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Chapter 23 Ultrabeat 315
Model
This oscillator type offers a physical model of a string instrument for the creation of
percussive sounds. The parameters at your disposal are based on the physical
properties of a real string.
Two contrasting exciters, each with different sound characteristics, are available. You
can toggle between them with the corresponding buttons (Type 1 and Type 2).
Note: In Ultrabeat’s oscillator 2 Model, an exciter is the agent or triggering device used
to initiate the vibration of the string. It should not be confused with the effect plug-in
of the same name.
In the Material Pad, you can set the Inner Loss and Stiffness string parameters. This
parameter actually determines the material qualities of the physical model.
Inner Loss determines the damping of the string which, in the real world, depends on
the material the string is made of (for example steel, glass, nylon, or wood). Damping
primarily affects high frequencies, and forces the sound to become more muffled and
smooth during the decay phase.
Stiffness controls the stiffness or rigidity of the string. In the real world, this depends on
the material the strings are made of and their diameter (or, more precisely: their
sluggishness). Rigid strings create an inharmonic vibration where the overtones do not
represent whole number multiples of the fundamental frequency. These overtones are,
in fact, slightly higher. Marked increases in rigidity (stiffness) ultimately transforms the
string into a metal rod.
Along the x-axis of the Material Pad you’ll find the value range for the Stiffness
parameter, and the value range for the Inner Loss parameter along the y-axis. To adjust
the parameters, click-hold on the dot in the Material Pad and move it.
Note: Click on the dot in the Material Pad while holding down Option if you want to
return the string parameters to their default values.
To the right of the Material Pad you’ll find the Resolution parameter. You can also use
this parameter to influence the overtone structure of the sound.