The oscillator generates the audio waveforms, which are the basis of the sound.
A timbre consists of three oscillators and a noise generator.
You can create a variety of sounds by combining multiple oscillators.
For example, you can adjust the Semitone and Fine Tune values so that one oscillator acts as the overtone for the other oscillators, or set the pitches of the oscillators to a harmony, or set multiple oscillators to the same pitch but slightly detune one of them to create a detuning effect.
You can also use ring modulation, oscillator sync and so on to create very complex overtone structures. Set the type using the OSC Mod Type parameter for oscillator 3, and set how these effects are applied with OSC Mod Amount for oscillators 1 and 2.
Here are the settings for oscillator 1 (OSC 1).
1. Wave [Saw, Square, Triangle, Sine, DWGS, OneShot] (CC#8)
Selects the waveform for oscillator 1.
The parameters you can adjust depend on the waveform you select here.
Saw: This generates a sawtooth wave, which is used for creating a wide range of uniquely analog synthesizer sounds such as bass sounds, pads and so forth.
Square: Generates a square wave, which is suitable for electronic sounds or simulating wind instruments. You can create clavinet or sax-like sounds by adjusting the pulse width.
Triangle: Triangle waves have fewer harmonics than sawtooth or square waves, and are suitable for rounder sounds like basses or pads.
Sine: Sine waves are fundamental waves with a rounder sound that do not have harmonics.
DWGS (Digital Waveform Generator System): These are waveforms created using an additive harmonic method. Choose this when you want to create sounds with a distinctive “digital synth” character, such as synth bass, electric piano, bells or voice-like sounds. 64 waveforms are available.
OneShot: These are PCM waves that do not sustain, such as percussion, metallic sounds, click noises and so on. Select this when you want to create sound effects, or sounds that add a certain character to the beginning of other oscillator sounds. You can choose from 32 PCM waves.
2. Shape/Sample [“Mode” Saw-Sine: 0...127/“Mode” DWGS: 1...64, “Mode” OneShot: 1...32] (CC#9)
If you’re using the Saw through Sine waveforms, set the Shape here.
If you’re using the DWGS or OneShot waveform, set the Sample.
When Wave is “Saw”: You can modify the waveform by adjusting this value. A setting of 0 produces a sawtooth wave, and a setting of 127 produces a sawtooth wave one octave higher.
When Wave is “Square”: This value sets the pulse width. A setting of 0 produces a pulse width of 50% (square wave), and a setting of 127 produces a pulse width of 0% (no sound). The sound becomes “harder” as the value approaches 0%.
When Wave is “Triangle”: You can modify the waveform by adjusting this value. A setting of 0 produces a basic triangle wave, and a setting of 127 produces a waveform with a pitch that is one octave and a fifth higher.
When Wave is “Sine”: A value of 0 produces a pure sine wave, and a setting of 127 produces a slightly distorted “fat” sine.
When Wave is “DWGS”: Changing the value selects a sampled waveform.
When Wave is “OneShot”: Changing the value selects a sampled waveform.
3. OSC Mod Amount (OSC Mod) [Off, 1...127] (CC#15)
Sets how much modulation from oscillator 3 is applied to the sound of oscillator 1.
4. Semitones [-24...0...24] (CC#16)
Adjusts the pitch of oscillator 1 in semitones (100 cent) steps. A value of ±12 produces a difference of ±1 octave, and a value of ±24 produces a difference of ±2 octaves.
5. Fine Tune [-50...0...+50 Cent] (CC#17)
Sets the pitch of the oscillator in one-cent steps. The range is ±50 cents.
Here are the settings for oscillator 2 (OSC 2). These are the same as for oscillator 1 (OSC 1). → OSC 1
1. Wave [Saw, Square, Triangle, Sine, DWGS, OneShot] (CC#18)
2. Shape/Sample [SAW-Sine: 0...127/DWGS: 1...64, OneShot: 1...32] (CC#19)
3. OSC Mod Amount (OSC Mod) [Off, 1...127] (CC#20)
4. Semitones [-24...0...24] (CC#21)
5. Fine Tune [-50...0...+50 Cent] (CC#22)
Here are the settings for oscillator 3 (OSC 3).
