The Function of Controls 1
Chapter OSC
4 (Oscillator)
The OSC determines the waveform and pitch,
which becomes the source of the sound. This is the heart and soul of a synthesizer. On analog synthesizers,
it is called the VCO(*1). The VCO is a sound generator capable of changing frequency through changes in voltage.
Let’s examine the standard patch “PRESET D-8”.
Press [PRESET] | Press [D] | Press [8] |
T his patch is using the sawtooth wave of the OSC1 (oscillator 1). Play the keyboard, and hear the sound of this waveform. The sound at this stage is very simple
N ext, let’s determine the pitch. Playing the keyboard with one hand while turning [PITCH] and [DETUNE] knobs left and right gradually
with the other hand. Listen to the changes in pitches.
| After listening | |
| to the sounds | |
| each knob | |
| creates, make | |
| a habit of | |
| returning the | |
These knobs specify the pitch | knobs to its | |
center position. | ||
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O n brass instruments such as a trumpet, the initial part of the blow
(attack) may be a little off pitch. Let’s recreate this
and expressionless. To hear how the sound changes with each step, play the keyboard after each process.
Falling, then return
DEPTH |
Rising, then return
DEPTH
(+)
Chapter
4
The Function of Controls
F irst, determine the waveform to use
as the source of the sound. Play the keyboard with your left hand while switching waveforms with the [WAVE] button. Listen to the differences in the sound of each waveform as you play
the keyboard.
Use these buttons to select the waveform
D | A | |
pitch |
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A |
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D |
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| time |
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| DEPTH |
pitch | A |
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| D |
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DEPTH
time
A D
Waveform Examples |
Very rich in harmonics. May be used to simulate the basis for many types of musical |
Sawtooth Wave instruments. Especially suitable for creating brass and stringed instruments sounds |
(violin, piano, etc.) |
Next, let’s go to the“FILTER”, where the sound is processed.
Square Wave | Includes many odd numbered harmonics. Best suited as the sound basis | |
for woodwind and percussion instruments (clarinet, xylophone, etc.). | ||
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Sine Wave | The most basic waveform. It does not possess any harmonics. It sounds | |
like a whistle. | ||
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Listen to the different sounds from each of the waveforms, afterward returning the setting to the sawtooth wave.
Envelope
ADSR affects the pitch, filter, and amp
of the envelope. Here are their names
and definitions.
Symbol | Name | Pitch/Brightness/Volume | |
A | Attack Time | Time taken from zero to max | |
D | Decay Time | Time taken from max to sustain level | |
S | Sustain Level | Level of Volume/Brightness | |
while key is held | |||
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R | Release Time | Release Time taken from sustain | |
to zero after key is released | |||
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9
(*1) Voltage Controlled Oscillator
10
