Glossary
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Kyra Manual
Equal Temperament
A tuning method whereby the ratio between any two ad-
jacent notes is the twelfth root of two. By default, Kyra
plays Equal Temperament tuning but it can be configured
to play any tuning by means of MIDI Tuning Standard
messages.
Filter
A sound processor that attenuates certain frequencies to
achieve a certain effect. Depending on the filter settings,
filters can boost frequencies around the cutoff point.
Flanger
An effect that uses relatively short delays and large
amounts of feedback to generate a characteristic whoos-
hing sound. The delay period can be modulated to obtain
the whooshing effect. The Chorus/Flanger module in the
Effects Unit on each Part can be configured to provide this.
FM
Frequency Modulation. A technique of using one oscillator
to modulate the frequency of another to provide distincti-
ve extra harmonics. A useful technique but it can be very
difficult to predict what the sound will be in advance and
good settings are often more a matter of trial and error
rather than by design. For this reason, pure FM synthesis
has fallen out of favour in recent years but it still has its
uses; certain sounds are very hard to achieve using other
techniques. Kyra supports FM between its two Oscillator
Groups. Kyra also has a large wavetable bank of pre-made
FM shapes that can achieve many of the sounds true FM
can deliver without the complexity of configuring it.
Follow Mode
A feature of Kyra that causes the OLED display to re-
present (follow) the control being manipulated by the
user. Engaging follow mode provides useful feedback as to
the current setting of a parameter. However, at times, it's
distracting to have the display switch when a control is
changed so Kyra allows follow mode to be switched off
using the Follow Mode button.
Formant
A grouping of harmonics (tonal components) that charac-
terises a sound.
Formant Filter
A filter intended to impart vocal characteristics on a sound.
Kyra features a Formant Filter within each of the Part
Effect units.