User Guide

79
English
At the maximum value (100%), the lter frequency moves in semitone steps with the notes
– i.e., the lter tracks the pitch changes in a 1:1 ratio (e.g., when playing two notes an octave
apart, the lter cut off frequency will also change by one octave). When set Off, the lter
frequency remains constant, whatever note(s) are played.
Overdrive
The lter section includes a dedicated drive (or distortion) generator; the Overdrive control
34
adjusts the degree of distortion treatment applied to the signal. The drive is added before the
lter.
The Envelope section
Circuit Mono Station generates an envelope each time a note is played, which can be used to
modify the synth sound in various ways. The envelope controls are based on the familiar ADSR
concept.
TIME
KEY "ON" KEY "OFF"
VOLUME
ATTACK DECAY RELEASE
SUSTAIN
TIME
KEY "ON" KEY "OFF"
VOLUME
TIME
KEY "ON" KEY "OFF"
VOLUME
TIME
KEY "ON" KEY "OFF"
VOLUME
ATTACK DECAY
RELEASE
SUSTAIN
SUSTAIN
RATE
TIME
KEY "ON" KEY "OFF"
VOLUME
ATTACK DECAY
RELEASE
SUSTAIN
SUSTAIN TIME
TIME
KEY "ON" KEY "OFF"
VOLUME
ATTACK DECAY RELEASE
SUSTAIN
TIME
KEY "ON" KEY "OFF"
VOLUME
ATTACK DECAY RELEASE
SUSTAIN
TIME
KEY "ON" KEY "OFF"
FILTER
CUT-OFF
The ADSR envelope can be most easily visualised by considering the amplitude (volume) of
a note over time. The envelope describing the “lifetime” of a note can be split into four distinct
phases:
• Attack – the time it takes for the note to increase from zero (e.g., when the note is
triggered) to its maximum level. A long attack time produces a “fade-in” effect.
• Decay – the time it takes for the note to drop in level from the maximum value reached at
the end of the attack phase to a new level, dened by the Sustain parameter.
• Sustain – this is an amplitude value, and represents the volume of the note after the
initial attack and decay phases – i.e., while a pad is still being pressed if playing in real
time. Setting a low value of Sustain can give a very short, percussive effect (providing the
attack and decay times are short).
• Release – This is the time it takes for the note’s volume to drop back to zero after the
pad is released. A high value of Release will cause the sound to remain audible (though
diminishing in volume) after the pad is released.
Although the above discusses ADSR in terms of volume – that is, Modulation of Amplitude, note
that Circuit Mono Station lets you use the Envelope to modulate several other synth parameters
as well, using the Modulation Matrix. This is discussed in more detail at page 82.