10
Getting Started

The VL1 Model

The overall VL1 model or “algorithm” consists of three main blocks:
the instrument, controllers, and modifiers. In schematic form these
blocks are arranged as follows:

The Instrument

The key block in this algorithm is the instrument, since it is here that the
fundamental tone or “timbre” of the sound is defined. The extreme complexity
of this portion of the model makes it unsuitable for user programming, so vari-
ous instruments for the VL1 are provided in the form of pre-programmed voices.
These are primarily woodwind, brass, and string voices, since the VL1’s physi-
cal model is capable of most accurately simulating the sound-generating mecha-
nism of all three instrument categories.
The instrument model consists primarily of a driver — the reed/
mouthpiece, lip/mouthpiece, or bow/string system — and a resonant sys-
tem corresponding to the tube and air column or string.
Controllers (also envelopes)
Instrument Modifiers
Sound
out.
One VL "Element"
(the VL has 2 of these)