User Manual

38
THE ENVELOPES
What’s an Envelope?
An envelope denes the shape of a modulation: how it begins, how it ends, and how big it will be in
the middle. Hydrasynth Explorer has 5 envelopes that can be used to shape any available parameter
through the Mod Matrix. All 5 have identical parameters, so every description applies equally to all.
Envelope features
ADSR plus
A Hydrasynth envelope provides the classic ADSR
form factor (Attack, Decay, Sustain, and Release).
But they’ve been enhanced with delay and hold
stages, so technically the form factor is DAHDSR.
Adjustable curves
The Attack, Decay, and Release segments have
curves that can be adjusted gradually from
Logarithmic to Linear to Exponential. They can be
snappy, lazy, or anything in-between. This allows
you to specify exactly how you want the patch to
proceed from start to nish.
Time-based segments
Envelopes can operate in one of two modes:
synchronized or unsynchronized. If the BPM Sync
option is On each segment can occupy a specic
rhythmic value. If the BPM Sync option is O the
duration of each segment is measured in seconds
(or milliseconds). Every envelope and segment will
last exactly as long as you want.
Note that the BPM Sync setting aects all stages
except Sustain, which is merely a level (i.e., a place,
not an event).
The wonderful thing about triggers
Hydrasynth envelopes can be triggered by as many
as four sources once a voice is active. Once it is
triggered an envelope can run freely (Freerun: On),
reset with each new note (Reset: On), or reset only
if all other notes have been released (Legato: On).
It’s easier to hear an envelope reset with a mono-
phonic patch than with a polyphonic patch. For an
example see the description of Reset (p. 40).
Looping envelopes
Hydrasynth envelopes can loop a specic number
of times or indenitely.
Modulation and interaction
An envelope can be used as a modulation source
for any destination, and individual envelope
segments can be modulated (shortened or
lengthened) by LFOs or by other envelopes.
Thanks to the Mod Matrix, envelopes and LFOs can
interact and evolve in a nearly innite number of
ways. For a quick tip on how to do this, see Envelope
Shortcuts (p. 41) at the end of this chapter.
Envelopes 1 and 2
Hydrasynth Explorer has pre-wired connections
linking ENV 1 to the Filters and ENV 2 to the
Amp module. This is because every sound has
amplitude and timbre, even if a distinct pitch is
not present. More envelopes can be routed to
these destinations as needed through The Mod
Matrix (p. 61).
Envelope parameters: page 1
Control Parameter Range Description
1 Attack [1] After delay period, the time Env takes to reach full amplitude
2 Decay [2] After hold period, the time Env takes to reach sustain level
3 Sustain 0.0 to 128.0 The resting level prior to note o
4 Release [2] The time Env takes to reach the zero point after note o
[1] BPM = O: 0 ms to 36.0 seconds; BPM = On: 0, 1/64T to 64’ (16 measures)
[2] BPM = O: 0 ms to 60.0 seconds; BPM = On: 0, 1/64T to 64’ (16 measures)
To set the length of an envelope segment quickly: While on page 1, hold [SHIFT] and press the
appropriate Control button for the desired length of time. This works with BPM On or Off.