Category: Common Synthesizer Controls

Gate Signals

A gate signal in a modular synthesizer is an electrical signal used to control the duration of a sound. It is a binary signal frequently used to activate envelopes and other sound amplitude-controlling modules.

A gate signal is typically a positive voltage signal that rises when a note is played (for example, to 5V) and falls (for instance, to 0V) when the note is released. By turning it on and off, it is used to regulate the length of the sound. It can also be used to activate other modules, such as an envelope generator, which governs the sound’s amplitude.

Gate signals can be sent to different modules using patch cables and are typically produced by a gate-source, such as a keyboard or sequencer. They make it possible to precisely control the sound’s duration, enabling the creation of intricate rhythms and patterns.

In a nutshell, the duration of a sound is controlled by an electrical signal called a gate signal in a modular synthesizer. It is a binary signal that is frequently used to activate the envelopes and other sound amplitude-controlling modules. The duration of the sound can be precisely controlled, enabling the creation of intricate rhythms and patterns. It is typically produced by a gate-source, such as a keyboard or sequencer, and can be sent to various modules via patch cables.

Tags control voltage, modular synthesizer, patch cables

Common Synthesizer Controls

Control Voltages (CV)

Control voltages (CV) in modular synthesizers are electrical signals used to control various parameters of the modules, such as pitch, frequency, and amplitude. They are used to control the sound in a similar way to how notes on a keyboard or knob movements on a traditional synthesizer control sound.

CV signals are typically low-frequency signals, usually in the range of 0-5V, and are typically generated by a control voltage source, such as an LFO or an envelope generator. These signals are then sent to various modules via patch cables, where they are used to control different parameters, such as the frequency of an oscillator or the cutoff of a filter.

CV is a standard feature in modular synthesizers and it allows for greater flexibility and expression than traditional synthesizers. CV signals can be used to control multiple parameters at once, and the signal can be modulated by other modules, allowing for complex and dynamic sound creation.

In summary, Control voltages (CV) in modular synthesizers are electrical signals used to control various parameters of the modules, such as pitch, frequency, and amplitude. They are low-frequency signals usually in the range of 0-5V, generated by a control voltage source and sent to various modules via patch cables, allowing for greater flexibility and expression than traditional synthesizers.

Tags control voltage, gate signal, LFO, modular synthesizer, modulation

Common Synthesizer Controls Synthesizer Features

MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface)

Post author By Patrick McCormick
Post date January 14, 2023
No Comments on MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface)

MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a technical standard that allows electronic musical instruments, computers, and other devices to communicate and synchronize. It is a protocol that allows various devices to communicate with one another and exchange musical data, such as the notes being played and the control settings of a specific instrument or effect.

Digital messages that can control the pitch and velocity of a note, the modulation of a sound, or the beginning and end of a drum loop make up MIDI data, which is sent and received via a MIDI cable or over a wireless connection. Lighting and visual effects can be managed during concerts using MIDI data.

In addition to allowing musicians to easily record, edit, and manipulate MIDI data in a digital audio workstation (DAW) to create intricate and dynamic musical arrangements, MIDI is a potent tool for music production and live performance.

MIDI devices include

MIDI keyboard controllers: used to play virtual instruments and control other MIDI-enabled devices.
MIDI drum pad controllers: used to trigger drum samples and control other MIDI-enabled devices.
MIDI guitar controllers: used to play virtual instruments and control other MIDI-enabled devices.
MIDI wind controllers: used to play virtual instruments and control other MIDI-enabled devices.
MIDI DJ controllers: used to control DJ software and other MIDI-enabled devices.

Overall, MIDI is a widely adopted and adaptable technology that has significantly increased electronic music’s production and live performance capabilities.

Tags DAW, MIDI, Software Synths

Common Synthesizer Controls Sound Design and Production Concepts

Detune

Detuning is the process of slightly shifting the pitch of one or more oscillators within a patch (a sound configuration) away from the main pitch in a synthesizer. Smaller amounts, like a few cents (a unit of measurement for pitch), or more significant amounts, like a semitone or more, can be used to accomplish this.

By making a single sound appear as though multiple voices are playing at once, detune can be used to give a sound a sense of thickness or width. It can also give a sound a sense of motion or animation.

Depending on the synthesizer, detuning can be done globally or individually across each oscillator. Others may use a pitch offset or frequency offset feature to create the same effect. Some synthesizers have a “detune” knob or parameter that can be adjusted.

Detune can also be applied in different ways:

By using the pitch bend wheel,
By using the mod wheel,
By using an LFO (low frequency oscillator) to modulate the pitch of the oscillator,
By using an envelope generator that modulates the pitch of the oscillator over time.

Common Synthesizer Controls

Portamento/Glide

Portamento, also known as glide, is a feature on a synthesizer that allows for a smooth transition between pitches when playing a melody. When portamento is activated, a note’s pitch will gradually change from one pitch to the next rather than spiking. The Portamento time, which can be changed on the synthesizer, controls how quickly the pitch shifts between notes.

