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The Voice Module
Technically the Voice module isn’t in the signal path, so it isn’t located in the Module Select
section of the top panel. But its functions have a significant impact. Many settings related to the
playability and performance of the patch are found here.
Voice Parameters: page 1
Control knob Parameter
Range
Description
1
Polyphony
Poly, Mono, MonoLo,
MonoHi, Unison,
UnisonLo, UnisonHi
Sets polyphony mode, note priority
2
Density
1-16
Density of voices in Unison modes
3
Detune
0-127
Detune amount in Unison modes
4
Analog Feel
0-127
Adjusts parameter drift (see below)
5
Random Phase Off, On
Toggles random phase per voice
6
Stereo Mode
Rotate, Alter, Random Stereo voice allocation (see below)
7
Stereo Width
0-127
Stereo dispersion for Unison and Poly
modes. Has no effect on Mono mode.
8
Warm Mode
Off, On
Simulates a “warm” frequency curve
Polyphony settings
It’s possible to stack all 16 voices on one note
in Single mode, if you like. But keep in mind
that a unison patch with a Density value of
9+ voices will be changed to 8 voices auto-
matically when used in Multi mode. This is the
maximum number of voices available for each
part.
There are seven settings here, but they fall into
three main groups:
Poly, Mono, Unison
The Poly setting allows all 16 of the
Hydrasynth Deluxe voices to trigger indepen-
dently. When the ribbon is set to Theremin
mode, one voice is reserved for that purpose
and the other 15 are available from the
keyboard.
Mono and Unison modes are monophonic;
they only allow you to play one note from the
keyboard.
Lo, Hi, or both
Both Mono and Unison modes have additional
Lo- and Hi- options. Here’s the difference:
• Lo (low note priority): The only way to
trigger a new note is to play one below the
held note.
• Hi (high note priority): The only way to
trigger a new note is to play one above the
held note.
• If an option doesn’t say “Lo” or “Hi”, it’s both:
A new note can be triggered by any note
above or below the held note.
Density & Detune
The Density and Detune parameters are only
active when one of the Unison modes is
selected. Density sets the number of voices
that are triggered by the monophonic note.
Detune offsets the tuning of each of those
voices equally within the range set by the
Detune value.
Random Phase
Part of what breathes life into the sound of an
analog synth is that its oscillators are always
running; waveforms could be anywhere in
their cycles when they are triggered. It’s the
nature of their circuits; they must be told to
reset. This parameter emulates that behavior
by telling the digital oscillators not to reset
their phase to 0° when they are triggered.