background image

A typical synthesizer will have a signal flow-chart 

similar to the one pictured below. 

To start, let’s understand the fundamentals.

Oscillator 

(

➝ 

P. 9)

OSC

This is the basis of the sound, where the waveform and pitch are selected. It is indeed 

the heart and soul of a synthesizer. On analog synthesizers, it is called the VCO

(*1)

. A VCO is 

a sound generator capable of changing frequency through changes in voltage. The SH-201 

has two oscillators (OSC1 and OSC2). It’s like having two synthesizers in one.

AMP

Sound generated in OSC and processed through the FILTER is amplified here. 

On analog synthesizers, it is called the VCA

(*3)

. The VCA is used to change 

the volume (level) of sound signal through changes in voltage.

FILTER

This is where the sound signal generated from the OSC is processed through the emphasis 

and rejection of a selected frequency range. On analog synthesizers, it is called the VCF

(*2)

A VCF is used to continuously change the characteristics of a filter (cutoff frequency) 

through changes in voltage. The SH-201 houses three separate filters, each designed 

for a specific purpose.

Low Frequency Oscillator 

(

➝ 

P. 15)

LFO

This is a sound generator capable of producing low frequencies. On analog 

synthesizers, it is also called the LFO

(*4)

. The LFO affects the OSC, FILTER, and 

AMP individually as it adds modulation. LFO is a “must have” for producing 

synthesizer-like effects.

Envelope Generator 

(

➝ 

P. 10, 12, 13)

ENV

An envelope generator controls the initiation and termination of sounds. 

On analog synthesizers, it is also called ENV

(*5)

. Every time you play 

the keyboard, ENV affects the volume and timbre on OSC, FILTER, and AMP 

individually as it processes its time-varied elements.

time

Key-on

Key-off

cutoff frequency

A

D

S

DEPTH

R

Low Pass Filter

High Pass Filter

Band Pass Filter

Key-on

Key-off

time

A

D

S

R

volume

A

D

time

DEPTH

Key-on

pitch

LPF

BPF

PITCH ENV

FILTER ENV

AMP ENV

HPF

Examples of LFO

LFO

applied to OSC

applied to FILTER

applied to AMP

Vibrato

WahWah (Growl)

Tremolo

Examples of ENV

ENV

applied to OSC

applied to FILTER

applied to AMP

Pitch becomes higher or lower

Sound becomes brighter or darker

Sound becomes louder or softer 

(*1) Voltage Controlled Oscillator  (*2) Voltage Controlled Flter  (*3) Voltage Controlled Amplifier

(*4) Low Frequency Oscillator  (*5) Envelope Generator

2

Chapter

The Basic Structure of a Synthesizer

Audio signals

Control signals

(

➝ 

P. 11)

(

➝ 

P. 13)

frequency

partials which are cut

level

frequency

level

partials which are cut

frequency

level

partials which are cut

Once considered relics, analog synthesizers are attracting attention once again. 

The simple and easy-to-understand OSC 

➝ 

FILTER 

➝ 

AMP structure enables real-time control 

to achieve dynamic sound variation. Moving knobs and faders to create your own unique sound can 

be a very exciting experience indeed. The SH-201 is recommended not only for keyboardists, 

but for any artist or producer who desires a new outlet for creativity expression.

Analog Synthesizer

OSC 2

OSC 1

MIX/
MOD

FILTER

PITCH

ENV

FILTER

ENV

AMP

ENV

LFO 1

LFO 2

AMP

5

6

2

Chapter

The Basic Structure 

of a Synthesizer

Содержание SH-201

Страница 1: ...WE DESIGN THE FUTURE Creating Sounds with Fun and Ease Synthesizer 101 Learning the SH 201 ...

Страница 2: ...gically designed to teach the basics of synthesis External input for manipulating external audio from CD MP3 players etc Built in delay reverb and overdrive effects USB port for audio MIDI connection to computer VSTi Editor software included for computer integration 1 2 1 Chapter 2 Chapter Introduction The Basic Structure of a Synthesizer 3 Chapter 4 Chapter Let s Play The Function of Controls 5 C...

