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Table Of Contents
The ES2 provides ten modulation routings—in columns. Although it looks somewhat
intimidating at first, each routing column is quite similar to the modulation controls found
in the ES1. Note the first routing, at the left in the figure below:
The modulation target is Pitch123. The pitch—the Frequency parameter—of oscillators
one, two, and three is affected (by LFO2, the modulation source).
LFO2 is the modulation source. The two arrows to the right of the column indicate the
modulation amount. To make the modulation more intense, drag the upper and/or lower
arrows up or down, thereby increasing the range of the modulation amount. The upper
arrow determines the maximum amount of modulation, and the lower arrow determines
the minimum amount of modulation.
The Via control is the ModWhl. The amount of modulation—the range of which is
determined by the sliders to the right of the channel—is directly controlled via the
modulation wheel of your keyboard. When the modulation wheel is at the minimum
setting, at the bottom of its travel, the amount of oscillator pitch modulation is minimal
—or off/no modulation at all. As you move the modulation wheel upward, the frequency
of all three oscillators is directly controlled by the LFO within the range determined by
the sliders.
Common Modulation Sources
This section outlines modulation sources that you typically find on most synthesizers.
Modulation Controllers
Modulation sources can be—and often are—triggered by something you’ve done, such
as played a note on the keyboard, or moved the modulation wheel.
Thus, the modulation wheel, pitch bend ribbons, foot pedals, keyboard, and other input
options are referred to as modulation controllers, or simply controllers.
Perhaps the best example of a modulation controller in action would be the use of a
velocity-sensitive keyboard, set up to control the filter and level envelopes. The harder
you strike the notes, the louder and brighter the sound is. See Using Envelopes for
Modulation.
364 Appendix Synthesizer Basics