What's in the box?

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1 x alter.audio Timetosser 1 x Quickstart guide 1 x USB cable (Timetosser is USB powered) 2 x DIN-5 to mini jack MIDI adapter cable (type B) 1 x Custom Timetosser travel case

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Why is my Timetosser not showing its colors?

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Probably Timetosser is detecting a computer, or any other USB-host. Or perhaps you have it powered through a USB-hub with other devices interfering.

When connected to a computer, Timetosser starts in plugin mode. When you power Timetosser with a separate USB charger it should start in standalone mode and the buttons should look like normal.

Try to unplug all cables and power Timetosser to a wall socket with the supplied USB cable and a standard USB power adapter, like a smartphone charger. The quality of the charger can make a difference in the sound quality, so be sure to use a good one. To avoid ground loops, it’s best to power Timetosser from the same wall-socket or extension cord as your other music gear.

When for some reason Timetosser is still not starting in the right mode, please let us know by sending an email to support@alter.audio

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What are Timetosser's audio specs?

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In stand-alone mode, the audio resolution is 24-bit, 96 Khz. This allows for buffering up to 16 seconds of audio (or 16 beats @ 60 BPM), with a round-trip latency of 0.3 milliseconds. In USB-mode, sampling rates up to 192 Khz are supported. The round-trip latency will depend on the driver-model (Windows Audio / ASIO / Core Audio) and the selected buffer size.

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Why is Timetosser using the type-B midi adapter variant?

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The type B pinout allows the double functionality of the sync / midi input. Connect a supplied adapter to use it as a midi input, or use a mono mini-jack cable when using gate signals. The same pinout is used on the midi-output as well. Note that you can use stereo mini-jack cables to directly connect to other gear that uses the type-B standard, like the Arturia Beatstep Pro.

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What does the "tap-tempo" button do?

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When Timetosser is externally synchronised through midi or gate, the tap tempo allows you to tap in a multiplier of the external tempo. This way, you’re able to halve, double or even set the internal tempo to a fraction of the external tempo. When not externally synced, the tap-tempo is used as a “hint” for the built-in tempo detector. This way, the system is able to home in on the correct tempo faster. The internal tempo is sent out to the midi-output.

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How do I set up my USB and midi connections for standalone or plugin mode?

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When you connect Timetosser to a USB power supply, the unit will start in standalone mode. All buttons will respond to the midi-input port and button presses are sent to the midi-output port as well. This way, you can sequence Timetosser with an external device or DAW.

Plugin-mode is entered when connecting your unit to your computer directly via USB.

In plugin mode, the midi connections function as a USB-to-midi interface and can be used from within your DAW.

The two modes are explained in more detail in chapter 1 of the user manual.

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I’m getting noise, what should I do?

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Timetosser can accept quite a "hot" signal so it can accept input from "hot" outputting devices like analog synths and pro audio gear.

To get around the (inherent*) noise floor, your input needs to be as loud as you can make it without clipping. You can toggle the input level meter on/off by pressing "shift" + "mode". Make sure the meter is on average somewhere in the middle.

Secondly, you would typically need some form of volume control “after” the Timetosser unit.

If this information doesn't help, please let us know by sending an email to support@alter.audio

*All units leave the factory with a tested signal-to-noise ratio of at least 70 dB.

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What makes Timetosser different from other gear?

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Timetosser focuses on re-arranging audio in a performative way. Timetosser uses a continuous audio buffer. With the top row of buttons you select where you listen within that buffer. This allows you to not only loop, but also bring back sounds from the past in a different order. By playing patterns on these buttons, you're able to reconstruct the music in any rhythmical pattern.

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