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Oscillators Modifiers
Argon8 features 8 oscillator modifiers to change how the oscillators cross modulate each
other. In all of the modifiers Wave 1 is the carrier and Wave 2 is the modulator.
•
Phase Modulation
Effect:
The phase of Wave 1’s oscillators are modulated by Wave 2’s, distorting the shape
of the waveform and producing complex frequencies. Phase Modulation is an expanded
version of “FM” found on our CRAFTsynth range
Control:
Controls the Phase Modulation depth (how much Wave 2 affects the phase of
Wave 1).
Tip:
For more harmonic results it is recommended to set Wave 2’s detune value to either
Octaves or Fifths. For complex waveforms the sound can get extreme fairly quickly, in
these cases a lesser PM depth is recommended.
•
Ring Modulation
Effect:
Wave 1’s oscillators are multiplied with Wave 2’s causing new frequencies (known
as sidebands) to be produced that are the sum and difference of those in the original
signals.
Control:
Crossfades between the Dry and Ring Modulated signal on Wave 1.
Tip:
For more harmonic results it is recommended to set Wave 2’s detune value to either
Octaves or Fifths. For sounds more akin to Amplitude Modulation set the crossfade value
at halfway.
•
Amp Modulation:
Effect:
Applies amplitude modulation to Wave 1 and Wave 2’s oscillators producing
new frequencies known as sidebands whilst retaining the original frequencies of the
wavetables
Control:
Crossfades between the dry and amplitude modulated signals
Tip:
Use ratios such as fifths and octaves for the most harmonic results
•
Hard Sync:
Effect:
Oscillator sync is performed on Wave 1, with a sharp jump occurring at the phase
reset. Wave 1 is synced to an internal master counter tracking the current playing note,
with the slave frequency being controlled via the “Osc Mod” control. This allows sync
effects to be created without having to use Wave 2’s tuning
Control:
Controls the sync slave playback rate (how much faster Wave 1’s audible
oscillators are playing back in relation to the master counter).
Tip:
This style of Sync is the version found on many synthesisers and works best on
harmonically rich waves, for classic kinds of synced sounds try using this effect on the
Square and Sawtooth waves (Wave Bank = 1, Wave 1 CC = 94 or 127).
Oscillator Modifiers
•
Wind Sync:
Effect:
Oscillator sync is performed on Wave 1, with an amplitude window applied
over the waveform to smooth the jump at the phase reset. Wave 1 is synced to an
internal master counter tracking the current playing note, with the slave frequency being
controlled via the “Osc Mod” control. This allows sync effects to be created without
having to use Wave 2’s tuning.
(Note: As the window is always applied to the waveform, this modifier will have an
impact on the sound regardless of whether the control is set to zero, this can act like
filtering with waveforms that have a lot of variation towards their edges).
Control:
Controls the sync playback rate (how much faster wave 1’s audible oscillators
are playing in relation to the master counter).
Tip:
Window Sync is particularly useful for smooth sync effects on simple waveforms.
•
Shaper:
Effect:
Crossfades between several subtle waveshaping distortion curves which are
applied to wave 1, producing varying harmonics and altering the shape of the base
wavetable
Control:
Controls which shaping curve is being applied.
•
Inverter:
Effect:
Inverts the phase of the the wavetable (i.e inverts a positive value to a negative
and vice versa), which can create sharp discontinuities in the waveform
Control:
: Controls where in the wavetable to apply the phase inversion
Tip:
The effect tends to be strongest when the wavetable value to invert is furthest away
from the zero crossing of the wavetables
•
Sync RM:
Effect:
Applies classic two oscillator Hard Sync, where Wave 1’s oscillators are slaved to
Wave 2’s oscillators frequency, with blend-able ring modulation of the master and slave
also possible.
Control:
Crossfades between the dry and amplitude modulated signals
Tip:
As the Oscillators are Synced, inharmonic tuning ratios between Wave 1 and Wave 2
can be set but the output will remain harmonically linked
