Novation Supernova II, User Manual

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Referring to the graphic above we have Oscillator 3 doing the "Body" of the sound. We then have Oscillator 1 via env3 Modulating
Oscillator 1 for a small amount of time to simulate the effect of the beater. To hear just the body of the sound, press "osc3" in the
Oscillator Section & press "solo". - Make sure that the button "fm" under the 1*3 is NOT LIT. Play the master keyboard & listen to
the sound. You are hearing a softened square wave that is in fact a sine wave. Whilst playing the master keyboard press the "hard-
ness" button & slowly rotate the "Level" knob. Notice how the sound becomes harder. Turn the knob back to so that the soften
level is zero. Now press the "fm" button. You can hear the FM effect of Oscillator 1 coming in via envelope 3. The extra harmonics
are now audible at the start of the sound & it resembles a real Xylophone.
The amount of time that this FM is taking place is controlled by env3. env3 is allowing an amount of Oscillator 1 to FM Oscillator 3.
Experiment by selecting env3 in the Envelopes section & varying the decay time. Also Experiment with changing the pitch of Osc1.
To do this press the "osc1" button & turn the "oct/semi" or "cents" knob.
A general rule in FM synthesis is that the HIGHER THE FM MODULATION AMOUNT, THE HARDER OR BRIGHTER THE SOUND
BECOMES.
The real power of FM in the Supernova II Rack is the ability to "stack" programs into performances.
The Performance "FM Xylophone" in B025 is actually made from 2 programs. The program as described above (FMpt Xylo Lo) &
FMpt Xylo Hi. From the names you can work out which program is doing what part of the sound !!!!!
To hear the 2 programs together select Performance B025. This is a layer of the 2 programs.
In terms of Operators this sound will now look like this in block diagram form.
The Supernova II Racks effect section is arguably one of the most powerful in a synthesiser of this type today. With all this power it
is possible to obtain a level of production that was previously unattainable.
ProgA
Fmpt Xylo Lo
ProgB
Fmpt Xylo Hi
Osc3
Operator 1
Operator 2
Output
Osc1
Env3
Env1
Amplifier
Osc3
Operator 1
Operator 2
Osc1
Env3
Env1
Amplifier
ABOUT FM SYNTHESIS
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