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MIDI data usually derived from the sprung wheel (stick, lever)
to the left of a MIDI keyboard. Note that Pitchbend (like Chan-
nel Pressure) is not actually one of the Continuous Controllers.
Pole
Units of -6dB per octave in filters – so e.g. a 4-pole filter has a
slope of -24dB per octave. This term has its roots in ladder fil-
ter design, which uses several identical building blocks
(“poles”) arranged in series.
Polyphonic, Poly
Usually: Several notes can be played at the same time. Can
also describe any synthesizer module which has as many
instances as the number of notes being played – in the Virus,
the envelopes are polyphonic, the EQ is monophonic, the
LFO1 and LFO2 can be either. See Monophonic.
Polypressure
Also called Polyphonic Aftertouch or Key Pressure. Independ-
ant MIDI data relative to the pressure applied to keys on a key-
board. Rarely implemented because pressing on several keys
at once can result in too much MIDI data for a system to han-
dle. In the Virus, this data format is used for a purpose not
intended by the original MIDI specifications – as a supplement
or alternative to System Exclusive (Sysex) data. See also Chan-
nel Pressure.
Portamento
Classical term for gliding pitch from one note to the next. Often
simply called “glide” in synthesizers.
Preset
Ready-to-use sound i.e. one that is already programmed into
the synthesizer before leaving the factory. Often used more
loosely as a synonym for patch, sound, program etc..
Program
The term used by Access for individual sounds / patches. See
Patch.
Pulse wave
Oscillator waveform alternating between two discrete levels.
Pulse Width
The ratio between the lengths of the upper and lower levels in
a pulse wave. Often given as a percentage.
Q
Quality (Q)
Term describing the slope of a filter band (usually in an equal-
izer). Often misused as a synonym for Resonance.
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