Programming Action

Subtractive Synthesis

FM Synthesis

• select VCO waveform (square, pulse, saw, triangle)
• set pulse width
• select the interval between oscillators
• set volume mix between oscillators

• select FM algorithm type
• select ratio between modulators and carriers
• set amount of modulation (modulator output level)
• select the interval between carriers
• set volume mix between carriers

• select sawtooth as VCO waveform

• select 1:1 as ratio between modulator and carrier

• select square as VCO waveform

• select 2:1 as ratio between modulator and carrier

• set an odd interval and detune between oscillators
• note: on standard subtractive synths, a completely unharmonic spectrum cannot be created

• set a non integer value for the modulator to carrier frequency ratio
• set an odd interval and detune value between carriers

• set a pure interval (octave, fifth) for the coarse pitch of the VCOs
• set very little or no detune between oscillators

• set an integer value for the modulator to carrier frequency ratio
• set a pure interval (octave, fifth) across carriers

• set one of the VCOs to "noise", or
  add "noise" to the mix stage

• set one of the modulators feedback to a high value
• on NI FM7, add "noise" from operator X

• if using a LPF or BPF type filter, open the cutoff

• increase the amount of modulation between modulators and carriers (= increase modulator output level)

• if using a LPF or BPF type filter, close the cutoff

• decrease the amount of modulation between modulators and carriers (= decrease modulator output level)
• on NI FM7, you can also close the cutoff of the LPF filter in operator Y

change the dynamic character over time
for example: make the dynamic character "percussive"

• set the following parameters of the VCA envelope (volume, amplitude) as follows:
  • Attack time > short
  • Sustain level > 0
  • Decay and Release: set adequate times (usually longer for decay, shorter for release)

• set the following parameters of the carrier envelopes as follows:
  • Attack time (Rate 1) > short (or as rate, fastest)
  • Sustain level (Level 3) > 0
  • Break Point (Level 2): set as desired
  • Decay and Release: set adequate times (R2, R3, R4)usually longer for decay, shorter for release)

• apply a modulator envelope to the VCF cutoff
• set the parameters of the VCF envelope (volume, amplitude) as follows:
  • Attack Time > short
  • Sustain Level > 0
  • Decay and Release: set adequate times (usually longer for Decay, shorter for Release)

• set the parameters of the modulator envelopes as follows:
  • Attack Time (Rate 1) > short (or as rate, fastest)
  • Sustain level (Level 3) > 0
  • Break Point (Level 2): set as desired
  • Decay (R2), Slope (R3) and Release (R4): set adequate times (usually longer for Decay, shorter for Release)

• set different ratios and different envelopes times for different modulators, so that they affect the carrier spectrum in different phases

• apply a modulation envelope to the VCO pitch
• set the envelope values as desired

• apply a modulation envelope to the carrier pitch
• set the envelope values as desired

• set the VCA envelope keyboard velocity to a positive value

• set the carrier(s) envelope keyboard velocity to a positive value

• apply a modulator envelope to the VCF cutoff
• set the VCF envelope keyboard velocity to a positive value

• set the modulator(s) envelope keyboard velocity to a positive value

• modulate the VCO pitch with an LFO, making sure the modulation amount does not exceed +/- 10-20 cents
• set the LFO wave to triangle
• set the mod. speed to about 4-6 Hz
• set an adequate amount of delay

• modulate the carrier pitch with an LFO, making sure the modulation amount does not exceed +/- 10-20 cents
• set the LFO wave to triangle
• set the mod. speed to about 4-6 Hz
• set an adequate amount of delay

• modulate the VCF cutoff with an LFO
• set the LFO wave to triangle or square
• set the mod. speed as desired
• set an adequate amount of delay (also 0 is OK)

• modulate the modulator output level with an LFO
• set the LFO wave to triangle or square
• set the mod. speed as desired
• set an adequate amount of delay (also 0 is OK)

• modulate the VCA amplitude with an LFO
• set the LFO wave to triangle or square
• set the mod. speed as desired
• set an adequate amount of delay (also 0 is OK)

• modulate the carrier output level with an LFO
• set the LFO wave to triangle or square
• set the mod. speed as desired
• set an adequate amount of delay (also 0 is OK)