User Manual

When talking about musical instruments, tuning systems are the method
used to determine which frequencies or pitches an instrument is able to play.
Subharmonicon’s sequencer section is unique in its ability to easily work within
two dierent tuning systems: just intonation (JI) and equal temperament (ET).
Just intonation is an older approach to generating musical scales based around
whole number ratios (i.e. the harmonic series). So, if we wanted to work in the
“just scale” of C major, we’d be determining our note values based on whole
number fractions related to C’s frequency (e.g. C=1/1, D=9/8, E=5/4, F=4/3,
G = 3/2, A=5/3, B=15/8, C=2/1, etc.). Working in just intonation becomes
complicated when you want to play music in more than one key. Because a just scale’s note values are
based around a root note’s frequency, the moment you try and modulate to a dierent key, all of your
notes will sound incorrect since they were derived from the original root note; this is when the idea of
a temperament becomes important. A temperament is a tuning system that compromises the pure
intervals of just intonation in order to achieve better harmonic relationships between diering keys.
The most commonly used temperament is equal temperament.
Equal temperament is based around the idea of dividing an octave into 12 evenly spaced semitones,
so that scale intervals will be the same in any key. This creates scales in which all intervals are imperfect
(when compared to just intonation) but still tolerable to the ear, and by making all the note values
equally ‘incorrect’ you can easily write music that jumps between keys without needing to retune
your instrument. Equal temperament has been the standard tuning system in western music since
the 18th century, and is what most people will consider as sounding “in tune,” despite the fact that
just intonation is technically more in tune due to its basis in the harmonic series.
As a listening exercise, try building up a complex chord using the VCO FREQ and SUB FREQ
knobs, and use the QUANTIZE button to listen to how your chord voicing changes with the dierent
quantization settings. One aspect that should be especially noticeable in just intonation, is the lack
of frequency beating typically heard in minor chords.
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EXPLORING YOUR SUBHARMONICON (Continued)
SUMMARY
UNDERSTANDING TUNING SYSTEMS & TEMPERAMENT
In this exploration of your Subharmonicon, we have used only one VCO, one subharmonic oscillator,
one sequencer, and two rhythm generators — working with each to become familiar with how they
contribute to your overall sound.
This is only scratching at the surface of the sound design potential and rhythmic phrases that are
possible within this instrument once all of its oscillators, sequencers, and rhythm generators are
dialed up. We hope that this exercise provides you with a foundation from which you can continue
your experimentations.
Keep in mind that Subharmonicon is a performance instrument. Changing the rhythm generator
assignment in real time, using the RESET button, pushing the SEQ ASSIGN buttons, and tweaking
the filter controls and mix levels can result in an engaging and fluid electronic music event.