Waldorf Q Synthesizer User Manual

Also see for Q Rack: User manual User manual

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Waldorf Q Synthesizer User Manual Manual pdf 161 page image

Appendix – GlossaryWaldorf Q User’s Manual 162dampens the frequencies below the cutoff. The bandpass filter allows only those frequencies around thecutoff frequency to pass, all others are dampened. Aband stop filter does just the opposite, i.e. it dampensonly the frequencies around the cutoff frequency. Themost common type is the low pass filter.Filter Cutoff FrequencyThe filter cutoff frequency is a significant factor forfilters. A low pass filter dampens the portion of thesignal that lies above this frequency. Frequenciesbelow this value are allowed to pass through withoutbeing processed.EnvelopeAn envelope is used to modulate a sound-shapingcomponent within a given time frame so that thesound is changed in some manner. For instance, anenvelope that modulates the cutoff frequency of afilter opens and closes this filter so that some of thesignal's frequencies are filtered out. An envelope isstarted via a trigger, usually a fixed trigger. Normally,the trigger is a MIDI Note. The classic envelopeconsists of four individually variable phases: Attack,Decay, Sustain and Release. This sequence is calledan ADSR envelope. Attack, Decay and Release aretime or slope values, and Sustain is a variable volumelevel. Once an incoming trigger is received, theenvelope runs through the Attack and Decay phasesuntil it reaches the programed Sustain level. Thislevel remains constant until the trigger is terminated.The envelope then initiates the Release phase until itreaches the minimum value.GateThe term „Gate“ has different meanings in a technicalcontext. Like a real gate, it describes something, thatcan be open or closed, or - to use a technical term -active or inactive. A gate in sense of a device is aunit, that damps a throughpassing signalcorresponding to some specific conditions. E.g. in anoise gate a signal is cut off, when its level fallsabove a predetermined threshold.Gate stands also for a control signal of analogsynthesizer systems. A keyboard generates an activegate signal as long as a key is held down. When thekey is released, the gate signal becomes inactiveagain. An envelope generator can use this signal forits trigger purposes, and as a result a VCA unit can becontrolled.High Pass FilterA high pass filter dampens all frequencies below itscutoff frequency. Frequencies above the cutoff pointare not affected.LFOLFO is an acronym for low-frequency generator. TheLFO generates a periodic oscillation at a lowfrequency and features variable waveshapes. Similarto an envelope, an LFO can be used to modulate asound-shaping component.Low Pass FilterSynthesizers are often equipped with a low pass filter.A low pass filter dampens all frequencies above itscutoff frequency. Frequencies below the cutoff pointare not affected.MIDIThe acronym MIDI stands for "musical instrumentdigital interface." It was developed in the early '80sso that diverse types of electronic musical instrumentsby different manufacturers could interact. At the timea communications standard for heterogeneousdevices did not exist, so MIDI was a significantadvance. It made it possible to link all devices withone another through simple, uniform connections.Essentially, this is how MIDI works: One sender isconnected to one or several receivers. For instance, ifyou want to use a computer to play the Pulse, thenthe computer is the sender and the Pulse acts as thereceiver. With a few exceptions, the majority of MIDIdevices are equipped with two or three ports for thispurpose: MIDI In, MIDI Out and in some cases MIDIThru. The sender transfers data to the receiver via theMIDI Out jack. Data are sent via a cable to thereceiver's MIDI In jack.MIDI Thru has a special function. It allows the senderto transmit to several receivers. It routes the incomingsignal to the next device without modifying it.Another device is simply connected to this jack, thuscreating a chain through which the sender canaddress a number of receivers. Of course it isdesirable for the sender to be able to address eachdevice individually. Consequently, there is a rulewhich is applied to ensure each device respondsaccordingly.