9

Table Of Contents
Vol(ume) envelope: Shapes the level of the sound over time. The volume envelope is
triggered every time a MIDI note is received.
Attack slider: Sets the time it takes to reach the maximum volume level.
Decay slider: Sets the time it takes to reach the Sustain level.
Sustain slider: Sets a level that is held until the MIDI note is released.
Release slider: Sets the time it takes to reach a level of zero, after the MIDI note has
been released.
Main Level knob: Sets the overall output level of the EFM1.
Velocity knob: Determines the sensitivity of the EFM1 to incoming MIDI velocity
messages. The EFM1 dynamically reacts to MIDI velocity messages-harder playing will
result in a brighter and louder sound. Set the Velocity control all the way to the left
(counter-clockwise) if you don’t want the EFM1 to respond to velocity.
Creating EFM1 Random Sound Variations
The Randomize facility (shown at the lower right of the interface) generates new sounds.
It does this by randomly altering a number of key EFM1 parameter values.
This feature is ideal for creating subtle variations of a particular sound, or for creating
totally new sounds when you’re feeling uninspired (or need a hand to get started with
FM synthesis).
To use the Randomize function
µ
Click the Randomize button. You can click as often as you like, but remember to save
your settings as you go, if you happen across a sound that you want to keep.
To limit the amount of randomization
µ
Drag in the numeric field to determine the amount of randomization (variance from the
original sound).
You should use values below 10% if you only want to randomly “tweak the current sound.
Use higher values if you want to radically change the sound with each click.
136 Chapter 6 EFM1