Modulation: I can't stop

We just can't get enough of those modulation tricks, so we've added a few extra gadgets.

The Pulse Width Modulation switch is only effective if the oscillator wave form is set to square, so be sure to do that first. It changes the meaning of the PW/PWM knob in the oscillator section. You've probably noticed that it sounds funny to turn that knob quickly, so why not modulate it? We've come up with the following options:

• Off
  This is the default setting. In this case, the PW/PWM knob just sets the pulse width of the square wave form.
• MG
  With this setting, the PW/PWM knob adjusts the amount of pulse width modulation by the modulation generator. If you set the modulation generator to triangle waves, this creates a quite nasty sound. With square wave modulation, the oscillator periodically switches between two different pulse width values.
• EG Normal
  With this setting, the PW/PWM knob sets the amount of pulse width modulation by the envelope generator. Because the envelope generator increases the pulse width setting during the attack phase, the sound actually gets thinner during attack, and thicker during release. This may or may not be what you're after.
• EG Inverted
  In this case, the PW/PWM knob sets the amount of pulse width modulation by the inverted envelope generator signal. This creates thicker sounds during attack/decay, and thinner sound during release, which sounds more natural. Our favorite choice.
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When modulating the pulse width, it's often better not to turn the PW/PWM knob all the way to the right, because that will mute the square wave at some point. Just leave it at 8 or 9 (unless you like that, of course).

The Frequency Mod EG switch at the bottom of the oscillator section and Filter Mod EG switch at the bottom of the filter section invert the envelope generator signal before it is used to modulate the oscillator frequency or the filter cut-off frequency. You can sometimes use this to create unusual effects.

The Keyboard Velocity settings change the amount with which the keyboard velocity modulates the volume and the filter cut-off frequency. If the volume knob is set to 0, a tone will always sound at maximum volume.

Next: MIDI Learn

See Also
Modulation basics
Envelope generator
Overview