General Issues

Have you muted the channel ? Go into the channels parameters and check if ‘MUTE’ is set to ‘Y’ and if so, set it to ‘N’. 

Trade secret.

The root note is whatever you tune the patched destination oscillator too.

With the external signal patched into CV1 or 2, set your output channel ‘level’ to 0%, assign ‘offset’ to the corresponding CV input and then set the ‘Quant’ option to required scale. Pam will then behave like a transitional quantiser if with a little delay compared to a dedicated one. 

Note You will need a recent firmware with quantizer functionality.

If there are none listed in the store we do not have any in stock! Your best bet is therefor to check ebay or other sources of second hand equipment in the hope of finding a used one.

Follow us on instagram and twitter, and sign up to the store mailing list as to be notified when more special edition products come on sale.

Also note we are unable to supply alternate panels. We recommend users do not attempt to replace the panel as the units leds & display can be easily damaged when attempting.

Pam’s display is already running at maximum brightness. There is no user setting.

The display is not super bright but should be readable under normal room lighting (not so much direct sunlight).

Note that the display automatically dims after a period of non usage but it should ‘wake up’ as soon as interacted with.

Pam’s outputs are 10 bit and run at limited update rate (see manual). If you modulate the amplitude of a pure-ish signal with clean VCA then you may well hear ‘zipper’ type noise from aliasing in the modulation signal.

Possible workarounds include; running the Pam output through a low pass or slew to smooth it out pre CV destination, using a slower modulation speed, or using Pam just to sync an analog modulator – which in turn modulates the destination (at much higher res).

It is likely you’ve set the BPM to be CV controlled.

Go to the BPM screen, long hold the program knob and check the ‘PPQN’ setting isn’t set to ‘CV’ – if it is change to a numerical value (24 is the default) and things should return to normal.

Pam Syncing Issues

You need to change Pams expected ‘pulses per qurater note’ (PPQN) to match that of the incoming clocks.

On the main Pam BPM screen, long hold the encoder to display the ‘PPQN’ screen. If Pams BPM is too slow, lower the PPQN value, too fast increase.

Note, a value of 24 PPQN is recommended for most reliable syncing.

​If you have something you can physically tap that will produce a trigger, patch that into Pams clock input and lower Pams expected pulse per quarter note (PPQN menu, long hold encoder on BPM screen) to 4 or lower. 

Using the ALM-UT001 Din-Sync Adapter Cable, two of Pam’s outputs can be used for syncing vintage drum machines and synthesisers that feature a Din Sync socket.

To sync to Pam, set one Pam output to a x24 clock and another output to ‘On’ (selected instead of a divisor / multiplier from the main modifier page). Connect the Din-Sync adapter’s 3.5mm jacks, labeled ‘clock’ and ‘run’ to these outputs respectfully. Then connect a 5 Pin Din cable from the adapter to your external equipment din sync socket.

Using either ‘Pexp’ expanders eliminates the need to use two of Pam’s output channels. On the Pexp-2, the UT001 adapter cable can be used with the x24 and run outputs. On the ‘Pexp-1’ connect the ‘Din Out’ at the top directly to the Din-Sync input on your equipment without need for the adapter cabler.

The ALM-UT001 Din-Sync Adapter Cable can also be used to sync Pam to your external Din Syncs clock. Just connect the adapters ‘clock’ jack into Pams clock input and Run into Run. Make sure Pam is set to expect a 24 PPQN clock and ‘Run’ is set to ‘Y’ (See these options by long holding on BPM screen).

If you equipment fails to respond to the Pam clock, check the cable you are using has all 5 pins connected. Not all midi cables do.

You need to physically sync the two devices either via a MIDI clock connection or analogue style clock.

Matching displayed BPM readout across devices is simply not enough to keep sync due to slight differences in timing between equipment and lack of a consistent starting point.

Set an output on Pam #1 to x24, patch to the clock input of Pam #2.

Set another output on Pam #1 to ‘On’ and patch that to the Run input of Pam #2.

Using the ‘Pexp2’ expander eliminates the need to use two of Pam #1’s output channels. Patch directly from the clock and run outputs on ‘Pexp2’ to Pam #2’s inputs to sync.

Different systems may round the actual clock’s displayed value up or down differently. Sometimes the BPM display on Pam will be off by 1 or jumping between two neighbouring BPMs as a result.

This is almost always exclusive to the BPM readout, trust your ears, if it sounds in sync it is.

Pam Firmware Issues

Please Check:

  • — USB cable is not a ‘charge only’ type cable. Try a different cable.
  • — Pam isn’t powered via Euro power cable.
  • — Pam is the sole usb device directly connected to computer (no hub) .
  • — If on Mac and the GUI has failed to identify, be sure to try the terminal ‘dfu’util’ mechanism.
  • — If all else fails try on a different computer

There are two versions of each firmware release: one for PCBs marked before REV062 and one for PCBs marked after REV062. The clock will not start if you installed the wrong firmware for your revision. Don’t panic! Simply repeat the process with the correct .bin file matching the revision of your PCB.

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