Specifications

SUBTRACTOR SYNTHESIZER
102
D In Octave steps
The range is 0 - 9. The default setting is 4 (where “A” above middle “C” on
your keyboard generates 440 Hz).
D In Semitone steps
Allows you to raise the frequency in 12 semitone steps (1 octave).
D In Cent steps (100th of a semitone)
The range is -50 to 50 (down or up half a semitone).
Oscillator Keyboard Tracking
Oscillator 1 has a button named “Kbd. Track”. If this is switched off, the oscilla-
tor pitch will remain constant, regardless of any incoming note pitch messages,
although the oscillator still reacts to note on/off messages. This can be useful for
certain applications:
D When Frequency Modulation (FM - see page 104) or Ring Modula-
tion (see page 105) is used.
This produces enharmonic sounds with very varying timbre across the key-
board.
D For special effects and non-pitched sounds (like drums or percus-
sion) that should sound the same across the keyboard.
Using Oscillator 2
You activate Osc 2 by clicking the button next to the text “Osc 2“. Setting oscil-
lator frequency and keyboard tracking is identical to Oscillator 1.
Adding a second oscillator enables many new modulation possibilities which
can produce richer timbres. A basic example is to slightly detune (+/– a few
cents) one of the oscillators. This slight frequency offset causes the oscillators
to “beat” against each other, producing a wider and richer sound. Also, by com-
bining two different waveforms, and adding frequency or ring modulation, many
new timbres can be created.
Oscillator Mix
The Osc Mix knob determines the output balance between Osc 1 and Osc 2. To
be able to clearly hear both oscillators, the “Osc Mix” knob should be set some-
where around the center position. If you turn the Mix knob fully to the left, only
Osc 1 will be heard, and vice versa. [Command]/[Ctrl]-clicking the knob sets the
Mix parameter to center position.
Oscillator 2 Waveform
The waveform alternatives for Oscillator 2 are identical to those of Oscillator 1.
However, the Noise Generator provides a third sound generating source (in ad-
dition to the two oscillators) in Subtractor, and could be regarded as an “extra”
waveform for Oscillator 2, as it is internally routed to the Oscillator 2 output. See
below for a description of the Noise Generator.