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Table Of Contents
How Frequency Modulation Works in the ES2
In the ES2, the frequency of Oscillator 1 (with a sine wave chosen—11 o’clock position
for the Wave knob) can be modulated by the output signal of Oscillator 2.
When Oscillator 2 outputs a positive signal, the frequency of Oscillator 1 increases.
When Oscillator 2 outputs a negative signal, the frequency of Oscillator 1 decreases.
The net effect of speeding up or slowing down the frequency of Oscillator 1 in each
waveform cycle is a distortion of the basic wave shape. This waveform distortion also has
the side benefit of introducing a number of new, audible harmonics.
Important: The impact of any frequency modulations you perform depends on both the
frequency ratio and the modulation intensity of the two oscillators.
To set the frequency ratio and adjust the modulation intensity
1 Adjust the Frequency (coarse and fine tune) parameter values of one, or both, oscillators.
2 Click (or drag) in the control range between the Sine and FM icons around the Oscillator 1
Wave knob. This determines the amount, or intensity, of frequency modulation.
FM Synthesis Options in the ES2 Router
You can also adjust the FM intensity by choosing the Osc1Wave modulation target in
the router.
Use lower FM intensity values if you are after a subtle FM effect.
If you’re after more extreme FM modulations, choose the Osc1WaveB target in the
router. See ES2 Modulation Target Reference for further details.
Using Different ES2 Waveforms for FM Synthesis
The “pure” FM synthesis method uses a sine wave for both the first and second signal
generator (both Oscillator 1 and 2 would be limited to generating a sine wave in the ES2
if you stuck with this approach).
The ES2, however, provides 100 Digiwaves and countless combinations of modulation
intensities and frequency ratios that can be used for either oscillator. This provides a vast
pool of harmonic spectra and tonal colors for you to experiment with—so it would be a
shame if you don’t take advantage of these options!
54 Chapter 5 ES2