ArcSyn User Manual: Mod Modifiers
- The Modulation Matrix Modifiers allow modulation sources A and B to be combined together and processed in different ways.
- These Modifiers are an 'advanced' or 'expert' feature which you don't need to use to get interesting sounds out of ArcSyn.
- For in-tune pitch modulation, set AMOUNT to 100% (or -100% for in-tune but upside-down modulation).
OFF
A and B added together. This allows either or both sources to be used without modification.
MULTIPLY
A multiplied by B. Useful for such basic routings as mod-wheel control of oscillator pitch modulation.
MULT 1 OCT
A multipled by B then scaled so that the maximum pitch modulation amount is 1 octave when AMOUNT is set to 100%.
CURVE
A 'curved' (or 'warped') by B. If B is zero, A is unmodified. If B is positive, A is bent into a convex curve, if B is negative, A is bent into a concave curve.
SMOOTH
A smoothed (LP filtered) by B. If B is zero or negative, A is unmodified. If B is positive, A is smoothed. The higher B goes, the more A is smoothed.
QUANTIZE
A quantised (made into steps) by B. If B is zero or negative, A is unmodified. If B is positive, A is quantised into steps which are the same size as B, so if B is 0.1 and A is an increasing ramp, the output of this modifier will be steps of zero, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and so on. TIP: if B is a level which is an exact musical amount like a minor third (from an LFO DC waveform with a level set to 3), A will be quantised into equal musical steps.
SAMPLE
A sampled (like a sample-and-hold) by B. If B increases from zero to more than zero, A is sampled and the output of this modifier is then held at the same level until the next time B increases from zero to more than zero. If B never rises above zero, the output of this modifier will remain at zero.
TRACK
A tracked by B. If B is more than zero, A is output. If B is less than zero, A is sampled and held.
HIGH
Outputs the highest input. If A is 0.5 and B is 0.1, the output will be 0.5.
LOW
Outputs the lowest input. If A is 0.5 and B is 0.1, the output will be 0.1.
GATE
A if more than B, otherwise zero.
SWITCH
A if B more than zero, otherwise zero. B is used to switch A on and off.
DIVIDE
A divided by B with the output limited to +/-1 to avoid divide-by-zero errors.
DIFFERENCE
A minus B but converted so it's always positive. If A is 0.5 and B is 0.1, the output will be 0.4. If A is 0.1 and B is 0.5, the output will still be 0.4.
LIMIT
A limited by the level by B. A is limited equally whether it's positive or negative, so if B is -0.5 and A is 1, A will be limited to 0.5.
COMPARE
If A is higher than B, the output is 1, if B is higher than A, the output is 0.
BIT-AND
BIT-OR
BIT-XOR
BIT-SHIFT
These 4 modifiers work by converting A and B sources to 8 bit binary numbers, with a range from zero to 255. The numbers are then combined using different binary maths operations.
OCTAVE
FIFTH
MAJOR
MINOR HARM
MINOR MEL
PENT.MAJ
PENT.MIN
BLUES
HIROJOSHI
WHOLE TONE
CHROMATIC
The last 11 modifiers add A and B together then quantise them to musical scales. As usual, you'll need to set the modulation AMOUNT slider to 100% for the modulation to be in tune. (Assuming that's what you want! Try choosing the CHROMATIC scale then setting the modulation AMOUNT slider to 50%—you'll get quarter-tone steps.)