User Manual

97
Prophet X User’s Guide
Modulation Techniques
7. Use soft knob 2 to scroll through the various mod sources and choose
lfo 3.
8. Use soft knob 3 to set the amount to -20.
9. Use soft knob 4 to scroll through the various mod destinations and
choose cutoff r.
10. Hold a chord and notice how the sound moves as the cutoff frequency
changes on the left and right channels of the lter.
11. Increase the lter resonance to make the effect more dramatic.
Creating Sounds Using FM (Frequency Modulation)
Frequency modulation is a technique where the frequency of one oscil-
lator modulates another oscillator, producing complex harmonics. This
is how instruments such as the DX7 produced its sounds. In classic FM
instruments, sine waves were used. But because the mod matrix makes
it possible to route any of the Prophet X sound sources to each other
(including sampled instruments), the sonic possibilities are even greater.
To create sounds using frequency modulation:
1. Recall the Basic Program. (See previous examples if necessary.)
2. In the Mixer, turn up Oscillator 2 to 127.
3. Turn Oscillator 1 level down to 0. (Because we’re going to use it as a
mod source, we don’t actually want to hear it.)
4. In the oscillators section, set both oscillators to sine.
5. In the modulation section, press the assign source button. Use soft
knob 1 to scroll to the rst available mod slot.
6. Use soft knob 2 to scroll through the various mod sources and choose
osc 1.
7. Use soft knob 4 to scroll through the various mod destinations and
choose osc 2 freq.
8. Now, repeatedly play a note and listen to what happens while you use
soft knob 3 to slowly increase the modulation amount to 127. The
sound becomes more gong/bell-like.