User Manual

MALSTRÖM SYNTHESIZER
(RECORD+REASON)
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Polyphony - setting the number of voices
This lets you set the polyphony for the Malström. Polyphony is the number of voices it can play simultaneously. The
maximum number is 16 and the minimum is 1, in which case the Malström will be monophonic.
! The number of voices you can play depends of course on the capacity of your computer. Even though the max-
imum number is 16 it doesn’t necessarily mean that your system is capable of using that many voices. Also
note that voices do not consume CPU capacity unless they are really “used”. That is, if you are using a patch
that plays two voices but have polyphony set to four, the two “unused” voices do not consume any of your sys-
tem resources.
Porta (portamento)
This is used for controlling portamento. This is a parameter that makes the pitch glide between the notes you play,
rather than changing the pitch instantly as soon as you hit a key on your keyboard. By turning this knob you set how
long it should take for the pitch to glide from one note to the next as you play them.
With the knob turned all the way to the left, portamento is disabled.
Legato
By clicking this button you activate/deactivate Legato. Legato in Malström is unique in that it allows you to control
whether the sound is monophonic or polyphonic by using your playing style:
D If you play legato (hold down a key and then press another key without releasing the previous), the sound is
monophonic.
Also note that the pitch changes, but the envelopes do not start over. That is, there will be no new “attack”.
D If you play non-legato (separated notes), with polyphony set to more voices than 1, each note will decay sepa-
rately (polyphonic).
This will be most apparent with longer release times.