Emax II operation manual
205
Spectrum Synth
Sine waves are the most basic components of sound. All waveforms can be broken down
to their component sine waves. Additive Synthesis is the process of constructing sounds
by adding sine waves together in varying amounts.
The pitch of any sound is determined by its Fundamental Frequency. The fundamental is
the lowest frequency component and usually the one with the greatest amplitude.
The other components of a complex sound are known as Partials. The way the different
partials are mixed together with the fundamental frequency determines the tonal quality
of a sound. Normally the partials are based on whole number multiples of the funda-
mental, 1x, 2x, 3x, etc. When partials are whole number multiples of the fundamental,
they are called harmonics. Partials do not have to be exact multiples of the fundamental.
In fact, many natural sounds have some partials which are not exact multiples. Bells and
cymbals are examples of sounds in which many of the partials are detuned from a normal
harmonic relationship.
So, sine waves can be added together in various amounts in order to form complex
waves. But the waveform of most natural sounds varies quite dramatically over time.
Simply being able to create any waveform is not enough. The waveform of a sound must
vary over time or the sound is static and uninteresting.
Enter the Time Slice. Emax II’s Spectrum Synthesis allows you to specify up to 24
complex waveforms, (called Spectrums) and to either step or fade through them during
the course of the sound. The 24 waveform locations are called Time Slices, since they
represent the waveform at that slice of the sound. This method allows more complex and
interesting sounds to be created. In addition, each partial (sine wave) can have a 24 point
envelope that determines the pitch of that partial over the course of the sound.
Each Emax II voice can consist of two synthesized timbres, a synthesized timbre and a
sampled sound, or two sampled sounds. The resulting voice can then be processed using
Emax II’s extensive Dynamic Processing features and then placed anywhere in the stereo
field. As an example, the primary voice could be the attack of an overblown flute while
the secondary voice could be a synthesized timbre of your own creation. When played
together, the total effect is that of a natural sound, but a totally NEW natural sound. The
possibilities are endless!
1. Select Digital Effects 6 and the display will say:
Synth Changes
Data! OK?
If it’s OK to write over the current voice, press YES. If not press NO to return to the
module identifier.
OVERVIEW
SPECTRUM SYNTHESIS
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