When applying oscillator modulation, oscillator 3 modulates oscillators 1 and 2, and oscillators 1 and 2 output the modulated result.
1. Wave [Saw, Square, Triangle, Sine, DWGS, OneShot] (CC#48)
2. Shape/Sample [SAW-Sine: 0...127/DWGS: 1...64, OneShot: 1...32] (CC#49)
These are the same as for oscillator 1 (OSC 1). → OSC 1
3. OSC Mod Type (ModType) [Disable, Ring, Sync, Ring&Sync, VPM]
Selects the type of oscillator modulation that’s produced in conjunction with oscillators 1 and 2.
Disable: No modulation is applied to the output sound.
Ring: This modulation generates the frequency sum and difference with the other two oscillator waveforms. Adjust the Semitones and Fine Tune to create metallic, atonal sounds. This is useful for sound effects.
Sync: This modulation forcibly synchronizes the phase of oscillators 1 and 2 to the phase of oscillator 3. This is effective for synth leads. Adjust the harmonics using the Semitones and Fine Tune values. The pitch of the fundamental does not change.
Ring&Sync: This simultaneously applies ring and sync modulation.
VPM: VPM (variable phase modulation) lets you use oscillator 3 to modulate the phase of oscillators 1 and 2, creating metallic overtones.
4. Semitones [-24...0...24] (CC#51)
Sets the pitch of oscillator 3 in half tone (100 cent) steps. A value of ±12 produces a difference of ±1 octave, and a value of ±24 produces a difference of ±2 octaves.
5. Fine Tune (FineTune) [-50...0...+50 Cent] (CC#52)
Sets the pitch of oscillator 3 in one-cent steps. The range is ±50 cents.
Use these parameters to configure the noise and the keyboard tracking (how the sound “follows” or changes according to the note you play) for the pitches of oscillators 1, 2 and 3.
Noise is used to create percussion instrument sounds, or sound effects such as surf. You can process the noise sound by selecting and configuring the dedicated filter or decimator used for the noise generator.
1. Noise Type [LPF, HPF, BPF, Deci] (CC#29)
Selects the dedicated filter or the decimator used for the noise generator.
LPF: Low-pass filter.
HPF: High-pass filter.
BPF: Bandpass filter.
Deci: Decimator.
2. Noise Color [0...127] (CC#30)
Changes the sound of the noise generator.
When “LPF” is set for Noise Type: Adjusts the cutoff frequency of the low-pass filter.
When “HPF” is set for Noise Type: Adjusts the cutoff frequency of the high-pass filter.
When “BPF” is set for Noise Type: Adjusts the frequency band of the peak characteristics.
When “Deci” is set for Noise Type: Adjusts the sample rate.
Tip: The noise generator differs from the oscillators in that the sound is the same no matter what note you play. However, you can make the pitch of the noise change according to the note you play, by setting “Noise Color” for the virtual patch Destination (Dest), and by setting KbdTrk to either “Source 1” or “Source 2”.
3. OSC 1 Keytrack (OSC1 KBD) [Ratio, Fixed]
This sets the keyboard tracking (how the sound “follows” or changes according to the note you play) for the pitches of each oscillator.
Ratio: The oscillator pitch changes according to the note you play, as with a typical keyboard instrument.
Fixed: The same pitch is produced no matter which note you play.
4. OSC 2 Keytrack (OSC2 KBD) [Ratio, Fixed]
5. OSC 3 Keytrack (OSC3 KBD) [Ratio, Fixed]
OSC 2 Keytrack and OSC 3 Keytrack are the same as OSC 1 Keytrack.