As it mimics how a musician would naturally slide their fingers between notes on a traditional instrument like a guitar or saxophone, portamento can give an expressive and human-like performance. It can also give a melody a sense of continuity and flow.

Others may have a “portamento time” parameter that can be adjusted to control the speed of the glide. Some synthesizers have a dedicated “portamento” or “glide” knob or button that can be used to enable or disable the feature. Depending on the playing style, some synthesizers have different types of portamento, such as legato portamento and staccato portamento, which alter how the notes glide.

Portamento is a flexible and expressive feature that can give a synthesizer performance a distinct personality and human-like quality. It can be used in a wide range of musical genres, including retro synth pop and avant-garde electronic music.

Common Synthesizer Controls Sound Design and Production Concepts

Octave Control

A synthesizer’s octave control is a feature that enables the user to change the sound’s pitch up or down by one or more octaves. The frequency of a note is doubled or halved in an octave, a musical interval that spans 12 semitones (the space between two notes on a piano).

The pitch of a sound can be changed to match the key of a song or to add tension or dissonance to a melody using an octave control. By gradually changing the pitch up or down, it is also possible to give a sound a sense of motion or animation.

Many synthesizers have an octave control, which may be a knob, a button, or a switch, allowing the user to alter the sound’s pitch in steps of one or more octaves. Some keyboard controllers also have an octave control that can be used to adjust the pitch of an attached hardware synthesizer or a software synthesizer.

Overall, the octave control is a straightforward but practical feature that can be used to add character and depth to a sound and give a synthesizer patch a sense of motion and animation. Both the creation of music and live performances can benefit from it.

Common Synthesizer Controls

Pitch Shifter (Wheel)

A synthesizer’s pitch shifter wheel is a control that enables the user to alter the pitch of the sound the synthesizer is producing. The real-time implementation allows dynamic and expressive changes in the sound’s pitch. A variety of effects, including harmonies, octave shifts, and original sound compositions, can be produced by pitch shifting. Others may use a similar control, like a joystick or ribbon controller, to achieve the same effect. Some synthesizers have a dedicated pitch shift wheel.

Common Synthesizer Controls

Modulation Wheel

A synthesizer’s modulation wheel, also known as a mod wheel, is a control that enables the user to alter the amount of modulation being applied to the sound being produced by the synthesizer. Modulation, which can produce various effects such as vibrato, tremolo, and pitch bend, is the process of using one signal to control or affect another signal. The modulation wheel can make expressive changes to the sound in real-time and is typically situated to the keyboard’s left. The same effect can be produced on some synthesizers using a modulation lever or button. Depending on the synth, the modulation source and destination can change. An LFO modulating the pitch or the filter cutoff is one example.

Common Synthesizer Controls Sound Design and Production Concepts

Unison

Unison is a feature that allows multiple voices (or oscillators) to play the same note simultaneously, which can create a thicker and more complex sound. This can be used to create a variety of sounds, from subtle thickening to aggressive and complex sounds, by layering multiple voices, each with the same pitch and characteristics.

Depending on the synthesizer, the number of voices in unison can vary, and some synths might let the user adjust the number of voices, the degree of detuning, and the stereo spread. The amount of detuning determines how far each voice is from its original pitch, which can result in a more organic and natural sound. A more expansive and immersive sound can be produced by adjusting the stereo spread, which determines how widely the sound is dispersed across the stereo field.

A classic synth sound, reminiscent of the fat analog synth sounds from the 1980s, can be produced using the Unison feature, frequently found on virtual analog or digital synthesizers. Additionally, it can build intricate and changing soundscapes or give a straightforward melody depth and movement. Some synths let you play multiple notes at once, and each note will start a new voice, increasing the synth’s polyphony.

In conclusion, the Unison feature layers different voices to give the sound more depth and complexity. The number of voices, degree of detuning, and stereo spread can all be changed. It is an effective tool for producing a variety of sounds, from traditional synth sounds to intricate soundscapes.

Common Synthesizer Controls Sound Design and Production Concepts

Mix Control

A mix control on a synthesizer refers to a knob or fader that allows the user to adjust the balance between different sound sources or elements within the synthesizer. This can include adjusting the balance between different oscillators, adjusting the balance between the dry and wet signals in a effects section, or adjusting the balance between different layers or elements in a patch.

For example, in a synthesizer with multiple oscillators, a mix control would allow the user to adjust the balance between the levels of each oscillator, which can be used to create a wide range of different sounds. Similarly, in a synth with a built-in effects section, a mix control can be used to adjust the balance between the dry, unprocessed sound and the wet, processed sound.

Mix control can also be used to adjust the balance between different layers or elements in a patch, such as between a lead sound and a background pad. This can be useful for creating more dynamic and expressive sounds, and for creating a sense of movement and evolution within a patch.

In summary, a mix control on a synthesizer is a knob or fader that allows the user to adjust the balance between different sound sources or elements within the synthesizer, such as different oscillators, dry/wet signals in effects section or different layers in a patch. It’s a powerful tool that can help to create a wide range of sounds and to add depth and dynamics to the sound.