3.5

281MainStage Instruments
ES M is divided into several areas.
• Oscillator parameters: The oscillator Mix and Octave parameters are shown in the area
to the left. The oscillator generates the basic waveforms that form the basis of your
sound. See MainStage ESM oscillator parameters.
• Filter and filter envelope parameters: The section to the right of the Oscillator
parameters includes the Cutoff (frequency) and Resonance knobs. The filter is used
to contour the waveforms sent from the oscillators. The filter envelope parameters are
found toward the upper right. These control the filter cutoff over time. See MainStage
ESM filter and filter envelope.
• Output parameters: The angle-shaped area to the lower right contains the level
envelope and output parameters, which control the level of the sound over time.
The Overdrive knob is located near the right edge of the interface, halfway up. The
Overdrive can be used to color or add bite to the sound. See MainStage ESM envelope
and output controls.
• Extended parameters: Not shown in the image, the extended parameters are accessed
by clicking the triangle at the lower left of the interface. These parameters include bend
and tuning functions. See MainStage ESM extended parameters.
MainStage ESM oscillator parameters
The synthesizer oscillator is used to generate a waveform, which is then sent to other
portions of the synthesizer engine for processing or manipulation.
Oscillator parameters
• Mix knob: Set the waveform of the oscillator, which is responsible for the basic color of
the tone.
• Setting the Wave parameter all the way to the left causes the oscillator to output
sawtooth signals.
• Setting the Wave parameter all the way to the right outputs a 50% rectangular wave,
which is heard one octave below the sawtooth.
• For any Wave setting between these extreme positions, the oscillator outputs a
crossfaded mix of the two waveforms.