Hammond Sk PRO, Reference Manual

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MONO SYNTH Voice Section
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OSCILLATOR controls
An Oscillator is the basic sound-producing unit of an analog synthesizer. There are
several different types which produce different waveforms having different harmonic
structures. These in turn can be manipulated in various ways to produce a wide
variety of different musical effects.
The MONO SYNTH on the SK PRO follows the pattern of classic analog synthesizers.
“Mono” is an abbreviation for “monophonic,” meaning if multiple notes are played
on the keyboard, only one note will sound.
OSCILLATOR TYPE
The SK PRO has 6 audio oscillator settings which can be manipulated to produce a wide variety of tones. These
are explained starting below.
DUO
This setting utilizes two different pitched Oscillators. The first Oscillator (OSC1) sounds at “true pitch,” while
the second Oscillator (OSC2) can be transposed up or down by one (1) octave in half-step increments. If the
OSC2 LEVEL is set to 0, only OSC1 will sound. This Oscillator type is useful for Bass, Lead and“chord”effects.
UNISON
This setting utilizes from one to seven Oscillators, one of which can be detuned against the other. It can be used
for celeste, chorus, or other purposely “out-of-tune” effects.
PULSE
A Pulse (or rectangular) waveform has a variable width known as the “duty cycle.” The sound can be modified
by changing the pulse width or duty cycle. For example, a duty cycle of 50% will produce a clarinet-like sound
while a duty cycle of 6% will yield a bright, brass-like tone quality.
SYNC
This setting utilizes two Oscillators which synchronize against each other to produce overtone effects.
FM
This setting utilizes two Oscillators or“operators. OSC1 is the“carrier tone” and OSC2 is the “modulating tone.”
You can create both “harmonic” and “inharmonic” tonal effects.
Adjusting the OSC2 pitch down creates wind-instrument sounds such as flute, brass, etc., while adjusting the
OSC2 pitch up is suitable for bell-like or“metallic” tones.
Setting the FB (feedback) at Half allows you to create string-type tones while Full is useful for unpitched or
“noise”-type tones.
NOISE
This setting creates unpitched sounds or“noise.
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The sound changes from “noise
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to “random pitched tones
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by
controlling the sampling rate. A high sampling rate creates “seashore” type effects, a slightly lower rate yields a
“noisy percussion,
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and a still lower rate creates effects suggestive of a“retro science-fiction movie.” This setting
utilizes two different pitched Oscillators similar to Duo.
OSCILLATOR PITCH & DEPTH sliders
These two sliders modify the selected Oscillator waveform.
NOTE: The DEPTH slider may have different functions depending on which Oscillator is selected.
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SK PRO Reference Guide