Multisegment envelopes - help me tame these beasts

Spirit · Post by **Spirit** » Mon Dec 02, 2002 1:14 am

The multi-segment envelopes seem like great tools - in raw specs they are quite similar to the 128-segment Absynth envelopes, yet they're a bit difficult for me to control.

For a start, I can't get the envelope to loop. The manual is hazey about this. In usual CW fashion it tells exactly what they can do, but not how to do it.

Also, is there any way to time the envelopes shape intervals (ie the peaks and troughs) so they match the MIDI clock rate ? Having complex looping envelopes is great, but if they can't follow a tempo then they're a lot more limited.

It seems like some great things could be done with these modules, but how ?

I can't recall ever seeing a module with one of these used in an extreme fashion . . . just as a normal envelope replacement. I'm trying to create a rhythmic pulse generator and these seem like just the thing !

Thanks for any tips.

Michu · Post by **Michu** » Tue Dec 03, 2002 5:15 am

Looping was something like "click on one point, then click on loop button, then click on other point"

no you cannot use tempo sync on them, neither can Absynth AFAIK. FM7 can.

the discontinued FMOne synth had some rythmic presets using graphic envelopes, which obviously were done hard way (using ol' calculator)

[ This Message was edited by: Michu on 2002-12-03 05:16 ]

Spirit · Post by **Spirit** » Tue Dec 03, 2002 6:35 am

Absynth locks to tempo easily and generates a basic sawtooth envelope pulse which is a fantastic starting point for complex envelope design.

It's a pity the Mod version doesn't have that. Pretty useless without it IMHO.

thanks or the reply

fra77x · Post by **fra77x** » Tue Dec 03, 2002 1:32 pm

Hi Spirit.. Because i haven´t used Absynth can you tell me in which way the envelopes are being used?

Michu · Post by **Michu** » Tue Dec 03, 2002 2:26 pm

thanks for info Spirit. i remeber NI rep stating on some forum (KVR probably) that FM7 has syncable envelopes as opposed to Absynth. It looks like dated info tho'...

at0m · Post by **at0m** » Tue Dec 03, 2002 3:13 pm

People who don't have it in Modular, can check out Neutron7's Sonic Attack, it also has the multi envelope w loop thing.

[edit] wow Spirit, now that's a multi envelope!

[ This Message was edited by: at0mic on 2002-12-03 20:34 ]

Spirit · Post by **Spirit** » Tue Dec 03, 2002 8:26 pm

It's only in the latest versions of Absynth that this sort of thing is possible. Here's an example of multiple envelopes. You can see the bpm rate on the top left.

There's also an option to "generate pulse" or something like that where you can set the bpm and interval, and it will automatically generate a synced sawtooth envelope.

Further, if you alt-click then when you drag the envelope points they will snap to the bpm-defined grid.

I love Absynth, bu it does suffer badly from aliasing and the presets aren't too great. I also find that it's tedious to program.

With some of Absynth's envelope features we could get some Modular devices happening that could seriously challenge the sonic weirdness of Absynth. The polyphony wouldn't be anywhere near as good, but probably the sound quality would be much superior.

Also, with decent bpm-synced envelope control there would be no need for the quite hopeless (and completely neglected) Modular sequencer modules.

Is it even worth sending an email to Creamware ? Nah, probably not. Don't think they'll be touching the Modular again until 2005.

Am I being harsh ?

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Where I rest . . .

[ This Message was edited by: Spirit on 2002-12-03 20:38 ]