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Table Of Contents
Chapter 24 Ultrabeat 373
Modulation
Numerous sound parameters can be controlled dynamically (modulated) in Ultrabeat.
Ultrabeat provides two powerful LFOs, four envelope generators, velocity, and four
freely-definable MIDI controllers as modulation sources. The setting of modulation
routings follows a universal principle that is explained in this chapter.
The Principle of the Modulation Routings
Ultrabeat’s modulation routings feature three key players:
 The synthesizer parameter that you want to modulate (the modulation target)
 The source of the modulation (the modulation source)
 A second modulation source that can influence the intensity of the first
modulation—this modulation source is called Via modulation.
Mod and Via Modulations
You can modulate a sound parameter using an adjustable value (called modulation
depth) with the Mod parameter. You can choose between two LFOs, four envelope
generators, and Max, as sources for this modulation.
Via allows you to further tailor the modulation effect. To explain, the modulation depth
of the first modulation (Mod) can be modulated by a separate, independent source.
The intensity of this effect is set with the Via parameter. The sources for Via
modulations include velocity and four freely definable MIDI controllers.
A typical application for Via function usage is increasing a pitch sweep as you play at
higher velocities, for example. To this end, an envelope (Env) is chosen as the Mod
source for the pitch of an oscillator, and velocity (Vel) is chosen as the Via source. The
firmer the key is played, the higher (in pitch) it will sound—this is typical of synthesized
tom-tom sounds.
Exceptional Modulation Features
The design of the Mod and Via modulation options are substantially different when
comparing Ultrabeat and other, more traditional, synthesizers. Ultrabeats Mod and Via
options are given a target value that can be reached by modulation of the respective
target parameters, rather than indicating a modulation or effect intensity as a
percentage. The result of such modulation routing—its minimum and maximum effect
on the modulated parameter—can be set simply, and grasped at a glance, making the
complex subject of primary and secondary modulations an intuitive task.
Have a look at the following example to better understand how this works: