Apple MainStage 3 Instruments - MainStage 3 Instruments
Apple MainStage 3 Instruments - MainStage 3 Instruments
Apple MainStage 3 Instruments - MainStage 3 Instruments
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Modulation<br />
Modulation overview<br />
Without modulation, sounds tend to be uninteresting and fatiguing to the ear. They also sound<br />
synthetic, rather than natural, in the absence of some type of sonic modulation. Vibrato is a<br />
type of modulation commonly used by orchestral string players to add animation to their<br />
instrument’s pitch.<br />
To make sounds less static, you can use a range of synthesizer controls to modulate basic sound<br />
parameters. To this end, many synthesizers, including ES1, ES2, and EXS24 mkII sampler, provide a<br />
modulation router.<br />
The router enables you to direct, or route, one or more modulation sources (the parameter or<br />
control that is modulating another parameter) to one or more modulation targets (the parameter<br />
being modulated).<br />
You can affect modulation targets, such as oscillator pitch or filter cutoff frequency, by using<br />
modulation sources that include the following:<br />
••<br />
Velocity modulation: You can modulate a target in different ways with the impact of your<br />
keyboard playing (harder or softer). The most common example of modulation controller use<br />
is a velocity-sensitive keyboard, set to control the filter and level envelopes. The harder you<br />
strike the notes, the louder and brighter the sound is.<br />
••<br />
Key scaling: You can modulate a target in different ways by adjusting the position you play on<br />
the keyboard (low or high notes).<br />
••<br />
Controls: You can use controls such as the modulation wheel, ribbon controllers, or pedals<br />
attached to your keyboard.<br />
••<br />
Automatic modulation: You can use envelope generators or LFOs to modulate<br />
signals automatically.<br />
Modulation sources can be—and often are—triggered by something you’ve done, such as<br />
playing a note on the keyboard, or moving the modulation wheel.<br />
The modulation wheel, pitch bend ribbons, foot pedals, keyboard, and other input options are<br />
referred to as modulation controllers, MIDI controllers, or just controllers.<br />
Appendix B Synthesizer Basics 488