MODX Reference Manual
4
Tone Generator Block
The tone generator block is what actually produces sound in response to the MIDI messages received
from the Sequencer block, Controller block, Arpeggio block and from the external MIDI instrument. The
MIDI messages are assigned to sixteen independent channels, and the instrument is capable of
simultaneously playing sixteen separate Parts, via the sixteen MIDI channels. However, the sixteen-
channel limit can be overcome by using separate MIDI “ports,” each supporting sixteen channels. The
tone generator block of this instrument can handle MIDI messages over Port 1.
Tone Generator block
A Performance is a single set of sounds consisting of multiple Parts. You can change sounds as desired by
selecting the appropriate Performance. Each Performance has two types of parameters; parameters
unique to each Part and parameters common to all Parts. You can edit the entire Performance in the
Common/Audio Edit display (
).
A Performance consists of 16 Parts and you can create Performances (in which multiple Parts or Parts are
combined—in a layer, or in other configurations) using the keyboard.
Internally, there are three Part types: Normal Parts (AWM2), Normal Parts (FM-X), and Drum Parts. Normal
Parts (AWM2) are mainly pitched musical instrument type sounds that can be played over the full range of
the keyboard. Normal Parts (FM-X) are also mainly pitched musical instrument type sounds, using FM
synthesis. Drum Parts are mainly percussion/drum sounds that are assigned to individual notes. A Normal
Part (AWM2) can consist of up to eight Elements, a Normal Part (FM-X) can consist of up to eight
Operators, and a Drum Part can consist of up to 73 Drum Keys.
An Element/Operator/Drum Key is the basic, smallest unit for a Part. By combining multiple Elements/
Operators/Keys, Parts can be created to produce even more realistic sounds or various richly textured
types of sound. Each Part is created by editing parameters unique to each (Element Edit parameters/
Operator Edit parameters/Key Edit parameters) and parameters common to all the Elements/Operators/
Keys (Element Common Edit, Operator Common Edit, and Key Common Edit parameters.)
NOTE
For instructions on editing a Normal Part (AWM2), see
. For instructions on editing a Normal Part (FM-X),
see
. For instructions on editing a Drum Part, see
FM-X
This synthesizer also features an FM-X tone generator, in addition to the AWM2 block. The
abbreviation “FM” of FM-X stands for “frequency modulation,” which is a special tone generation
system that uses the frequency of one waveform to modulate another waveform, in order to produce a
completely new one. In this synthesizer, there are eight FM Operators and a full 88 different Algorithm
types. By changing the operator combination patterns, controlling the modulation with other
parameters such as levels and envelopes, and using high-quality filters, effects, and EQ commonly
with AWM2, you can create richly textured sounds that change in a highly complex fashion.
Performances
Part structure of a Performance
Parts
