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Appendix B Synthesizer Basics 487
Modulation
Modulation overview
Without modulation, sounds tend to be uninteresting and fatiguing to the ear. They also sound
synthetic, rather than natural, in the absence of some type of sonic modulation. Vibrato is a
type of modulation commonly used by orchestral string players to add animation to their
instrument’s pitch.
To make sounds less static, you can use a range of synthesizer controls to modulate basic sound
parameters. To this end, many synthesizers, including ES1, ES2, and EXS24 mkII sampler, provide a
modulation router.
The router enables you to direct, or route, one or more modulation sources (the parameter or
control that is modulating another parameter) to one or more modulation targets (the parameter
being modulated).
You can aect modulation targets, such as oscillator pitch or lter cuto frequency, by using
modulation sources that include the following:
•
Velocity modulation: You can modulate a target in dierent ways with the impact of your
keyboard playing (harder or softer). The most common example of modulation controller use
is a velocity-sensitive keyboard, set to control the lter and level envelopes. The harder you
strike the notes, the louder and brighter the sound is.
•
Key scaling: You can modulate a target in dierent ways by adjusting the position you play on
the keyboard (low or high notes).
•
Controls: You can use controls such as the modulation wheel, ribbon controllers, or pedals
attached to your keyboard.
•
Automatic modulation: You can use envelope generators or LFOs to modulate
signals automatically.
Modulation sources can be—and often are—triggered by something you’ve done, such as
playing a note on the keyboard, or moving the modulation wheel.
The modulation wheel, pitch bend ribbons, foot pedals, keyboard, and other input options are
referred to as modulation controllers, MIDI controllers, or just controllers.