OSCILLATOR SECTION
OSCILLATOR SELECT button
WAVEFORM
This section of DARKSTAR XP2 produces the musical tones which form the basis of subtractive synthesis. There
are two oscillators per ‘voice’ (musical note), each producing audible vibrations to act as a sound source. The
timbre of each oscillator depends on its harmonic content which is determined by the waveform. There are basically
two waveforms available, SAWTOOTH and SQUARE, each with its own specific set of harmonics.
Controls for changing the amount of modulation to the pitch timbre of the oscillators are also included in this
section. These timbral and pitch modulations give the oscillator sound more depth and stimulate musical appeal to
the ear.
This large button switches between oscillator 1 and 2. When the indicator is OFF, oscillator 1 will be selected.
When the indicator is ON, oscillator 2 will be selected.
This control has two functions determined by the [SHIFT] button.
When the [SHIFT] function is
(SHIFT LED Off) this control sets the selected oscillator’s waveform.
At the fully anti-clockwise position (
) the waveform will be shaped like a SAWTOOTH. This waveform contains
every harmonic in decreasing volume and produces a very rich sound. As the control is moved in a clockwise
direction the shape progressively changes, becoming more and more ‘squared-off’ until, at the fully clockwise
position (
) the shape will be a SQUARE or ‘pulse’ waveform. As a pure square wave (max and min values equal)
the harmonic content will be all the odd-numbered harmonics in decreasing volume which gives the sound a hollow
or ‘woody’ timbre. The width of the pulse can also be altered by the [PULSE WIDTH] knob to make the sound
thinner.
When the [SHIFT] function is selected (SHIFT LED Flashing) this control sets the amount of oscillator 2 pitch
offset. This detune setting is calibrated in semitones with the eight indicators labelled [OSC 2 SEMITONE OFFSET]
showing the value, as in the following example:
(OSC 2 PITCH)
NOT selected
,
,
Example:
Oscillator 2 pitch offset =
12 semitones (1 octave)
Press once
before changing
the setting
SHIFT
OSC 2 SEMITONE OFFSET
17
16
19
24
12
7
5
0
PITCH MOD
WAVEFORM
WAVEFORM
PWM
ring mod
osc mix
DETUNE
PULSE WIDTH
Oscillators
Osc 1
Osc 2
OSC 2 PITCH
SHIFT
OSC 2 SEMITONE OFFSET
17
16
19
24
12
7
5
0
Oscillators
Osc 1
Osc 2
OSC 2 PITCH
10
PA
G
E
Operation
DARKSTAR XP2 - Poly Synth