Apple MainStage 3 Instruments - MainStage 3 Instruments

ES2 envelopes
ES2 envelopes overview
ES2 features three envelope generators per voice. They are abbreviated as ENV 1, ENV 2, and ENV
3 in the interface and router. In addition, ES2 features the sophisticated Vector Envelope. See Use
the Vector Envelope.
To learn more about the roots of the term “envelope generator” and its basic function, see
Amplifier envelope overview on page 486.
The parameters of ENV 2 and ENV 3 are identical. ENV 3 defines the changes in level over time
for each note played. You can think of ENV 3 as being hardwired to the router’s AMP modulation
target. ENV 2 controls the cutoff frequency of both ES2 filters.
Note: All envelopes can be used to control multiple parameters simultaneously.
ES2 Envelope 1
Although Envelope 1 (ENV 1) appears to be simplistic, it is useful for a range of
synthesizer functions.
Trigger Modes menu
Decay/Release Mode
button
Attack via Velocity slider
Envelope 1 parameters
••
Trigger Modes pop-up menu: Choose a mode to define the trigger behavior of ENV 1.
••
Poly: The envelope generator behaves as you would expect on any polyphonic
synthesizer: every voice has its own envelope.
••
Mono: A single envelope generator modulates all voices in the same way. All notes must
be released before the envelope can be retriggered. If you play legato, or any key remains
depressed, the envelope does not restart its attack phase.
••
Retrig: A single envelope generator modulates all voices in the same way. The envelope is
triggered by any key you strike, even when other notes are sustained. All sustained notes are
identically affected by the retriggered envelope.
••
Attack via Velocity slider: The Attack time slider is divided into two halves. The lower slider
sets the attack time when keys are struck at maximum velocity. The top slider sets the
attack time at minimum velocity. Drag the area between the two slider halves to move both
simultaneously. If this area is too small to drag, click an unused portion of the slider, and
drag vertically.
Chapter 3 ES2 67