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Chapter 24 Sculpture 367
Excite/Disturb Object Parameters
The following parameters are used to excite, disturb or dampen the String.
Important: At least one Object must be used, as the String itself does not make any
sound!
As you’ll discover shortly, there are a number of different string excite “models” such as
blow, pluck, bow, and so on. Needless to say, these quite radically alter the general
timbre of the String’s attack phase, resulting in bowed or plucked “flute” and “bell”
sounds, or guitars with a flute-like “blown” sound.
Judicious use of the Object parameters can deliver very accurate emulations of real-
world instruments, or sounds that are altogether more “other-worldly”.
A particular aspect of component modelling to note is that each additional disturb/
damp Object that is activated will impact on the String. This will, in turn, alter the
interaction of any other active Object with the String, often resulting in a completely
different character to your sound.
Obviously, changing the sonic character is the reason why you would use a new Object,
but the pluck and blow combination you selected may sound like fingernails on a
blackboard—rather than the “plucked pan flute” you were going for—depending on
other String settings.
As such, you need to pay special attention to the Type and Strength of Objects. You may
find that the “flavor” of the excite Object (1 or 2), for example, has changed
significantly—and you may need to adjust or change the parameters of all Objects
(and perhaps several String parameter values) after introducing a new disturb/damp
Object (2 or 3). Similarly, the selection of a different Type of excite Object will impact on
the disturb/damp Objects (and the string, obviously), and therefore the character of
your sound.