ARP2600 - Fundamentals of Music Technology - Cyborgstudio.com

128 - GLOSSARYENVELOPE FOLLOWER - A module whichcan create a voltage contour or envelope from anincoming audio signal which can then be used tomodulate other modules, much like the output ofan envelope generator.ENVELOPE GENERATOR (EG) - A circuit,usually triggered by pressing a key on a keyboard,that generates a changing voltage with respect totime. This voltage typically controls a VCF orVCA. An AHDSR and ADSR are two types ofEnvelope Generators. See ADSR.EXPONENTIAL - A response curve in which increasinglylarge voltages are required to producethe same amount of change in a module.FFADER - A potentiometer which allows a user toselect a value by sliding a small knob up or down,or from side to side. See also Slider and Attenuation.Fc - See Cutoff FrequencyFEEDBACK PATCH - A patch in which the outputof one of the modules in the patch is fed toone of the inputs on a module in the patch, thuscreating a feedback loop. (This is usually donewith an audio signal fed to a control signal input.)FILTER - A device used to remove unwanted frequenciesfrom an audio signal thus altering its harmonicstructure. Low Pass filters are the most commontype of filter found on music synthesizers.They only allow frequencies below the cutoff frequencyto pass (Low Pass). High Pass filters onlyallow the high frequencies to pass, and Band Passfilters only allow frequencies in a selected bandto pass through. A Notch filter rejects frequenciesthat fall within its notch.FILTER SWEEP - A resonant sweep of thefilter’s cutoff frequency.FINE TUNE - An attenuator found on the VCO’sand VCF which allow the user to adjust the frequencyand cutoff frequency respectively of amodule in very small increments.FIXED ARCHITECTURE - A synthesizer constructionscheme in which the oscillators are permanentlyconnected to the filter, which is permanentlyconnected to the VCA, and no other connectionsmay be made by the user. This categorydescribes about 98% of modern synthesizers.FREQUENCY - The number of cycles of a waveformoccurring in a second.FREQUENCY MODULATION (FM) - Occurswhen the rate of an oscillator or other time-basedmodule is controlled by a control voltage fromanother module.FUNDAMENTAL - The first, lowest note of aharmonic series. The fundamental frequency determinesa sound's overall pitch.GGAIN - The factor by which a device increasesthe amplitude of a signal. Negative gain will resultin the attenuation of a signal.GATE - The act of making a patch silence itselfwhen notes are not being played.GATE SIGNAL - A control voltage generated bythe keyboard as long as a key is being held down.It tells the envelope generator to remain in its sustainstage.HHERTZ (Hz) - A unit of frequency equal to 1cycle per second. Named after Heinrich R. Hertz.