Страница 3: ...s was Roland s first full digital synthesizer and one of the best selling models The D 50 was a worldwide sensation due to its operating ease and stunning sound Even though this is synthesis at its friendliest the SH 201 is no toy With two beefy analog modeling oscillators complete with Roland s famous Supersaw waveform and resonant filter this little synth can blow down doors Combining stunning d...

Страница 4: ...rols the initiation and termination of sounds On analog synthesizers it is also called ENV 5 Every time you play the keyboard ENV affects the volume and timbre on OSC FILTER and AMP individually as it processes its time varied elements time Key on Key off cutoff frequency A D S DEPTH R Low Pass Filter High Pass Filter Band Pass Filter Key on Key off time A D S R volume A D time DEPTH Key on pitch ...

Страница 5: ... B 4 B 5 B 6 B 7 B 8 A 1 A 2 A 3 A 4 A 5 A 6 A 7 A 8 NUMBER 1 8 BANK A D PRESET GROUP read only USER GROUP rewritable The SH 201 lets you create sound while listening to it in real time by moving knobs and sliders At this stage it is okay if you don t know how each control affects the sounds Don t worry because you will get a hang of it as you continue with this text A total of 64 patches can be s...

Страница 6: ...sionless To hear how the sound changes with each step play the keyboard after each process F irst determine the waveform to use as the source of the sound Play the keyboard with your left hand while switching waveforms with the WAVE button Listen to the differences in the sound of each waveform as you play the keyboard N ext let s determine the pitch Playing the keyboard with one hand while turnin...

Страница 7: ...act that most of the sound frequencies have been filtered out and rejected N ext turn the RESONANCE knob Turn it all the way left MIN then gradually rightward to MAX It will start to resonate yielding a colorful howling sound On a piano its initial sound would include most of the harmonics that generates bright sound Afterward the sound would fade gradually as a decrease in harmonics will result i...

Страница 8: ...und analog lead sound set it up to play monophonically single note at a time by pressing the SOLO button I n this set up when you play a key while playing another key timbre will remain unchanged but the pitch will change SOLO LEGATO This effect is similar to the trill technique used in string instruments Moving right along let s set the portamento control The portamento is an effect where the tra...

Страница 9: ...sing the SHAPE button Additionally turning the RATE knob will change the speed of vibrato Try out various settings for vibrato with different waveforms and speeds For example the human voice or a violin would typically have a vibrato rate of 2 to 7 cycles per second Press the DESTINATION button and select AMP for tremolo or FILTER for growl effects 1 Low Frequency Oscillator Press PRESET Press D P...

Страница 10: ...when your hand is released from the keyboard lower the R slider of the AMP ENV all the way down E xperiment with the TYPE CUTOFF and RESONANCE controls as you play the keyboard Just as the sawtooth and square waves were processed with effects your portable digital music player s music is processed with effects now I t doesn t really matter which keys you play the portable digital music player s mu...

Страница 11: ...DEPTH knob and fatten the bass timbre Lastly fine adjust the DEPTH slider of the FILTER ENV to determine the overall sound 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Choose PRESET D 8 The sawtooth wave is selected Turn the CUTOFF knob in the FILTER section to the two o clock position Turn the RESONANCE knob in the FILTER section to the one o clock position Let s create the initial portion of the sound Raise the A...

Страница 12: ...nob to enhance the resonance 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Choose PRESET D 8 The sawtooth wave is selected Press the WAVE button in the OSC1 section and select NOISE Turn the CUTOFF knob in the FILTER section all the way left to MIN The sound becomes inaudible Turn the RESONANCE knob in the FILTER section all the way right to MAX Raise the D and R sliders of the FILTER ENV mid way up Lower the S sl...

Страница 13: ...quencies will become lower as well For example when A4 center A equals 440 0 Hz an octave higher pitch would generate twice the amount of frequency at 880 0 Hz A5 An octave lower pitch would produce half the frequency at 220 0 Hz A3 Pitch Harmonics Volume The volume of the sound is determined by the size or the width of the waves As the waves become wider vertically on the graph the louder the vol...

Страница 14: ...hat time most people thought of the synthesizer as a tool to replicate real life sound In contrast listing to the latest music trend numerous sound music producers have created sounds that only synthesizers can produce and listeners are demanding these sounds as well Most of the PCM synthesizers have set their goal on the pursuit of reality or replication I am glad to see that this particular synt...

Страница 15: ......

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