User Interface Concept

Here’s the user experience concept of Finisher FLUXX in a nutshell:

• At the heart of Finisher FLUXX is the Mode. It sets up the entire machinery under the hood – the effect algorithms and their routing as well as the macro assignments for the orange Finisher Knob and the four Variation Knobs.
• The Finisher Knob dials in the effect itself and often also creates an important change, but generally, the rule applies: Turn up the Finisher Knob for more effect.
• The Variation Knobs 1-3 allow you to adjust aspects of the effect (more below) to your scenario or taste and can be automated as well. Vari 4 is assigned to UJAMs own EQ and Compressor settings which is universally useful to curve out the frequency spectrum to your liking.
• When you select a Mode, you will find instructions and tips right next to the name, and the Vari Knob labels change to display that Knobs’ function in that particular Mode.

The MODE Section

When going through Modes, we recommend you set the orange Finisher knob at least to the center position so you can hear the effect while stepping through.

Modes are carefully sound-design effect configurations in Finisher FLUXX, each with its individual parameter settings, and a custom macro-assignment of parameters to the orange Finisher as well as the Vari 1-3 controls.

Selecting Modes

Browser View

Finisher FLUXX lets you select Modes in different ways:

• Click on a Mode title 
• Click on the arrows to step back and forth through the Modes

Browser View

• Click on the browser button (right next to the Mode Title) to open Browser View
• Click any Mode name to select that Mode. Click either of the two-page swap bars at the bottom of the Browser view to switch pages between Modes 1-25 and Modes 26-50

Notes

The number of the currently selected Mode is always shown above the Mode Title.

Please note that when switching Modes, the settings of the Finisher and Variation knobs remain unchanged. To change Modes including knob settings, choose Presets.

Mode Notes

Finisher FLUXX Modes aren’t conventional effects with learned names, but each one is a totally individual design. Therefore you will find Mode notes right next to the Mode Title: A description of the effect world, with usage tips in the second row.

 

The Finisher Knob

Finisher Knob

The orange Finisher is the central control in Finisher FLUXX. It is a super powerful macro-control, multi-wired into all effect algorithms under the hood, and carefully set up for each individual Mode. 

The orange Finisher Knob is not just another one-knob thing that you set up and leave to tweak the effect – although you perfectly could do just that. 

Actually, you are encouraged to play with the orange Finisher Knob and automate it to create arcs, transitions, and modulations over the length of your track. We strongly encourage you to assign it to a MIDI Controller like a Wheel or a Pedal if you can play and record along with your song and create dynamic tracks that will sound alive and interesting.

The function of the orange Finisher Knob in each Mode is shown as a label underneath the orange Finisher Knob that changes as you select Modes.

Vari Knobs 1 - 4 

Variation Knobs 1 and 2 with Labels

The smaller Variation Knob left and right of the orange Finisher Knob is designed for adjustments and variations.

Unlike in VOODOO, there is no longer a clear assignment of the buttons, except for “Variation” (4). There are individual assignments per fashion and the “Variation” labels say what the knob does. Also new is that the knob label temporarily changes to the currently set value during the rotation.

“Variation 4” (Shape) is the only knob with defined settings, turning left will compress the signal for more density, trebles and bass are dialed down and midrange are dialed up. For a midrange-y signal, i.e. when high and low end becomes too messy or when trying to integrate a signal into an already crowded mix context.

Turning right will compress the signal to be a bit thicker, but instead of a focus on mids, the eq turns towards a disco smiley face "treble up, bass up" type of equalizer.

 

Like the orange Finisher Knob, the Vari controls are entirely MODE-dependent – they are always programmed to perform the musically most useful function in any given MODE. 

Also, like the orange Finisher Knob, Vari knobs are pre-assigned to multiple parameters, each with its own scaling and range, to create complex changes, and their function assignment is shown as a label right underneath each knob.

 

Variation Knob Types

 

Different Vari Knob Types: Vari 1 and Vari 3: unipolar, Vari 2: 3-way switch, Vari 4 is always bipolar

Depending on the Mode, all three Vari Knobs can either be a unipolar or bipolar continuous control as well as a 3- or 4-way switch. The user interface will reflect the respective control mode. When in Switch mode, the knob doesn’t turn but jumps to the pre-programmed positions.

Checking and Setting Levels

 

 

 

 Input and Output Level and Meter

The Input Level Meter and Slider to the bottom left to let you attenuate or boost your signals’ input level into Finisher, and the Output Level elements to the right do the same for Finisher FLUXXs output signal. A few tips:

• Signals are at an optimal level if they are around the little calibration marks on the slider. Adjust them if they’re not.
• Optimal input levels are important particularly for those Modes that use distortion, compression, or any kind of dynamic treatment.
• Optimal output levels are particularly important if you use subsequent processing in the same track, and to avoid clipping.

Note that while you drag a slider, the resulting change will be displayed in dB.

Finisher FLUXXs is optimized to alter the signal’s level as little as possible from input to output, but depending on the frequency content of the input signal and the processing applied (e.g. sub-bass on kick drums, high resonant filters on mid-rich signals) this is not always avoidable.

 

Using Input Level to optimize effects

Many effects, particularly the dynamic filters, use the input signal level to control movements in the effect. If the input signal level is too high, you will hardly hear any effect. 

If you had to lower the Input Level a lot, compensate with the Output Level. Of course, YOU knew this!