Reference Manual

466 Live Instrument Reference
Tension’s Filter section features a highly configurable multi-mode filter that sits between the
String and Body sections. In addition, the filter can be modulated by a dedicated envelope gen-
erator and low-frequency oscillator (LFO).
The filter’s chooser allows you to select the filter type. You can choose between 2nd and 4th
order low-pass, band-pass, notch, high-pass and formant filters.
The resonance frequency of the filter is adjusted with the Freq slider, while the amount of reso-
nance is adjusted with the Res control. When a formant filter is chosen in the chooser, the Res
control cycles between vowel sounds. The Freq and Res controls can each be modulated by
LFO, envelope or note pitch via the sliders below. Note that the LFO and Env sliders have no ef-
fect unless the Envelope and LFO subsections are enabled.
The Envelope generator is a standard ADSR (attack, decay, sustain, release). This section can be
toggled on or off via the switch next to its name.
The attack time is set with the Attack knob. This time can also be modulated by velocity via the
Vel slider below the knob. As you increase the Vel value, the attack time will become increas-
ingly shorter at higher velocities.
The time it takes for the envelope to reach the sustain level after the attack phase is set by the
Decay knob.
The Sustain knob sets the level at which the envelope will remain from the end of the decay
phase to the release of the key. When this knob is turned all the way to the left, there is no sustain
phase. With it turned all the way to the right, there is no decay phase. The sustain level can be
additionally modulated by velocity via the Vel slider below the knob. Higher values result in an
increased sustain level as the velocity increases.
Finally, the release time is set with the Release knob. This is the time it takes for the envelope to
reach zero after the key is released.
The LFO subsection provides an additional modulation source for the filter. This section can be
toggled on or off via the switch next to its name.
The waveform chooser sets the type of waveform used by the LFO. You can choose between
sine, triangle, rectangular and two types of random waveforms. The first random waveform steps
between random values while the second uses smoother ramps.
The Delay knob sets how long it will take for the LFO to start after the note begins, while Attack
sets how long it takes for the oscillator to reach its full amplitude.