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202 Chapter 17 EFM 1
Global Parameters
Transpose
The base pitch is set with the Transpose parameter. You can transpose the EFM 1 by ±2
octaves.
Tune
Tune will fine-tune the EFM 1 ± 50 cents. A cent is 1/100th of a semitone.
Randomize
The Randomize facility generates new sounds with each mouse click. Click the
Randomize button to create a new randomized sound, based on the Intensity value.
Higher Intensity values—set in the numeric field by click-dragging up/down—will
produce more random sounds. Experiment with values below 10% for small variations
of a given sound.
Unison
Clicking on the Unison button will layer two complete EFM 1 voices, making the EFM 1
sound larger and fatter. In Unison mode, the EFM 1 can be played with 8-voice
polyphony.
Voices
The number of simultaneously playable voices (polyphony) is determined by the Voices
parameter. Available values are: Mono (one voice), Legato (one voice) and 2–16 voices.
In the monophonic Legato mode, playing overlapping notes will not retrigger the
EFM 1 envelopes.
Glide
Glide is used to introduce a continuous pitch bend between two consecutively played
notes. The Glide value (in ms) determines the time it takes for the pitch to travel from
the last played note to the next. Glide can be used in both of the monophonic Mono
and Legato Voices modes, as well as with the polyphonic Voices settings (2–16).
FM Parameters
FM (Intensity)
The Modulator oscillator modulates the Carrier frequency, resulting in newly generated
sidebands that add new overtones. Turning up the FM (Intensity) control (the large dial
in the center) produces increasing numbers of overtones—and the sound becomes
brighter. The FM (Intensity) parameter is sometimes called the FM Index.
Note: Although the technology behind it is very different, you could compare the FM
(Intensity) parameter to the Filter Cutoff parameter of an analog synthesizer.