Novation X-Station User Manual

Also see for X-Station: Supplementary guide Specifications

Contents

Novation X-Station User Manual Manual pdf 40 page image

SYNC ButtonThis function provides a way of producing interesting, piercing, metallicsounds. It does this by using the frequency of Oscillator 1 to periodicallyrestart the waveform used by Oscillator 2. This technique is known asOscillator Sync. Set this to ON to activate Sync.It should be remembered that the frequency of a waveform correspondsto the number of waveform peaks (cycles) over a given period of time.The frequency also determines the Oscillator’s pitch.Therefore if Oscillators 1 and 2 are detuned from each other, Oscillator2’s waveform will be periodically interrupted and started again from thebeginning of the waveform cycle every time Oscillator 1’s waveformbegins a new cycle.The diagram below illustrates this.It can be seen that the resulting synced waveform has subsequentlybeen modified into a different shape. Altering a waveform’s shape inthis way introduces new harmonics into the sound which gives theresulting waveform its distinctive synced sound qualities.It should be realised that the greater the difference in tuning betweenthe Oscillator waveforms, the more pronounced the sync effect willbecome, since more drastic changes will be made to the final syncedwaveform. Changing the pitch of one of the Oscillators during the dura-tion of a note (for example, modulated by an LFO) will add a dynamicquality to the synced sound.Other functions associated with the Oscillators and Mixer can be foundin the Oscillators and Mixer Menus. See Pages 19 &21.The Filter SectionThe Filter can be used as a Low Pass, High Pass or Band Pass type.FREQUENCY KnobThis controls the basic Cut off frequency of the Filter. The Low Passtype of Filter is the most common type of Filter found on classic ana-logue synthesizers and is musically the most useful, especially for basssounds. As the FREQUENCY knob is adjusted anticlockwise, harmon-ics are gradually removed from the sound. When almost closed, onlythe fundamental frequency remains. Fully closed and no sound at allpasses.With the High Pass Filter type, as the FREQUENCY knob is adjustedclockwise, harmonics are gradually removed from the sound. Whenalmost fully anticlockwise, only the fundamental frequency remains.When Fully clockwise and no sound at all passes.With the Band Pass Filter type, a narrow band of frequencies arepassed, centered on the position of the FREQUENCY knob. This kindof Filter is useful when it is desired to pass only a small range of specif-ic frequencies present in a sound.RESONANCE KnobThis knob controls the Resonance of the Filter. The control will boostfrequencies at the Cut off frequency. On on some synthesizers, thiscontrol is known as Emphasis since it will emphasize certain frequen-cies. At the zero position there is no effect. Turning clockwise slowlyintroduces the emphasis.Set fully clockwise, the Filter will begin to self - oscillate, producing anew pitched element (similar to feedback on an electric guitar).Note : At least a small signal must be fed into the Filter in order for theresonance to take effect. It is not possible for the filter to self - oscillateif no signal at all is fed into it.If the KS Synth produces a high pitched whistling sound, it is probablydue to this knob is being adjusted too far clockwise. If this self-oscillat-ing effect is not desired, keep the Resonance control away from theextreme clockwise setting. Increasing the Resonance is very good forbringing out modulation (movement or change) in the filter Cut off fre-quency, such as in Acid bass lines and other very edgy sounds.KEY TRACK KnobThis controls the amount of change to the filter Cut off (set by the FRE-QUENCY knob) by the pitch of the note played. When the knob isturned fully anticlockwise, there is no change to the filter Cut off fre-quency. With clockwise movement there will be an increasing amount ofmodulation. The filter will be opened more as higher notes are playedon the keyboard. This control is used to define how the timbre of asound changes over the keyboard.At the fully clockwise position, the filter tracks the pitch changes in a 1to 1 ratio. This means that with RESONANCE set to a high level, thepitch of the Filter’s self - oscillation will increase in semitone steps asnotes are played on the keyboard. This effect is akin to adding an extra(Sine Wave) Oscillator to the sound when notes are played on the key-board.THE KS SYNTHESIZERThe Filter Section• 40 •Oscillator 1Oscillator 2Synced waveform