55
The Envelopes
What’s an Envelope?
An envelope defines the shape of a modulation: how it begins, how it ends, and how big it will
be in the middle. Hydrasynth Deluxe has 5 envelopes that can be used to shape any available
parameter through the Mod Matrix. All 5 have identical parameters, so every description
applies equally to all.
Envelope features
ADSR plus
A Hydrasynth Deluxe envelope provides
the classic ADSR form factor (Attack, Decay,
Sustain, and Release). But they’ve been
enhanced with delay and hold stages, so
technically the form factor is DAHDSR.
Adjustable curves
The Attack, Decay, and Release segments have
curves that can be adjusted gradually from
Logarithmic to Linear to Exponential. They can
be snappy, lazy, or anything in-between. This
allows you to specify exactly how you want
the patch to proceed from start to finish.
Time-based segments
Envelopes can operate in one of two modes:
synchronized or unsynchronized. If the BPM
Sync option is On each segment can occupy
a specific rhythmic value. If the BPM Sync
option is Off the duration of each segment is
measured in seconds (or milliseconds). Every
envelope and segment will last exactly as long
as you want.
Note that the BPM Sync setting affects all
stages except Sustain, which is merely a level
(i.e., a place, not an event).
The wonderful thing about triggers
Hydrasynth Deluxe envelopes can be
triggered by as many as four sources once a
voice is active. Once it is triggered an envelope
can run freely (Freerun: On), reset with each
new note (Reset: On), or reset only if all other
notes have been released (Legato: On).
It’s easier to hear an envelope reset with a
monophonic patch than with a polyphonic
patch. For an example see the description of
.
Looping envelopes
Hydrasynth Deluxe envelopes can loop a
specific number of times or indefinitely.
Modulation and interaction
An envelope can be used as a modulation
source for any destination, and individual
envelope segments can be modulated
(shortened or lengthened) by LFOs or by other
envelopes.
Thanks to the Mod Matrix, envelopes and LFOs
can interact and evolve in a nearly infinite
number of ways. For a quick tip on how to do
this, see
at the end
of this chapter.
Envelopes 1 and 2
Hydrasynth Deluxe has pre-wired connections
linking ENV 1 to the Filters and ENV 2 to the
Amp module. This is because every sound has
amplitude and timbre, even if a distinct pitch
is not present. More envelopes can be routed
to these destinations as needed through