User Manual

SPECTRALIS 2

3.2.6 Changing the volume envelopes

Envelopes make it possible to change a volume progression of a sound. Some

sounds resonate percussively, like the noise of a hammer being hit on a metal

plate, or may take a couple of seconds to reach maximum volume, like for

instance a Philicorda Organ when a volume pedal is pressed slowly. Sounds

can end apruptly just after releasing a key on your keyboard or can end slowly

like the Sound of a piano-wire when the sustain pedal is used.

When changing the envelope of the DSP-synth it is important to note:

The maximum duration of the sound with non-looped samples is dependent on the

length of the sample. There is no point to set the release time of an envelope to a high

value, if you’re using the sound of a champagne cork or a click as your sound. The

sound won’t get any longer, no matter how hard you try ;-). Similarly shortening the

attack time of the envelope will not speed up a sample with a slow fade-in at the

beginning.

Tip:

In order for you to hear the changes of an envelope directly just start any

pattern, select the desired part as described above and solo it. While

solo’ing is not necessary it makes it much easier to hear the full range of

the soundchanges.

Next push the encoder-button (EG-Balance) in the "VCA"-section on the front-

panel. This will open the following menu:

Volume Envelope

Att:0 Dcy:90 Stn:0 Rls:90

You now are able to control the envelope curve of the sound:

Att: Attack Time

Here you can determine how fast a Sound will reach maximum volume.

Dcy Decay Time

Adjust how fast the volume decreases to sustain level.

Stn: Sustain Level

The parameter ”Sustain” has nothing to do with timing input, but rather

is the level sustained after completion of the decay phase while a key is

being held down. This parameter is meaningless for short ”One-Shot”-

samples, as the sample often has decreased too much in volume by the

time it reaches the sustain level. For drum sounds it is usually best to set

the sustain level to 0 and to control the envelope with the attack and

decay phase.

Rls: Release Time

The release time is the time elapsed between letting releasing a key and

the complete disappearance of the sound.

Editing DSP-synth sounds - Volume envelopes