NONLINEAR LABS C15 - 3.1 Performance (Keybed and Hardware Sources); 3.2 Macro Controls

Basic Concepts
Basic Concepts
22 23
3.2 Macro Controls
There are four additional parameters, that don’t have any connection or eect by default.
They are called “Macro Controls” and represent the second of three modulation stages.
Macro Controls are potential modulation targets for Hardware Sources, whereas (modula-
tion target) parameters are potential targets for Macro Controls. Therefore, Macro Controls
can be seen as the center stage of the modulation mechanism, redistributing the
movements of Hardware Sources to parameters.
The purpose of a Macro Control is to be defined by the sound designer and embodies a
primary tool to bring variation into a sound, as Macro Controls are both interactive (they
can be edited) and performant (they can be modulated).
3.3 Parameters
Items that are relevant for synthesis are called parameters and are organized in groups.
Each group combines all parameters related to a particular process of the synthesis
engine (such as an envelope). Some parameters are integrated in the modulation
mechanism and can be referred to as “modulation targets”.
Currently, there are 239 parameters organized in 21 groups, 89 of the parameters working
as modulation targets.
   
Macro Controls
Comb
A – B
SV Filter Eects Rev Amt Drive Level
A B Comb SV Filter Drive Level
PMHi CutAP Tune
FMSpreadResonCutoComb MixA – B
DecayPitch
Feedback Mixer
Comb Filter
State Variable Filter
Output Mixer
3.1 Performance (Keybed and Hardware Sources)
The Keybed as the arguably most important performance input provides polyphonic
control over notes (currently 20 voices) and monophonic Aertouch (as shown in the le
picture above). The semi-weighted, high quality Keybed is produced by Fatar, oering 61
keys (spanning 5 octaves).
Apart from the integrated, monophonic Aertouch, there are seven additional mono-
phonic Hardware Sources supporting performance. (Currently, the whole modulation
mechanism is monophonic.) The Bender, two Ribbons (as shown in the right picture
above) and four external Pedals (as shown in the lower pictures: a continuous and a
switch Pedal) can be integrated and used for expressive play.
While performing, notes can be played (on the Keybed) and movements can be made (via
the Hardware Sources) in order to bring motion and variability into your sound.
The eight Hardware Sources are considered the first of three modulation stages, gathering
the user’s performance input and redistributing movements to the four Macro Controls.
Hardware Sources provide a variety of aspects, depending on the behavior and settings
of an individual source. To explore all related details, refer to chapter 5.4 Using Hardware
Sources.
A pressed key (le), with Aertouch (right) Bender and Ribbons