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290 Chapter 22 ES2
Tutorial Setting: Ringmod Start
Topic: 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 288, 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 is 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, using your own imagination. Some hints:
• 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!
Tutorial Setting: Sync Start
Topic: Oscillator Synchronization
If you select the synced square and sawtooth waveforms for Oscillators 2 and 3, they
will be synchronized with Oscillator 1. In the “Sync Start” setting, only Oscillator 2 is
audible and Oscillator 3 is switched off.
“Typical” sync sounds feature dynamic frequency sweeps over wide frequency ranges.
These frequency modulations (the “sweeps”) can be applied in various ways.
• Try the pre-programmed pitch modulation, assigned to the modulation wheel, first.
• In the second router channel, an envelope pitch modulation has been pre-
programmed (target = Pitch 2, Source = Env 1). Setting the minimum value to 1. 0
results in a typical sync envelope. Also check out shorter Decay Times for Envelope 1.
• In order to avoid a “sterile”, and lifeless sound after the decay phase of the envelope,
you may want to modulate the oscillator frequency with an LFO as well. Use the third
router channel and set the minimum modulation applied by LFO 1 to about 0.50.
• Check out the synchronized square wave in place of the synced sawtooth wave.