8

262 Chapter 20 ES2
Ring Modulation
A ring modulator takes its two input signals and outputs the sum and difference
frequencies of them.
In the ES2, Oscillator 2 outputs a ring modulator, which is fed with a square wave of
Oscillator 2 and the wave of Oscillator 1, when Ring is set as Oscillator 2’s waveform.
Odd intervals (frequency ratios) between the oscillators, in particular, result in bell-like
spectra, much like those heard in the RingMod Start setting.
As discussed in the “FM Out of Tune” section, on page 260, the third oscillator can be
used as a tuning reference, in order to maintain a kind of basic tuning. On occasion,
you may find that it’s nice to leave the sound out of tune—for use as a source of
overtones and harmonics for another basic wave, supplied by Oscillator 3.
Try to program an atmospheric bell sound. Use your imagination, but here are some
hints that may help:
 Experiment with the various frequency ratios of Oscillators 1 and 2. You may want to
use the 29 s 0 c/21 s 0 c ratio, which doesn’t sound out of tune at all. Ring
modulation is not only useful for bell-like sounds, it’s also good for a great variety of
spectra which tend to sound pretty weird at lower frequency settings. Also try
alterations to the fine tuning of the Oscillators.
 Check out an Intensity of 50% and a Rate, set to around 2/3 of the maximum value,
for the Chorus effect.
 Set the Attack and Release Times of Envelope 3 to taste.
 Check out Drive and Filter FM, if you like your sounds a little “out of control.”
 The rest is up to you!