PROGRAMMING SOUNDS
In this section of the manual, the function of each of the six controls per channel,
provided for the purpose of programming the “variable” pre-set, is explained by
relating their effect to the individual components of an acoustic drum sound.
These controls, from top to bottom, are:
FILTER, PITCH, BEND, DECAY, BALANCE and CLICK.
However, for the purposes of programming a drum sound, these controls should be
used in the following order:
(1)
PITCH
:
The drum sounds produced by the SDS 8 are compiled from a
controlled blend of “tone” and “noise”. A conventional drum head vibrates at a
certain pitch depending upon the tension and size of the drum head. The “Pitch”
control of the SDS 8 enables tuning from a six inch tom-tom to a large timpani.
(2)
FILTER
:
The sound of any drum contains a lot of noise, the pitch or
brightness of which falls as the drum sound decays. The “filter” control sets the
overall brightness of the noise content.
(3)
BALANCE:
The relative levels of the “tone” and noise components of the
sound are set by this control. A timp would require a lot of noise and a tabla very
little.
(4)
BEND:
As a conventional drum is struck, the skin stretches, thus the
pitch starts somewhat higher than the actual tuned note of the drum. As the sound
decays, the head relaxes therefore, the pitch drops. The intensity of this effect is
controlled by “Bend” in the “Down” range of its function. When used to bend the
sound “Up”, tabla like sounds can be constructed along with an infinite variety of
interesting percussive effects.
(5)
CLICK:
Striking the plastic head of a conventional drum generates a
very loud but short burst of noise. This is represented by the “Click” control of the
SDS 8 and can be adjusted in level relative to the actual body of the drum sound. If
the drum head in question was a calf skin head, the click would be duller than the
bright smack of a plastic head. The brightness of the click is simultaneously affected
by the “Filter” control.
(6)
DECAY
:
Finally, the drum sound dies away completely. A conventional
drum will have a decay characteristic dependant upon head size, tension and damping.
Thus, a timpani will have a long sound and a bongo a short sound. The decay control
of the SDS 8 is used to set this parameter.
While this is the easiest way to describe the functions of these controls, we suggest
that you treat the SDS 8 as an instrument in its own right and program sounds that you
like rather than consciously trying to emulate conventional drum sounds. In short –0
HAVE FUN!
