Nord Stage v3.1x
6. The Instruments: The Synth section
Page 37
P
ULSE
The pulse wave contains only odd numbered harmonics (3, 5, 7 etc.)at 50% pulse width (square
wave). This waveform is special in that its harmonic content can be varied continuously, by adjusting
the pulse width (PWM).
The
T
IMBRE
knob controls the pulse width of the pulse wave, from 50% (square wave) to 99%. You
can modulate the Timbre using Morph (see
), Velocity or Mod Envelope. This waveform is
suitable for many type of sounds and has a more “hollow” character than the Sawtooth wave.
P
ULSE
F
IXED
TIME
A normal pulse wave has a pulse width adjusted relative to the wavelength, usually in % (see above).
The Pulse Fixed Time algorithm instead generates a pulse wave where the pulse width is adjusted in
absolute time values (with the
T
IMBRE
knob), i.e. the pulse width is constant over the keyboard. This
results in a spectrum with fixed formants, similar to the character of many acoustic instruments.
The waveform in itself is not different from the normal Pulse algorithm, but it behaves differently
over the keyboard range.
T
RIANGLE
The triangle waveform has only odd numbered and not very strong harmonics. It is suitable for flute
and similar sounds.
The pure square wave: a pulse
wave with 50% pulse width.
The frequency spectrum of a pure square wave. The
signal contains only odd harmonics.
The pulse wave at 10% pulse
width.
The pulse wave at 5% pulse width.
The narrower the pulse width, the more harmonics
are present in the frequency spectrum.
The frequency spectrum at 10% pulse width. Now,
also even harmonics are gradually introduced mak-
ing the sound “sharper” but also “thin-
ner”.
