The individual functions of a synthesizer are designed to interact; many functions are dependent on
other functions. In a number of cases this means that some functions are subordinate to others, i.e.
the effectiveness of a control feature is altered, modified or even negated completely by other rela-
ted functions.
The final pot, RELEASE, determines the speed or rate at which the volume decreases when you
release the key: At low values the sound ends relatively abruptly, at high values, the sound fades out
more gradually and softly. The length of the RELEASE phase also depends on which level the ampli-
fier curve is at when you release the key: The lower the level, the shorter the RELEASE phase. If you
dialed in a brief DECAY or SUSTAIN-TIME phase and it ended while you held the key down then of
course there will not be an audible RELEASE phase.
The next phase of the amplifier envelope is determined by the SUSTAIN-TIME pot: If the pot is set
to the center position (12 o’clock) indicated by the mathematical infinity symbol, then the SUSTAIN
level remains constant through to the end of the note.
If you turn it counter-clockwise to the left (towards FALL), then the level drops off at an increasing
rate towards the minimum level much in the manner you just experienced with the DECAY pot; If
you turn the pot clockwise to the right (towards RISE), the level rises at an increasing rate to maxi-
mum and remains there until you release the key.
The amplifier envelope can be described as a variable curve which, depending on the type and
duration of attack, hold and release data, automatically influences an imaginary volume pot (turns it
up or down). At the beginning of the note, ATTACK controls the rise or rate of increase to the maxi-
mum level. Once the maximum level is achieved, DECAY determines the fall or rate of decrease to
the SUSTAIN value, which is infinitely variable between the minimum and maximum levels. The
amplifier envelope may remain at this value until the end of the note, fall towards the minimum level
as determined by the variable TIME value, or even rise again towards the maximum level. After the
end of the note, RELEASE controls the fall or rate of decrease to the minimum level. Consequently,
the control pots labeled ATTACK, DECAY, TIME and RELEASE control a speed or rate, where as
SUSTAIN actually controls a level.
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