Waldorf microQ Keyboard User Manual

Contents

Waldorf microQ Keyboard User Manual Manual pdf 149 page image

Appendix - GlossaryWaldorf microQ User´s Manual 150MIDI ChannelThis is a very important element of most messages. Areceiver can only respond to incoming messages if itsreceive channel is set to the same channel as the onethe sender is using to transmit data. Subsequently, thesender can address specific receivers individually.MIDI Channels 1 through 16 are available for thispurpose.MIDI ClockThe MIDI Clock message determines the tempo of apiece of music. It serves to synchronize processesbased on time.ModulationA modulation influences or changes a sound-shapingcomponent via a modulation source. Modulationsources include envelopes, LFOs or MIDI messages.The modulation destination is sound-shapingcomponent such as a filter or a VCA.Note on / Note offThis is the most important MIDI message. Itdetermines the pitch and velocity of every generatednote. The time of arrival is simultaneously the starttime of the note. Its pitch is derived from the notenumber, which lies between 0 and 127. The velocitylies between 1 and 127. A value of 0 for velocity issimilar to "Note Off".PanningThe process of changing the signal's position withinthe stereo panorama.PitchbendPitchbend is a MIDI message. Although pitchbendmessages are similar in function to control changemessages, they are a distinct type of message. Thereason for this distinction is that the resolution of apitchbend message is substantially higher than that ofa conventional Controller message. The human ear isexceptionally sensitive to deviations in pitch, so thehigher resolution is used because it relays pitchbendinformation more accurately.Program ChangeThese are MIDI messages that switch soundprograms. Program numbers 1 through 128 can bechanged via program change messages.ReleaseAn envelope parameter. The term "Release" describesthe descent rate of an envelope to its minimum valueafter a trigger is terminated. The Release phase beginsimmediately after the trigger is terminated, regardlessof the envelope's current status. For instance, theRelease phase may be initiated during the Attackphase.ResonanceResonance is an important filter parameter. Itemphasizes a narrow bandwidth around the filtercutoff frequency by amplifing these frequencies. Thisis one of the most popular methods of manipulatingsounds. If you substantially increase the resonance,i.e, to a level where the filter begins self-oscillation,then it will generate a relatively clean sine waveform.SustainAn envelope parameter. The term "Sustain" describesthe level of an envelope that remains constant after ithas run through the Attack and Decay phases. Sustainlasts until the trigger is terminated.System Exclusive DataSystem exclusive data allow access to the heart of aMIDI device. They enable access to data andfunctions that no other MIDI messages are able toaddress. "Exclusive" in this context means that thesedata pertain only to one device type or model. Everydevice has unique system exclusive data. The mostcommon applications for SysEx data include transferof entire memories and complete control of a devicevia a computer.TriggerA trigger is a signal that activates events. Triggersignals are very diverse. For instance, a MIDI note oran audio signal can be used as a trigger. The events atrigger can initiate are also very diverse. A commonapplication for a trigger is its use to start an envelope.VCAVCA is the acronym for voltage-controlled amplifier.A VCA is a component that influences the volumelevel of a sound via a control voltage. This is oftengenerated by an envelope or an LFO.