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Table Of Contents
Note: If the ES2 is set to Mono or Legato keyboard mode, the Analog parameter is effective
only when Unison is active. In this situation, Analog sets the amount of detuning between
the stacked (unison) voices. If the Voices parameter is set to 1 and/or Unison is not
activated, the Analog parameter has no effect. For more information about these
parameters, see Choosing the ES2 Keyboard Mode (Poly/Mono/Legato).
Emulating Stretch Tuning in the ES2
The (coarse) Frequency knob of each oscillator allows you to tune Oscillators 1, 2, and 3
in semitones or octaves. The (fine tune) Frequency parameter allows you to fine-tune
each oscillator in cents (1/100th of a semitone). Precise detuning between oscillators can
result in beats, or phasing, between the oscillator frequencies. The higher the played
frequency/pitch, the faster the phasing beats. High notes, therefore, may seem to be
somewhat out of tune in comparison with lower notes.
The CBD (Constant Beat Detuning) parameter—to the left of Oscillator 2’s Frequency
knob—detunes the harmonics of the low-note frequencies in a ratio that is proportionate
with the fundamental tone of the upper-note frequencies.
This is a very natural-sounding effect, common to acoustic pianos, which are intentionally
tuned out-of-tune” (from equal temperament). This is known as stretch tuning—and
results in the upper and lower keyboard ranges being slightly out of tune with the center
octaves but harmonically “in-tune with each other.
Some Tips on Using Constant Beat Detuning
CBD can be used as a corrective tool to even out the beating between oscillators, or it
can be used as a creative tool to emulate stretch tuning. The latter can be particularly
important when you use an ES2 sound alongside an acoustic piano recording.
The CBD parameter offers five values: off, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%. If you choose 100%,
the phasing beats are almost constant across the entire keyboard range. This value may,
however, be too high, as the lower notes might be overly detuned at the point where
the phasing of the higher notes feels right. Try lower CBD values in cases where the bass
notes appear to be a little too far out of tune with the upper keyboard range.
The reference pitch for CBD is C3 (middle C): Its (de)tuning is constant, regardless of the
chosen CBD value.
58 Chapter 5 ES2